As a foreign corporation, does my company need a certificate of authority to transact business in Hawaii?

The DFI often receives inquiries regarding the necessity of filing for a certificate of authority admitting a foreign corporation to transact business in this State, given the provisions of Section 414-431, Hawaii Revised Statutes ("HRS").

The DFI administers only the Code of Financial Institutions, codified at Chapter 412, HRS, and Chapter 449, HRS, which relates to escrow depositories. Therefore, the DFI cannot interpret any provisions of Chapter 414, HRS, which is the Hawaii Business Corporation Act.

A foreign corporation that is uncertain whether it must obtain a certificate of authority under Section 414-431, HRS, should consult an attorney who is knowledgeable about that area of the law.

To obtain a registration form or for questions regarding procuring a certificate of authority to transact business, please contact the Business Registration Division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, at:

Business Registration Division
Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Mailing address:
P.O. Box 40
Honolulu, HI 96810

Street address:
335 Merchant Street, 2nd Floor
Honolulu, HI 96813

Phone:
(808) 586-2727

Fax:
(808) 586-2733

Research Aids:
For online access to the Hawaii Revised Statutes ("HRS"), go to www.capitol.hawaii.gov and select "Status & Documents". If you use the Search feature, then in the "Search the HRS text for" box, enter key words descriptive of the statute you wish to access. If you use the Browse feature and wish to see Chapter 415, HRS, click on "Browse", click on "Vol08", then click on "hrs415". CAUTION: Statutes amended or repealed as a result of a recent Legislative Session may not be updated as yet in the online Hawaii Revised Statutes. .

If you need assistance in accessing state government documents online, please call the Public Access Room of the Legislative Reference Bureau at (808) 587-0478, or e-mail par@capitol.hawaii.gov.