Initial Fees and Licenses in Rhode Island

April 13, 2006

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If you're going to operate your business in Rhode Island, when you start up you're likely to incur filing fees and licensing fees depending on the type of business you run and your business form (corporation, sole proprietorship, partnership or limited liability company (LLC)).

Corporations. If you're doing business as a domestic corporation (a corporation incorporated in Rhode Island), you will be subject to various fees when you start up. The following are some of the filing requirements and payments by domestic corporations to the Rhode Island Secretary of State:

Document	Fee
Articles of incorporation	$230 minimum
Articles of amendment	$50
Restated articles of incorporation	$70
Articles of merger or consolidation	$100
Reservation of entity name	$50
Statement of intent to dissolve	No fee
Articles of dissolution	$50

If you're doing business as a foreign corporation (a corporation incorporated outside of Rhode Island), you will be subject to initial fees when you start up. The following are the filing requirements and payments by foreign corporations to the Rhode Island Secretary of State:

Document	Fee
Certificate of authority	$310 minimum
Amended certificate of authority	$75
Reservation of entity name	$50
Articles of merger or consolidation	$100
Filing evidence of merger	$150
Certificate of withdrawal	$50

Limited liability companies (LLCs). If your company is either a domestic or foreign limited liability company (LLC), you must file documents with the Rhode Island Secretary of State. If your company is a domestic LLC, you must deliver articles of organization along with a $150 filing fee to the Rhode Island Secretary of State. If your company is a foreign LLC, you must file a foreign LLC registration application along with a $150 fee to the Rhode Island Secretary of State. All LLCs must file an annual report and pay an annual filing fee of $50.

Business licenses and fees. Rhode Island requires that you obtain a license and pay a fee if you are operating certain types of businesses in the state. Below is a partial list of some of the types of businesses required to obtain a license. Be sure to check with the state to make sure you are complying with the license requirements for your particular profession.