Register a Utah Foreign LLC
A Utah foreign LLC is an LLC that plans to conduct business in Utah but was formed elsewhere. Foreign LLC registration in Utah requires you to file a Foreign Registration Statement with Utah's Department of Commerce, Division of Corporations and Commercial Code, and pay a $59 filing fee.
Northwest can handle the registration process for just $225 + state fees. Your formation includes a registered agent, free domain registration, web hosting with SSL security, a local phone number, a professional email address, and a Utah business address. You'll also get access to legal document templates, expert support from Corporate Guides®, and our total commitment to protecting your privacy.
$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 Utah
Utah foreign qualification, a fancy term for the process of registering an out-of-state company in Utah, requires business owners to submit a Foreign Registration Statement to the Department of Commerce. Here’s how it works:
First of all, you’ll need a Utah registered agent. This can be a business or someone you know—but that person must have a physical address in Utah. Registered agents need to be available during standard business hours in order to receive legal notifications for your business.
To register your foreign LLC in Utah, you need to complete the state’s Foreign Registration Statement and file it with the Utah Department of Commerce, Division of Corporations & Commercial Code. You will need to provide the following information:
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Exact name of LLC
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Jurisdiction where LLC was formed
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Principal street address of LLC (in home state)
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Name of registered agent (plus their address, if non-commercial)
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Name of LLC in Utah (if original name is unavailable)
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The LLC’s purpose (optional)
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Name and business address or each member or manager (optional)
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Name, title and signature of authorized person
If you’re ready to get started, you can register your foreign LLC in Utah now with Northwest.
Once your business is up and running in the new state, you’ll want to be able to connect with the new market of consumers. Having a robust and localized digital presence can help build your business’ identity, which in turn will make your business seem more trustworthy and professional, even if you’ve only just started offering services/products.
We can help you build a custom website that is securely hosted with a unique domain, plus give you a local phone number, email, and lease for an address to help establish your business in Utah.
Learn more about how to launch your business identity in a new state.
After submitting your Foreign Registration Statement, the Utah Department of Commerce will notify you of receipt and acceptance of your application.
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Utah Foreign LLC Registration FAQ
You can serve as your company’s registered agent if you live in Utah. But foreign LLC owners rarely live in Utah. Because of that, when companies move into new states, many choose to hire a registered agent service.
In addition to freeing you up to run your company, a professional registered agent can help you protect your privacy. A registered agent service allows you to minimize use of your own address in public records by letting you use their business address on your registration documents instead.
Want to establish a business presence in Utah? Sign up for mail forwarding in Utah or get a virtual office in Utah through Northwest.
The processing fee for filing a Foreign Registration Statement in Utah is $59 for LLCs. An additional fee can be paid for rapid processing when filing a paper application.
You can file your Utah Foreign LLC Registration Application online, by mail, by fax, or in person.
Online: Utah Business Registration System
By Mail:
P.O. Box 146705
Salt Lake City Utah 84114-6705
Fax: (801) 530-6438
In Person:
160 East 300 South
Salt Lake City UT 84111
No. You only need to file a Utah Certificate of Organization if you’re forming a new LLC in Utah.
No. While the state requires foreign corporations to provide proof of existence or good standing, Utah does not require this extra step for foreign LLCs.
Most filings will be processed between seven to 10 business days. You can pay an expedited processing fee of $75 if you want it faster.
You can amend your foreign LLC filing in Utah by filing an Amendment of Foreign Registration and paying the $17 filing fee.
Many states, Utah included, do not clearly define doing business in their state laws because the business landscape is constantly changing.
In general, however, business owners who do the following in Utah will probably need to file for foreign registration:
- Own or lease an office
- Have a registered agent
- Pay wages to a Utah resident
- Sell goods or services
- Apply for a professional license
The list above is not exhaustive, and other activities may require you to register a foreign LLC in Utah as well. Consult a lawyer if you’re unsure.
Activities that do NOT constitute transacting business in Utah include, but are not limited to:
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Settling or defending lawsuits
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Holding board meetings
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Maintaining bank accounts
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Maintaining offices for the transfer of securities
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Selling goods or services through an independent contractor
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Soliciting orders (before they become contracts)
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Conducting isolated, non-repeating transactions completed within 30 days
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Transacting business in interstate commerce
Check out our page on: doing business in another state.
Yes, all foreign LLCs in Utah must file a Utah Annual Report every year following the year they file for foreign registration, by the anniversary of their initial foreign registration filing. If you’re unsure of when your anniversary date is, you can search the Utah Business Database and find out. The filing fee is $18, or $23 if you file online.
You must pay all applicable Utah taxes, just like any Utah LLC. By default, your LLC will be taxed as a pass-through entity, which means your business profits pass through he 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.
For more information on taxes, check out our Utah tax guide.
To withdraw your foreign LLC, you’ll need to file a Certificate of Withdrawal. There is no fee for this filing.
