A certificate of authority is a legal document that allows an entity to legally conduct business in a state—other than where it was initially registered as an S Corp, non-profit, C Corp, or LLC.

The document’s name can vary based on a state. It can be referred to as a Qualification Certificate, Application for Authority, Application to Transact Business, or Application for Registration, but is popularly known as Foreign Qualification.

When you talk of Foreign Qualification, the term ‘foreign’ here refers to other states—without necessarily going international. Typically, the document is the same regardless of the type of business in question.

However, you can also use the term Certificate of Authority to refer to a few different things. We will discuss a few types of Certificates of Authority to give you a more detailed overview of what they are.

Here, we discuss the foreign qualification obtained when a business wants to conduct operations legally in another state outside its initial formation. For example, suppose a business entity filed articles of association in Nevada. In that case, it will need a Certificate of Authority to conduct business in California.

The different states set distinct compliance requirements for foreign qualification, and businesses seeking certification must abide by the rules and the regulations. Individual states also use different criteria for defining ‘conducting business.’ Still, generally, an enterprise is said to conduct business in a state if:

However, this is by no means the comprehensive criteria for determining whether an entity conducts business. Moreover, the criteria for doing business can vary in different statutes.

In some states, you may need a Certificate of Authority to conduct business in a specific industry or if you want to meet a particular purpose. We will explain a few examples of Certificates of Authority under this category.

Suppose you want to start an insurance company. In that case, you need to obtain the licensing to operate in the insurance industry legally. Here, your business may request the certification from two different perspectives.

In most states, businesses that sell goods or services subject to sales tax must obtain a Tax Certificate of Authority. The certificate gives the business the authority to collect taxes. They can also issue and collect exemption certificates on sales tax.

The business will have to apply for the certificate from the tax authority and pay a fee. It gets assigned the certificate with a sales tax identification number upon approval. The certificate is renewable periodically.

If the business has multiple locations within the same state, each location must have its license and display it prominently at the site.

Here is an article that also defines the Certificate of Authority.

The purpose of a Certificate of Authority varies depending on the type. However, it is of utmost importance for a foreign qualification to operate in multiple states.

The document's primary purpose is to help your business legally conduct its operations in different states. It is proof that the entity operates lawfully and in compliance with the state’s requirements. A company that lacks the certificate cannot conduct business in other states.

Image via Pexels by Karolina Grabowska

If you plan to expand your business operations to other states, it’s a significant milestone for your business. First, however, you need to take a couple of steps, and obtaining a Certificate of Authority is one of them.

Each state has different laws and regulations, so you will have to apply for the certificate in the specific states you want to venture. Otherwise, you will not have the right to sell goods or provide services in these states, which is the most significant reason you need the certificate.

Also, it’s important to note that if you carry out activities that constitute conducting business in a particular state without a Certificate of Authority, you could be liable for tax backs, penalties, and fines.

Additionally, your business may not start or maintain a lawsuit or carry out legal proceedings in a court of law. That means you will not have the right to enforce contracts or recover damages.

Here is an article about the Certificate of Authority.

Give your company the authority it needs to conduct business outside its home states. Generally, you acquire a Certificate of Authority upon application and payment of fees. The fees and other jurisdictional requirements vary based on the state.

Here are four basic steps for Foreign Qualification.

A name search helps you know if the company’s name in its articles of incorporation is available in the state of qualification. The availability here means no other entity uses a similar name in the Secretary of State’s records.

If it is available, reserve it so that no other business registers under the name. If it is not available, the Secretary of State can qualify your company as a ‘ doing business as ’ (DBA).

Registered agents or corporate lawyers will act on behalf of your business in the foreign state. You must appoint a professional agency that will receive progress and other important communication on behalf of your business.

Many states will require proof that your company is in good standing in its registered state. Here, the Certificate of Good Standing proves that the company meets the operating agreement in the home state. A business can fall out of good standing by failing to pay taxes or file annual reports.

Once you’ve clear about the name status of your company and have a registered agent, you can file the application and pay the necessary fees. Research the fee payable in specific states since the amounts differ. Your registered agent should have the experience and expertise to handle this step and execute it on behalf of your company.

The application document should include a range of company information like:

However, the above is not a comprehensive list of the required information. The requirements vary from one state to another.

The primary benefit of Foreign Qualification is that your business can operate in another state legally. It is an excellent opportunity for expansion and growth. Besides that, other advantages include:

While the foreign qualification process appears straightforward, there are several legal implications. As a result, seeking legal assistance can help you with the guidance you need and avoid possible complexities in the process of qualification.

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