Oklahoma Foreign LLC
LLCs that were formed outside of Oklahoma can still do business in the state by registering as a foreign LLC. You can register by filing an Application for Registration of Foreign Limited Liability Company with the Oklahoma Secretary of State and pay the $300 filing fee. Want an easy way to register a foreign LLC in Oklahoma? Oklahoma Registered Agent™ can make the process of expanding your business to Oklahoma easy! Sign up to register your out-of-state business and we’ll do the rest. Our service includes preparing and filing your application with the Oklahoma Secretary of State.
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If you want to take on the task of registering your foreign LLC yourself, we’ve created the guide below to walk you through each step of the process. In order to register a foreign LLC you need to:
- Choose a name for your foreign LLC
- Get a Certificate of Good Standing from your home jurisdiction
- Appoint an Oklahoma Registered Agent
- File a Certificate of Authority Foreign LLC Application
Forming a domestic LLC in Oklahoma is a different process that requires different state paperwork. If you want to start a new LLC in Oklahoma, we’ve written a guide for that, too! Check out our page on how to form an Oklahoma LLC.
Do I have to register a foreign LLC in Oklahoma?
You will need to register your company as a foreign LLC if you’re doing business in Oklahoma. Unfortunately, state law doesn’t outline any definitive guidelines when it comes to doing business in Oklahoma. However, a good rule of thumb is that if your LLC hires employees in Oklahoma, sells services or products in the state, or applies for any state permits or licenses, you’ll need to register your LLC as a foreign LLC.
How to Register a Foreign LLC in Oklahoma
When you’re ready to do business in Oklahoma, you can register your foreign LLC by filing a an Application for Registration of Foreign Limited Liability Company with the Oklahoma Secretary of State. The form costs $300 to file, plus a $12 credit card processing fee. Once your paperwork is processed, the state will send you a filed Certificate of Authority.
1. Choose a Name for your Foreign LLC
First thing’s first: Choose a name for your Oklahoma LLC. Although your LLC already has a name, there’s a chance that another business in Oklahoma may already be using it. Make sure your existing LLC’s name is available for use in Oklahoma before submitting your application. Use the state’s Name Availability Search to check if your name is available. If it is, you can use it on your application. If it is not, you will have to choose an alternative name for your foreign LLC.
Can I reserve a name for my Oklahoma foreign LLC?
Yes. If the name you want is available, but you’re not quite ready to submit your application, no problem! All you need to do is file an LLC Name Reservation form (and pay the $10 fee) and you can reserve the name you want for up to 60 days.
2. Get a Certificate of Good Standing
Before you start your application, you’ll need to get a Certificate of Good Standing from your home state or jurisdiction. The state of Oklahoma requires this certificate to make sure that the business being registered is still in compliance in the state or jurisdiction where it was formed. The specifics on how to get your certificate depends on where you originally formed your LLC, but more than likely you’ll request one from the same authority that formed your LLC.
Does my LLC need a Certificate of Good Standing to register in Oklahoma?
Yes. Your Application for Registration of Foreign Limited Liability Company will not be approved unless you include a valid Certificate of Good Standing.
What if I can’t get a Certificate of Good Standing?
If you are denied a Certificate of Good Standing from your home state, it probably means your LLC is not in compliance. States often reject requests for a certificate if the business in question has not filed annual reports, paid the required state fees, or filed the correct formation paperwork. If you find yourself in this situation, you’ll need to make sure your business is in compliance with your home state before you can get a Certificate of Good Standing.
3. Appoint an Oklahoma Registered Agent
All business entities in Oklahoma, foreign or domestic, are required by state law (§18-1022) to have an Oklahoma registered agent. Your registered agent needs to be a person or company that resides at a physical address in Oklahoma to accept service of process on your foreign LLC’s behalf. You have a couple of options when it comes to appointing a registered agent. You can appoint an Oklahoma resident 18 years or older as a noncommercial registered agent. One of the drawbacks of this option, though, is that the person you appoint needs to be available during regular business hours all year long to accept your legal mail. Hiring a commercial registered agent means not having to worry about being in the same spot at the same time every day. Oklahoma Registered Agent™ not only helps you meet the state’s registered agent requirement, but we also do everything we can to protect your personal privacy. We’ll list our name and address on your state paperwork so that your personal information stays off public record.
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Can I be my own registered agent in Oklahoma?
You can only be your own registered agent if you have a physical address in Oklahoma and actually live here. That’s why hiring an Oklahoma registered agent service like us is helpful for foreign LLC owners.
4. File an Application for Registration of Foreign Limited Liability Company
Your foreign LLC’s name is available. You have your Certificate of Good Standing. You found an Oklahoma registered agent. It’s time to start your Application for Registration of Foreign Limited Liability Company. Once complete, you’ll file your application with the Oklahoma Secretary of State and pay the $300 filing fee. You can file online, by fax, in person, or through the mail. You’ll need to include the following information on your application:
- Your LLC’s name
- Your foreign LLC’s name (if different)
- Where you originally formed your LLC
- When you originally formed your LLC
- The name and address of your Oklahoma registered agent
- Your LLC’s principal office’s address
- Contact email address
- Authorized signature
The application also requires you to attach a Certificate of Good Standing from your LLC’s home state. If you do not attach a valid certificate, your application will not be approved
How do I submit my Application for Registration of a Foreign Limited Liability Company?
Oklahoma accepts applications submitted online, by fax, in person, or by mail: Online through the Secretary of State’s website A fax sent to (405) 521-3771 In person or by mail:
Oklahoma Secretary of State 421 N.W. 13th, Suite 210 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73103
It’s important to note that if you file by mail, you have the option to request that your approved documents be sent to you via email. Just make sure you make the correct selection on the last page of the PDF application.
How long does it take to register a foreign LLC in Oklahoma?
Your application will be processed in 2 to 10 business days, depending on how you submit your filing. Online filings are processed in about 2 business days and mailed or faxed filings are processed within 10 business days. You have the option to submit your filing in person, too. The filing fee is $24 higher, but your application will be processed while you wait.
How much does a foreign LLC cost in Oklahoma?
The cost of registering a foreign LLC in Oklahoma depends on the method you used to submit your application. Mailing or faxing your application is the cheapest at $300. Filing online is more convenient, but the state does charge a $12 credit card processing fee, making the total cost $312. Hand-delivered filings cost $324, but your application will be processed while you wait.
Oklahoma Foreign LLC FAQs
How are foreign LLCs taxed in Oklahoma?
Both domestic and foreign LLCs are taxed the same in Oklahoma. An LLC is a business entity with a “pass through” tax structure. This means the LLC’s revenue “passes through” to its members, who then report it as income on their personal tax returns.
Is there an annual fee for OK foreign LLCs?
Oklahoma requires all LLCs, foreign and domestic, to file an Annual Certificate every year. The report is a way the state makes sure your company’s information is up-to-date. It’s due on your LLC’s registration anniversary and costs $25 a year to file.
How long is my foreign LLC registered in Oklahoma?
As long as you stay in compliance with Oklahoma’s business guidelines, your foreign LLC will be registered until you decide to withdraw it. Rarely does the state withdraw an LLC’s foreign registration, but will if the foreign LLC fails to file its annual reports, pay annual fees, or is active in illegal activity.
Oklahoma Registered Agent™ Out-of-State Business Registration Service
If you want to register a foreign LLC in Oklahoma, but don’t want to deal with the hassle of all the state paperwork, our Out-of-State Business Registration Service will take care of it for you. We do more than just file the right forms with the state. You also get:
- A secure, online account: Immediately access all of your important business documents from anywhere, 24/7.
- Oklahoma Registered Agent Service: Free for a whole year.
- Compliance reminders: We’ll remind you when your Annual Certificate is due.
- Other optional state filings: We do more than just register foreign LLCs. We can also take care of your BOI report, EIN application, and DBA registry. All of these services are easy to add inside your client portal.
- Lifetime access to our local experts: Our agents are seasoned experts who specialize in both business filings and web support.