Register Your Alabama Foreign Corporation

Even though your business name is registered in your current state, you still need to register it in the new state(s). That means the name needs to be available in the new state.

In Alabama, you have to reserve your business name prior to filing foreign qualification paperwork. You can do a free name search on the Secretary of State’s website to make sure your desired business name is available. You can reserve the business name via paper form for $25 or through the online portal for $28.

Concerned your business name won’t be available for future foreign registrations? Consider applying for a federal trademark for your business name to ensure it’s available in all fifty states.

Your registered agent needs to be physically located in Alabama. Unless you, a trustworthy business partner, or friend live in Alabama, you probably need to hire someone to be your Alabama registered agent. This is the person or company that will receive legal notices on your business’ behalf.

The good news? We can be your business’ one and only registered agent no matter how many states you expand into. We even offer bulk discounts once you hit five registered agent services.

Once your business is legal in the new state, you’ll want to be ready to make sales. Forming your business identity, or the way you present yourself to your potential clients, can prepare customers for your upcoming products and services.

Maybe you’ve never started getting your business out there. Now’s a great chance to start a business website or get a custom business email address.

Maybe you already have a digital presence, but now you want to make it easier for out-of-state people to find you, and start building awareness and a trustworthy reputation in your new territory. Consider getting a phone service that has the local area code or a local business address to use on documents where possible. Either way, make sure your business has a way to market itself in the new state, especially if you are not opening a brick-and-mortar.

The Foreign Corporation Application for Registration form can be submitted online with Alabama’s Secretary of State or sent through the mail. It costs $150 to file your foreign qualification documents via paper and $156 online.

Your application must include:

• Corporation name
• Corporation name as registered in Alabama if different
• Copy of the name reservation letter
• Date of corporation formation
• Starting date for conducting business in Alabama
• Principal office address
• Registered agent address and name

Note: If you are a professional corporation, you’ll need to file the Foreign PC Corporation Registration.

If you file online, you will be instantly registered in Alabama. If you file by mail, it should take about two weeks.

Once your receive your Certificate of Authority, you have permission to conduct business in Alabama! Congrats!

Your foreign corporation will now have taxes and reports to file independent of the ones you file in your home state.

• Business Privilege Tax: Your first Alabama Business Privilege Tax is due two and a half months after you first register to do business. After that, your taxes are due at the same time your federal income tax return is due. The Business Privilege TAx is based on the net worth of the business. Generally, the minimum is $100.
• Income Tax: Alabama has a maximum income tax rate of 6.5% for foreign corporations. The amount due is based off the income you received in Alabama, with deduction allowed for all federal income taxes paid. These are due at the end of the calendar year or the end of the fiscal year, depending on your business.
• Annual Report: Your Alabama foreign corporation annual report must be filed between January 1st and March 15th. It costs $10. You can file via mail or via e-mail.