Legal Question in Business Law in Michigan

Re: Foreign Corporation

For any corporation to "do business" in a state

outside its state of incorporation, such corporation

must "register" as a foreign corporation in that

respective state. Such registration is usually

accomplished by using local counsel in Wisconsin,

who contacts a registration agent, that is a firm

that generally only provides such services to law

firms. By registering, the corporation also

appoints an agent to receive any papers it may be

served. The registration agent serves in that

capacity, as well. States charge varying fees to

register as a foreign corporation, and the registration

agents charge annual fees, as well.

One final note: there are different tests for what

constitutes "doing business" in each state, and

for varying circumstances, such as having to pay

taxes, being able to defend oneself in litigation,

and the like. That is a fairly complex area that

only a qualified attorney should deal with. We

deal with that on a fairly regular basis, as should

anyone you consult with.