Illinois Application for Authority to Transact Business in Illinois | Form BCA 13.15
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The Illinois Application For Authority To Transact Business in Illinois | Form BCA 13.15 is the initial step of the application process the Illinois Secretary of State requires of a foreign business prior to operating as a corporate entity in the State of Illinois.  All sections in this document must be filled out fully and the submitter may continue any section onto another sheet of paper if there is not enough room. When doing so, make sure each such sheet of paper is 8.5″ by 11″ and clearly labeled then attached to the application. This may be filled out by hand, if one does not have the ability to edit PDF’s, so long as it is in black ink.

In addition to the original Illinois Application For Authority to Transact Business in Illinois, an entity will also need to submit a copy of the application being submitted, a Certified Copy of the Original Articles of Incorporation issued by the governance of the entity’s home state(dated within ninety of the submission of this application), payment of the $175.00 filing fee, and all additional documentation in one package. This may be mailed to Secretary of State, Department of Business Services, 501 S. Second Street Rm 350, Springfield, IL 62756

How To File

Download Application
Download Assumed Name Application

Step 1 – In Item 1a, “Corporate Name,” report the True Name of your corporation. This must be written exactly as it appears on the Certificate of Existence.

Step 2 – In some cases, a foreign corporation may not be able to use its True Name to conduct business in the State of Illinois. For instance, it may not be a unique name or not be compliant with the name requirements for its corporation type. If this is the case, the foreign entity will need to adopt an assumed name. Item 1b, requires that if the foreign entity will operate under an assumed name for that name to be reported. (Note:Form BCA 4.15 must accompany these articles if an assumed name is adopted).

Step 3 – In Item 2, enter the State and/or Country where your coproration is incorporated on the first blank space. On the Second blank space, enter the Date your corporation first incorporated as such. If there is a Period of Duration, report this on the third blank space.

Step 4 – In Item 3a, you must document the Address of the Principal Office for this corporation. Then in Item 3b, enter the Address of this corporation’s Principal Office in the State of Illinois. If there is none, you must state this.

Step 5 – In Item 4, you must name the Registered Agent appointed for this coporation in the State of Illinois. The first line, “Registered Agent,” will require the First Name, Middle Initial, and Last Name of this party. This may be an individual or a business entity whose articles of incorporation specifically state acting as a Registered Agent in its purpose. This may not be the corporation being formed. Then on the second and third lines, “Registered Office,” enter the Building Number, Street, Suite Number, City, Zip Code, and County of the Illinois address the Registered Agent maintains for the purpose of recieving service of process documents.

Step 6 – In Item 5, Report all the States and Countries where this corporation has been authorized to conduct its business as a corporation. Make sure to include the state of the corporation. If there is not enough room, clearly label a separate sheet of paper, contintue the list, and attach it to these articles.

Step 7 – In Item 6, List the Full Name and Address of the President, Secretary, and remaining Officers or Directors. If there is not enough room, clearly label a separate sheet of paper, contintue the list, and attach it to these articles.

Step 8 – Item 7 will require the specific purpose for the incorporation. That is, write out the reason for forming this entity, how it will conduct its business, and its goals. Be specific. If there is not enough room, you must continue this on another sheet of paper that is clearly labeled then attach it to these articles.

Step 9 – In Item 8, list the Class, Series, Par Value, Number of Shares Authorized, and Number of Shares Issued on the blank lines provided.

Step 10 – Item 9 requires the total dollar amount of Paid In Capital to be reported.

Step 11 – Items 10a through 10d will also require dollar amounts regarding this corporation. In Item 10a, report the estimated value (in total) the corporation is expected to claim for the following year on the space provided. Next, in Item 10b, document the estimated total value this corporation is expected to have for the folloing year in Illinois. Then, in Item 10c, report the total amount of business this corporation is expected to conduct for the next year on the space provided. Finally, in Item 10d, report the total amount of business this corporation will conduct in the State of Illinois in the following year. This should be an estimated dollar amount.

Step 12 – In Item 11a, report if the foreign corporation has started conducting business in Illinois. If so, then in Item 11b, state the Date (Month, Day, Year) it first transacted business in this state.

Step 13 – Item 12, will require you submit a certified copy of the articles of incorporation that originally created this corporation in its home state.

Step 14 – In Item 13, Report the Date (Month, Day, Year) these articles are being signed and the exact name of the foreign corporation on the first line. On the next line, an authorized Officer of this corporation must provide his/her signature. Below this, the printed version of this signature must be entered.

Step 15 – The original Illinois Application For Authority To Transact Business in Illinois | Form BCA 13.15 plus one copy, all relevant and attached paperwork, Certificate of Good Standing (issued by the Origin State within ninety days of the application date), and full payment of the $175.00 filing fee must be mailed to:

Secretary of State
Department of Business Services
501 S. Second Street Rm 350
Springfield, IL 62756

Payment will be accepted by check, money order, cashier’s check, or Illinois Attorney/C.P.A. check payable to “Secretary of State.”