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Register Your Illinois LLC in Alabama

Step-by-step foreign qualification requirements, fees, and filing instructions for Illinois LLCs expanding into Alabama.

Cost Summary

Alabama filing fee
$150
Illinois Certificate of Good Standing
$25
Annual obligation in Alabama
$0/year (report required, no fee)
Estimated year 1 total
$175
Note: Year 1 total includes the $150 filing fee in Alabama plus the $25 Certificate of Good Standing fee from Illinois. Registered agent fees (typically $100-$200/year) are not included.
Illinois data verified Apr 18, 2026 · ilsos.gov
Alabama data verified May 1, 2026 · sos.alabama.gov

How to register your Illinois LLC in Alabama

1

Check name availability in Alabama

Before filing, verify that your LLC name (or a distinguishable variation) is available in Alabama. If your exact name is already taken, you may need to register under a fictitious or assumed name.

Check the Alabama Secretary of State website for name availability search.

2

Get a Certificate of Good Standing from Illinois

Alabama requires a Certificate of Good Standing from Illinois to prove your LLC is in good standing. The fee is $25. No state-imposed expiration; third parties typically require certificate dated within 30-60 days.

3

File the Application for Certificate of Authority in Alabama

Submit your application along with the Certificate of Good Standing and the $150 filing fee. Processing time is 5-10 business days. Expedited processing available for $100.

Alabama filing portal ↗
4

Appoint a registered agent in Alabama

You must designate a registered agent with a physical address in Alabama to accept legal documents on behalf of your LLC. This is required as part of the foreign qualification application.

Ongoing compliance in Alabama

Annual report
$0/year (report required, no fee)
Report due
April 15
Processing time
5-10 business days
Expedite
$100

Activities that do NOT require registration in Alabama

  • Maintaining or defending a lawsuit, administrative proceeding, or arbitration
  • Holding meetings of members or managers, or carrying on internal company affairs
  • Maintaining bank accounts
  • Maintaining offices or agencies for the transfer, exchange, or registration of the LLC's own securities
  • Selling through independent contractors
  • Soliciting or obtaining orders if orders require acceptance outside the state before becoming contracts
  • Creating or acquiring indebtedness, mortgages, or security interests in real or personal property
  • Securing or collecting debts, or enforcing mortgages or security interests
  • Owning real or personal property
  • Conducting an isolated transaction completed within 30 days that is not part of repeated similar transactions
  • Transacting business in interstate commerce

Alabama did not adopt the RMBCA list of activities not constituting transacting business. The general foreign-entity provision in Section 10A-1-7.02 governs registration requirements, and Alabama courts (e.g., Marcus v. J.R. Watkins Co., 188 So.2d 543) have interpreted what activities require qualification. The list below reflects activities Alabama courts and federal interstate-commerce doctrine generally treat as not constituting transacting business.

Need a registered agent in Alabama?

A registered agent is required for foreign qualification. These services operate in all 50 states.

Get Northwest Registered Agent ↗
Recommended · $125/year · Privacy included
Registered Agents Inc
$200/year · Includes annual report filing
Visit site ↗
Harbor Compliance
$99/year · Full-service compliance option
Visit site ↗

Check your full compliance

Use our free tool to check if you need to register in additional states.

Start free compliance check ↗

This page provides general information based on publicly available state requirements. It is not legal advice. Verify all fees and requirements with the Alabama Secretary of State before filing.