Skip to main content

Wisconsin Foreign Corporation Registration

If you own an out-of-state corporation and want to conduct business in Wisconsin, you must file an Application for Certificate of Authority. You also need to pay a $100 minimum filing fee and appoint a local registered agent.

For $149 plus state filing fees, our Wisconsin business experts will file your application, provide a year of registered agent service, and give you immediate access to our library of business resources. You’ll also get real-time annual report reminders, a secure online account, and lifetime business support.

HIRE US TO REGISTER YOUR FOREIGN CORPORATION

Do I have to register as a foreign corporation in Wisconsin?

Probably. The state doesn’t formally define what qualifies as “doing business.” However, you’ll likely need to register if you plan on hiring Wisconsin employees, purchasing or renting property, or selling services/products to Wisconsin residents.

What happens if I don’t register my foreign corporation?

Failing to register as a foreign corporation before conducting business in Wisconsin could result in hefty penalty fees. Once you register, you must pay the minimum $100 filing fee plus any fees the state would have imposed when you were not registered, or $5000, whichever is less. For more information, you can read WI Stat § 180.1502.

If you conduct business before registering, the Application for Certificate of Authority has a section (page 8) to help you determine any additional fees owed.

How much does it cost to register my foreign corporation in Wisconsin?

Most foreign corporations in Wisconsin will pay $100 to register as a foreign entity. However, part of the registration process includes estimating your corporation’s capital represented in Wisconsin for the upcoming year (from the date you register to December 31 of the same year). If your total capital is over $60,000, you will pay an additional $3 per $1000 (or any amount over $60,000 rounded up to the following whole number). For example, if your corporation’s capital is $65,500, you’ll pay an additional $18 (6 X 3).

How do I register my foreign corporation in Wisconsin?

The best way to register a foreign corporation is to hire us! For just $149 plus state fees, we’ll file your Certificate of Authority and provide a year of local registered agent service. You’ll also get the following:

  • Real-time annual report reminders
  • A secure online account
  • Access to our library of Wisconsin business resources
  • Lifetime support from our local experts

But if you’d rather file yourself, follow the steps outlined below. Remember, you can still hire us for Wisconsin Registered Agent Service ($49 annually).

GET LOCAL REGISTERED AGENT SERVICE + REGISTER YOUR FOREIGN CORPORATION

1. Do a business name search.

Before you can start doing business in Wisconsin, you need to make sure your corporation’s name is available. To see if your name is free, search the Wisconsin business database.

If your business name isn’t available, you will need to establish a fictitious (or DBA) name. In addition, you’ll need to include Form 21B (Adoption of Fictitious Name) along with your Certificate of Authority. There is no filing fee for Form 21B.

2. Get a Certificate of Status.

Expanding your business into Wisconsin means demonstrating that you followed the rules in your home state—for this, you’ll need a Certificate of Status (or Certificate of Good Standing). You can contact the state department where you filed your formation paperwork to get a Certificate of Status. Costs will vary between states—for example, Michigan charges $10, and Minnesota assesses $15.

3. Appoint a Wisconsin Registered Agent.

State law requires all Wisconsin corporations (foreign and domestic) to have and maintain a local registered agent. Your registered agent must be a Wisconsin resident (over 18) or a company (like us) authorized to provide registered agent service. In addition, your registered agent must also:

  1. Have an email address and physical office address in Wisconsin.
  2. Be available during regular business hours to accept service of process.
  3. Forward any service of process to you (the business owner) in a timely manner.

Although you can act as your own registered agent, it will put your privacy at risk. When you file your Certificate of Authority, you must list your registered agent’s name and physical address. Unfortunately, your certificate is public record, which means anyone (including scammers) can find your information on the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions website. When you hire us, we’ll list our business address instead of your personal information.

4. File the Application for Certificate of Authority.

To begin doing business in Wisconsin, you must file an Application for Certificate of Authority ($100 min.) with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. Here’s a complete list of the information you’ll need to include:

  1. Legal name of your corporation and DBA (if applicable).
  2. State where you initially formed your business.
  3. Date you initially incorporated.
  4. Duration. If your corporation will close after a specific number of years, you must indicate that here. Otherwise, you can leave this section blank.
  5. Name, email address, and street address of your Wisconsin registered agent.
  6. Principal business address.
  7. Business transactions. If your corporation conducted business in Wisconsin before registering, check “Yes.” Most companies will check “No.”
  8. Name and addresses of your corporation’s officers.
  9. Name and addresses of your directors.
  10. Number of shares your corporation is authorized to issue and has issued. You also need to (if applicable) list the class, series, and par value.
  11. Capital in Wisconsin. This section estimates your corporation’s capital in Wisconsin for the upcoming year from the date you register in Wisconsin to December 31 of the same year.
  12. Filing fee. This section calculates your total filing fee. The minimum amount due is $100.
  13. Name, signature, and address of the person filing your certificate.
  14. Delayed date (optional). If you’d like your certificate to become effective later (up to 90 days), you can indicate that here. Otherwise, you can leave this blank.

You can submit your Certificate of Authority online or by mail. If you file a paper form, you must use black ink. The filing fee is a minimum of $100.

Online:
Online Foreign Registration Statement

Mail:
State of WI-Dept. of Financial Institutions
PO Box 93348
Milwaukee, WI 53293-0348

Express or Priority Mail:
State of WI-Dept. of Financial Institutions
Division of Corporate and Consumer Services
4822 Madison Yards Way, 4th Fl., North Tower
Madison, WI 53705

Applications are typically processed in five business days. If you’re in a rush, you can pay an additional $25 for expedited service (24-hour).

How do I maintain my Wisconsin Foreign Corporation?

Once you’ve successfully registered with the state, you’ll need to keep a few things in mind to remain in good standing.

  1. File your Wisconsin Annual Report. Wisconsin requires all foreign corporations to file an annual report by March 31 each year. The filing fee is $80.
  2. Obtain any necessary business licenses. Depending on your corporation’s location and the types of services you provide, you may need to obtain a business license. For example, Madison requires licenses for businesses that require regular inspections, such as restaurants and hotels. Check with your local government for more information.
  3. Get a Seller’s Permit. If your foreign corporation “makes retail sales, including leases, licenses, or rentals” from a physical location in Wisconsin, you will likely need a Seller’s Permit. The filing fee is $20.

We make registering a Foreign Corporation in Wisconsin easy

Registering a foreign corporation in Wisconsin can be frustrating. It’s easy to get lost between reading through forms, calculating fees, and combing through fine print.

When you hire us to register for you, we’ll make the path to success easy. Our team of experts will file your Certificate of Authority and provide a year of local registered agent service. Plus, you’ll get real-time annual report reminders, immediate access to our library of business resources, a secure online account, and lifetime business support.

Register your foreign corporation today!

 


MENU