1. Prove that you are registered in a state other than Florida 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 Florida, 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
Florida 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
Florida Corporation Foreign Qualification.
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2. Choose a name for your Florida Foreign Corporation
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- PCF will check to make sure that your Florida Foreign Corporation name is available, conforms to state of Florida
Corporation naming regulations, and will reserve the Foreign Corporation name with the Florida Secretary of State.
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Your Florida 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 Florida Foreign Corporation name that you choose must be distinguishable from the name of any other registered Florida Corporation or other
business entity and the name must also be different from any reserved names on record with the state of Florida.
Your Florida 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 Florida Foreign Corporation name must not be a name that is likely to mislead the public.
The name of a Florida Corporation must contain the word "Corporation", "Company" or "Incorporated" or an abbreviation of one of these words.
The Corporation name must distinguish the business entity as a Corporation instead of a natural person or partnership.
The Florida Corporation name may not contain language stating or implying that the Florida Corporation is connected with a state or federal government agency or a Corporation chartered under the laws of the United States.
It's important to choose a good name for your Florida Foreign Corporation because if you want to change it after you qualify you
will have to file amended documents with the Florida Secretary of State (and pay a fee).
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3. Select an official address and a Registered Agent for your Florida Foreign Corporation
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- PCF can act as the official Registered Agent for your Florida Foreign Corporation.
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Every Florida Foreign Corporation must have an address that is physically located in the state of Florida.
This address is "registered" with the Florida 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 Florida to receive all correspondence on behalf of the Florida
Foreign Corporation is called a "Registered Agent".
You may act as your own Registered Agent, however, many Florida Foreign Corporations hire a Registered Agent because they don't have a physical
address within the state of Florida or to provide a distinct level of privacy.
PCF provides Registered Agent services in Florida as well as any other state.
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4. File Registration Documents with the Florida Secretary of State
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PCF can compile Registration Documents that are specific to your Florida business and file them with the Florida 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 Florida you must file Registration Documents with the Florida Secretary of State.
The Registration Documents must include certain specific information about your Florida business.
If the Registration Documents do not conform exactly to state of Florida requirements they will be rejected.
You may subsequently amend the Registration Documents for your Florida Foreign Corporation but you will have to pay a fee to
the state of Florida in order to make the changes official.
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