N.D. Cent. Code § 50-22-02.2: Registrant name registration or certificate of authority required

The secretary of state may not issue or renew a registration provided for in this chapter if the name of the registrant is an entity whose name is not in some manner registered with the secretary of state as a corporation, limited liability company, trade name, fictitious name of a partnership, limited partnership, or limited liability partnership. For a registrant that is a foreign entity, a registration under this chapter means the same as a license or permit under section 10-19.1-134, 10-32.1-74, 10-33-127, or 45-22-19, or other substantially equivalent statute for the purpose of procuring a certificate of authority or similar authorization to act in this state.