181.1504 History
History: 1997 a. 79;
2001 a. 44.
181.1505
181.1505
Effect of certificate of authority. 181.1505(1)
(1)
Transaction of business. A certificate of authority issued to a foreign corporation authorizes the foreign corporation to transact business in this state subject to the right of the state to revoke the certificate as provided in this chapter.
181.1505(2)
(2) Rights and privileges. A foreign corporation with a valid certificate of authority has the same rights and enjoys the same privileges as and, except as otherwise provided by this chapter, is subject to the same duties, restrictions, penalties and liabilities now or later imposed on, a domestic corporation of like character.
181.1505(3)
(3) Internal affairs. This chapter does not authorize this state to regulate the organization or internal affairs of a foreign corporation authorized to transact business in this state.
181.1505 History
History: 1997 a. 79.
181.1506
181.1506
Corporate name of foreign corporation. 181.1506(1)(1)
Fictitious name. If the corporate name of a foreign corporation is not available under
sub. (2), the foreign corporation, to obtain or maintain a certificate of authority to transact business in this state, may use a fictitious name to transact business in this state if it delivers to the department for filing a copy of the resolution of its board of directors, certified by any of its officers, adopting the fictitious name.
181.1506(2)(a)(a) Except as authorized under
subs. (3) and
(4), the corporate name, including a fictitious name, of a foreign corporation must be distinguishable upon the records of the department from all of the following names:
181.1506(2)(a)1.
1. The corporate name of a domestic corporation or a foreign corporation authorized to transact business in this state.
181.1506(2)(a)2.
2. The corporate name of a stock corporation or a foreign stock corporation authorized to transact business in this state.
181.1506(2)(a)5.
5. The fictitious name adopted by a foreign corporation or a foreign stock corporation authorized to transact business in this state.
181.1506(2)(a)6.
6. The name of a limited partnership formed under the laws of, or registered in, this state.
181.1506(2)(a)7.
7. The name of a cooperative association or an unincorporated cooperative association incorporated or authorized to transact business in this state.
181.1506(2)(a)8.
8. The name of a limited liability company organized under the laws of, or registered in, this state.
181.1506(2)(a)9.
9. The name of a limited liability partnership formed under the laws of, or registered in, this state.
181.1506(2)(b)
(b) The corporate name of a corporation is not distinguishable from a name referred to in
par. (a) 1. to
9. if the only difference between it and the other name is the inclusion or absence of a word or words referred to in
s. 181.0401 (1) (a) 1. or of the words "limited partnership", "limited liability partnership", "cooperative" or "limited liability company" or an abbreviation of these words.
181.1506(3)
(3) Application to use nondistinguishable name. A foreign corporation may apply to the department for authorization to use in this state a name that is not distinguishable upon the records of the department from one or more of the names described under
sub. (2). The department shall authorize use of the name applied for if any of the following conditions exists:
181.1506(3)(a)
(a) The other foreign corporation or the domestic corporation, limited liability company, nonstock corporation, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, cooperative association, or unincorporated cooperative association consents to the use in writing and submits an undertaking in a form satisfactory to the department to change its name to a name that is distinguishable upon the records of the department from the name of the applicant.
181.1506(3)(b)
(b) The applicant delivers to the department a certified copy of a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction establishing the applicant's right to use the name applied for in this state.
181.1506(4)
(4) Corporate reorganizations. A foreign corporation may use in this state the name, including the fictitious name, of another domestic or foreign corporation or stock corporation that is used in this state if the other corporation or stock corporation is incorporated or authorized to transact business in this state and the foreign corporation has done any of the following:
181.1506(4)(a)
(a) Merged with the other domestic or foreign corporation or stock corporation.
181.1506(4)(b)
(b) Been formed by reorganization of the other domestic or foreign corporation or stock corporation.
181.1506(4)(c)
(c) Acquired all or substantially all of the assets, including the corporate name, of the other domestic or foreign corporation or stock corporation.
181.1506(5)
(5) Failure to comply. If a foreign corporation authorized to transact business in this state changes its corporate name to one that does not satisfy the requirements of
sub. (2), it shall not transact business in this state under the changed name until it adopts a name satisfying the requirements of
sub. (2) and obtains an amended certificate of authority under
s. 181.1504.
181.1506 History
History: 1997 a. 79;
2005 a. 441.
181.1507
181.1507
Registered office and registered agent. Each foreign corporation shall continuously maintain in this state a registered office and registered agent. The registered office may, but need not, be the same as any of its places of business. The registered agent shall be any of the following:
181.1507(1)
(1) Individuals. An individual who resides in this state and whose business office is identical with the registered office.
181.1507(2)
(2) Domestic entities. A domestic corporation, stock corporation, limited partnership, registered limited liability partnership, or limited liability company, incorporated, registered, or organized in this state, whose business office is identical with the registered office.
181.1507(3)
(3) Foreign entities. A foreign corporation, stock corporation, limited partnership, registered limited liability partnership, or limited liability company, authorized to transact business in this state, whose business office is identical with the registered office.
181.1507 History
History: 1997 a. 79;
2001 a. 44.
181.1508
181.1508
Change of registered office or registered agent of foreign corporation. 181.1508(1)
(1)
Filing requirements. A foreign corporation authorized to transact business in this state may change its registered office or registered agent, or both, by delivering to the department for filing a statement of change that, except as provided in
sub. (2), includes all of the following information.
181.1508(1)(a)
(a) The name of the foreign corporation and the name of the state or country under whose law it is incorporated.
181.1508(1)(b)
(b) The street address of its registered office, as changed.
181.1508(1)(d)
(d) A statement that, after the change or changes are made, the street addresses of its registered office and the office of its registered agent will be identical.
181.1508(2)
(2) Agent change of address. If a registered agent changes the street address of its business office, the agent may change the street address of the registered office of any foreign corporation for which the agent is the registered agent by notifying the foreign corporation in writing of the change and signing, either manually or in facsimile, and delivering to the department for filing a statement of change that complies with
sub. (1) and recites that the foreign corporation has been notified of the change.
181.1508 History
History: 1997 a. 79.
181.1509
181.1509
Resignation of registered agent of foreign corporation. 181.1509(1)(1)
How agent may resign. The registered agent of a foreign corporation may resign by signing and delivering to the department for filing a statement of resignation that includes all of the following information:
181.1509(1)(a)
(a) The name of the foreign corporation for which the registered agent is acting.
181.1509(1)(c)
(c) The street address of the foreign corporation's current registered office and its principal office.
181.1509(1)(e)
(e) If applicable, a statement that the registered office is also discontinued.
181.1509(2)
(2) Notice to corporation. After filing the statement, the department shall mail a copy to the foreign corporation at its principal office.
181.1509(3)
(3) Effective date. The resignation is effective and, if applicable, the registered office is discontinued on the earlier of the following:
181.1509(3)(a)
(a) Sixty days after the department receives the statement of resignation for filing.
181.1509(3)(b)
(b) The date on which the appointment of a successor registered agent is effective.
181.1509 History
History: 1997 a. 79.
181.1510
181.1510
Service on foreign corporation. 181.1510(1)
(1)
Registered agent. Except as provided in
subs. (2) and
(3), the registered agent of a foreign corporation authorized to transact business in this state is the foreign corporation's agent for service of process, notice or demand required or permitted by law to be served on the foreign corporation.
181.1510(2)
(2) Foreign corporation authorized to transact business. A foreign corporation authorized to transact business in this state may be served in the manner provided in
sub. (4) if the foreign corporation has no registered agent or its registered agent cannot, with reasonable diligence, be served.
181.1510(3)
(3) Foreign corporation formerly authorized to transact business. A foreign corporation formerly authorized to transact business in this state may be served in the manner provided in
sub. (4) in any civil, criminal, administrative or investigatory proceeding based on a cause of action arising while it was authorized to transact business in this state, if the foreign corporation has done any of the following:
181.1510(4)
(4) Manner of service on foreign corporation. 181.1510(4)(a)(a) With respect to a foreign corporation described in
sub. (2) or
(3), the foreign corporation may be served by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed to the foreign corporation at its principal office as shown on the records of the department, except as provided in
par. (b). Service is perfected under this paragraph at the earliest of the following:
181.1510(4)(a)1.
1. The date on which the foreign corporation receives the mail.
181.1510(4)(a)2.
2. The date shown on the return receipt, if signed on behalf of the foreign corporation.
181.1510(4)(a)3.
3. Five days after it is deposited in the U.S. mail, if mailed postpaid and correctly addressed.
181.1510(4)(b)1.1. Except as provided in
subd. 2., if the address of the foreign corporation's principal office cannot be determined from the records of the department, the foreign corporation may be served by publishing a class 3 notice, under
ch. 985, in the community where the foreign corporation's principal office or registered office, as most recently designated in the records of the department, is located.
181.1510(4)(b)2.
2. If a process, notice or demand is served by the department on a foreign corporation under
s. 181.1531 and the address of the foreign corporation's principal office cannot be determined from the records of the department, the foreign corporation may be served by publishing a class 2 notice, under
ch. 985, in the official state newspaper.
181.1510(5)
(5) Other methods of service. This section does not limit or affect the right to serve any process, notice or demand required or permitted by law to be served upon a foreign corporation in any other manner permitted by law.
181.1510 History
History: 1997 a. 79.
181.1520
181.1520
Withdrawal of foreign corporation. 181.1520(1)
(1)
Certificate required. A foreign corporation authorized to transact business in this state may not withdraw from this state until it obtains a certificate of withdrawal from the department.
181.1520(2)
(2) Application for certificate. A foreign corporation authorized to transact business in this state may apply for a certificate of withdrawal by delivering an application to the department for filing. The application shall include all of the following information:
181.1520(2)(a)
(a) The name of the foreign corporation and the name of the state or country under whose law it is incorporated.
181.1520(2)(b)
(b) A statement that it is not transacting business in this state and that it surrenders its authority to transact business in this state.
181.1520(2)(c)
(c) A statement that it revokes the authority of its registered agent to accept service on its behalf and that it consents to service of process under
s. 181.1510 (3) and
(4) in any civil, criminal, administrative or investigatory proceeding based on a cause of action arising during the time it was authorized to transact business in this state.
181.1520(2)(d)
(d) The mailing address of its principal office, if different from that shown on its most recent annual report.
181.1520(2)(e)
(e) A commitment to notify the department in the future of any change in the mailing address of its principal office.
181.1520 History
History: 1997 a. 79.
181.1530
181.1530
Grounds for revocation. 181.1530(1)
(1)
Permissive revocation by department. Except as provided in
sub. (1m), the department may bring a proceeding under
s. 181.1531 to revoke the certificate of authority of a foreign corporation authorized to transact business in this state if any of the following applies:
181.1530(1)(a)
(a) The foreign corporation fails to file its annual report with the department within 4 months after it is due.
181.1530(1)(b)
(b) The foreign corporation does not pay, within 4 months after they are due, any fees or penalties due the department under this chapter.
181.1530(1)(c)
(c) The foreign corporation is without a registered agent or registered office in this state for at least 6 months.
181.1530(1)(d)
(d) The foreign corporation does not inform the department under
s. 181.1508 or
181.1509 that its registered agent or registered office has changed, that its registered agent has resigned or that its registered office has been discontinued, within 6 months of the change, resignation or discontinuance.
181.1530(1)(e)
(e) The foreign corporation obtained its certificate of authority through fraud.
181.1530(1)(f)
(f) The department receives a duly authenticated certificate from the secretary of state or other official having custody of corporate records in the state or country under whose law the foreign corporation is incorporated stating that it has been dissolved or has disappeared as the result of a merger.
181.1530(1m)
(1m) Mandatory revocation by department. If the department receives a certificate under
sub. (1) (f) and a statement by the foreign corporation that the certificate is submitted by the foreign corporation to terminate its authority to transact business in this state, the department shall issue a certificate of revocation under
s. 181.1531 (2) (b).
181.1530(2)
(2) Revocation by a court. A court may revoke, under
s. 946.87, the certificate of authority of a foreign corporation authorized to transact business in this state. The court shall notify the department of the action, and the department shall issue a certificate of revocation under
s. 181.1531 (2) (b).
