Register Foreign Corporations in Idaho
Looking to expand your corporation into Idaho? Then you need to file a Foreign Registration Statement with the Idaho Secretary of State. In this situation, “foreign” just means your corporation filed for formation outside of Idaho. Along with this statement filing, Idaho requires a Certificate of Existence from your home state, an Idaho registered agent address, and the online filing fee of $104 ($120 if filed by mail). Idaho Registered Agent take care of all this for you! We can order your certificate of existence, file your foreign statement, and serve as your registered agent.
Do I Need to Foreign Register My Corporation in Idaho?
Idaho does not provide a detailed description of what activities require foreign registration. However, there are some general activities that qualify as doing business in Idaho:
- employing people who live in Idaho
- keeping a storefront or other location in Idaho to sell your products and services
- selling or leasing property in Idaho
If you’re not positive that you need to foreign register your corporation in Idaho, it would be best to consult a business attorney or accountant for confirmation.
What to Do Before Registering a Foreign Corporation in Idaho
Before you begin the Foreign Registration Statement application, it’s a good idea to complete the following tasks first:
Order a Certificate of Existence
Idaho requires a Certificate of Existence from your domestic (home) state be sent in with your completed Foreign Registration Statement. This certificate must be no older than 90 days when you submit your application. Costs and processing time of this certificate vary from state to state, so check in with your home Secretary of State’s office to order one for your company.
Check for business name availability
A fast check in the Idaho Business Search site will let you know if your corporation’s name is available in Idaho. Your business name is only protected and unique in your home state. If someone is already using your exact or too similar name in Idaho, you’ll need to run your business under an alternate name.
Luckily, in this situation, Idaho does not charge extra to process an alternate name for your foreign registering company. You simply state the alternate name on line 2 of the Foreign Registration Statement. If you choose to hire us to file your foreign registration, we perform a name availability check for you!
Choose an Idaho Registered Agent
Idaho Uniform Business Organizations Code § 30-21-402 states that all domestic and foreign entities are required to list an Idaho registered agent address while active in this state. This registered agent is responsible for maintaining a physical Idaho address and staffing that location during business hours to receive your state and legal mail. This requirement, and the fact that the name and address of the agent is public record, make serving as your own registered agent inconvenient at best.
Hiring a registered agent service would free you from being stationed at your home or office during business hours, keep your address private, and prevent legal mail from potentially being served to you in front of clients. Other benefits to hiring a registered agent service are below:
- Filing Service– We can prepare and submit all your Idaho business filings
- FREE Forms Library – all Idaho business forms with DIY instructions available for download
- FREE Online Client Portal– View your state and legal mail, order filings and manage services from your computer or mobile phone
- FREE Annual Report Reminder Service– We notify you in advance of your LLC’s annual report deadline & prepare the filing to save you time
- Idaho Business Experts– call or email us with all your Idaho LLC questions
You’re going to have your hands full expanding your business into a new state, and Idaho Registered Agent can help!
Submit the Idaho Foreign Registration Statement
The Idaho Foreign Registration Statement has 11 questions outlined below:
- Entity Name: exactly as it appears on the state record in your home state
- Entity Name in Idaho: place your Alternate Name here if your original entity name is not available in Idaho. If your original entity name is available, but does not include the entity identifier (Corp, Corporation, Incorporated, Inc., etc.), you must add your entity name with an entity identifier on this line
- Entity Type: check the box of your entity type
- Jurisdiction of Formation: enter the home state (domestic state) of your company
- Principal Office Address: this can be the address of your company in your home state, or our Idaho registered agent address
- Domestic Principal Office Address: as it is listed on your home state’s record
- Mailing Address: the address you would prefer the state of Idaho to send business mail (ex: annual report notices)
- Idaho Registered Agent info: name and address of your registered agent in Idaho
- Govenor Name & Address: the name and address of at least one officer or director (in Idaho, corporate officers and directors are referred to as “governors”)
- Signature & Contact info: when the application is completed, you will print and sign your name, state your “capacity” or title in relation to the applying company
- Contact Information: place your contact phone and email here in case the state has questions about this application
The processing fee is $100 and can take the state up to 10-15 business days to review and approve. Expedited processing is available for additional fees. You can file this online, by mail, or in person:
To file online:
- Visit the Idaho SOSBiz login site to create an account
- After you login, you can choose to add extra fees to expedite processing
- Complete each of the 11 steps listed above
- Upload a .pdf copy of your Certificate of Good Standing (aka: Certificate of Existence) from your home state
- Continue to payment screen ($100 state processing fee + $4 credit card processing fee)
To file by mail:
- Download and complete the Idaho Foreign Registration Statement
- Mail your completed application, copy of your Certificate of Good Standing (aka: Certificate of Existence), and a check or money order made out to Idaho Secretary of State for $120 ($100 foreign registration fee + $20 manual processing fee, plus any optional processing fees) to:
Idaho Secretary of State
PO Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0080
To file in person:
- Bring a copy of the completed Idaho Foreign Registration Statement, the Certificate of Good Standing (aka: Certificate of Existence), and payment of $120 ($100 foreign registration fee + $20 manual processing fee, plus any optional processing fees) to:
Idaho Secretary of State
450 N. 4th Street
Boise, ID 83720-0080
Idaho is not a private state for corporations, so all the information you enter for steps 1-10 will be public information on the Idaho Business Search website. We understand the value and need for address privacy. No one likes getting tons of junk mail or surprise visits from solicitors. When you hire us to be your registered agent, you can use our address instead of your own on all your corporate state filings.
Professional Filing & Registered Agent Service
We want to make expanding your business into Idaho as quick and easy for you as possible. That’s why we’ve combined our secure and reliable registered agent service with expert Idaho filing solutions. Everything your business needs under one roof! Below are the details of our fees and services:
- $35 for 1 year of Idaho registered agent service
- $104 Idaho foreign registration fee (standard processing fee, expedited processing available for additional $41 state fee)
- $100 our filing fee
- FREE operating agreement (optional)
- FREE encrypted online client portal to store your Idaho business documents & mail, manage services, access complete DIY corporate forms library
- FREE Annual Report reminder service
- Total = $239
The only fee not included above is the state fee for your Certificate of Existence. If you already have this certificate dated within 90 days, email it to us and we’ll cancel that fee from your order. Or, we can order it for you and the state fee will appear on your order total. Let us be your host in Idaho, helping your business take root and grow is what we do!
All About the Idaho Corporate Annual Report
Idaho requires all entities to submit an Annual Report. For corporations, this report is due before the end of your foreign registration anniversary month. So if your foreign registration was approved on April 16th, your annual report would be due on or before April 30th each year. The report is free to file online, but can be submitted by mail or in person for the $20 manual processing fee.
If you forget to submit this report, Idaho does not charge a late fee. However, more than 60 days late will result in the cancellation of your foreign registration and ability to do business in Idaho. When you hire us to be your registered agent, you’ll receive reminders about the annual report. If you choose to file this yourself, or hire us to file it for you, you can use our registered agent address again to protect your privacy.
FAQ section
Need more information about doing business in Idaho? Check out our FAQ below, or give us a call during business hours to speak to one of our Idaho business experts: (208) 415-0650.
Is my corporate information private in Idaho?
No, Idaho does not keep your corporate information or filings private. The public can search for, view, and download copies of any business document filed with the state. This includes Articles of Organization, Foreign Registration Statements, Amendments, Annual Reports, etc. The only information on these forms that is not made publicly available is the phone number and email address you provide as contact information on filings.
What if I need to make changes to my foreign registered corporation?
There are a couple ways to update your corporate information in Idaho. Below is a table of updates you may need to make and what to file to make these changes:
| Change Needed | Filing Needed | Cost | How to File |
| Name of Foreign Corporation
Entity Type Entity Jurisdiction Principal Office & Mailing Address Name, capacity, and mailing address of the governor(s)
|
Amendment of Foreign Registration Statement | $30 online ($50 by mail or in person) | File online: Idaho SOSbiz
By mail: Idaho Secretary of State, PO Box 83720 In Person: Idaho Secretary of State, 450 N. 4th Street, Boise, ID 83720-0080 |
| Registered agent name & address | Statement of Change of Registerd Agent, Registered Office, or Both | Base fee $0 + $20 manual processing fee | By mail: Idaho Secretary of State, PO Box 83720 Boise, ID 83720-0080In Person: Idaho Secretary of State, 450 N. 4th Street, Boise, ID 83720-0080By Fax: 208-334-2080 |
| Principal Office & Mailing Address
Name, capacity, and mailing address of the governor(s) Registered agent name & address |
Annual Report (filing window opens 60 days before your official due date) | $0 if filed online, $20 by mail or in person | File online: Idaho SOSbiz
By mail: Idaho Secretary of State, PO Box 83720 In Person: Idaho Secretary of State, 450 N. 4th Street, Boise, ID 83720-0080 |
What if I need to close my business in Idaho?
If you no longer need to do business in Idaho, you can end your foreign registration by filing a “Withdrawal of Foreign Registration Statement.” The state fee is $40 and the form must be typed up and mailed, or delivered in person, to the Secretary of State. Once received, the state will have it processed in 10-15 business days.
What if my company name is already being used in Idaho?
You will need to operate your corporation under an alternate name if your original name is not available. The good news is there’s no extra fee for processing an alternate name in Idaho! You just enter in the alternate name you create on line 2 of the Foreign Registration Statement with an entity identifier (ex: Corp, Inc., Corporation, Incorporated, etc.).
Do I need a business license in Idaho?
Business licensing is determined by the type of products or services your business offers in Idaho. The best thing to do is to contact the Idaho Division of Occupational & Professional Licenses to verify that your corporation has all the professional, occupational, or state licensing required.
If your company employs Idahoans, sells physical products, or leases Idaho property, you’ll most likely need special permits and licenses. Check out the Licenses, Permits & Registrations list for more information.
The Idaho Business License Wizard can also help you determine if your business needs any special licensing, permits, or needs to collect and report sales taxes.
How do I contact the Idaho Secretary of State?
All the Idaho Secretary of State contact information is below:
| Physical Address | 450 N. 4th Street Boise, ID 83720-0080 |
| Mailing Address | PO Box 83720 Boise, ID 83720-0080 |
| Email Address | [email protected] |
| Phone Number | 208-334-2301 |
| Fax Number | 208-334-2080 |