Kansas Foreign LLC Registration (How-to Guide)

Are you thinking of expanding your business to Kansas? Registering your Kansas foreign LLC doesn’t have to be complicated.
This guide will break down the process step-by-step, from choosing a registered agent to filing essential documents.
Let’s dive in!
Key Highlights: Kansas Foreign LLC Formation
A Kansas Foreign LLC is a company formed outside Kansas that does business within the state. To operate legally in Kansas, it needs to file an Application for Registration of Foreign Covered Entity with the Kansas Secretary of State. The filing fee is $165 ($185 if sent by fax).
This process ensures your LLC is properly registered and authorized to do business in Kansas.
A straightforward way to handle this process is by using a registered agent in Kansas. Based on my experience, Northwest Registered Agent is the best option.
Kansas Foreign LLC Requirements
1. Kansas Registered Agent
To operate a foreign LLC in Kansas, you must appoint a registered agent with a physical address in the state. This registered agent is your LLC’s official contact for receiving legal documents and important notices.
They ensure that your LLC is reachable for legal matters and compliance. If you don’t have a physical presence in Kansas, you can hire a registered agent service to fulfill this requirement.
2. Certificate of Good Standing
You must provide a Certificate of Good Standing from the state where your LLC was originally formed. This document shows that your LLC is in good standing with its home state and has complied with all necessary requirements. It’s an essential part of proving your LLC’s legitimacy and good standing.
3. Business Identity
Once your business is established in the new state, connecting with the local market is crucial. Building a strong, localized digital presence can help establish your business’s identity and make it appear more trustworthy and professional, even if you’re just starting to offer your services or products.
This will enhance your visibility and credibility in the new market, helping you attract and engage with local consumers.
4. Application for Registration of Foreign-Covered Entity
To register your foreign LLC in Kansas, you must complete and file the Application for Registration of Foreign Covered Entity.
This form includes the following details:
- Legal Name and Alternate Names: Provide your LLC’s official name and any names it will use in Kansas.
- Formation State: Indicate the state or jurisdiction where your LLC was originally formed.
- Formation Date: State the date when your LLC was established.
- Principal Office Address: List the primary address where your LLC conducts its business.
- Kansas Registered Agent: Include the name and address of your registered agent in Kansas.
- Nature of Business: Describe the type of business activities your LLC will be conducting in Kansas.
- Authorized Person’s Signature: An authorized person must sign the form, affirming that the information provided is accurate and that the registered agent has agreed to the role.
By completing these steps and providing the necessary documents, you’ll ensure that your foreign LLC is properly registered and authorized to do business in Kansas. Kansas allows you to file in person by mail or fax.
For mail or in-person submissions, send your application to the following address:
Kansas Secretary of State
Memorial Hall, 1st Floor
120 SW 10th Avenue
Topeka, KS 66612-1594
How to Form a Foreign LLC in Kansas State
Step 1. Selecting Your Business Name (new or existing)
Start by checking if your LLC’s name is available in Kansas. Use the Kansas Secretary of State’s business database here to see if your desired name is already used.

If the name you choose is taken, you must choose a different name or file for a “doing business as” (DBA) name. This ensures your business name is unique and meets Kansas regulations.
Step 2. Appointing Kansas Registered Agent (I use Northwest)
You must appoint a registered agent with a physical address in Kansas. This agent will receive legal documents and official notices on behalf of your LLC.
I highly recommend using Northwest Registered Agent for this purpose. They can help you with the entire process of forming your LLC.

Read about my experience with Northwest Agent by clicking here.
Step 3: Obtain a Certificate of Good Standing
Acquire a Certificate of Good Standing from the state where your LLC was originally formed. This document verifies that your LLC is in good standing and compliant with its home state’s regulations. It is essential for proving your LLC’s legitimacy and that it is current with its state requirements.
Kansas requires an original copy of the certificate and will not accept certificates that are older than 90 days.
Step 5: Launch Your Business Identity
Once your LLC is registered, establish a strong presence in Kansas. Build a robust and localized digital identity to connect with the new market. This includes creating a professional website, engaging with local social media platforms, and ensuring your business is visible and credible to potential customers in Kansas. A strong local identity will help your business gain trust and attract clients.
Step 6: Receive Your Certificate of Authority
Once your LLC is registered, establish a strong presence in Kansas. Build a robust and localized digital identity to connect with the new market. This includes creating a professional website, engaging with local social media platforms, and ensuring your business is visible and credible to potential customers in Kansas. A strong local identity will help your business gain trust and attract clients.
Step 4: Complete the Application for Registration of Foreign Covered Entity
Complete the Application for Registration of Foreign Covered Entity with the following details:
- Name of the LLC: Provide your LLC’s official name.
- Original State or Jurisdiction: Indicate where your LLC was initially formed.
- Date of Formation: State when your LLC was established in the original state.
- Date Business Began in Kansas: Include this if your LLC started doing business in Kansas before the filing date.
- Kansas Registered Agent: List your Kansas registered agent’s name and mailing address.
- Mailing Address: Provide the address you want to receive official state mail.
- Fiscal Year End: Specify the month your fiscal year ends, commonly December for most businesses.
- Nature of Business: Describe the business activities your LLC will engage in Kansas.
- Kansas Series LLC Statement: Include this if your LLC will operate as a series LLC in Kansas.
- Authorized Person’s Signature: An authorized person must sign the form. This person does not have to be a member of your LLC but must be authorized to complete the application.
Kansas charges $165 for in-person and mail filings, while faxed filings cost $185.
Step 6: Receive Your Certificate of Authority
After processing your application and documents, the Kansas Secretary of State will issue a Certificate of Authority. This certificate officially authorizes your LLC to operate in Kansas and confirms that you have met all the registration requirements.
How long does this take?
Kansas processes in-person filings immediately. Faxed filings are accepted and processed the same day if received before 4 PM. Mailed filings are typically processed within about 10 business days.
Registration Fee – How Much Does a Foreign LLC in Kansas Cost?
To register a foreign LLC in Kansas, you’ll need to pay the following fees:
- In-Person and Mail Filings: $165
- The fee is $165 if you file your registration in person or by mail. In-person filings are processed immediately, allowing you to receive registration confirmation the same day you submit your documents. If you choose to mail your application, processing generally takes about 10 business days.
- Faxed Filings: $185
- If you prefer to fax your registration documents, the fee is $185. If received before 4 PM, faxed filings are processed the same day. Due to the expedited processing, this option is slightly more expensive than in-person or mail filings.
When registering your LLC, you must appoint a registered agent with a physical address in Kansas to handle legal documents. The cost for a registered agent typically ranges from $200 to $1,000. However, my preferred registered agent provides these services for under $100. For more details, click here.
Do foreign LLCs need to file Articles of Organization for my Kansas foreign LLC?
Foreign LLCs do not need to file Articles of Organization in Kansas. Instead, they must file an Application for Registration with the Kansas Secretary of State to register their foreign LLC to do business there. This application allows the foreign LLC to operate in Kansas legally.
How are Foreign Entity LLCs in Kansas taxed?
Foreign LLCs in Kansas are generally taxed as pass-through entities, meaning the LLC itself does not pay income taxes. Instead, the profits and losses pass through to the members’ tax returns.
Members must report their share of the LLC’s profits or losses and are responsible for self-employment taxes totaling 15.3%—12.4% for Social Security and 2.9% for Medicare, with an additional 0.9% surtax for high earners.
Alternatively, LLCs can elect to be taxed as a corporation. By filing Form 8832 with the IRS, an LLC can be taxed as an S-corporation or a C-corporation.
An S-corporation allows income to pass through to shareholders’ returns, potentially reducing self-employment taxes, while a C-corporation is taxed separately. Profits are subject to corporate income tax, and dividends are taxed again on members’ returns.
FAQs on Kansas Foreign LLC Registration
Can I Be My Registered Agent for My Kansas LLC?
Yes, you can serve as your own registered agent for your Kansas LLC, provided you have a physical address in Kansas where you can receive legal documents and official correspondence during business hours.
Why Hire a Kansas Registered Agent Service?
Hiring a Kansas registered agent service provides a reliable way to ensure that you meet state requirements for a physical address in Kansas and that you receive and handle legal documents and official notices promptly. This is especially helpful if you do not have a physical presence in Kansas.
How Can I Withdraw My Kansas Foreign LLC?
You must file a Withdrawal of Foreign Entity to withdraw your Kansas foreign LLC with the Kansas Secretary of State. This document officially terminates your LLC’s authority to do business in Kansas. Ensure all state taxes and fees are settled before filing to avoid issues.
Is a Physical Presence Required in Kansas to Form an LLC as a Foreigner?
No, you do not need a physical presence in Kansas to form an LLC as a foreigner. However, you must designate a registered agent with a physical address in Kansas to receive legal documents and official correspondence.
How Do I Amend a Foreign LLC in Kansas?
To amend a foreign LLC in Kansas, file an Amendment to the Application for Registration of Foreign Covered Entity with the Kansas Secretary of State. Provide details about the changes and submit any required documentation or fees.
What Does It Mean to Do Business in Kansas?
“Doing business” in Kansas typically means engaging in regular and substantial activities within the state, such as operating a physical office, employing workers, or conducting frequent transactions. You must register as a foreign LLC in Kansas if your LLC is involved in these activities.
Does a Foreign LLC Have to File an Annual Report in Kansas?
Yes, in Kansas, LLCs, foreigners must file a biennial report by the 15th of the fourth month every other year. If you formed your LLC in an even year, you file in even years. If you formed it in an odd year, you file in odd years. The filing fee is $100 online and $110 for paper filings.
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