Foreign registration charge
$50
According to legislature.mi.gov, as of October 2026
Foreign LLC guide · Michigan
Registering an Out-of-State LLC in Michigan (2026): Fees and the 3 Best Services
Our 2026 recommendation for registering a foreign LLC in Michigan, best first: Michigan Registered Agent.co ($199), Mainstay Filing ($199) and MI Registered Agent.org ($199). Registration with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division costs $50; every report after it costs $25. Over three years of state fees the rank is 5th of 50.
Michigan: the figures
5th
of 50 by what a foreign LLC pays the state
Rankings begin with the smallest bill, level with other states. The whole table
Report, per cycle
$25
Annual statement
Home-state certificate
30 days
Age limit for the certificate
State charges, years one to three
$100
Opening filing followed by years two and three
Michigan: our recommendations
Five criteria set the order, led by three-year service charges and the filings covered; the methodology has the weights.
1. Michigan Registered Agent.co: best for a thrifty Michigan filing
$199 to register, $99 each year after
Michigan Registered Agent.co is our first choice because the Michigan registration at $199 and a year of agent service, then $99 each year.
Its three-year charges undercut Mainstay Filing's, and that criterion carries 34% of the score.
What the price buys
- The Michigan registration prepared and filed
- A year of agent service
In its favor
- First-year agent duty is on the house
- $99 yearly for the agent after that
- $199 to register
Against it
- Gives no help beyond this state
2. Mainstay Filing: best for a third or fourth state later
$199 to register, $149 each year after
Our second pick, Mainstay Filing, earns its place since a $199 service fee in whichever state you choose, plus a free first year of agent service.
That $100 difference against Michigan Registered Agent.co across three years is what keeps it from first place.
Year two brings the agent charge, $149 a year, wherever the company registers.
What the price buys
- Your registration is prepared and filed
- Fees do not vary by state
In its favor
- $199 on top of Michigan's own fee
- The same price in any state
Against it
- Michigan Registered Agent.co renews its agent for $50 less
3. MI Registered Agent.org: best for a second Michigan choice
$199 to register, $99 each year after
Number 3 is MI Registered Agent.org: the Michigan registration at $199 and a year of agent service, then $99 each year.
Price for price, it equals Michigan Registered Agent.co.
What the price buys
- The Michigan registration prepared and filed
- A year of agent service
In its favor
- $99 yearly for the agent after that
- First-year agent duty is on the house
- $199 to register
Against it
- Gives no help beyond this state
The 3 picks at a glance
| No. | Service | First-year fee | From year two | Service charges, three years | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michigan Registered Agent.co | $199 | $99/yr | $397 | Visit Michigan Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 2 | Mainstay Filing | $199 | $149/yr | $497 | Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 3 | MI Registered Agent.org | $199 | $99/yr | $397 | Visit MI Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
We took these prices from the companies' sites on November 12, 2026. The $50 state fee is not part of any row.
Michigan foreign LLC cost calculator
The registration fee is $50, with the $25 report from year two; the service's prices are added to it.
Michigan next to the states ranked around it
| Place | State | Three-year foreign LLC fees |
|---|---|---|
| 4th | Ohio | $99 |
| 5th | Idaho | $100 |
| 5th | Michigan | $100 |
| 5th | New Mexico | $100 |
| 8th | Missouri | $105 |
Foreign LLC fees by state lists every state, least expensive first.
How a foreign LLC registers in Michigan (2026)
An LLC formed in another state files the Application for Certificate of Authority to Transact Business in Michigan (for foreign limited liability companies) (Form CSCL/CD 760) with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division and pays $50. The application must include certificate of good standing, not older than 30 days.
It keeps filing the annual statement ($25), February 15.
Before you file
- Certificate of good standing, dated within 30 days.
- Name and formation date exactly as the home state records them.
- A resident agent based in the state; each of our picks offers the service.
- A way to pay the $50 state fee.
What happens if you do not register
The state's courts turn away a suit from an unregistered foreign LLC (MCL 450.5007(1)). Its contracts remain valid (MCL 450.5007(3)).
What decided the order
Michigan Registered Agent.co won by scoring higher on three-year service charge, worth 34%, with Mainstay Filing close behind.
Michigan Registered Agent.co charges $397 over three years in service fees, $100 under Mainstay Filing.
Michigan foreign registration service questions answered
What fee does a foreign LLC pay to register with Michigan?
$50 to the state. The services here charge $199 extra.
Which form does Michigan use to register a foreign LLC?
Application for Certificate of Authority to Transact Business in Michigan (for foreign limited liability companies) (Form CSCL/CD 760), submitted to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division.
Does the home state have to issue a certificate?
Yes. certificate of good standing; it has to be dated within 30 days of the filing.
Does a foreign LLC owe anything every year?
Yes, the annual statement, at $25.
What are the consequences of operating there without registering?
The state's courts turn away a suit from an unregistered foreign LLC (MCL 450.5007(1)). Its contracts remain valid (MCL 450.5007(3)).
Does Michigan require a resident agent of a foreign LLC?
Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
Who should register my foreign LLC?
Michigan Registered Agent.co, because a $199 service fee and a $99 agent renewal in Michigan. Behind it come Mainstay Filing and MI Registered Agent.org.
Sources for this chapter
- Official page for Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Corporations: michigan.gov, opened August 2026
- Official page for Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Corporations: michigan.gov, opened August 2026
- Official page for Michigan report due date: michigan.gov, opened August 2026
- Official page for MCL 450.4202: legislature.mi.gov, opened August 2026
- Official page for Michigan formation fee: Filing fee, official source: michigan.gov, opened September 2026
- Official page for Michigan formation fee: Filing fee, official source: legislature.mi.gov, opened September 2026
- Official page for Michigan registered agent statute: legislature.mi.gov, opened October 2026
- Official page for LARA limited liability company forms: michigan.gov, opened October 2026
- Official page for MCL 450.5002, certificate of authority: legislature.mi.gov, opened October 2026
- Official page for MCL 450.5008, activities that are not transacting business: legislature.mi.gov, opened October 2026
- Official page for MCL 450.5007, consequences of transacting business without a: legislature.mi.gov, opened October 2026
- Official page for Ohio Secretary of State, filing forms and fee: ohiosos.gov, opened October 2026
- Official page for Form 617, Registration of a Foreign Limited Liability: ohiosos.gov, opened October 2026
- Official page for R.C. 1706.511, registration of foreign LLCs: codes.ohio.gov, opened October 2026
- Official page for R.C. 1706.515, effect of failing to register: codes.ohio.gov, opened October 2026
- Official page for R.C. 1706.09, statutory agent: codes.ohio.gov, opened October 2026
- Official page for Idaho Secretary of State, Foreign Registration Statement: archive.sos.idaho.gov, opened October 2026
- Official page for Idaho Secretary of State, business FAQ: sos.idaho.gov, opened October 2026
- Official page for Idaho Code 30-21-505, activities that are not doing: legislature.idaho.gov, opened October 2026
- Official page for Idaho Code 30-21-214, fees: legislature.idaho.gov, opened October 2026
- Official page for Idaho Code 30-21-213, annual report: legislature.idaho.gov, opened October 2026
- Official page for Withdrawal of Foreign Registration Statement: archive.sos.idaho.gov, opened October 2026
- Official page for New Mexico Secretary of State, Business Services: sos.nm.gov, opened October 2026
- Official page for SOS Enterprise online filing portal: enterprise.sos.nm.gov, opened October 2026
- Official page for Business Online Filing Help: api.realfile.rtsclients.com, opened October 2026
- Official page for NMSA 1978, Chapter 53: nmonesource.com, opened October 2026
- Official page for Taxation and Revenue Department, who must register: tax.newmexico.gov, opened October 2026
- Official page for Missouri Secretary of State, Corporations: sos.mo.gov, opened October 2026
- Official page for Form LLC 4, foreign LLC registration: sos.mo.gov, opened October 2026
- Official page for Business filing fee schedule: sos.mo.gov, opened October 2026
- Official page for RSMo 347.153, registration of foreign LLCs: revisor.mo.gov, opened October 2026
- Official page for RSMo 347.163, transacting business and penalties: revisor.mo.gov, opened October 2026
- Official page for Missouri Department of Revenue, business registration: dor.mo.gov, opened October 2026
- The pricing page for Michigan Registered Agent.co, as published November 12, 2026
- The Michigan service page for Mainstay Filing, as published November 12, 2026
- The pricing page for MI Registered Agent.org, as published November 12, 2026