Register a New Jersey Foreign LLC
A New Jersey Foreign LLC is simply a limited liability company that was started in another state and now wants to do business in the Garden State. To make it legit, you’ll need to file an Application for Certificate of Authority with the Department of Treasury and pay a $125 state filing fee.
Sound like a hassle? Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. Northwest can handle your New Jersey foreign registration for just $225 + state fees. That includes the paperwork, one year of registered agent service, and business identity services that take your business online. You'll get a custom domain name, secure web hosting, a business phone number, a business email address, and a local New Jersey business address.
Plus you'll get forever access to our attorney-drafted legal document templates, personal help from our Corporate Guides®, and Privacy by Default®.
$225 Foreign Registration
Have Northwest Registered Agent expand your business and get more:
- Local experts handle your paperwork
- Local phone line
- Free domain name
- Free website
- Free professional email
How to Register a Foreign LLC in New Jersey
Expanding to New Jersey? Make it official by getting a local registered agent and filing all required state paperwork, including an Application for Certificate of Authority. The application costs $125 to file, and you’ll need to file it with New Jersey’s Department of Treasury, Division of Commercial Recording. Before you start the foreign qualification process, take a quick look at our guide below.
Whether you appoint someone you know personally or hire a business, your New Jersey registered agent is a crucial part of getting foreign qualification in New Jersey. Your registered agent must have a physical address in New Jersey and be readily available to deliver legal notification to you. There could be legal consequences if you don’t get your legal notices in a timely manner.
Because of how important it is to choose a reliable registered agent, many foreign corporations choose to hire a registered agent service like Northwest.
Before you can complete your business registration as an out-of-state LLC in New Jersey, you need to order a certificate of good standing (or your state’s equivalent) from your formation state. Your certificate just states that your business is up-to-date on all payments and taxes in your current state. Most of the time, you can order this online and receive it immediately!
One thing to keep in mind is that your current business name might not be available in New Jersey. Since your business name must be unique from other NJ companies, you’ll want to do a business name search prior to filing your Application for Certificate of Authority. At this point, if your name is available, you might consider reserving your business name so that it will still be available when you are ready to file.
If your business name is already being used, you must use a New Jersey DBA—or doing business as—name for your New Jersey business purposes. To obtain a DBA, you’ll need to file a Registration of Alternate Name (Form C-150G) with the New Jersey Department of the Treasury. Your application will cost $50, separate from your foreign qualification filing fee. Also note that if you are using a DBA, you cannot file your Application for Certificate of Authority online—you’ll have to file with a paper form.
Once you’ve got your business name sorted, and figured out who you’ll use as your local registered agent, you’ll want to build a local online presence. Our Business Identity Service can set you up with a custom website, secure hosting, a unique domain, a local phone number, and a professional email address to establish your business in the state.
Now that you have your Certificate of Good Standing, business name, and you’ve appointed your registered agent, you’re ready to start your foreign qualification application. Once you’re approved, you’ll have your Certificate of Authority and will be allowed to lawfully conduct business in New Jersey!
According to NJ Rev Stat § 42:2c-58, your Application for Certificate of Authority must include:
- Name of your company (or DBA)
- State where the business was originally formed
- Mailing address of your company’s principal officers
- Registered agent’s name and address
Foreign LLC qualification requires a $125 filing fee, due at the time of your application submission. If applying in person or via mail/fax, you will need to submit a cover letter. Additionally, a self-addressed return envelope will speed along the process!
If you’re ready to get started, you can Register Your Foreign LLC now with Northwest.
Your LLC will need to register with New Jersey’s Department of the Treasury before the state will consider your foreign LLC to be fully registered to do business. You can file online at the NJ Department of the Treasury Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services website.
Your Certificate of Authority, once approved, is available for download if you file online. Your documents will also be mailed to you.
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Foreign Qualification New Jersey LLC FAQs
Not likely, no. Unless you live there. That’s why the vast majority of foreign LLCs hire a registered agent like Northwest.
One of the main benefits of hiring a professional registered agent is that they can protect your privacy by listing their address on your business paperwork whenever possible. This helps to keep your personal information off New Jersey’s public record and makes it harder for scammers and spammers to bother you.
No. A Certificate of Formation is only required if you are initially forming in the state. Since you’re applying for foreign qualification, you won’t need to file a Certificate of Formation.
If you are applying for domestication—or looking to transfer your business from your original state to New Jersey—then you will need a certified copy of your formation documents to attach to your domestication application, but you still will not have to file a Certificate of Formation in New Jersey.
Note: More on how to apply for domestication can be found in state statute NJ Rev Stat § 42:2C-84.
It costs $125 to file your foreign registration in New Jersey. If you are applying for a DBA name, add $50 to your total cost. For expedited processing, you’ll need to pay an additional $50 (same day) or $25 (24 hours).
New Jersey recommends using their online portal to submit your foreign LLC registration application.
New Jersey processes online filings in about a day.
As listed on the official New Jersey Business site, you are conducting business in New Jersey if you have:
- A local New Jersey office
- Employees or independent contractors that service New Jersey clients
- Property, such as a warehouse
- Company-operated delivery/pick-up vehicles
- Licensing agreements with New Jersey businesses
You are not conducting business in New Jersey if you:
- Maintain, defend, or participate in a lawsuit
- Hold meetings of your members or managers
- Maintain bank accounts
- Borrow money
- Create or collect debts
- Conduct an isolated transaction
However, these lists are not comprehensive. Not sure if your business activity is legally considered to be doing business? Talk to a business attorney to find out whether you need to register with the state.
Want to know if your LLC needs to foreign qualify? Visit our guide on doing business in another state to learn more.
Yes! All LLCs in New Jersey must file the New Jersey Annual Report—even foreign LLCs! It will be due each year on or before the date you registered to do business in the state. So, if you registered on April 25, 2022, your annual report would be due by April 25 each year thereafter. The annual report fee is $75.
Yes! To amend your foreign LLC, you file a Certificate of Amendment with the New Jersey Department of Treasury. The filing fee is $75 and requires a signature from someone authorized by your LLC.
To cancel a foreign LLC, just submit form L-109, Certificate of Cancellation to the New Jersey Division of Revenue. The filing fee is $125.
You must pay all applicable New Jersey taxes, just like a domestic New Jersey LLC. By default, your LLC will be taxed as a pass-through entity, which means your business profits pass through the company itself and get reported as income on individual members’ tax returns. An LLC may choose to be taxed as a corporation instead, but to do that you’ll have to file paperwork with the IRS.
