New York Foreign Qualification Service

Order your foreign qualification online in order to obtain your certificate of authority to transact business in any state.

New York Certificate of Authority

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  • $399 service fee includes registered agent
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What is a New York certificate of authority?

Companies are required to register with the New York Department of State before doing business in New York. Businesses that are incorporated in another state will typically apply for a New York certificate of authority. Doing so registers the business as a foreign entity and eliminates the need to incorporate a new entity.

Operating without a certificate of authority may result in penalties or fines. In addition to the state’s requirements, licensing agencies, banks, and vendors will often request a certificate of authority.

When do I need a certificate of authority?

The most common reasons for applying for a certificate of authority include:

  • Opening an office or physical location within the foreign state
  • Hiring an employee who resides within the state
  • Before beginning a contract or a job in a new state
  • A vendor or bank’s requirements
  • Licensing authority requirements

How do I get a New York certificate of authority?

To obtain your New York Certificate of Authority, you will submit an Application for Certificate of Authority, along with required certificates or certified copies from your home state. You will need to appoint a registered agent in order for your filing to be approved. Be sure to follow the state’s instructions carefully, as they can reject a document for the smallest error.

For Foreign Corporations:

Agency:New York Department of State - Division of Corporations, State Records and Uniform Commercial Code
Form:

Application for Authority

Agency Fee:

$225

Law:

NY Bus Corp L § 1301

Certified Copy Requirement:

Certified copies not required.

Certificate of Good Standing Requirement:

Certificate of existence dated within the last year or, if your state doesn't issue certificates, a certified copy of your articles of incorporation and amendments.

For Foreign Limited Liability Companies:

Agency:New York Department of State - Division of Corporations, State Records and Uniform Commercial Code
Form:

Application for Authority

Agency Fee:

$250

Law:

NY LLC L § 802

Certified Copy Requirement:

Certified copies not required.

Certificate of Good Standing Requirement:

Certificate of existence dated within the last year or, if your state doesn't issue certificates, a certified copy of your articles of incorporation and amendments.

For Foreign Nonprofit Corporations:

Agency:New York Department of State - Division of Corporations, State Records and Uniform Commercial Code
Form:

Application for Authority

Agency Fee:

$135

Law:

NY Not for Profit Corp L § 1301

Certified Copy Requirement:

Certified copies not required.

Certificate of Good Standing Requirement:

Certificate of existence dated within the last year or, if your state doesn't issue certificates, a certified copy of your articles of incorporation and amendments.

For Foreign Professional Corporations:

Agency:New York Department of State - Division of Corporations, State Records and Uniform Commercial Code
Form:

Application for Authority (professional service)

Agency Fee:
  • $200 made payable to the New York Department of State
  • $50 filing fee made payable to the New York State Education Department
  • $20 registration fee made payable to the New York State Education Department
Law:

NY Bus Corp L § 1530

Notes:

Corporate indicator P.C. must be entered on the 2nd line of the first paragraph of the Application for Authority if not used in the original jurisdiction.

How to Apply:

If the entity will perform a service regulated by the New York Education Department's Office of the Professions, follow these steps:

  1. You must obtain a Certificate of Authority from the Office of the Professions. This can only be applied for through the mail. The application consists of the following documents and a $50 fee:
    • Application for Authority 1530
    • Professional Corporations Contact Information Form
    • Affidavit PPE
    • Articles of Incorporation/ all Articles of Amendment filed in original jurisdiction. (Must include verification of purpose)
    • Attestation signed by President listing all current shareholders, officers, and directors, signed under penalties of perjury
    • Satisfactory evidence of licensure in original jurisdiction for all shareholders/officers/directors. This can be verification from the licensing authority website or a copy of their license or registration
    • Proof of licensure and current registration in New York for at least one of the shareholders, officers and/or directors
    • Certificate of Assumed Name, if needed. (This would be used to add a profession to name of corporation or bring the name into compliance with New York State requirements. Fictitious names are only used if the original name is not available in New York State. If a fictitious name must be used due to a name conflict identified by the Department of State, no Certificate of Assumed is required.)
  2. After the Office of the Professions delivers the Certificate of Authority and Application for Authority, send both to the Department of State along with a $200 fee.
  3. To complete registration, you must mail a Certified Copy of the Application for Authority to the Office of the Professions along with a $20 fee.
Certified Copy Requirement:

Certified copies not required.

Certificate of Good Standing Requirement:

Certificate of existence dated within the last year or, if your state doesn't issue certificates, a certified copy of your articles of incorporation and amendments.

For Foreign Professional LLCs:

Agency:New York Department of State - Division of Corporations, State Records and Uniform Commercial Code
Form:

Application for Authority (Professional Service)

Agency Fee:
  • $50 + $10 per member filing fee made payable to the New York State Education Department
  • $200 made payable to the New York Department of State
Law:

NY LLC L § 1304

How to Apply:

If the entity will perform a service regulated by the New York Education Department's Office of the Professions, follow these steps:

  1. You must obtain a Certificate of Authority from the Office of the Professions. This can only be applied for through the mail. The application consists of the following documents and a fee of $50 + $10 per member:
    • Application for Authority 1306
    • Professional Corporations Contact Information Form
    • Affidavit PPE
    • Articles of Formation/ all Articles of Amendment filed in original jurisdiction. (Must include verification of purpose)
    • Attestation signed by a managing member listing all current members/managers of the company signed under penalties of perjury
    • Satisfactory evidence of licensure in original jurisdiction for all members/managers of the company. This can be verification from the licensing authority website or a copy of their license or registration
    • Proof of licensure and current registration in New York for all members/managers of the company
    • Certificate of Assumed Name, if needed. (This would be used to add a profession to name of corporation or bring the name into compliance with New York State requirements. Fictitious names are only used if the original name is not available in New York State. If a fictitious name must be used due to a name conflict identified by the Department of State, no Certificate of Assumed is required.)
  2. After the Office of the Professions delivers the Certificate of Authority and Application for Authority, send both to the Department of State along with a $200 fee.
  3. To complete registration, you must mail a Certified Copy of the Application for Authority to the Office of the Professions.
Certified Copy Requirement:

Certified copies not required.

Certificate of Good Standing Requirement:

Certificate of existence dated within the last year or, if your state doesn't issue certificates, a certified copy of your articles of incorporation and amendments.

For Foreign Limited Partnerships:

Agency:New York Department of State - Division of Corporations, State Records and Uniform Commercial Code
Form:

Application for Authority

Agency Fee:

$200

Law:

NY Partnership L § 121-902

Certified Copy Requirement:

Certified copies not required.

Certificate of Good Standing Requirement:

Certificate of existence dated within the last year or, if your state doesn't issue certificates, a certified copy of your articles of incorporation and amendments.

For Foreign Limited Liability Partnerships:

Agency:New York Department of State - Division of Corporations, State Records and Uniform Commercial Code
Form:

Notice of Registration

Agency Fee:

$200

Law:

NY Partnership L § 121-1502

Certified Copy Requirement:

Certified copies not required.

Certificate of Good Standing Requirement:

Certificate of existence dated within the last year or, if your state doesn't issue certificates, a copy of the most recently filed registration or renewal.

What do I need from my home state?

In order to obtain a New York Certificate of Authority, you must also submit:

  • Limited Liability Company: Certificate of existence or, if your state doesn't issue certificates, a certified copy of your articles of incorporation and amendments.
  • Corporation: Certificate of existence or, if your state doesn't issue certificates, a certified copy of your articles of incorporation and amendments.
  • Limited Partnership: Certificate of existence dated within the last year or, if your state doesn't issue certificates, a certified copy of your articles of incorporation and amendments.
  • Limited Liability Partnership: Certificate of existence dated within the last year or, if your state doesn't issue certificates, a copy of the most recently filed registration or renewal.
  • Nonprofit Corporation: Certificate of existence or, if your state doesn't issue certificates, a certified copy of your articles of incorporation and amendments.
  • Professional Corporation: Certificate of existence dated within the last year or, if your state doesn't issue certificates, a certified copy of your articles of incorporation and amendments.

What is a registered agent?

A registered agent receives service of process and government notices on behalf of your business. When you prepare your New York Certificate of Authority application, you must list a registered agent with a physical address within the state (P.O. Boxes are not allowed).

Many businesses do not have an individual or physical address in a new state. Listing our local registered agent address on your certificate of authority application meets the state’s requirements. Additionally, you get same day document scanning from our local office in all 50 states and DC. Our registered agent service is a flat rate of $99 per year, and you can easily add our service to any certificate of authority order.


What is the contact information for the state?

New York Department of State - Division of Corporations, State Records and Uniform Commercial Code

Physical Address:
99 Washington Avenue 6th floor
Albany, NY 12231


Mailing Address:
99 Washington Avenue 6th floor
Albany, NY 12231

Phone: (518) 473-2492
Fax: (518) 473-1654

Website: https://dos.ny.gov/division-corporations-state-records-and-uniform-commercial-code
Name Search: https://apps.dos.ny.gov/publicInquiry/#search
Forms: https://dos.ny.gov/existing-corporations-and-businesses
Online Filing: https://appext20.dos.ny.gov/ecorp_public/f?p=2201%3A17
Email: corporations@dos.ny.gov