1. Prove that you are registered in a state other than California as a Domestic Corporation
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- PCF can get your Certificate of Existence as quickly as possible from any state
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In order to register as a Foreign Corporation in the state of California, you must first prove that you are registered in another state as a
Domestic Corporation.
You usually prove this with a Certificate of Good Standing, sometimes referred to as a Certificate of Existence or a Certificate of Fact, from the
state in which you are registered as a Domestic Corporation.
Cost of a Good Standing Certificate for your Domestic Corporation varies from state to state.
If you already have a Good Standing Certificate please note that it must be dated no older than 30 days from the date of your application for
California Corporation Foreign Qualification.
If the date on your Good Standing Certificate is older than 30 days then you need to get an updated certificate.
PCF can get your Good Standing Certificate quickly and easily from any state.
If you get your own Good Standing Certificate you must scan and email or send a copy to us before we submit your application for
California Corporation Foreign Qualification.
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2. Choose a name for your California Foreign Corporation
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- PCF will check to make sure that your California Foreign Corporation name is available, conforms to state of California
Corporation naming regulations, and will reserve the Foreign Corporation name with the California Secretary of State.
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Your California Foreign Corporation name can identify the type of products and services your business will provide;
or it may be the name of the founder; or it can be a combination of the two or something else.
In any case, the California Foreign Corporation name that you choose must be distinguishable from the name of any other registered California Corporation or other
business entity and the name must also be different from any reserved names on record with the state of California.
Your California Foreign Corporation name must not imply that it was formed for a purpose other than that stated in the
Articles of Incorporation for your Domestic Corporation
and your California Foreign Corporation name must not be a name that is likely to mislead the public.
California state law restricts the use of certain words and phrases in Corporation names.
Specific California Corporation naming regulations can be found here.
It's important to choose a good name for your California Foreign Corporation because if you want to change it after you qualify you
will have to file amended documents with the California Secretary of State (and pay a fee).
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3. Select an official address and a Registered Agent for your California Foreign Corporation
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- PCF can act as the official Registered Agent for your California Foreign Corporation.
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Every California Foreign Corporation must have an address that is physically located in the state of California.
This address is "registered" with the California Secretary of State.
The Registered Address is where official and legal correspondence can be delivered.
The individual or company that is registered with the state of California to receive all correspondence on behalf of the California
Foreign Corporation is called a "Registered Agent".
You may act as your own Registered Agent, however, many California Foreign Corporations hire a Registered Agent because they don't have a physical
address within the state of California or to provide a distinct level of privacy.
PCF provides Registered Agent services in California as well as any other state.
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4. File Registration Documents with the California Secretary of State
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PCF can compile Registration Documents that are specific to your California business and file them with the California Secretary of State.
Should the need arise, PCF can also draft and file amendments to your Registration Documents.
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In order to Qualify as a Foreign Corporation in California you must file Registration Documents with the California Secretary of State.
The Registration Documents must include certain specific information about your California business.
If the Registration Documents do not conform exactly to state of California requirements they will be rejected.
You may subsequently amend the Registration Documents for your California Foreign Corporation but you will have to pay a fee to
the state of California in order to make the changes official.
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