What is the New Jersey Tri-State Area?

A tri-state area is a geographic region that encompasses highly populated areas from three different states. In this sense, New Jersey is well placed, as it’s part of not one, but two Tri-State areas. To the north-east is New York Tri-State Area, and to the south-west is the Philadelphia Tri-State Area.

People don’t typically refer to the New Jersey Tri-State Area, but that’s just because Jersey is surrounded by so many metropolitan areas that “tri-state” would be a misnomer. With Philadelphia and Wilmington just across the Delaware River, and New York City just a PATH ride away, people and commerce cross state lines all the time.

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Expand Your NJ Business Out of State

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How to Get Foreign Qualification

It’s common for businesses to operate in more than one state, which is especially true for business owners in a state like New Jersey. But while it can be a no-brainer to sell products Philadelphia or buy goods in Wilmington, you won’t want to do so without taking the necessary steps to foreign register your business.

Here’s what you need to know:

1. Get a Local Registered Agent

In almost every state, you’ll need a registered agent on record before you can legally do business there. We make it easy for you: we’ll not only serve as your registered agent in any state you plan to do business, we can also take care of your foreign registration for you. Win-win!

2. Obtain a Certificate of Good Standing from New Jersey

This document—which the NJ Treasury refers to as a Standing Certificate, or Certificate of Standing—proves your status as a legally operating business here in New Jersey. Most states will want to make sure your business is legit before they approve your ability to do business there, which is why they want to see this certificate from your home state.

• Corporation, Nonprofit, LLP: $25
• LLC (short form): $50
• LLC (long form): $100

NOTE: Pennsylvania is one of the few states that does not require foreign businesses to obtain a Certificate of Good Standing before applying for foreign qualification.

What’s the difference between a Short Form and Long Form Standing Certificate?

A Long Form Standing Certificate includes more information than the Short Form does. There are even two types of long forms LLC owners can choose from:

• Long form standing with officers and directors
• Long form standing with charter documents

Whichever document you select, the long form will cost $100.

3. Submit Foreign Registration Documents

Each state’s requirements look a little different, but generally you’ll need to apply for foreign qualification in the state you plan to do business. For example, if your New Jersey LLC has an office in Manhattan, you’ll have to apply for foreign qualification (also known as foreign registration) with the New York Department of State.

What is foreign qualification?

Foreign qualification is the process of registering your business in another state. After applying for foreign qualification with another state—and assuming that state’s government office determines your company is fit to do business—you’ll receive a Certificate of Authority, which officially gives you the legal authority to operate in that state.

4. Apply for Applicable Business Licenses

Each state, county, and city has it’s own rules and regulations regarding business licenses. Unfortunately, this means you’ll have to look into which licenses your business might need on a state-by-state basis.

A good starting place for this is the clerks office of the county in which your business is located. (If you use your registered agent’s address on your registration documents, this would be the county in which your registered agent’s office is located.)

Documents & Fees By State

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Frequently Asked Questions

• When do I have to register my business in another state?
• What does “doing business” mean?
• Do I need a registered agent in every state I do business in?
• Does every state require a registered agent?
• Do I have to file an annual report if I’m only foreign registered?
• Do foreign LLCs also have to fulfill the state’s publication requirement?

When do I have to register my business in another state?

You’ll be required to register as a foreign entity in another state when your LLC or corporation is doing business there.

What does “doing business” mean?

“Doing business” is a legal term that generally refers to a company’s business activities, and typically implies some sort of direct or indirect exchange of money or goods. It’s a bit vague, and the law varies state to state. But here are some activities that usually qualify as “doing business”:

• Selling products
• Storing products
• Hiring employees
• Owning real estate

This list is not exhaustive. If you’re unsure whether your LLC or corporation is doing business in another state, it might be a good idea to reach out to a business lawyer for advice.

Do I need a registered agent in every state I do business in?

For the most part, you’ll need to have a registered agent in each state where you register to do business, even if you’re registering as a foreign LLC or corporation.

Does every state require a registered agent?

Some states don’t legally require to you have a registered agent. In New York, for example, the Department of State acts as the default registered agent for each business that forms there. The problem with relying on the state, however, is that state communications can easily slip through the cracks.

When you hire us to foreign register your company in New York (or any other state), we’ll set you up with professional registered agent service in that state.

Do I have to file an annual report if I’m only foreign registered?

In most cases, foreign entities have to abide by the same rules as domestic entities, which means complying with annual (or biannual) reports.

Do foreign LLCs also have to fulfill the state’s publication requirement?

Generally, even foreign LLCs have to complete a state’s publication requirement. Most state’s don’t have a publication requirement, but New York and Pennsylvania do. (Pennsylvania refers to is as an “Advertising Requirement.”)

• New York: Certificate of Publication for Domestic Limited Liability Company
• Pennsylvania: Foreign Associations – Advertising Requirement

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