1.  Register corporate name.  A foreign corporation may register its corporate name if the name is distinguishable on the records of the Secretary of State pursuant to section 401.  

2.  Application.  To register its corporate name a foreign corporation must deliver to the Secretary of State for filing an application that:  

3.  Applicant's exclusive use.  The corporate name is registered for the foreign corporation's exclusive use upon the effective date of the application until the end of the calendar year in which the application was filed.  

4.  Renewal of registered name.  A foreign corporation whose registration is effective may renew it for a successive year by delivering for filing to the Secretary of State a renewal application that complies with the requirements of subsection 2 between October 1st and December 31st. The renewal application, when filed, renews the registration for the following calendar year.  

5.  Qualify as foreign corporation.  A foreign corporation whose registration is effective may, after the registration is effective, qualify as a foreign corporation under the registered name or may consent in writing to the use of that name by a corporation subject to this Act or by another foreign corporation authorized to transact business in this State. The registration terminates when the domestic corporation is incorporated or the foreign corporation qualifies or consents to the qualification of another foreign corporation under the registered name.