Guides
Charity registration, answered
The questions charities actually ask about registering to solicit donations across states — each answered from verified state rules, cited to the statute, with the dates we checked.
- The complete guide (start here)Everything in one place — requirements, exemptions, fees, deadlines, audits, and renewals — linking each topic below.
- Where does my charity need to register?Every jurisdiction grouped by requirement, and what triggers registration in a state you've never visited.
- How do I register in every state?The full process, honestly — including how long it takes if you do it yourself.
- New nonprofit? What to register for, and whenA practical first-year sequence for brand-new 501(c)(3)s.
- Registration fees by stateInitial and renewal fees for every state, including the revenue-based sliding scales.
- Renewal deadlines by stateWhen your registration renews in each state — most computed from your fiscal year end.
- Does using a paid fundraiser change registration?The roles states distinguish, and where a paid solicitor adds registration or contract-filing duties.
- Which states require an audit?The revenue thresholds that trigger an audited or reviewed financial statement to register.
- Are we exempt?Exemption categories by state, and the states that require an affirmative filing to claim one.
- What if we haven't registered?Late registration is common and fixable — what states actually do, and how to get current.
- Do we have to register if we only fundraise online?How the Charleston Principles work, and when a donate button creates an obligation.
- What is the Unified Registration Statement (URS)?What the URS is, which states still take it, and why most charities file state forms instead.
Looking for one state? See the full state-by-state requirements.