Register a Foreign LLC in North Carolina

If you formed your business in another state or jurisdiction, but want to do business in North Carolina, you’ll need to file an Application for Certificate of Authority for Limited Liability Company with the North Carolina Secretary of State. The form costs $250 to file and processing times vary between 5 and 10 business days, depending on how you submit your filing.

Looking for a way to register your foreign LLC without any hassle? North Carolina Registered Agent™ has helped countless business owners expand their LLCs into North Carolina. We know the process like the back of our hand, and you can count on us to register your foreign LLC quickly and easily. Our Out-of-State Registration Service includes filing your LLC’s registration paperwork, a year of our registered agent service, a secure online account where you’ll have 24 hour access to your important documents, and an immediate online business presence.

Register Your Foreign LLC Today!

Why register a foreign LLC in North Carolina?

Just like domestic LLCs, a North Carolina foreign LLC has a flexible tax structure that separates your personal assets from your business assets. Corporations in North Carolina also come with liability protection, but they tend to be more expensive and less flexible.

On top of that, the North Carolina Secretary of State makes it easy to not only register your foreign LLC, but keep track of other state filings with their Online Services system. You can sign up for a free account on their website.

What counts as doing business in North Carolina?

If your foreign LLC is making money in the state through any business enterprise or activity, North Carolina considers this as “doing business.” Per state law (17 NCAC 05C .0102), this can include owning and operating out of an office in the state, selling and distributing goods or merchandise, and owning or renting an income-producing property.

In some cases, businesses do not need a Certificate of Authority to operate in NC. Some of these exceptions include businesses who are engaged in litigation, maintaining bank accounts or securities, or soliciting or procuring orders. You can find the full list of exceptions on the Secretary of State’s website.

How to Register a Foreign LLC in NC

Before your foreign LLC is ready to do business in North Carolina, you’ll want to make sure you do the following:

1. Get a North Carolina Registered Agent
2. Get a Certificate of Good Standing
3. File the Application for Certificate of Authority for LLC
4. Get your Certificate of Authority

1. Get a North Carolina Registered Agent

North Carolina Law (N.C. Gen Stat § 55D-30) requires that all business entities appoint a North Carolina registered agent. The state requires your foreign LLC’s registered agent to be a North Carolina resident, 18 years or older, who has a permanent address in the state and can be available during regular business hours to accept service of process on your behalf. North Carolina does allow you to be your own registered agent, but there are some things to consider before you appoint yourself. Specifically, your privacy. After your Application for Certificate of Authority for LLC is processed, the information listed will become public record. The application requires your registered agent’s name and address, so if you list yourself, your personal information will be available to the public.

If you’re concerned about your privacy, we recommend hiring a professional registered agent service like us! We’ll list our information on your application instead of yours, that way we’re the ones who have to deal with the inevitable avalanche of junk mail and solicitations, not you.

$49 Registered Agent

2. Get Certificate of Good Standing

Sometimes called a Certificate of Existence, a Certificate of Good Standing is a document from your LLC’s home state or jurisdiction that states your company is currently in good standing. North Carolina requires a Certificate of Good Standing in order to register your foreign LLC. If you do not include this certificate with your application, there’s a good chance the state will deny your foreign LLC registration.

The process and cost to order a Certificate of Good Standing varies from state to state, but it’s usually done through the Secretary of State or similar office. The certificate you submit with your application must be original and current (within 6 months of filing).

If you can’t get your hands on a Certificate of Good Standing for your LLC, now may not be the time to expand your business. More likely than not, a company is denied a certificate if it is not in compliance with the state. This could mean the company has failed to register with the state, failed to file its annual reports, or failed to pay taxes. If you find yourself in this situation, you’ll need to get your company back in compliance before it can be registered as a foreign LLC.

3. File an Application for Certificate of Authority for LLC

With an appointed North Carolina registered agent and a Certificate of Good Standing from your home state, you’re now ready to submit your Application for Certificate of Authority for LLC. When it comes to filing your application, you have several options:

• You can hire a company that specializes in registering foreign LLCs, like North Carolina Registered Agent™! Once you’ve hired us, we’ll ask you for the information needed on the form and submit it for you.
• Use the North Carolina Secretary of State’s Online Services to create a free account. There you’ll be able to fill out your paperwork, pay the filing fees, and submit your filing online.
• Mail in or hand deliver a paper copy of your application the Secretary of State’s office in Raleigh.

If you’d rather complete and submit the filing yourself, we recommend doing so online. It’s easier and faster than submitting your application by mail.

You will need to provide the following information on your Application for Certificate of Authority for LLC:

1. The complete name of your LLC and the name it will be operating under in North Carolina (if different).
2. The state or jurisdiction where your company was originally formed.
3. The phone number, street address, and mailing address (if different) of your LLC’s principal office.
4. The name of your North Carolina registered agent.
5. The phone number and address of your North Carolina registered agent’s principal office.
6. Your North Carolina registered agent’s mailing address (if different than the address above).
7. The names, titles, and business addresses of your LLC’s officials.
8. Attach your LLC’s Certificate of Good Standing.
9. Any and all of your LLC’s DBAs (if applicable).
10. An email address where the NC Secretary of State can send your Certificate of Authority.
11. Delayed filing date (optional).
12. Signature.

Once you’ve completed the form, you’re ready to file!

How do I submit my North Carolina Application for Certificate of Authority for LLC?

The NC Secretary of State’s office accepts application submissions online, by mail, or in person.

File online by using the NC Online Services.

You can mail your application to:

North Carolina Department of Secretary of State
Business Registration Division
P.O. Box 29622
Raleigh, NC 27626-0622

Or submit your application in person here:

North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State
Business Registration Division
2 South Salisbury Street
Raleigh, NC 27601

How much does it cost to register a foreign LLC in NC?

The filing fee to submit your application is $250. If you file online, expect to pay an additional $3 convenience fee.

If you need your Certificate of Authority in 24 hours or less, the Secretary of State also has expedited filing options. 24 hour expedited processing costs $100. Same day filing costs $200, and can only be done with an application submitted before noon.

4. Get your Certificate of Authority

Once your application is processed, your LLC’s Certificate of Authority will be sent to you via email or through the mail, depending on what you indicated on your application. The time it takes to get your certificate will depend on how you submitted your filing.

Online or In Person	5-7 business days
Mail	10 business days
Expedited	24 hours ($100) or Same Day ($200)

NC Out-of-State Registration Service: $402

Our Out-of-State Registration Service includes more than just filing your state paperwork. When you hire us to register your business in North Carolina, you also get:

• Lifetime client support from our local experts
• 1 year of our North Carolina Registered Agent Service
• An instant online business presence with a unique business domain, an email address and website with SSL at that domain, and a phone number with a local area code
• Instant access to your online account where you can track and manage your registered agent service, corporate filings, filing due dates, and documents
• North Carolina Foreign LLC annual report reminders
• Free use of our address in Raleigh for added business security

Register Your Foreign LLC Today!

North Carolina Foreign LLC FAQs

How are foreign LLCs taxed in North Carolina?

Foreign LLCs are taxed exactly like domestic LLCs in North Carolina, meaning they are pass-through entities by default. Just like with the LLC you formed in your home state, forming a North Carolina foreign LLC allows you to claim business taxes on your personal tax return and avoid the state’s corporate income tax. However, you’re still required to pay the federal self-employment tax of 15.3%, state sales tax of 4.75%, as well as any local taxes from the city or county where your business operates.

Is there an annual fee for foreign LLCs in North Carolina?

Your foreign LLC will need to file an annual report with the Secretary of State every year by April 15th. This report is a way to update your LLC’s information with the state. The filing fee for this report is $200 (or $203 if you file online).

How long is a foreign LLC registered in North Carolina?

Your foreign LLC will be registered in North Carolina until you choose to withdraw it or if the state decides to withdraw it. The state can revoke your foreign LLC’s Certificate of Authority if you fail to file an annual report or fail to comply with other state requirements.