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Short reply · Michigan

3 Best Foreign Registration Services in Michigan (2026) and the Facts Behind Them

Best foreign registration services in Michigan for 2026: Mainstay Filing ($199), Michigan Registered Agent.co ($199) and MI Registered Agent.org ($199), ranked in that order. State fee: $50. Services over three years: $397 to $497.

LLC Q and A editorial team ·

Quick answers

Fee to the state
$50
Home-state certificate?
Yes (30 day age limit)
After registering
$25, annual statement
Our pick
Mainstay Filing, Michigan Registered Agent.co then MI Registered Agent.org

Michigan: ranked picks

Prices come from each company's own page. See the method.
1Top pick

1. Mainstay Filing: best for registering in several states

Register for $199; agent renews at $149

Reason for Mainstay Filing at the top: you pay $199 plus Michigan's fee, nothing for the resident agent in year one, then $149 a year.

Not the lowest bill: Michigan Registered Agent.co is $100 less over three years, in Michigan only.

After the free year, the resident agent is $149 a year.

Price covers

  • Registration filing
  • One fee for all fifty states

For

  • $199 to file
  • Price does not vary by state

Against

  • Agent renews at $149, $50 above Michigan Registered Agent.co
Go to Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2Michigan only

2. Michigan Registered Agent.co: best for registering in just this state

Register for $199; agent renews at $99

Michigan Registered Agent.co ranks second since $199 files the registration and the agent renews at $99.

Price covers

  • Michigan registration filing
  • Agent for year one

For

  • No agent charge in year one
  • Then $99 a year
  • Service fee $199

Against

  • Michigan only; home state needs another agent
Go to Michigan Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3Michigan only

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

Register for $199; agent renews at $99

MI Registered Agent.org ranks third since $199 files the registration and the agent renews at $99.

Price for price a tie with Michigan Registered Agent.co.

Price covers

  • Michigan registration filing
  • Agent for year one

For

  • No agent charge in year one
  • Then $99 a year
  • Service fee $199

Against

  • Michigan only; home state needs another agent
Go to MI Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.

Comparison

#ServiceYear 1RenewalTotal, 3 yearsIncludes
1Mainstay Filing$199$149/yr$497registration filing; one fee for all fifty statesGo to Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2Michigan Registered Agent.co$199$99/yr$397michigan registration filing; agent for year oneGo to Michigan Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3MI Registered Agent.org$199$99/yr$397michigan registration filing; agent for year oneGo to MI Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Prices as of November 13, 2026. State fees are in the checklist below.

Questions and replies

When must an out-of-state LLC register?

Register with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division first; do business in Michigan second.

Unregistered, an LLC may face it cannot sue in Michigan courts until registered (MCL 450.5007(1)).

michigan.gov (October 2026) is the source of record

Cost to register?

$50 to the state, plus $199 for a service.

State fees reach $100 over three years, counting any recurring report. legislature.mi.gov (October 2026) is the source of record

What registers the LLC?

Registration goes through the Application for Certificate of Authority to Transact Business in Michigan (for foreign limited liability companies) (Form CSCL/CD 760), handled by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division.

Attach certificate of good standing issued in the last 30 days.

Any recurring filing?

The annual statement: $25.

Due: February 15.

Why this order?

Chores removed from your list (26%) goes to Mainstay Filing.

Two criteria dominate: three-year price (36%) and chores removed from your list (26%).

Two states in play, so a provider for all states outranks Michigan Registered Agent.co.

Method

Michigan: registration requirements, sourced

ItemDetailSource
Registration fee$50legislature.mi.gov (October 2026) is the source of record
Good standing certificateYes, 30 daysmichigan.gov (October 2026) is the source of record
Annual statement$25michigan.gov (October 2026) is the source of record
State fees, 3 years$100Total of the rows above
To verify the total: filing fee, two later reports, minimum tax if one applies. Costs without a set amount are excluded.

More replies

Does the home state still need an agent?

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

What do the picks cost over three years?

Mainstay Filing totals $497 and Michigan Registered Agent.co totals $397 and MI Registered Agent.org totals $397, before state fees.

Where do the numbers come from?

State fees cite their official page; service prices come from the company's own site.

Do I have to hire one?

No. Owners can file directly. A service saves time and can act as agent.

Does a service file it?

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

Best foreign registration service in Michigan?

Mainstay Filing, because registration is $199 and the resident agent costs nothing until year two. Then Michigan Registered Agent.co and MI Registered Agent.org.

Source list

  1. Reference line for Michigan Department of Licensing and, drawn from michigan.gov and confirmed August 2026, as noted by our editors
  2. Reference line for Michigan Department of Licensing and, drawn from michigan.gov and confirmed August 2026, as noted by our editors
  3. Reference line for Michigan report due date, drawn from michigan.gov and confirmed August 2026, as noted by our editors
  4. Reference line for MCL 450.4202, drawn from legislature.mi.gov and confirmed August 2026, as noted by our editors
  5. Reference line for Michigan formation fee: Filing fee, drawn from michigan.gov and confirmed September 2026, as noted by our editors
  6. Reference line for Michigan formation fee: Filing fee, drawn from legislature.mi.gov and confirmed September 2026, as noted by our editors
  7. Reference line for Michigan registered agent statute, drawn from legislature.mi.gov and confirmed October 2026, as noted by our editors
  8. Reference line for LARA limited liability company forms, drawn from michigan.gov and confirmed October 2026, as noted by our editors
  9. Reference line for MCL 450.5002, certificate of authority, drawn from legislature.mi.gov and confirmed October 2026, as noted by our editors
  10. Reference line for MCL 450.5008, activities that are, drawn from legislature.mi.gov and confirmed October 2026, as noted by our editors
  11. Reference line for MCL 450.5007, consequences of transacting, drawn from legislature.mi.gov and confirmed October 2026, as noted by our editors
  12. Mainstay Filing Michigan service page, read November 13, 2026
  13. Michigan Registered Agent.co pricing page, read November 13, 2026
  14. MI Registered Agent.org pricing page, read November 13, 2026