Register a Foreign Nonprofit in Massachusetts

Free Guide to Registering a Foreign Nonprofit in Massachusetts

How do I qualify my foreign nonprofit corporation in Massachusetts?

File the Foreign Corporation Certificate of Registration with the department’s Division of Corporations. The form is available on the department’s web site and cannot be submitted online. If mailing or submitting the form in person, the authorized individual’s signature must be an original. If faxing, a copy of the signature will suffice.

What’s the cost to register a foreign nonprofit corporation in Massachusetts?

The filing fee is $400 ($375 if faxed). When registering by fax, the Massachusetts Secretary of State’s web site will prompt you to pay by credit card or electronic check. If you pay via mail or in person, you can pay with a check or money order.

How long does it take for Massachusetts to file my nonprofit corporation’s certificate of registration?

Most documents are processed within 24 hours of receipt. However, if you mail in the certificate of registration, the state will take one to two weeks after receiving the application.

Does Massachusetts require paperwork from my home state?

Massachusetts does require that you attach a Certificate of Good Standing (dated within 90 days of the filing) from your home state to the certificate of registration when you file.

Do I need a Massachusetts registered agent for my foreign nonprofit corporation?

Absolutely! 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 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.

Does the Massachusetts registered agent need to sign the certificate of registration?

No, your registered agent in Massachusetts is not required to sign the certificate of registration.

Do foreign nonprofit corporations need to file annual reports with Massachusetts?

Yes. The reporting fee for foreign nonprofit corporations in Massachusetts is $125. All reports are due by November 1st. You can file the paper form, faxing it in, or file online.

• If you’re submitting the report by hand or via mail, complete and file the paper report form that you download from the Corporations Division web site. Deliver it along with the filing fee.
• You can also fax the same completed form to (617) 624-3891. All fax filings must be sent with the Fax Voucher Coversheet. Find it at the same MA Corporations Division web site.
• To file online, use the Corporations Division web portal and click on “File Annual Report Online.” Login to the system with a customer ID number and PIN. The Corporations Division will send your PIN quickly by email. Then fill out the online form and submit it along with the filing fee.

Also, if your MA nonprofit corporation is registered as a charity, you’ll need to file a different annual report with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office. The reporting fee is based on yearly revenue generated and can cost anywhere from $35 to $2000. It is due four and a half months after the end of the charity’s fiscal year, which is typically May 15th. See our MA Charity page below.

Additional Resources for Massachusetts Foreign Nonprofits:

Massachusetts Nonprofit Tax Exemptions

File your certificate of registration:

Secretary of the Commonwealth
Corporations Division
McCormack Building
One Ashburton Place, 17th floor
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: 617-727-9640
Web site: http://www.sec.state.ma.us