Every year, business owners receive renewal notices for their company registration. It’s a routine part of staying compliant. But not every notice that lands in your mailbox is legitimate.

What You Should Know

Annual registration requests must come from the Corporations Division of your state (sometimes called the Secretary of State). This is the official government agency that oversees business filings.

Scammers know business owners are busy. They send letters or emails that look official, asking you to pay a fee to “maintain your registration.” These third-party companies are not the state, and paying them does not guarantee your business stays in compliance.

Red Flags to Look For

• The notice doesn’t have the official state seal or Secretary of State logo.
• The mailing address is not a government address.
• The fee is higher than your state’s normal registration cost.
• The company name is vague, such as “Business Filings Division” or “Annual Registration Services.”
• The notice pressures you to act immediately with threatening language.

Why This Matters

• Cost: You could end up paying double or triple what your actual fee is.
• Risk: If you pay the wrong party, your registration may not be updated, which could put your business out of good standing.
• Security: Scammers may collect personal or business data for other fraudulent use.

How to Protect Yourself

1. Always verify renewal notices with your state’s Corporations Division website.
2. Compare the fee listed on the notice with the fee published on the state site.
3. File your registration online directly through your state’s official portal.
4. Keep a calendar reminder for your renewal due date so you don’t get caught off guard.
5. Contact your Secretary of State if you receive a suspicious notice.

Your business registration is too important to leave in the hands of third-party companies or scammers. Go straight to the source: the Corporations Division of your state.