Rhode Island Entity Withdrawal Information

Services to terminate your entity’s foreign registration with the state
Order Registered Agent Service

Withdraw Your Entity from Rhode Island

Withdrawal is the process of closing out the foreign registration of an entity. Depending on the current status of your business or organization, this process varies. See the table below for more information on filing a withdrawal in Rhode Island.

For Foreign Corporations:

Agency:Rhode Island Secretary of State
Form:

Form 154: Certificate of Withdrawal

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$50 + $2.50 enhanced processing fee (online submissions only)

Notarization Required?:Not required

For Foreign Limited Liability Companies:

Agency:Rhode Island Secretary of State
Form:

Form 452: Certficate of Cancellation

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$75 + $3 enhanced processing fee (online submissions only) 

Notarization Required?:Not required

For Foreign Nonprofit Corporations:

Agency:Rhode Island Secretary of State
Form:

Form 254: Certificate of Withdrawal

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$10 + $2 enhanced processing fee (online submissions only)

Notarization Required?:Not required

For Foreign Limited Partnerships:

Agency:Rhode Island Secretary of State
Form:

Form 353: Cancellation of Certificate of Registration

Agency Fee:

$25

Notarization Required?:Not required

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I need to withdraw my entity?

Companies that no longer provide service in a state sometimes allow their legal registration to lapse, resulting in a loss of good-standing. Entities that lose good-standing may find themselves subject to local taxes and penalty fees despite having ceased operations in that state. Filing withdrawal paperwork with the state closes your entity’s foreign registration cleanly, and reduces your risk of penalties, as you wrap up affairs in that state.

What is tax clearance?

Depending on your state, and the type of entity you are withdrawing, you may be required to obtain tax clearance from the state’s Department of Revenue or taxation authority. If this is required, you can add this to your service, and a Harbor Compliance specialist will obtain tax clearance for your business.

Withdrawal vs. Dissolution

The term "withdrawal" typically refers to entities who are winding up affairs in a foreign state. If you have a domestic entity, and wish to wrap up affairs in your home state, you will "dissolve" your legal entity. For more information on dissolving your domestic entity, please visit our dissolution page.