Vermont Certificate of Authority

Related: Get a Vermont Registered Agent

If your company was not incorporated in Vermont, but you wish to do business there, you need to register as a foreign entity with the state.

Vermont Foreign Qualification allows a company formed in Delaware or any other state to legally transact business in Vermont.

Please note: information on this page is accurate to the best of our knowledge. However, requirements and costs can be changed by states at any time and Harvard Business Services cannot guarantee the accuracy of this information.

How to Get a Vermont Certificate of Authority:

When applying for Vermont Foreign Qualification, the Vermont Secretary of State requires different forms and fees depending on what type of entity you are operating.

Requirements for LLCs:

• File a Certificate of Authority Application
• Fee: $125
• In Vermont, a Certificate of Good Standing dated within 90 days of the application is required.

Requirements for Corporations:

• File a Certificate of Authority Application
• Fee: $125 for both for-profit and non-profit
• In Vermonth, a Certificate of Good Standing dated within 30 days of the application is required.

You must also appoint and list a Vermont Registered Agent. The Registered Agent must be maintained at all times. Harvard Business Services can provide this service at a cost of just $99/year.

Harvard Business Services can assist with your application so you don’t have to deal with the Vermont Secretary of State directly. We do charge our own fee for this service, in addition to state fees. The exact fee can vary based upon whether your company is already filed and whether you need us to obtain additional documents to meet the state’s requirements. Please contact us for an exact quote.

How Do I Know If I Need a Vermont Certificate of Authority?

In Vermont, a Certificate of Authority is required. Some common reasons for applying for a certificate of authority include:

• Opening a physical office or location
• Hiring employees
• Maintaining bank accounts
• Licensing authority
• Beginning a contract or job in the state 

Keep in mind that even if a Vermont Certificate of Authority is not required for a specific activity, a bank, vendor or another party can still require one in order to establish a relationship.

Vermont Annual Requirements

The State of Vermont requires Profit Corporations and LLCs to file an annual report. Annual reports for profit corporations are due within two and a half months following the fiscal year end on file; while LLCs have three months to file an annual report following the fiscal year end on file.

Non-Profit corporations must file a biennial report, after filing the first year following intial registration. The biennial report is due between January 1 - April 1. 

Foreign Profit Corporation annual report fee: $200

Foreign LLC annual report fee: $140

Foreign Non-Profit Corporation biennial report fee: $20

Please note that the Vermont Foreign Qualification annual requirement is independent from requirements you may have in Delaware or other states.