What is a North Dakota certificate of authority?
Companies are required to register with the North Dakota Secretary of State before doing business in North Dakota. Businesses that are incorporated in another state will typically apply for a North Dakota 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 North Dakota certificate of authority?
To obtain your North Dakota 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: | North Dakota Secretary of State |
| Form: | Foreign Business Corporation Certificate of Authority Application |
| Agency Fee: | $145 |
| Law: | |
| Certified Copy Requirement: | Certified copies not required. |
| Certificate of Good Standing Requirement: | Certificate of existence, or certificate of good standing, dated within 90 days. |
For Foreign Limited Liability Companies:
For Foreign Nonprofit Corporations:
| Agency: | North Dakota Secretary of State |
| Form: | Foreign Nonprofit Corporation Certificate of Authority Application |
| Agency Fee: | $50 |
| Law: | |
| Certified Copy Requirement: | Certified copies not required. |
| Certificate of Good Standing Requirement: | Certificate of existence, or certificate of good standing, dated within 90 days. |
For Foreign Professional Corporations:
| Agency: | North Dakota Secretary of State |
| Form: | Foreign Professional Corporation Certificate of Authority Application |
| Agency Fee: | $145 |
| Law: | |
| Certified Copy Requirement: | Certified copies not required. |
| Certificate of Good Standing Requirement: | Certificate of existence, or certificate of good standing, dated within 90 days. |
For Foreign Limited Liability Partnerships:
For Foreign Nonprofit LLCs:
What do I need from my home state?
In order to obtain a North Dakota Certificate of Authority, you must also submit:
- Limited Liability Company: Certificate of existence, or certificate of good standing, dated within 90 days.
- Corporation: Certificate of existence, or certificate of good standing, dated within 90 days.
- Limited Liability Partnership: Certificate of existence, or certificate of good standing, dated within 90 days.
- Nonprofit Corporation: Certificate of existence, or certificate of good standing, dated within 90 days.
- Nonprofit LLC: Certificate of existence, or certificate of good standing, dated within 90 days.
- Professional Corporation: Certificate of existence, or certificate of good standing, dated within 90 days.
What is a registered agent?
A registered agent receives service of process and government notices on behalf of your business. When you prepare your North Dakota 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?
North Dakota Secretary of StateMailing Address:
600 E. Boulevard Ave. Dept. 108, 1st Floor
Bismarck, ND 58505
Phone: 701-328-2900 Toll Free: 800-352-0867 TTY: 800-366-6888
Fax: (701) 328-2992
Website: http://www.nd.gov/sos/
Name Search: https://firststop.sos.nd.gov/search/contractor
Online Filing: https://firststop.sos.nd.gov/
Email: sosbir@nd.gov
