Utah Foreign Qualification

Aug 28, 2025

Foreign qualification with the Secretary of State in Utah is the process by which a business entity that was originally formed in another state obtains the authority to do business in Utah. This involves registering with the Secretary of State and fulfilling any additional requirements necessary to operate legally in the state.

There are 4 different ways to foreign qualify in Utah depending on your legal entity type and tax classification. Follow the guide below to help you register with the Secretary of State in Utah or use Mosey to do it.

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

Utah Foreign Qualification for Corporation

Foreign nonprofit corporations “doing business” in Utah must register with the Department of Commerce’s Division of Corporations and Commercial Code by filing an Application for Authority to Conduct Affairs for a Foreign Corporation. Utah provides a non-exhaustive list of activities that constitute not “doing business” in lieu of defining “doing business” and enumerates transactions that do not constitute “doing business” specifically for nonprofits. The filing fee is $30. Applications can be submitted electronically or by mail.

  1. Establish a Registered Agent

    You must have a registered agent in Utah designated to accept service of process. Your resident agent must have a Utah street address and can be any Utah resident or a corporation qualified to do business in Utah.

  2. Obtain a Certificate of Good Standing

    Utah requires a Certificate of Good Standing (also known as a Certificate of Existence) from your home state issued within 90 days.

  3. Create a Utah ID

    A Utah ID is required to access Utah OneStop Business Registration. If you do not already have one, visit the OneStop Business Registration website and select “Create your Utah ID” to create a Utah ID.

  4. File Your Registration

    Log in to OneStop Business Registration with your Utah ID account to complete your application and file your registration materials.

Utah Foreign Qualification for LLP

Foreign limited liability partnerships "doing business" in Utah must register with the Utah Department of Commerce Divisions of Corporations and Commercial Code. Utah, like most states, provides a list of activities considered not "doing business" instead of defining "doing business."

  1. Establish a Registered Agent

    You must register an agent (commercial or noncommercial) in Utah to accept service of process. Your agent must have a Utah street address. It can be a person resident of Utah or a business entity registered with the Division of Corporations and in good standing.

  2. Create a Utah ID

    A Utah ID is required to access Utah OneStop Business Registration. Create a Utah ID if you don't already have one.

  3. Register as a Foreign Limited Liability Partnership Online

    Log in to OneStop Business Registration with your Utah ID account and file a registration as a foreign limited liability partnership.

Utah Foreign Qualification for LLC

Foreign limited liability companies "doing business" in Utah must register with the Utah Department of Commerce Divisions of Corporations and Commercial Code. Utah, like most states, provides a list of activities considered not "doing business" instead of defining "doing business."

  1. Establish a Registered Agent

    You must register an agent (commercial or noncommercial) in Utah to accept service of process. Your agent must have a Utah street address. It can be a person resident of Utah or a business entity registered with the Division of Corporations and in good standing.

  2. Create a Utah ID

    A Utah ID is required to access Utah OneStop Business Registration. Create a Utah ID if you don't already have one.

  3. Register as a Foreign Limited Liability Company Online

    Log in to OneStop Business Registration with your Utah ID account and file a registration as a foreign limited liability company.

Utah Foreign Qualification for Corporation

Foreign corporations "doing business" in Utah must register with the Utah Department of Commerce Divisions of Corporations and Commercial Code. Utah, like most states, provides a list of activities considered not "doing business" in lieu of defining "doing business."

  1. Establish a Registered Agent

    You must have a registered agent in Utah designated to accept service of process. Your resident agent must have a Utah street address. It can be any Utah resident or a corporation qualified to do business in Utah.

  2. Obtain a Certificate of Good Standing

    Utah requires a Certificate of Good Standing (also known as a Certificate of Existence) from your home state issued within 90 days.

  3. Create a Utah ID

    A Utah ID is required to access Utah OneStop Business Registration. Create a Utah ID if you don't already have one.

  4. Register as a Foreign Profit Corporation

    Log in to OneStop Business Registration with your Utah ID account and file a registration as a Foreign Profit Corporation.

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 Utah.

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 Utah.

Utah's Foreign Qualification Agencies

Review your compliance risks, free.

More from the blog

Learn how to keep your business compliant in all 50 states across payroll, HR, Secretary of State, and tax.

Illinois Minimum Wage Laws: Changes for 2025

Illinois employers face another round of wage adjustments this year as the state continues its commitment to higher worker compensation. These changes require businesses to adapt quickly or risk costly penalties. In this guide, we’re breaking down what Illinois businesses need to know about the changing minimum wage rules. Failing to follow these requirements could lead to hefty fines and legal troubles for unprepared employers.

Paul Boynton | Mar 5, 2025

CRFA California: A Guide to California's Family Rights Act

If you’re managing a business in California, you’re probably familiar with the challenges of the state’s employee leave laws. One of the most important laws you’ll encounter is the California Family Rights Act (CFRA). This law lets eligible employees take as much as 12 weeks of job-protected leave in a 12-month period, but understanding the details is vital for employers and employees alike. Mosey is here to break it down so you can manage state compliance without the headache.

Kaitlin Edwards | Nov 15, 2024

How To Get an Illinois Business License

Many entrepreneurs set their sights on the prosperous and promising Chicago area. Illinois is an active, thriving hub for entrepreneurs and startup founders ready to show the world what their innovations can do. If you have your sights set on opening shop in the state of Illinois, there’s a long checklist that the state and local government will require you to complete before you can open up your doors. One of the first (and most important) steps is obtaining your Illinois business license. Here’s how to get the process started.

Kaitlin Edwards | Feb 21, 2024

Ready to get started?

Schedule a free consultation to see how Mosey transforms business compliance.