What does it mean to be "doing business" in Alabama?

The definition of “doing business” is generally pretty broad. It can also be different in each state. But in general, you will likely need to register your company in Alabama if you do any of the following: Have a physical location like an office, store, or warehouse in the state. Have employees who work in Alabama. Regularly sell products or provide services to customers in Alabama. If you’re not sure whether your company is considered to be doing business in Alabama, the safest bet is to file a Foreign Qualification. States often charge large penalties and fines if businesses do not properly register themselves.

Check Name

Registered Agent

File

Maintain

Alabama Foreign Qualification

IncNow can help you get a Alabama Foreign Qualification done correctly without the hassle. We handle the entire filing process, from verifying your company name to submitting your Application for Registration to the Alabama Secretary of State.

$479

Includes entire filing process, from verifying your company name to submitting your Application for Registration to the Alabama Secretary of State.

This service is for businesses already formed in another state that need to register to operate in Alabama.

Choose Your Entity Type

Select the entity type your business is currently registered as.

LLC Corp

LLC

State Filing Fee

$150

Processing Fee

$329

Total Price

$479

4.9 out of 5 stars Rating on TrustPilot (1,148+ Ratings)

Get Started

State Filing Fee

$150

Processing Fee

$329

Total Price

$479

4.9 out of 5 stars Rating on TrustPilot (1,148+ Ratings)

Get Started

Check Name Availability

Before you can register, your company’s legal name must be unique and available for use in Alabama. If another registered business is already using your name, you will need to operate under an “Assumed Name” (also known as a DBA).

IncNow’s team will conduct a name availability search with the Alabama Secretary of State. If your company’s name is taken, we will immediately notify you and assist with registering an Assumed Name.

Get an Alabama Registered Agent

Alabama law requires you to appoint a Registered Agent with a physical street address in the state to receive official legal and tax documents. You can hire a commercial Registered Agent service to represent you if you do not have an Alabama address.

If you live in Alabama, you can serve as your own Registered Agent.

File an Application for Registration in Alabama

This is the official form that registers your out-of-state business in Alabama. It must be filed with the Secretary of State and requires precise details about your company and its appointed Registered Agent.

The form requires the following details:

Your company’s exact legal name.
The state where the company was originally formed.
The date when the company was formed.
Your company’s mailing address.
The name and address of the company’s Registered Agent in Alabama.
The date your company began or will begin doing business in Alabama.
A signature from an Authorized Person.

You need to pay a filing fee in order to submit the Application for Registration. The filing fee in Alabama is $150 for foreign LLCs and corporations. State filing fees are included in the price of IncNow’s Foreign Qualification Service.

How IncNow Can Help

IncNow’s team prepares and files your company’s Application for Registration in Alabama. We ensure all of your information is accurate to prevent rejections.

Maintain Your Good Standing in Alabama

After registering in Alabama, you will need to keep up with ongoing compliance requirements in the state. The Alabama Secretary of State will send official notices regarding these requirements to your Registered Agent in Alabama.

Please Note: IncNow’s service covers the successful initial filing of your foreign qualification. Ongoing compliance management is not included for Alabama.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Alabama Foreign Qualification?
What does it mean to be "doing business" in Alabama?
What is an "Assumed Name" and when would I need one in Alabama?

If your LLC or corporation was formed in another state, like Delaware, but you are going to be doing business in Alabama, you will need to properly register your business there first. This process is called Foreign Qualification and it involves appointing a Registered Agent and filing an Application for Registration.

The definition of “doing business” is generally pretty broad. It can also be different in each state. But in general, you will likely need to register your company in Alabama if you do any of the following:

Have a physical location like an office, store, or warehouse in the state.
Have employees who work in Alabama.
Regularly sell products or provide services to customers in Alabama.

If you’re not sure whether your company is considered to be doing business in Alabama, the safest bet is to file a Foreign Qualification. States often charge large penalties and fines if businesses do not properly register themselves.

An Assumed Name is like a nickname for your business. It’s a name you use in Alabama that’s different from your company’s official legal name. This is also commonly known as a “DBA” (short for “Doing Business As”).

The main reason you would need an Assumed Name is if your company’s official name is already taken by another business registered in Alabama.

Because no two businesses can have the same name, Alabama would require you to choose a different, “assumed” name to use while operating in the state. Our filing process includes a name search to check if your name is available, and we can help you understand the next steps if it’s already in use.

Why Choose IncNow?

50+ Years In Business

IncNow has been in business since 1974 and has helped countless companies incorporate. We offer expertise and customer service that national and even local companies can’t match.

Simple Online Portal

View and download documents, facilitate payments, and monitor your company’s status 24/7.

Same-Day Scans and Original Paper Copies

We promptly scan all documents received on your company’s behalf and email digital copies directly emailed to you. If you need original paper copies, we send them via USPS Certified Mail.

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Alabama Foreign Qualification

Choose Your Entity Type

LLC

Corporation

Check Name Availability

Get an Alabama Registered Agent

File an Application for Registration in Alabama

How IncNow Can Help

Maintain Your Good Standing in Alabama

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Choose IncNow?

What's New At IncNow

What Does Entity Mean? Is an Entity the Same as a Company?

How to Protect Real Estate Investments From Business Liabilities

What Is a Delaware Charging Order?

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