What is an Arkansas certificate of authority?
Companies are required to register with the Arkansas Secretary of State before doing business in Arkansas. Businesses that are incorporated in another state will typically apply for an Arkansas 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 an Arkansas certificate of authority?
To obtain your Arkansas 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:
For Foreign Limited Liability Companies:
| Agency: | Arkansas Secretary of State - Business and Commercial Services Division (BCS) |
| Form: | FL-01: Application for Certificate of Registration of Foreign Limited Liability Company |
| Agency Fee: | $270 online or $300 for paper applications. |
| Law: | |
| Certified Copy Requirement: | Certified copies not required. |
| Certificate of Good Standing Requirement: | Certificate of Good Standing dated within 30 days. Or, if your state doesn't issue certificates, a certified copy of your articles of organization and amendments dated within 60 days. |
For Foreign Nonprofit Corporations:
| Agency: | Arkansas Secretary of State - Business and Commercial Services Division (BCS) |
| Form: | NPF-1: Application for Certificate of Authority for Foreign Nonprofit Corporation |
| Agency Fee: | $270 online or $300 for paper applications. |
| Law: | |
| Certified Copy Requirement: | Certified copies not required. |
| Certificate of Good Standing Requirement: | Certificate of Good Standing dated within 30 days. Or, if your state doesn't issue certificates, a certified copy of your articles of incorporation and amendments dated within 60 days. |
For Foreign Professional Corporations:
For Foreign Limited Partnerships:
| Agency: | Arkansas Secretary of State - Business and Commercial Services Division (BCS) |
| Form: | LPF-01: Application for Certificate of Authority of Foreign Limited Partnership |
| Filing Method: | Mail or in-person |
| Agency Fee: | $300 |
| Law: | |
| Certified Copy Requirement: | Certified copies not required. |
| Certificate of Good Standing Requirement: | Certificate of Good Standing dated within 30 days. Or, if your state doesn't issue certificates, a certified copy of your partnership registration and amendments dated within 60 days. |
For Foreign Limited Liability Partnerships:
For Foreign Limited Liability Partnerships:
For Foreign Limited Liability Limited Partnerships:
| Agency: | Arkansas Secretary of State - Business and Commercial Services Division (BCS) |
| Form: | F3LP-02: Application for Certificate of Authority of Foreign Limited Liability Limited Partnership |
| Filing Method: | Mail or in-person |
| Agency Fee: | $300 |
| Law: | |
| Certified Copy Requirement: | Certified copies not required. |
| Certificate of Good Standing Requirement: | Certificate of Good Standing dated within 30 days. Or, if your state doesn't issue certificates, a certified copy of your partnership registration and amendments dated within 60 days. |
For Foreign Benefit Corporations:
| Agency: | Arkansas Secretary of State - Business and Commercial Services Division (BCS) |
| Form: | Application for Certificate of Authority for a Foreign Benefit Corporation |
| Agency Fee: | $300 |
| Law: | |
| Certified Copy Requirement: | Certified copies not required. |
| Certificate of Good Standing Requirement: | Certificate of Good Standing dated within 30 days. Or, if your state doesn't issue certificates, a certified copy of your articles of incorporation and amendments dated within 60 days. |
For Foreign Trusts:
| Agency: | Arkansas Secretary of State - Business and Commercial Services Division (BCS) |
| Form: | FBT-01: Application for Certificate of Registration of Foreign Business Trust |
| Filing Method: | Mail or in-person |
| Agency Fee: | $300 |
| Law: | |
| Certified Copy Requirement: | Certified copies not required. |
| Certificate of Good Standing Requirement: | Certificate of Good Standing dated within 30 days. Or, if your state doesn't issue certificates, a certified copy of your formation documents and amendments dated within 60 days. |
What do I need from my home state?
In order to obtain an Arkansas Certificate of Authority, you must also submit:
- Limited Liability Company: Certificate of Good Standing dated within 30 days. Or, if your state doesn't issue certificates, a certified copy of your articles of organization and amendments dated within 60 days.
- Corporation: Certificate of Good Standing dated within 30 days. Or, if your state doesn't issue certificates, a certified copy of your articles of incorporation and amendments dated within 60 days.
- Limited Partnership: Certificate of Good Standing dated within 30 days. Or, if your state doesn't issue certificates, a certified copy of your articles of organization and amendments dated within 60 days.
- Limited Liability Partnership: Certificate of Good Standing dated within 30 days. Or, if your state doesn't issue certificates, a certified copy of your articles of organization and amendments dated within 60 days.
- Nonprofit Corporation: Certificate of Good Standing dated within 30 days. Or, if your state doesn't issue certificates, a certified copy of your articles of incorporation and amendments dated within 60 days.
- Professional Corporation: Certificate of Good Standing dated within 30 days. Or, if your state doesn't issue certificates, a certified copy of your articles of incorporation and amendments dated within 60 days.
- Benefit Corporation: Certificate of Good Standing dated within 30 days. Or, if your state doesn't issue certificates, a certified copy of your articles of incorporation and amendments dated within 60 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 Arkansas 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?
Arkansas Secretary of State - Business and Commercial Services Division (BCS)Mailing Address:
1401 W. Capitol Avenue Ste 250
Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: 501-682-3409 or 888-233-0325
Website: https://www.sos.arkansas.gov/business-commercial-services-bcs
Name Search: https://www.ark.org/corp-search/index.php
Forms: https://www.ark.org/sos/ofs/docs/index.php
Online Filing: https://www.ark.org/sos/ofs/docs/index.php
Email: corprequest@sos.arkansas.gov
