Register Your Colorado Foreign Corporation
To register a foreign corporation in Colorado, you must file a Colorado Statement of Foreign Entity Authority with the Colorado Secretary of State, Business Division. You can only submit this document online. The Statement of Foreign Entity Authority costs $100 to file.
Follow our DIY guide below or let us handle the headache for you.
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When a business was formed in one state and wants to do legal business in another, it needs to go through the process of foreign qualification. An out-of-state corporation that registers with the Secretary of State can legally conduct business in Colorado as a foreign corporation.
Though there are a few ducks to get in a row to become a Colorado foreign corporation, it is a lot simpler than starting a brand new business. Foreign qualification expands the borders of your business. You get to keep the same corporate bylaws, EIN, and bank account.
Here’s how to register as a foreign corporation in Colorado.
1. Name Your Colorado Corporation
Your corporation’s name was originally registered in its home state. This registration does not cross state lines. If you want to use the same corporation name in Colorado, you’ll need to conduct a free business name search to make sure it is available. If it is not, you will need to choose a new business name to use in Colorado, called an assumed name.
You must file the Statement of Registration of True Name in the Colorado online business portal.
2. Designate a Registered Agent
Even though you have a registered agent in your home state, you will likely need to get a new registered agent that is located in Colorado for your foreign corporation. This is because your Colorado registered agent must be physically located within Colorado in order to receive service of processes (and other legal mail) during regular business hours. Northwest offers local registered agent service in every state, so we can be your one registered agent no matter how far your business expands.
3. Start your Business Identity
A good idea is just step one of running a successful business. Step two is getting your good idea in front of actual customers. This is even more important when you’re expanding into a new market. If you want to get your business identity ready before you file your registration, we can help.
Getting a Colorado phone number is one way that you can make sure your business appeals to locals. Another way is launching a new business website (secured, hosted, and personalized by us) with a custom domain name that shows locals you’re serious about setting up in Colorado. Plus, we can get you up to ten business email addresses to organize where customers are reaching out depending on their state and a local Colorado business address to keep your out-of-state address private.
4. Submit Statement of Foreign Entity Authority
To register as a foreign corporation in Colorado, you need to file the Statement of Foreign Entity Authority. You can only file this online using the Colorado online business portal. It costs $100.
Colorado offers step-by-step instructions of how to file the Statement of Foreign Entity Authority.
This includes:
- Entity name
- Entity formation type
- Jurisdiction
- Principal office address and date the business started in Colorado
- Registered agent information
- Attachments
- Date the filing becomes effective
- Email address for reminders
- Individual causing the document to be filed
You won’t receive any mail or notice from the Colorado Secretary of State unless your filing is rejected.
5. File Colorado Reports and Taxes
All Colorado foreign corporations must pay taxes and file reports in Colorado, their home state, and any other state where they are registered as a foreign corporation.
The Colorado corporate income tax rate is 4.63%. The state has an average of 7.24% sales tax. Colorado foreign corporations need to file their tax returns annually.
You will also need to file a Colorado periodic report to keep your business in good standing. You will file your annual report once a year. The report is available ten months after your original filing date. The report is due two months after a year from your filing date. It costs $25.
Northwest Can Register Your Colorado Foreign Corporation
If doing things on your own sounds overwhelming, boring, or generally like not a good use of your time, we’re ready to help. Our foreign qualification package is $225 + Colorado fees. This includes:
- Registering your business as a Colorado Foreign Corporation. We’ll file your paperwork and let you know when it’s approved.
- Serving as your business’ Colorado Registered Agent. We can be your RA in as many states as you want to expand into.
- Launching your business identity. We’ll get you a digital presence, including a business email address, phone service, and mail forwarding. Plus, we’ll put together a custom website with a domain, web hosting, and security in place. These will all be free for 90 days. After that, most services are $9/month.
- Sending reminders for your Colorado annual report. We can even file this for you. We’ll send you a reminder about the report 90 days before they’re due, and you can either have us file for you or opt out of the service
Colorado Foreign Corporation FAQs
Any amendment to your Colorado Statement of Foreign Entity Authority needs to be made online. Which document you file depends on the actual thing you are trying to change. However, you can see a full list of Colorado foreign entity forms on the Secretary of State’s website.
In Colorado, you can check out section 7-90-801, C.R.S. to see what does and does not constitute doing business. Generally, though, you can determine if what you’re doing counts by the intent behind what you’re doing. Defending a lawsuit in the state? Not business. Hiring employees to sell merchandise? That’s business.
Learn more about what it means to do business in another state.
No.
Any person who can confirm the accuracy of the information can sign. For example, an officer can sign, you can sign, or an attorney you hired can sign.
Yes, we can register your foreign corporation in any state, including Colorado. Our foreign qualification package is $225 + state fees. You can also add additional services, like premium mail forwarding and a custom website our experts can help you make, for a free trial.