Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions

Please Note

We are a service company that can help you file with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. We are not associated with this nor any other government agency. We offer paid services and software to help you file. You are not required to purchase our service to file - you may file directly with this agency without using our service.

Contact Information

Physical address:
201 W Washington Avenue
Suite 500
Madison, WI 53703

Phone: (608) 261-9555
Fax: (608) 261-7200

Web: Home Name search

Licenses

We track the following licenses with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions in order to provide compliance services to our clients. As a client, you see this and other reference data in License Manager in-line with your licenses.

A laptop placed on a desk with our License Manager software on display

Wisconsin Professional Employer Group Registration

Agency:Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions
Law:

WI Stat. § 202.22

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Financial Requirements:

Working capital of at least $100,000.

Bond Requirements:

If the applicant does not meet the working capital requirement, a bond of at least $100,000 must be submitted. However, if the applicant’s financial statement discloses negative working capital, the bond must be increased in an amount that is sufficient to cover the amount of the deficit. For example, if the applicant has working capital of -$110,000, a $110,000 bond would need to be submitted to the department.

Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No
Fact Checked:6/11/21

Initial Registration

Form:

Form #2840: Application for Registration

Agency Fee:

$75

Required Attachments:
  • List of States where Applicant Operated in the Previous 5 Years – The list must include the following:
    • Names of all states in which applicant has operated
    • The name the applicant used to conduct business in each state
    • Dates of operation in each state
    • Trade name(s)/DBA(s), if any, used by the applicant in each state
    • Address of applicant in each state
    • Name of any predecessor business entities of the applicant in each state
    • Name of any successor business entities of the applicant in each state (if known)
  • Statement of Ownership – The statement must identify each owner who has a controlling interest in the applicant and must provide the following bulleted information for each owner. “Controlling Interest” is defined as meaning a person who, individually or acting in concert with one or more other persons, owns or controls, directly or indirectly, 25% or more of the ownership interest of an applicant or registrant.
    • Owner’s name
    • Business name of each of the owner’s employers during the preceding 10 years.
    • Business address of each employer
    • Owner’s occupation at each of his/her employers
    • Offices held, if any, at each employer
    • Dates of employment at each employer
    • Responsibilities at each employer
  • Statement of Management – The statement must identify each manager who has a controlling interest in the applicant and must provide the following bulleted information for each manager. “Controlling Interest” is defined as meaning a person who serves as president or chief executive officer of an applicant or registrant or who otherwise has the authority to act as the senior executive officer of an applicant or registrant.
    • Manager’s name
    • Business name of each of the manager’s employers during the preceding 10 years.
    • Business address of each employer
    • Manager’s occupation at each of his/her employers
    • Offices held, if any, at each employer
    • Dates of employment at each employer
    • Responsibilities at each employer
  • Financial Statements – Submit financial statements for the applicant that are dated not more than 13 months prior to the date of this application. The financial statements must be prepared according to generally accepted accounting principles and audited by an independent certified public accountant.
  • Working Capital Documentation – If the applicant’s balance sheet does not disclose working capital, as defined by generally accepted accounting principles, of at least $100,000, the applicant must submit a surety bond
  • Form #2252 - Convictions and Pending Charges (if applicable)
Fact Checked:6/11/21

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$107

Due:

Annually by July 31.

Fact Checked:6/11/21

Wisconsin Professional Employer Group Registration - Small Operations

Agency:Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions
Law:

WI Stat. § 202.22

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Notes:

In order to qualify for small operations registration, the PEO/PEG must be registered as a PEO/PEG in another state, cannot maintain an office in Wisconsin, cannot solicit clients that are in Wisconsin, and cannot have more than 50 employees performing services for Wisconsin clients on any given day. A registrant that holds a small operations credential does not need to maintain a surety bond or submit audited financial statements to the Department of Financial Institutions on an annual basis.

Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No
Fact Checked:6/13/21

Initial Registration

Form:

Form #2858: Application for Registration - Small Operations

Agency Fee:

$75

Required Attachments:
  • List of States where Applicant Operated in the Previous 5 Years – The list must include the following:
    • Names of all states in which applicant has operated
    • The name the applicant used to conduct business in each state
    • Dates of operation in each state
    • Trade name(s)/DBA(s), if any, used by the applicant in each state
    • Address of applicant in each state
    • Name of any predecessor business entities of the applicant in each state
    • Name of any successor business entities of the applicant in each state (if known)
  • Statement of Ownership – The statement must identify the name and business experience of each owner who has a controlling interest in the applicant. “Controlling Interest” is defined as meaning a person who, individually or acting in concert with one or more other persons, owns or controls, directly or indirectly, 25% or more of the ownership interest of an applicant or registrant.
  • Statement of Management – The statement must identify the name and business experience of each manager who has a controlling interest in the applicant. “Controlling Interest” is defined as meaning a person who serves as president or chief executive officer of an applicant or registrant or who otherwise has the authority to act as the senior executive officer of an applicant or registrant.
  • Form #2252 - Convictions and Pending Charges (if applicable)
Fact Checked:6/11/21

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$107

Due:

Annually by July 31.

Fact Checked:6/11/21

Wisconsin Professional Employer Organization Registration

Agency:Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions
Law:

WI Stat. § 202.22

Financial Requirements:

Working capital of at least $100,000.

Bond Requirements:

If the applicant does not meet the working capital requirement, a bond of at least $100,000 must be submitted. However, if the applicant’s financial statement discloses negative working capital, the bond must be increased in an amount that is sufficient to cover the amount of the deficit. For example, if the applicant has working capital of -$110,000, a $110,000 bond would need to be submitted to the department.

Fact Checked:6/11/21

Initial Registration

Form:

Form #2840: Application for Registration

Agency Fee:

$75

Required Attachments:
  • List of States where Applicant Operated in the Previous 5 Years – The list must include the following:
    • Names of all states in which applicant has operated
    • The name the applicant used to conduct business in each state
    • Dates of operation in each state
    • Trade name(s)/DBA(s), if any, used by the applicant in each state
    • Address of applicant in each state
    • Name of any predecessor business entities of the applicant in each state
    • Name of any successor business entities of the applicant in each state (if known)
  • Statement of Ownership – The statement must identify each owner who has a controlling interest in the applicant and must provide the following bulleted information for each owner. “Controlling Interest” is defined as meaning a person who, individually or acting in concert with one or more other persons, owns or controls, directly or indirectly, 25% or more of the ownership interest of an applicant or registrant.
    • Owner’s name
    • Business name of each of the owner’s employers during the preceding 10 years.
    • Business address of each employer
    • Owner’s occupation at each of his/her employers
    • Offices held, if any, at each employer
    • Dates of employment at each employer
    • Responsibilities at each employer
  • Statement of Management – The statement must identify each manager who has a controlling interest in the applicant and must provide the following bulleted information for each manager. “Controlling Interest” is defined as meaning a person who serves as president or chief executive officer of an applicant or registrant or who otherwise has the authority to act as the senior executive officer of an applicant or registrant.
    • Manager’s name
    • Business name of each of the manager’s employers during the preceding 10 years.
    • Business address of each employer
    • Manager’s occupation at each of his/her employers
    • Offices held, if any, at each employer
    • Dates of employment at each employer
    • Responsibilities at each employer
  • Financial Statements – Submit financial statements for the applicant that are dated not more than 13 months prior to the date of this application. The financial statements must be prepared according to generally accepted accounting principles and audited by an independent certified public accountant.
  • Working Capital Documentation – If the applicant’s balance sheet does not disclose working capital, as defined by generally accepted accounting principles, of at least $100,000, the applicant must submit a surety bond
  • Form #2252 - Convictions and Pending Charges (if applicable)
Fact Checked:6/11/21

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$107

Due:

Annually by July 31.

Fact Checked:6/11/21

Wisconsin Professional Employer Organization Registration - Small Operations

Agency:Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions
Law:

WI Stat. § 202.22

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Notes:

In order to qualify for small operations registration, the PEO/PEG must be registered as a PEO/PEG in another state, cannot maintain an office in Wisconsin, cannot solicit clients that are in Wisconsin, and cannot have more than 50 employees performing services for Wisconsin clients on any given day. A registrant that holds a small operations credential does not need to maintain a surety bond or submit audited financial statements to the Department of Financial Institutions on an annual basis.

Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No
Fact Checked:6/11/21

Initial Registration

Form:

Form #2858: Application for Registration - Small Operations

Agency Fee:

$75

Required Attachments:
  • List of States where Applicant Operated in the Previous 5 Years – The list must include the following:
    • Names of all states in which applicant has operated
    • The name the applicant used to conduct business in each state
    • Dates of operation in each state
    • Trade name(s)/DBA(s), if any, used by the applicant in each state
    • Address of applicant in each state
    • Name of any predecessor business entities of the applicant in each state
    • Name of any successor business entities of the applicant in each state (if known)
  • Statement of Ownership – The statement must identify the name and business experience of each owner who has a controlling interest in the applicant. “Controlling Interest” is defined as meaning a person who, individually or acting in concert with one or more other persons, owns or controls, directly or indirectly, 25% or more of the ownership interest of an applicant or registrant.
  • Statement of Management – The statement must identify the name and business experience of each manager who has a controlling interest in the applicant. “Controlling Interest” is defined as meaning a person who serves as president or chief executive officer of an applicant or registrant or who otherwise has the authority to act as the senior executive officer of an applicant or registrant.
  • Form #2252 - Convictions and Pending Charges (if applicable)
Fact Checked:6/11/21

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$107

Due:

Annually by July 31.

Fact Checked:6/11/21

Wisconsin Trade name Registration

Is registration mandatory?

Trade name registration is optional in Wisconsin.

County Level Filing:

Filing is not required at the county level.

Does registration prevent others from using the name I choose?

Registration of a trade name does not offer name protection.

Agency:Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions
Fact Checked:8/17/18

Initial Registration
Trade Name

Agency:Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions
Form:

Registration of Tradename/Trademark

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

$15

Is registration mandatory?:

Trade name registration is optional in Wisconsin.

Notarize:Required
County Level Filing:

Filing is not required at the county level.

Does registration prevent others from using the name I choose?:

Registration of a trade name does not offer name protection.

Fact Checked:3/17/17

Registration Renewal
Trade Name

Agency:Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions
Form:

Registration of Tradename/Trademark

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

$15

Due:

Due by the date of registration every 10 years.

Notarize:Required
Fact Checked:3/17/17

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