Category: Uncategorized

Coronavirus Update: Central Gov. Office Closures

Latest update: 04/2/2020 at 4:00 pm pst

CORPSMART™ offices remain open and unaffected at this time.

Central States

Arkansas:

  • Counter service is suspended, but a drop box will be checked three times daily.
  • Online, email, mail, FedEx and UPS services are available, but telephones are not being answered at this time.

Colorado:

  • Counter service is suspended, but a drop box is available, as well as online, mail, email, UPS and FedEx services. 
  • CO notaries have been granted authority to perform remote notarization’s.

Illinois:

  • The Department of Business Services is closed through April 30th. 
  • Counter service and routine/expedite services are suspended.
  • No mail or hard copy paper filings will be processed during the closure, but online services are available. 
  • Annual Report due date extended by at least 30 days after the office reopens and penalties are being waived.
  • IL notaries have been granted temporary authority to perform remote and online notarization’s.

Indiana:

  • Counter service is suspended and online services are preferred. 
  • Online, mail, UPS and FedEx services are available – expect delays.
  • Email is available for business entity filings that cannot be completed online. 
  • Email is not available for UCC filings – must be submitted online. 

Iowa:

  • Counter service is suspended, but online and email services are available. 
  • Allowing filings via email from service companies with prepaid accounts. 
  • Additional information is available at https://sos.iowa.gov/TemporaryClosure.html

Kansas:

  • Counter service is suspended and the Secretary of State is operating with limited staff. 
  • A drop box is available, as well as online, email, mail, UPS and FedEx services. 
  • Business Services Division is operating with limited staff. 

Louisiana:

  • Counter service is suspended, but online, email, mail, UPS and FedEx services are available. 

Minnesota:

  • Counter service is suspended and telephones reduced hours are 9 am – 1 pm.
  • Online, mail, FedEx and UPS services are available. 
  • Hennepin County Recorder’s office is open, but suspending paper document recording. 
  • Electronic recording remains available. 

Mississippi:

  • Counter service is suspended, but online, mail, FedEx and UPS services are available. 

Missouri:

  • Counter service is suspended, but online and email requests remain available. 

Nebraska:

  • Counter service is suspended, but online, mail, email, FedEx and UPS services are available. 
  • Emergency Apostille needs may be handled by appointment. 

New Mexico:

  • Counter service and same day (waiting) is suspended – only Apostilles and limited election-related filing are accepted over the counter (appointment required).
  • All in-person transactions (without an appointment) are suspended. 
  • Online, email, mail, FedEx and UPS services are available. 

North Dakota:

  • Counter service is by appointment only.
  • Agent access, online services, drop box, mail, FedEx and UPS remain available. 

Oklahoma:

  • Counter service is suspended, but a drop box, email, mail, FedEx and UPS services are available. 

South Dakota:

  • Counter service is suspended until March 30th.
  • Online, email, mail, FedEx and UPS services are available.

Texas:

  • Counter service is suspended and drop-off is available by appointment only for service companies (limited to corporate documents only).
  • Apostille/Authentications are available by appointment only to service companies (same day processing). 
  • Drop off is not available for UCC, but mail, fax, FedEx and UPS are available – expect processing delays.

Wisconsin:

  • Counter service is suspended. 
  • Online, email, mail, FedEx and UPS services remain available. 
  • DMV counter service is suspended – mail, FedEx and UPS remain available. 

Wyoming:

  • Counter service is limited, but online services, telephone, mail, email, FedEx and UPS services are available. 

Federal: Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-business-response.html

For any immediate requests, please contact a CORPSMART™ representative by calling (800) 737-8012 or emailing orders@corp-smart.com.

Coronavirus Update: International Gov. Office Closures

Latest update: 04/2/2020 at 4:01 pm pst

CORPSMART™ offices remain open and unaffected at this time.

International

Belgium:

  • Government agencies are closed or on a limited schedule, everything is running much slower than usual. The Country is an unprecedented ‘lockdown’ until April 15.

British Virgin Islands:

  • Registry is open  9 am – 1 pm to the public.
  • It is available virtually from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm daily. 

Canada (Ontario):

  • Toronto counter service remain available – all registrations and filings are being processed. 
  • PPSA is still available for searching and filing. 
  • Bankruptcy and Bank Act is open for searching. 

El Salvador:

  • Closed until further notice. 

France:

  • Closed through mid-April. 
  • Further announcements will be made in mid-April. 

Guam:

  • The Governor of Guam has issued a state of emergency effective March 15, 2020.
  • All non-essential government offices which includes the Department of Revenue & Taxation are to remain closed.
  • The state of emergency for all above is in effect until at least April 12, 2020.
  • With the President’s state of emergency extended to April 30, 2020 – there may be an extension to this date.

India:

  • All of India is under ‘lockdown’ for 21 days. 
  • Registries are currently closed and are working remotely. 

Italy:

  • The country is under ‘lockdown’ and the corporate registry is closed until further notice. 
  • Some online services are available. 

Kuwait:

  • Registry is closed until March 29th, at minimum. 

Mexico:

  • Mostly all registries are closed until mid-April. 
  • Further announcements will be made in mid-April.
  • Online services are available. 

Panama:

  • The Government of Panama has issued Executive Decree No. 500 of March 19th, instructing all businesses (with a few strategic exceptions) to close as of midnight March 20th for 30 days in an effort to reduce, mitigate and control the virus. 

Philippines:

  • Placed on state of calamity (mandatory quarantine at home) until further notice. 
  • Courts and Registries are closed.
  • An announcement will be made when these re-open. 

Puerto Rico:

  • The Department of State will be closed until April 11th.
  • All Walk In Services are cancelled.
  • Online Filings are still being accepted.
  • The Department of State has extended the annual report due date to May 15th.

For any immediate requests, please contact a CORPSMART™ representative by calling (800) 737-8012 or emailing orders@corp-smart.com.

Coronavirus Update: West Coast Gov. Office Closures

Latest update: 04/2/2020 at 4:04 pm pst

CORPSMART™ offices remain open and unaffected at this time.

West Coast States

Alaska:

  • Counter service is suspended with limited staff – expect delays. 
  • Online services, mail, FedEx and UPS remain available. 

Arizona:

  • The Secretary of State counter service has been limited, but not suspended (UCC, Partnerships, Apostilles, Notarization, Trade Names/Trademarks).
  • Online services, mail, FedEx and UPS are available – expect processing delays.
  • The Arizona Corporation Commission counter service is suspended (Corporations and LLC’s). 
  • Limited staffing – expect delays. Online, email, mail FedEx and UPS services are available. 

California:

  • Secretary of State is open with limited staff and resources – expect delays.
  • Counter service is suspended, but a drop box is available, as well as online, mail, email, UPS and FedEx services – anticipate delays.
  • Routine business filing will be returned by mail; expect delays of 7 to 10 business days for filing evidence.
  • Expedite services remains available – expect delays.
  • Los Angeles County Clerk-Recorder is closed to the public; mail in recordings and filings are still available.
  • Los Angeles Superior Court closed until June 22, 2020.
  • Orange County Clerk-Recorder offices are closed.
  • Orange County Superior Court is closed to the public through April 24, 2020.

Hawaii:

  • The Business Services and Bureau of Conveyances (UCC) are closed. 
  • The Business Service Division staff are working remotely, but online services remain available. 

Idaho:

  • Counter service is suspended, but online and email services remain available. 
  • Expedited services are available, but expect delays.

Montana:

  • The Business Services Division remains open with limited staff and resources – expect delays. 

Nevada:

  • Counter service is suspended. 
  • Online services are available. 

Oregon:

  • Counter service is suspended – daily appointments are no longer allowed. 
  • Online services, mail, UPS and FedEx remain available.
  • Limited staffing – expect delays.

Utah:

  • Counter service is suspended, but online services are available, as are mail, FedEx and UPS submissions. 

Washington:

  • Counter service is suspended, but online, mail, email, FedEx and UPS services are available. 

Federal: Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-business-response.html

For any immediate requests, please contact a CORPSMART™ representative by calling (800) 737-8012 or emailing orders@corp-smart.com.

Coronavirus Update: East Coast Gov. Office Closures

Last Updated: 04/2/2020 at 4:10 pm pst

CORPSMART™ offices remain open and unaffected at this time.

East Coast States

Alabama:

  • State remains open with limited staff and resources; expect delays.

Connecticut:

  • Counter service is suspended, but online and email requests are available.
  • Expedite services are available, but will be mailed out (no pick-ups).

Delaware:

  • Counter service is by appointment only.
  • Drop-off and pick-up bins are located on the first floor and electronic services remain available.

Florida:

  • Counter service is limited to one drop off and one pick up each day.
  • Online services, as well as email, mail, FedEx and UPS services remain available.
  • Expedite services are available, but expect delays.
  • Annual Report deadline extended to June 30, 2020.

Georgia:

  • Counter service is suspended, but online and email services are available.
  • Expedite services are available, but expect delays.
  • Annual Registration deadline extended to May 1, 2020.

Indiana:

  • Counter service is suspended and online services are preferred. 
  • Online, mail, UPS and FedEx services are available – expect delays.
  • Email is available for business entity filings that cannot be completed online. 
  • Email is not available for UCC filings – must be submitted online. 

Kentucky:

  • Counter service is suspended.
  • Online and email service remains available.

Maine:

  • Counter service is suspended and expedite services are modified.
  • A drop box is available, as well as online services and requests sent by email, mail, FedEx and UPS.

Maryland:

  • Counter service is suspended (no appointments permitted). 
  • Limited hours of operation are 9 am – 1 pm.
  • Online, mail, FedEx and UPS services are available. 
  • Expedite service fees are being waived for online filings.
  • Annual Report/Personal Property Return filing date extended from April 15 to July 15 for all entities. 
  • All expiration and renewal dates extended to 30th day after date on which state of emergency is terminated. 
  • Additional information to follow related to the delay of due dates for trade name renewal/expiration’s, penalty due dates and any other related items. 

Massachusetts:

  • The Secretary of State is open, with limited staffing and resources – expect delays. 
  • Trial courts and superior courts are closed to the public April 6th. 
  • Any Registry of Deeds located within a court house will also be closed. 
  • The MA US District Court is open with some access limitations.
  • Electronic services remain available. 

Michigan:

  • Counter service is suspended.
  • Online service remains available.

New Hampshire:

  • Counter service is by appointment only. 
  • Online, email, mail, FedEx and UPS services are available. 
  • The Corporations Division is waiving the late filing penalty for Annual and Five Year Reports until May 1, 2020. The late filing penalty will not apply to Reports filed after April 1, 2020 but before May 2, 2020. Reports filed on or after May 2, 2020 will incur the penalty. 

New Jersey:

  • Counter service is suspended, but online, mail, email, FedEx and UPS services remain available. 
  • Emergency Apostille needs may be handled by appointment. 

New York:

  • The Division of Corporations counter service and fax requests are suspended.
  • Online, email, mail, FedEx and UPS services are available.
  • Two-hour and same day filings are being processed with evidence the next day and next day filings will take three to four days.
  • Several County Clerks have suspended counter service or closed entirely. 
  • New York County Clerk is not accepting Business Certificates. 
  • County UCC/Lien filings, notary certifications, search and retrieval services remain available in most counties. 
  • In New York, Kings, Queens, Bronx and Richmond County – Lower Civil Court, Landlord & Tenant Court, Small Claims Court, US District Court and Criminal Courts are closed. 
  • In Kings County – Surrogates/Probate Court is closed. 
  • The Secretary of State in New York City for Apostilles is closed. 

North Carolina:

  • Counter service is suspended and appointments are required for drop-off and pick-up.
  • Online services are available.

Ohio:

  • Counter service is suspended, but a drop box, online, email, mail, FedEx and UPS services are available. 

Pennsylvania:

  • Counter service is suspended and expedite services are not available. 
  • Online, email, mail, FedEx and UPS services are available. 

Rhode Island:

  • Limited counter service is available by appointment only.
  • Mail-ins submissions are being processed and online services are encouraged, as well as mail, FedEx and UPS services. 

South Carolina:

  • Counter service is suspended.
  • Online, email, mail, FedEx and UPS services are available. 

Tennessee:

  • Counter service is suspended.
  • A drop box is available, as well as online services, mail, UPS and FedEx submissions.

Vermont:

  • Counter service is suspended.
  • Online services are available, as are mail, UPS and FedEx submissions.

Virginia:

  • Counter service is suspended, but online services are available, as are drop box, mail, FedEx and UPS submissions. 
  • State remains open with limited staff and resources – expect delays.

West Virginia:

  • Counter service is suspended.
  • Online services and requests sent by email, mail, UPS or FedEx remain available.

Federal: Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-business-response.html

For any immediate requests, please contact a CORPSMART™ representative by calling (800) 737-8012 or emailing orders@corp-smart.com.

Coronavirus Update: Gov. Office Closures

Latest update: 03/20/2020 at 2:00 pm pst

CORPSMART™ offices remain open and unaffected at this time.

Alabama:

  • Operating with limited staff.

Arizona:

  • Counter service is limited, but not suspended.
  • Same day expedite is available and must be delivered by 11 am.
  • Online services, mail, FedEx and UPS are available.

Arkansas: 

  • Counter service is suspended, but a drop box is available that is checked three times a day.
  • Online, email, mail, FedEx, UPS services are available, but telephones are NOT being answered.

Colorado:

  • Counter service is suspended, but a drop box is available, as are online, mail UPS and FedEx services.

Connecticut:

  • Counter service is suspended, but online service and email requests are available.
  • Expedite service is available, but will be mailed out (no pickups).

Delaware:

  • Counter service is by appointment only and drop-off and pick-up bins are located on the first floor.
  • General information telephone line is CLOSED and will remain closed until further notice.
  • Electronic services remain available.

District of Columbia:

  • The Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs is open, but online services are encouraged.
  • Business Licenses, professional/occupational licenses that expire during the declared emergency will be considered valid and may be renewed up to 45 days after the declared emergency.
  • Biennials may be filed without penalty from April 2nd – June 1st.

Florida:

  • Counter service is suspended, but online services, email, mail, FedEx and UPS are available.
  • Expedite service is available, but may be delayed.

Georgia:

  • Counter service is suspended, but online and email services are available.
  • Expedite service is available – expect delays.

Hawaii:

  • Business Services and Bureau of Conveyances (UCC) are CLOSED.
  • Business Service Division staff are working remotely.
  • Online services are available.
  • Mail, UPS, FedEx and faxed requests will be delayed until after the building re-opens.

Idaho:

  • Counter service is suspended, but online and email services are available.
  • Expedited services are available – expect delays.

Illinois:

  • Counter service, as well as routine and expedite service is suspended, but online services are available.
  • The Department of Business Services anticipate closure through March 31st.
  • No mail or hard copy paper filings will be processed during the closure.

Indiana:

  • The Secretary of State is open with limited staffing and resources and counter service is suspended (appointments required for all walk-in service).
  • Online services are available, as well as email services for business entity filings that cannot be completed online.
  • Not accepting email for UCC filings – they must be filed online.
  • Mail/UPS/FedEx services is available, but expect processing delays.

Iowa:

  • Counter service is suspended from March 18th-27th.
  • Online and email services are available.
  • Allowing filings via email from service companies which have prepaid accounts.
  • Additional information available online at: https://sos.iowa.gov/TemporaryClosure.html

Kansas:

  • Counter service suspended as March 23th.
  • Secretary of State and Business Services Division will be operating with limited staff beginning March 23th.
  • Online services, drop box, email, mail FedEx and UPS remain available.

Kentucky:

  • Counter service suspended as of March 18th.
  • Online service and email requests remain available.

Louisiana:

  • Counter service has been suspended.
  • Online service, email, mail, UPS and FedEx remain available.

Maine:

  • Counter service has been suspended and expedited services have been modified.
  • A drop box is available.
  • Online services and requests sent by email, mail or UPS/FedEx remains available.

Maryland:

  • Counter service has been suspended (no appointments permitted).
  • Limited hours beginning March 18th 9:00am – 1:00pm.
  • Online service, mail/FedEx/UPS remains available.
  • Expedited service fees are being waived for online filings.

Massachusetts:

  • The MA SOS remains open with limited staffing and resources – anticipate delays.
  • MA trial courts and superior courts closed to the public March 16th-17th.
  • Any Registry of Deeds located within a courthouse will also be closed.
  • Electronic services remain available.
  • MA US District Court remains open with some access limitations.

Michigan:

  • Counter service is suspended March 19th.
  • Online services, mail, FedEx, UPS remain available.

Minnesota:

  • Counter service suspended.
  • Reduced telephone hours are 9:00am – 1:00pm.
  • Hennepin County Recorder’s office is open, but temporarily suspending paper document recording until further notice.
  • Electronic recording remains.
  • Online services, mail, FedEx and UPS remain available.

Mississippi:

  • Counter service suspended.
  • Online, mail, USP, FedEx remains available.

Montana:

  • MT Business Services Division remains open with limited staff.

Nevada:

  • Counter service and in-person transactions have been suspended.
  • Mail, UPS and FedEx remains available.
  • Drop box is anticipated.
  • Online services remain available.

New Jersey:

  • Counter service has been suspended.
  • Online services, mail, FedEx and UPS remain available.
  • Emergency Apostille needs may be handled by appointment.

New Mexico:  

  • Counter service suspended.
  • ONLY Apostilles and limited election-related filings accepted over the counter (appointment required).
  • Same day (waiting) service suspended.
  • All in-person transactions, without an appointment, have also been suspended.
  • Online services, mail, UPS and FedEx remain available.

New York:

  • Secretary of State is open with minor processing delays and may be suspending two-hour service soon.
  • Several county clerks have suspended counter service or closed entirely.
  • New York County Clerk is NOT accepting Business Certificates.
  • In New York, Kings, Queens, Bronx, and Richmond County: Lower Civil Court, Landlord and Tenant Court, Small Claims Court, US District Court, Criminal Courts are CLOSED.
  • In Kings County: the Surrogates/Probate Court is CLOSED.
  • The Secretary of State in New York City for Apostilles is CLOSED.

North Carolina:

  • Counter service will be suspended beginning March 20th at 4:00pm.
  • Appointments required for drop-off/pick-up.
  • Online services remain available.

Ohio:

  • Counter service has been suspended.
  • A drop box, email, FedEx, UPS and online services remains available.

Oklahoma:

  • Counter service has been suspended.
  • Online services, mail, UPS and FedEx remain available.

Oregon:

  • Counter service has been suspended, but one daily appointment is permitted.
  • Online service remains.

Pennsylvania:  

  • Counter service has been suspended. 
  • Online service remains.
  • Expedited service is not available at this time.

Rhode Island:

  • The Secretary of State has closed all public counters and will be by appointment only (subject to change).
  • Mail-in submissions are being processed.
  • Online services, mail, UPS and FedEx remain available and are encouraged.

South Carolina:

  • Secretary of State Business Services office is open but restricting public access.
  • Counter service is suspended.
  • Online services, mail, FedEx and UPS remain available.

South Dakota:

  • Closed to the public until Monday, March 23rd.
  • Online, mail, FedEx and UPS services remains available.

Tennessee:

  • Counter service has been suspended.
  • A drop box, online services, mail and FedEx submissions are available.

Texas:

  • Counter service has been suspended.
  • Drop off is available by appointment only for service companies and is limited to corporate documents only.
  • Apostille/Authentications are available by appointment only to service companies (same day processing).
  • Drop off is NOT available for UCC.
  • Mail, fax, FedEx, UPS remain available – expect processing delays.
  • Secretary of State is working on alternate options for processing.

Virginia:

  • Counter service has been suspended.
  • Online services are available, as are drop box, mail, UPS and FedEx submissions.
  • Reduced staffing – expect delays.

Washington:

  • Counter service has been suspended.
  • Online services, mail, email, FedEx and UPS remain available.

West Virginia:

  • Counter service has been suspended.
  • Online service and requests sent via email or USPS or UPS/FedEx remains available.

Wisconsin:

  • Counter service and walk-ins have been suspended.
  • Phone lines and email services remain open 8:00am-12:00pm and from 1:00pm-4:30pm.
  • Continuing to process documents received via USPS, UPS, FedEx and other couriers.

Wyoming:

  • Counter service is being suspended.
  • Online services, telephone, mail, email, FedEx and UPS remain available.

Federal:  The CDC has posted Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers online at:  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-business-response.html

December Closures, by Jurisdiction

Please take note of the following holidays as these closures could affect your time sensitive filings:

Monday, December 24th // Christmas Eve

  • Arkansas
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Michigan
  • North Carolina
  • North Dakota
  • Oklahoma
  • South Carolina
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Virginia
  • Wisconsin

Tuesday, December 25th // Christmas Day

  • United States

Monday, December 31st // New Year’s Eve

  • Kentucky
  • Michigan
  • Tennessee

November Closures, by Jurisdiction

Please take note of the following holidays as these closures could affect your time sensitive filings:

Tuesday, November 6th // Election Day

  • Delaware
  • Hawaii
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Maryland
  • Mississippi
  • Montana
  • New Jersey
  • Rhode Island

Monday, November 12th // Veteran’s Day

  • United States (excluding Texas and Wisconsin)

Wednesday, November 21st // Thanksgiving Holiday

  • Virginia

Thursday, November 22nd // Thanksgiving Day

  • United States

Friday, November 23rd // Black Friday

  • California
  • Colorado
  • Delaware
  • Florida
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Maryland
  • Maine
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • North Carolina
  • Nebraska
  • New Hampshire
  • New Mexico
  • Nevada
  • Oklahoma
  • Oregon
  • Pennsylvania
  • South Carolina
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • West Virginia
  • Wisconsin

 

October Closures, by Jurisdiction

Please take note of the following holidays as these closures could affect your time sensitive filings:

Monday, October 8th // Columbus Day

  • Alabama
  • Arizona
  • Connecticut
  • Washington D.C.
  • Georgia
  • Idaho
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Massachusettes
  • Maryland
  • Maine
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • Nebraska
  • New Jersey
  • New Mexico
  • New York
  • Ohio
  • Pennsylvania
  • Rhode Island
  • South Carolina
  • Utah
  • Virginia
  • West Virginia

Thursday, October 18th // Alaska Day

  • Alaska

Friday, October 26th // Nevada Day

  • Nevada