Register Your Utah Foreign Corporation
A Utah foreign corporation is a business originally incorporated in a different state and is now authorized to operate as a foreign entity in Utah. In order start conducting business in Utah, you’ll need to file an
Application for Authority to Conduct Affairs to the Utah’s Secretary of State and pay the $59 application fee.
Below, we’ll go over the steps to complete the foreign qualification process. If you’re not into the idea of handling the chores yourself, you can hire us instead.
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GET STARTEDHow to Register as a Foreign Corporation in Utah
To register your foreign corporation in Utah, you’ll need to complete the process of foreign qualification. This process tells Utah’s Secretary of State the history of your business, along with proof of your responsible upkeep. Once complete, foreign qualification grants you the authority to operate within Utah.
Unlike registering a new business, foreign qualification extends the boundaries of where your business can operate. It is not a brand new business.
Here’s how you can get started on your foreign registration into Utah.
1. Name Your Utah Corporation
To get started, you’ll need to choose the name your corporation will go by in Utah. You can complete a free business name search, and even reserve your corporation name for only $22.
Keep in mind, if you choose to file a name reservation, you’ll need to cancel that reservation prior to registering your foreign entity. This comes in handy if you’re planning to complete the foreign qualification, just not immediately.
If the name you operate under in your home state is taken, you may need to come up with a Utah DBA (Doing Business As) name to register instead.
If you’d like to secure your business name nationally, we can help you apply for a federal trademark.
2. Designate a Registered Agent
Utah requires every registered business structure operating in its state to choose an individual or entity to act as a registered agent. This registered agent needs to be available during regular business hours to accept legal mail.
If you’re not sure where to start looking, our Utah registered agent service is comprehensive and reliable. We’re available in every US state to keep your registered agent service simple everywhere your company conducts business.
3. Start your Business Identity
While you’re preparing to expand your business’s registrations, it’s a good idea to review your online presence to ensure it’s ready to support your company’s growth. With Northwest, we’ve made establishing your business identity more convenient than ever.
If you’re just getting starting creating an online presence, we can set you up with a custom domain name, business website and professional email address all with no upfront cost.
If you’re looking to expand your digital footprint as a company, we can even provide a company phone number with a Utah area code to help you connect with the locals.
4. Get Get Certificate of Good Standing
To show you’re upholding a good reputation in your home state, Utah requires the inclusion of a certificate of good standing or existence from your domestic state of formation. This certificate needs to be less than 90 days old. The point is to let Utah know you’ve been keeping up with regular reports in your home state, including paying any taxes.
The process for retrieving a certificate of existence varies by state, but can normally be completed online for a nominal fee. If you hire us to complete your foreign qualification, we can usually handle this part of the process for you.
5. Submit your Application for Authority to Conduct Affairs
Once you’ve gathered all the required documents, it’s time to submit your Application for Authority to Conduct Affairs, along with your certificate of good standing, to Utah’s Secretary of State. The fee for this filing is $59.
What you’ll need to include:
- Corporation’s legal name
- Home state of incorporation
- Date of formation in home state
- Duration of company in home state
- Principal and mailing office location
- Name of your Utah registered agent
- If an individual, an address for your Utah registered agent
- DBA or assumed name in Utah (if applicable)
- The date your foreign corporation intends to commence business
- Title, name, and address for every corporate officer and director
- Intended business purpose
You can save time by creating an account and filing online at Utah’s Secretary of State website.
If filing via mail, your completed Application for Authority to Conduct Affairs can be sent to the following address:
PO Box 146705
Salt Lake City, Utah
84114-6705
You sure can. Utah charges a $75 expediting fee and promises a 1-2 business day turnaround for expedited filings. Keep in mind, the state boasts a standard turnaround of about 24 hours for regular filings. So, this option might be best if saved for instances in which you need to guarantee your filing is processed swiftly.
6. Receive your Certificate of Registration
Once your filing has been processed, you’ll receive a Certificate of Registration in the mail. If you’re filing online, you should be able to download a copy of this certificate within 2-3 business days of processing.
7. File Utah Reports and Taxes
Once your company is registered with the state, you’re authorized to begin business in Utah!
Make sure to keep up with the regular filings Utah requires, like your annual reports which are due annually on the same day you originally registered. The fee for this annual filing is $18, but a $10 fee is assessed for late reports.
Utah also levies a 4.65% corporate income tax on corporations registered within its jurisdiction. You can read more about this on Utah’s Corporation Franchise & Income Tax Instructions.
Northwest Can Register Your Utah 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 + state fees. This includes:
- Registering your business as a Utah Foreign Corporation. We’ll file your paperwork and let you know when it’s approved.
- Serving as your business’ Utah 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 Utah 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.
Utah Foreign Corporation FAQs
While an application cannot be amended while it’s still being processed, Utah requires you to update the Secretary of State if its corporate name, its assumed corporate name/DBA, the period of its duration, or the state or country of its incorporation change or were entered incorrectly.
You can file an Amendment to Authority to Conduct Affairs to make any of these changes.
Though there are some exceptions for businesses performing a minimal amount of activity, Utah generally defines doing business as anything your business does to make money, including setting up a storefront and hiring employees.
You can read more on the specifics on Utah’s Division of Corporations and Commercial Code website, well as our resource on doing business in another state.
No.
A corporate officer or director.
Certain counties in Utah might require local publication along with Secretary of State registration. Make sure to adhere to these requirements if your registered agent resides in one of these counties.
Absolutely! Our foreign qualification service is $225 + state fees. This includes a year of our registered agent service. Along with that, you’ll receive a custom domain name registered for a year and a 90 day trial of the rest of our business identity services.