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Plain and short · Illinois

3 Best Foreign Registration Services in Illinois (2026) and What Illinois Requires

Illinois Registered Agent.co ($199), Mainstay Filing ($199) and IL Registered Agent.org ($199): our 2026 order for foreign registration services in Illinois. Every option pays Illinois $150. Three years of service run $397 to $497.
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The short version

Registration fee
$150
Certificate from home?
Yes, attach (60 days old, at most)
After registering
$75, annual report
Ranked first
Illinois Registered Agent.co, Mainstay Filing then IL Registered Agent.org

Illinois, ranked

Prices come from each company's own page. Method.
1 Ranked first

1. Illinois Registered Agent.co: best for adding only this state

Register for $199. Agent renewal $99

Illinois Registered Agent.co ranks first in Illinois. $199 files the registration, and the agent renews at $99.

Three years cost less here than at Mainstay Filing, and cost weighs most.

Includes

  • Illinois registration filing
  • Year-one agent

Good

  • Agent renews at $99
  • A free agent year at the start
  • $199 over the state fee

Against

  • Nothing outside this state
2 Works anywhere

2. Mainstay Filing: best for adding more states

Register for $199. Agent renewal $149

Mainstay Filing takes second place because the registration price does not vary by state ($199), and the registered agent is waived for twelve months.

The $100 three-year gap to Illinois Registered Agent.co explains the lower place.

No registered agent fee in year one, then $149 a year.

Includes

  • The registration filing
  • Registered agent, no charge the first year
  • One fee for all fifty states

Good

  • No registered agent fee in year one
  • Ready for the next state
  • $199 plus Illinois's fee

Against

  • Renewal is $50 over Illinois Registered Agent.co
3 For Illinois

3. IL Registered Agent.org: best for one more state only

Register for $199. Agent renewal $99

IL Registered Agent.org takes third place because $199 files the registration, and the agent renews at $99.

It charges what Illinois Registered Agent.co charges.

Includes

  • Illinois registration filing
  • Year-one agent

Good

  • Agent renews at $99
  • A free agent year at the start
  • $199 over the state fee

Against

  • Nothing outside this state

Side by side

#CompanyStartAfter year oneThree yearsIncludes
1 Illinois Registered Agent.co $199$99/yr$397illinois registration filing; Year-one agent View Illinois Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2 Mainstay Filing $199$149/yr$497the registration filing; registered agent, no charge the first year; one fee for all fifty states View Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3 IL Registered Agent.org $199$99/yr$397illinois registration filing; Year-one agent View IL Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Service fees only, read November 13, 2026. State fees are identical for every pick.

The facts

Must my LLC register here?

Registration comes first. Business in Illinois comes second.

Skipping registration can bring it cannot sue in Illinois courts until it registers (805 ILCS 180/45-45(a)); back fees for the unregistered period.

from ilga.gov, October 2026, kept short

What does registration cost?

The state charges $150. A service adds $199.

Over three years state fees reach $300, counting any recurring report. from ilsos.gov, October 2026, kept short

What registers the LLC?

The Application for Admission to Transact Business (Form LLC-45.5) goes to the Illinois Secretary of State, Department of Business Services, Limited Liability Division. One filing registers the LLC.

Include certificate of Good Standing or Existence issued within the last 60 days.

Is there a filing that repeats?

A annual report follows. Cost: $75.

Date set by the state: Within the 60 days before your anniversary month.

What put the first pick first?

On three-year cost (38%), Illinois Registered Agent.co leads.

Five checks: three-year cost (38%), work included (27%), readable pricing (13%), renewal steadiness (11%) and state coverage (11%).

Take Illinois Registered Agent.co and the three-year bill is $397, $100 less than with Mainstay Filing.

Method

Illinois: registering a foreign LLC

RequirementRule or amountSource
Fee to register$150from ilsos.gov, October 2026, kept short
Home-state certificateYes, attach, 60 daysfrom ilga.gov, October 2026, kept short
Annual report$75from ilga.gov, October 2026, kept short
State fees, three years$300The rows above, added
Last row: filing fee, plus two reports, plus any minimum tax. Variable costs are described in the text and not added.

Questions

Do I still need an agent at home?

Yes. Each state has its own rule. Mainstay Filing can serve both from one account.

What do the picks cost over three years?

Across three years: Illinois Registered Agent.co at $397, Mainstay Filing at $497, IL Registered Agent.org at $397, with state fees on top.

Where do the figures come from?

Official Illinois sources for the state side. Published prices for the service side.

Does the law require one?

Not required. The state takes filings from owners.

Can I hire someone to register?

Yes. Every pick files it, and the state fee is the same for all.

What is the best foreign registration service in Illinois?

Illinois Registered Agent.co, because it charges $199 with first-year agent service included, then $99 a year. Then Mainstay Filing and IL Registered Agent.org.

References

  1. Entry for Illinois Secretary of State, Department: read at ilsos.gov, dated August 2026, kept short on purpose
  2. Entry for Illinois Secretary of State, Department: read at ilsos.gov, dated August 2026, kept short on purpose
  3. Entry for 805 ILCS 180/5-5: read at ilga.gov, dated August 2026, kept short on purpose
  4. Entry for Illinois formation fee: Filing fee: read at ilga.gov, dated October 2026, kept short on purpose
  5. Entry for Illinois formation fee: Filing fee: read at ilsos.gov, dated October 2026, kept short on purpose
  6. Entry for Illinois registered agent statute: read at ilga.gov, dated October 2026, kept short on purpose
  7. Entry for Form LLC-45.5, Application for Admission: read at ilsos.gov, dated October 2026, kept short on purpose
  8. Entry for Form LLC-45.40, Application for Withdrawal: read at ilsos.gov, dated October 2026, kept short on purpose
  9. Entry for 805 ILCS 180/45-45, consequences of: read at ilga.gov, dated October 2026, kept short on purpose
  10. Entry for 805 ILCS 180/45-47, activities that: read at ilga.gov, dated October 2026, kept short on purpose
  11. Entry for 805 ILCS 180/45-45: read at ilga.gov, dated November 2026, kept short on purpose
  12. Illinois Registered Agent.co pricing page, read November 13, 2026
  13. Mainstay Filing Illinois service page, read November 13, 2026
  14. IL Registered Agent.org pricing page, read November 13, 2026