Rhode Island Foreign Qualification

Why You Need To Do It – A business must foreign qualify if they plan on having any kind of physical presence in a state. Online sales don’t count, but if you even have a single employee representing your company in Rhode Island, you’ll have to foreign qualify.

When Should You Do It? – The sooner you begin, the better. Postponing the process can only lead to potential delays and even some penalties and fines. Generally, you will need Rhode Island foreign qualification if your company falls under any of the following criteria:

• Has a physical presence in Rhode Island
• Buying a property there
• Have remote employees
• Accepts orders in Rhode Island
• Owns a bank account in Rhode Island

There are several steps that you’ll have to take in order to obtain your Rhode Island foreign qualification. This includes the following.

1. Obtain Certificates – Rhode Island requires LLCs who want to foreign qualify to file an Application for Registration. Meanwhile, corporations must file an Application for Certificate of Authority. These forms are available for download on the Secretary of State website for free. Additionally, you should also secure a Certificate of Good Standing from the state where you formed your company.

2. Collect And Submit Information – The form will request a variety of information related to your business.

LLC

• LLC name registered in the home state
• An alternate name if the original is already in use
• Name of the home state
• The original date of the LLC formation
• Period of duration
• Name and street address of the registered agent in Rhode Island
• Purpose of the business you will conduct in Rhode Island
• Address in the home state, if required
• Mailing address
• The management structure
• If manager-managed, list manager names and addresses
• The effective date of the application
• An authorized signature

Corporation

• Corporation name
• Name of the home state
• An alternate name if the original is already in use
• The date of incorporation
• Period of duration
• Address in the home state, if required
• Name and address of the registered agent
• Purpose of the business you will conduct in Rhode Island
• Names and addresses of directors and officers
• An itemized list of authorized stocks that the corporation has the right to issue
• The number of shares, class, series, and par value
• A financial estimate for the following year
• The effective date of the application
• An authorized signature

3. Appoint Registered Agent – Your registered agent handles all of the basic processes involved in foreign qualification as well as in maintaining compliance within the state. Most businesses elect to allow a third party provider like DoMyLLC to handle this for them to save themselves time, energy, and stress.

4. File The Application – Once you finish the forms, file the application along with the filing fee of $150 for an LLC and $310 for a Corporation.

5. Ongoing Maintenance – Any company will have to file an annual report to the Division of Business Services each year. Corporations must file between January 1 and March 1 and include a fee of $50. LLCs will have a filing deadline of September 1 to November 1 and must include a fee of $50 as well.

We know that businesses today have a lot of work on their shoulders. That’s why we handle the entire process of Rhode Island foreign qualification. You just have to sign forms occasionally and provide us with some basic information. We offer:

•     Name availability checks
•     Full filing and registration
•     Dedicated account manager
•     Ongoing support whenever you need it

If you’re planning on branching your business out into Rhode Island, we’re here to help. Contact us today to learn more.

Rhode Island Office of Secretary of State
Phone Number:
(401) 222-3040

Address:
Rhode Island Secretary of State
148 W. River Street
Providence, RI 02904-2615