North Dakota Foreign Qualification

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

$464 - $474

Includes entire filing process, from verifying your company name to submitting your Certificate of Authority Application to the North Dakota Secretary of State.

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

Choose Your Entity Type

Select the entity type your business is currently registered as.

LLC Corp

LLC

State Filing Fee

$135

Processing Fee

$329

Total Price

$464

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

Get Started

State Filing Fee

$145

Processing Fee

$329

Total Price

$474

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 North Dakota. 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 North Dakota Secretary of State. If your company’s name is taken, we will immediately notify you and assist with registering an Assumed Name.

Get a North Dakota Registered Agent

North Dakota law requires you to appoint a Registered Agent with a physical street address in the state to receive official legal and tax documents.

If you live in North Dakota, you can serve as your own Registered Agent. You can also hire a commercial registered agent to represent you.

File a Certificate of Authority Application in North Dakota

This is the official form that registers your out-of-state business in North Dakota. 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 North Dakota.
The names and addresses of the company’s Members and Managers if an LLC, or Officers and Directors if a corporation.
A signature from an Authorized Person.

You need to pay a filing fee in order to submit the North Dakota Certificate of Authority Application. The filing fee in North Dakota is $135 for foreign LLCs and $145 for foreign 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 Certificate of Authority Application in North Dakota. We ensure all of your information is accurate to prevent rejections.

Maintain Your Good Standing in North Dakota

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

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 North Dakota 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 North Dakota.
Regularly sell products or provide services to customers in North Dakota.

If you’re not sure whether your company is considered to be doing business in North Dakota, 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 North Dakota 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 North Dakota.

Because no two businesses can have the same name, North Dakota 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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