Arkansas Foreign Qualification

IncNow can help you get a Arkansas Foreign Qualification done correctly without the hassle. We handle the entire filing process, from verifying your company name to submitting your Application for Certificate of Authority to the Arkansas Secretary of State.

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How to Foreign Qualify in Arkansas

Registering your business in Arkansas involves a few key steps. IncNow’s Incorporation Specialists can help you through the process and ensure your Foreign Qualification is done properly. Here’s a look at the process:

Obtain a Certificate of Good Standing

A Certificate of Good Standing, sometimes called a Certificate of Existence, is an official document from your business’s home state that proves your company is legally formed and compliant. 

Note: To be accepted by the state, the Certificate of Good Standing must be dated within 30 days of the date on which you submit your Foreign Qualification.

Check Name Availability

Before you can register, your company’s legal name must be unique and available for use in Arkansas. If another registered business is already using your name, you will need to operate under an “Assumed Name” (also known as a DBA).

IncNow’s team will conduct a name availability search with the Arkansas Secretary of State. If your company’s name is taken, we will immediately notify you and assist with registering an Assumed Name.

Get a Arkansas Registered Agent

Arkansas law requires you to appoint a Registered Agent with a physical street address in the state to receive official legal and tax documents. You can hire a commercial Registered Agent service to represent you if you do not have an Arkansas address.

If you live in Arkansas, you can serve as your own Registered Agent.

File an Application for Certificate of Authority in Arkansas

This is the official form that registers your out-of-state business in Arkansas. It must be filed with the Secretary of State and requires precise details about your company and its appointed Registered Agent.

The application requires the following details:

  • Your company’s exact legal name.
  • The state where the company was originally formed. 
  • The date when the company was formed. 
  • Your company’s mailing address.
  • Your contact information.
  • The name and address of the company’s Registered Agent in Arkansas.
  • The names and addresses of the company’s Members and Managers if an LLC, or Officers and Directors if a corporation.
  • A signature from an Authorized Person.

You need to pay a filing fee in order to submit the Arkansas Application for Certificate of Authority. The filing fee in Arkansas is $270 for foreign LLCs and corporations. State filing fees are included in the price of IncNow’s Foreign Qualification Service.

How IncNow Can Help

IncNow’s team prepares and files your company’s Application for Certificate of Authority in Arkansas. We ensure all of your information is accurate to prevent rejections.

Maintain Your Good Standing in Arkansas

Once your Arkansas Foreign Qualification is complete, your company is responsible for fulfilling all ongoing compliance requirements set by the state. The Arkansas Secretary of State will send official notices regarding these requirements to your Registered Agent in Arkansas.

Please Note: IncNow’s service covers the successful initial filing of your foreign qualification. Ongoing compliance management is not included for Arkansas.

Order A Foreign Qualification In Arkansas: $329 + State Fees

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Arkansas Foreign Qualification?

If your LLC or corporation was formed in another state, like Delaware, but you are going to be doing business in Arkansas, you will need to properly register your business there first. This process is called Foreign Qualification and it involves appointing a Registered Agent and filing an Application for Certificate of Authority.

What does it mean to be "doing business" in Arkansas?

The definition of “doing business” is generally pretty broad. It can also be different in each state. But in general, you will likely need to register your company in Arkansas if you do any of the following:

  • Have a physical location like an office, store, or warehouse in the state.
  • Have employees who work in Arkansas.
  • Regularly sell products or provide services to customers in Arkansas.

If you’re not sure whether your company is considered to be doing business in Arkansas, the safest bet is to file a Foreign Qualification. States often charge large penalties and fines if businesses do not properly register themselves.

What is an "Assumed Name" and when would I need one in Arkansas?

An Assumed Name is like a nickname for your business. It’s a name you use in Arkansas that’s different from your company’s official legal name. This is also commonly known as a “DBA” (short for “Doing Business As”).

The main reason you would need an Assumed Name is if your company’s official name is already taken by another business registered in Arkansas.

Because no two businesses can have the same name, Arkansas would require you to choose a different, “assumed” name to use while operating in the state. Our filing process includes a name search to check if your name is available, and we can help you understand the next steps if it’s already in use.