Corporation Section Filing Fees

$65.00+
(on-line)

$80.00+
(on paper)

EXPEDITED SERVICE You may request expedited service for any document filing. It will receive attention by the close of the business day following that on which it is received. Clearly mark documents "FOR EXPEDITED SERVICE" and provide an additional $25.00 for each item.

NAME AVAILABILITY The availability of a corporate name is determined at the time of filing of the application for certificate of authority or an application to reserve a name. No name can be assumed to be available unless confirmed by written acknowledgement from this department.

NAME RESERVATION A corporation may apply to reserve exclusive use of a corporate name by delivering an written or telephone application to the department. The application must include the name and address of the applicant and the name proposed to be reserved. If accepted, the name will be reserved for a period of 120 days. The reservation may be renewed.

CONTINUING REQUIREMENTS To maintain its qualification, a foreign corporation must promptly file its annual report, continuously maintain a registered agent and registered office in Wisconsin, and promptly apply for an amended certificate of authority in the event it changes its corporate name, its period of existence, or its date or state of incorporation.

REGISTRATION EXCEPTIONS The Corporation Section does not license foreign banks, building (or savings) & loan associations, credit unions, insurance companies or motor clubs whose activities constitute that of an insurer. No certificate of authority is required under Chapters 180 and 181 for:

• Maintaining, defending or settling any civil, criminal, administrative or investigatory proceeding.
• Holding meetings of the board of directors, shareholders or members, or carrying on other activities concerning internal corporate affairs.
• Maintaining bank accounts.
• Maintaining offices or agencies for the transfer, exchange and registration of the foreign corporation’s securities or memberships, or maintaining trustees or depositories with respect to those securities or memberships.
• Selling through independent contractors.
• Soliciting or obtaining orders, whether by mail or through employes or agents or otherwise, if the orders require acceptance outside this state before they become contracts.
• Lending money or creating or acquiring indebtedness, mortgages and security interests in property.
• Securing or collecting debts or enforcing mortgages and security interests in property securing debts.
• Owning, without more, property.
• Conducting an isolated transaction that is completed within 30 days and that is not one in the course of repeated transactions of a like nature.
• Transacting business in interstate commerce.

ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE A foreign corporation intending to offer architectural or professional engineering services or a charitable organization soliciting donations in this state may have a registration requirement with the Department of Regulation and Licensing. Phone (608) 267-1397.

NEW REQUIREMENT FOR CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORITY Effective January 1, 1999, a foreign nonstock corporation, including a non-profit corporation, is obliged to obtain a certificate of authority from the Department before transacting business in Wisconsin.

USE THE CORRECT APPLICATION FORM Apply on DFI/CORP Form 121. Form is available upon request from the department (address below or by phone, 608-261-7577), or may be downloaded from its website, www.wdfi.org. Accompany the application with:

• Certificate of Status, issued by the state in which the foreign corporation is incorporated. Certificate must be not more than 60 days old.
• Filing Fee of $45.00.

WHERE TO APPLY:

CONTINUING REQUIREMENTS A foreign corporation is obliged to continuously maintain a registered office and registered agent within Wisconsin, and to file an annual report with the Department. Failure may create grounds for revocation of the corporation’s certificate of authority.