A Certificate of Authority is the legal authorization which a foreign entity must obtain in order to be able to conduct its affairs in this state. To register your foreign corporation in North Carolina, you must complete a Certificate of Authority and submit it to North Carolina's Secretary of State.If the corporation ceases to exist or leaves North Carolina during the tax year, fill in the appropriate circle. North Carolina State law requires all business corporations to file their annual report directly with Secretary of State. Search Business Registration. Foreign qualification is the process of registering to do business in a state other than the one in which you incorporated. Complete the North Carolina Secretary of State Form PC-01 (Application for Certificate of Authority – Foreign Professional Corporation) under Related Forms. Foreign (out-of-state) corporations must appoint a registered agent for service of process physically located in North Carolina. The Professional Corporation Act of North Carolina (N. Every North Carolina corporation is required to have a Registered Agent.