Kept simple · Michigan
3 Best Foreign Registration Services in Michigan (2026): Simply Ranked
The short version
- State fee to register
- $50
- Certificate from home?
- Yes (30 days old, at most)
- Next
- $25, annual statement
- Ranked first
- Mainstay Filing, MI Registered Agent.org then Michigan Registered Agent.co
Michigan: the order
Why this order? The checks are explained here.1. Mainstay Filing: best for adding more states
Service $199 plus $50 to the state. Agent renewal $149
First place: Mainstay Filing, since it pairs a $199 service fee with a free first resident agent year, then $149 yearly.
Choose MI Registered Agent.org and save $100 across three years, if the LLC never leaves Michigan.
The resident agent is free in year one. After that it is $149 a year, in any state.
Includes
- The registration filing
- One fee for all fifty states
Good
- All fifty states
- $199 plus Michigan's fee
Against
- Agent renews at $149, $50 above MI Registered Agent.org
2. MI Registered Agent.org: best for one extra state
Service $199 plus $50 to the state. Agent renewal $99
Second place: MI Registered Agent.org, since $199 files the registration, and the agent renews at $99.
Includes
- Michigan registration filing
- Year-one agent
Good
- No agent charge in year one
- Agent renews at $99
- Service fee $199
Against
- Michigan only. The home state needs another agent
3. Michigan Registered Agent.co: best for another local option
Service $199 plus $50 to the state. Agent renewal $99
Third place: Michigan Registered Agent.co, since $199 files the registration, and the agent renews at $99.
Its prices match MI Registered Agent.org exactly. The order between them is close.
Includes
- Michigan registration filing
- Year-one agent
Good
- No agent charge in year one
- Agent renews at $99
- Service fee $199
Against
- Michigan only. The home state needs another agent
Side by side
| # | Company | Start | After year one | Three years | Covers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mainstay Filing | $199 | $149/yr | $497 | the registration filing; one fee for all fifty states | Go to Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 2 | MI Registered Agent.org | $199 | $99/yr | $397 | michigan registration filing; Year-one agent | Go to MI Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 3 | Michigan Registered Agent.co | $199 | $99/yr | $397 | michigan registration filing; Year-one agent | Go to Michigan Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
Key questions
When must an out-of-state LLC register?
Before it does business in Michigan. Register with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division first.
Without registration, an LLC may face Michigan courts will not hear its claims (MCL 450.5007(1)).
from michigan.gov, October 2026, kept short
What does registration cost?
$50 to the state. $199 more if someone files for you.
Three years of state fees, registration included: $100. from legislature.mi.gov, October 2026, kept short
Which form, and where?
The Application for Certificate of Authority to Transact Business in Michigan (for foreign limited liability companies) (Form CSCL/CD 760) goes to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division. One filing registers the LLC.
Include certificate of good standing issued within the last 30 days.
What is due after registering?
A annual statement follows. Cost: $25.
Date set by the state: February 15.
What put the first pick first?
Mainstay Filing scores best on work included, which is 27% of the score.
65% of the score is three-year cost and work included.
MI Registered Agent.org covers Michigan only. The home state needs someone else.
Michigan: registering a foreign LLC
| Requirement | Rule or amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Registration fee | $50 | from legislature.mi.gov, October 2026, kept short |
| Home-state certificate | Yes, 30 days | from michigan.gov, October 2026, kept short |
| Annual statement | $25 | from michigan.gov, October 2026, kept short |
| Three-year state total | $100 | The rows above, added |
Also asked
Does the home state need its own agent?
Yes. Each state has its own rule. Mainstay Filing can serve both from one account.
What do the picks cost over three years?
Mainstay Filing is $497, while MI Registered Agent.org is $397, while Michigan Registered Agent.co is $397, with state fees on top.
Where do the figures come from?
State fees come from Michigan's official documents. Service prices come from each company's price page. Both are dated here.
Must I use a service?
No law requires a service. It is a paid convenience.
Does a service file it for me?
All of them do. Only the service fee differs.
What is the best foreign registration service in Michigan?
Mainstay Filing ranks first. Year one of the resident agent is free, and registering costs $199 above the state's charge, with renewal at $149. After it, MI Registered Agent.org and Michigan Registered Agent.co.
Sources
- Entry for Michigan Department of Licensing and: read at michigan.gov, dated August 2026, kept short on purpose
- Entry for Michigan Department of Licensing and: read at michigan.gov, dated August 2026, kept short on purpose
- Entry for Michigan report due date: read at michigan.gov, dated August 2026, kept short on purpose
- Entry for MCL 450.4202: read at legislature.mi.gov, dated August 2026, kept short on purpose
- Entry for Michigan formation fee: Filing fee: read at michigan.gov, dated September 2026, kept short on purpose
- Entry for Michigan formation fee: Filing fee: read at legislature.mi.gov, dated September 2026, kept short on purpose
- Entry for Michigan registered agent statute: read at legislature.mi.gov, dated October 2026, kept short on purpose
- Entry for LARA limited liability company forms: read at michigan.gov, dated October 2026, kept short on purpose
- Entry for MCL 450.5002, certificate of authority: read at legislature.mi.gov, dated October 2026, kept short on purpose
- Entry for MCL 450.5008, activities that are: read at legislature.mi.gov, dated October 2026, kept short on purpose
- Entry for MCL 450.5007, consequences of transacting: read at legislature.mi.gov, dated October 2026, kept short on purpose
- Mainstay Filing Michigan service page, read November 13, 2026
- MI Registered Agent.org pricing page, read November 13, 2026
- Michigan Registered Agent.co pricing page, read November 13, 2026