Colorado Foreign Qualification

Foreign qualification with the Secretary of State in Colorado is the process by which a business that was originally formed in another state registers to do business in Colorado. This allows the business to legally operate in Colorado and ensures compliance with state laws and regulations.

Follow the guide below to help you register with the Secretary of State in Colorado or use Mosey to do it.

Use Mosey to register with the Secretary of State in Colorado.

Avoid the hassle of doing it yourself and use Mosey to automate foreign qualification, annual reports, and registered agent service.

Get started Learn more

Colorado Foreign Qualification for Professional Corporation, LLP, LLC, Corporation

You must file a Statement of Foreign Entity Authority (SOFEA) with the Secretary of State if you are "transacting business" in Colorado. Like most states, Colorado does not define "transacting business" but provides a list of activities considered not "transacting business." Note: Unlike most states, Colorado does not require a Certificate of Good Standing to obtain foreign entity authority.

Establish a Registered Agent
All entities on record with the Secretary of State must have a registered agent listed with a Colorado address, even if their business is in a different state. A registered agent receives service of process and other legal documents for your business.
Conduct True Name Search
A true name search will verify that your business's legal name is available in Colorado. You must choose an assumed entity name to transact business in Colorado if your business's true name (the name it's formed under) is not available in Colorado.
File Statement of Foreign Entity Authority (SOFEA) Online
Visit the Secretary of State's Business Organizations page online to file a Statement of Foreign Entity Authority (SOFEA). In addition, you'll need to provide information about your business, such as the true name (and the assumed entity name, if any), the jurisdiction of the formation, the principal office address, and the start date of your business. Your Colorado registered agent information is also required.

What else do I need to know?

Once you are registered with the Secretary of State, you may have additional requirements to maintain your "good standing" in the state. Failing to do so can result in fines, back taxes, and forfeiting certain priveleges within the state.

Maintaining a Registered Agent

Most states require that you have a registered agent that can receive important mail from the Secretary of State should they need to contact you. There are many commercial options available or you can use Mosey to be your registered agent and keep your information private in Colorado.

Annual Reports and Taxes

In addition to maintaining a registered agent, most states require you to file a report annually. Registration can also trigger state taxes such as a franchise tax or income tax. You can use Mosey to identify these additional requirements to maintain good standing in Colorado.

Colorado's Foreign Qualification Agencies

Colorado Secretary of State

How To Conduct an Internal I-9 Audit

The I-9 Form is a key part of employment compliance in the United States. It is designed to verify that employees are legally authorized to work. Introduced under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, its purpose is simple but non-negotiable: to ensure businesses hire individuals who meet federal work eligibility standards. Compliance with this mandate is your legal obligation, and failure to uphold it carries significant risk. An internal I-9 audit is a necessary measure to identify and rectify compliance issues.

New York Break Laws: Employer Compliance Guide

Many New York employers think offering a lunch break is optional—or assume federal rules cover everything. Wrong on both counts. New York break laws impose specific, mandatory meal periods that vary by industry, shift timing, and worker classification. Miss these requirements, and you’re looking at wage claims, overtime penalties, and potential Department of Labor investigations. This guide outlines what’s required under New York Labor Law §162, how state and federal break laws differ, and what recent updates—like paid lactation breaks—mean for employers operating in New York State.

DBA: How To File a DBA & FAQs Answered

Business operations and all that they entail can often be a complex endeavor. Making matters worse are the many terms peppered throughout. One such term you might encounter during your foray into the world of business compliance and structure is “DBA.” So, what does this term mean, and how is it essential to your business’s identity? In this guide, we’ll unpack its definition, significance, and history.

The Platform for State and Local Compliance