Register a Foreign Corporation in Rhode Island
To register a foreign corporation in Rhode Island, you must file a Rhode Island Application for Certificate of Authority with the Rhode Island Secretary of State, Corporations Division. You can submit this document by mail or in person. The Application for Certificate of Authority for a foreign Rhode Island corporation costs $310 to file. Below, you’ll find answers to frequently asked questions about how to file the Application for Certificate of Authority and register a foreign corporation in Rhode Island. Or, sign up for our Rhode Island Foreign Corporation service, and we’ll handle your filing instead!
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Download the Rhode Island Application for Certificate of Authority. Fill out the form and submit it to the state.
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Hire Northwest and let the experts register your Foreign Corporation in Rhode Island. Includes 1 year of registered agent service.
$ 535 TotalFree Guide to Registering a Foreign Corporation in Rhode Island
What does it cost to register a foreign corporation in Rhode Island?
$310 minimum fee for normal processing (call the Corporations Division for the appropriate fee if the number of authorized shares is 75,000,000 or greater);
How long does it take for the state to process the Rhode Island Certificate of Authority?
Normal Processing: Rhode Island processes mailed filing in about 5 business days. Add extra time for the mail.
In Person Processing: If you’re in a hurry, you can file in person, and your paperwork will be processed by the next business day.
How will I get verification of qualification back from Rhode Island?
You will not receive anything in return by mail. However, you can print any verification that you may need from their website.
What forms do I file with Rhode Island to qualify my out of State Corporation?
The Application for Certificate of Authority form, a Certificate of Good Standing (for profit corporations) or Articles/Amendments (nonprofit corporations), and the filing fee is required.
What do I need from my home state?
A Certificate of Good Standing is required for profit corporations.
Certified copies of the nonprofit corporation’s articles of incorporation and any and all amendments thereto is required for nonprofit corporations.
Does it need to be an original copy?
No.
How current does the certificate need to be?
Must be current within 60 days of filing.
Will I need an Rhode Island registered agent for my corporation?
Yes, when you hire Northwest as your registered agent, it’s a flat rate yearly price of $125 a year. You’ll have an online account that tracks your report due dates, which states you’re registered in, when your yearly service with us is up, and any documents we receive locally for you are uploaded into your account immediately for complete viewing. If or when you get served with a lawsuit, we can email up to 4 people and your attorney at the same time for real time complete viewing of a lawsuit. You’ll receive RI annual report reminders. It’s the same price every year, and there are no weird fees or cancellation fees.
You’ll also see all the pre-populated forms and specific filing instructions on the thank you page, in your online account, and they are emailed to you immediately upon signing up for 1 year of registered agent service in Rhode Island.
Does the Rhode Island registered agent need to sign the filing?
No.
How can I file the Rhode Island Certificate of Authority?
By mail or in person.
What is the state agency that accepts the out of state registration?
Rhode Island Secretary of State
Corporations Division
148 West River Street
Providence, RI 02904-2615
Phone: (401) 222-3040
Do the signatures on the Rhode Island corporation application need to be original?
No.
Who has to sign the foreign corporation filing?
An authorized officer of the corporation must sign the profit corporation form.
The President or Vice President and the Secretary or Assistant Secretary must sign the nonprofit corporation form. A signature must appear on each line even if the same person holds both offices.
Are there any weird things about registering in Rhode Island?
County filing or publication is not necessary for foreign corporations, unless specifically required by the county in which your registered agent resides.
Are there ongoing Rhode Island annual report and/or initial reporting requirements?
Annual reports are due March 1st for profit corporations in Rhode Island. Annual reports are due June 1st for non-profit corporations. The first annual report is due the next year after you file.
What are your fees?
You’ll need to have an Rhode Island registered agent. We charge $125 a year to act as your registered agent in Rhode Island. It’s a flat rate, once a year fee, and includes more than other registered agents. Here’s a little more about our registered agent service.
We charge a $100 one-time filing service fee if you would like us to obtain the certificates needed from your home state, and register your company in any state you choose. We have offices in every state and can act as your registered agent and make your filings for you in any state. If you would like to register with multiple states at once, we can usually drop our filing service fee down.