State registration fee
$150
Read October 2026 at sos.alabama.gov
Foreign LLC guide · Alabama
Alabama Foreign LLC Registration Fees (2026): the Official Numbers and the 3 Best Services
In 2026, for registering an out-of-state LLC in Alabama, our order is Alabama Registered Agent.co ($199), Mainstay Filing ($199) and AL Registered Agent.org ($199). The fee is $150 and that is all the state asks; Alabama sits at number 13th of 50 for foreign LLCs.
Alabama at a glance
13th
on a 50-state list of foreign LLC state cost
Number 1 owes the state the least (same total as other states). Open the complete list
Recurring report
None
Business privilege tax return
State charges over 3 years
$150
Year 1 registration, years 2 and 3 reports
Ranked services for Alabama
The order comes from five criteria, and the two that weigh most are three-year fees and coverage (the method page explains the rest).
1. Alabama Registered Agent.co: best for an affordable Alabama filing
$199 to register, then $99 a year
We put Alabama Registered Agent.co at number one since $199 plus the state fee, with the first agent year included, then $99 yearly for the agent.
Mainstay Filing costs more over three years, and that criterion is worth 34% of the score.
What the price takes in
- Prepares and submits the registration
- A year of agent service
In its favor
- A year of agent service in the price
- A $99 renewal
- $199 to register
Against it
- Only Alabama; your home state needs its own agent
2. Mainstay Filing: best for growing beyond the home state
$199 to register, then $149 a year
Mainstay Filing ranks number 2. $199 on top of the state fee, registered agent free for the first year, then $149 per year.
The three-year total here is $100 above Alabama Registered Agent.co's, and cost is the heaviest weight in the score.
When the free first year ends, the agent costs $149 per year in any state.
What the price takes in
- Files the registration for you
- Registered agent costs nothing in the first year
- The price does not change with the state
In its favor
- One price everywhere
- Agent service is included for year 1
- $199 plus the state fee
Against it
- A renewal $50 above Alabama Registered Agent.co's
3. AL Registered Agent.org: best for a cheaper agent renewal
$199 to register, then $99 a year
Number 3, AL Registered Agent.org, for this reason: $199 plus the state fee, with the first agent year included, then $99 yearly for the agent.
The prices are the same as Alabama Registered Agent.co's.
What the price takes in
- Prepares and submits the registration
- A year of agent service
In its favor
- A year of agent service in the price
- $199 to register
- A $99 renewal
Against it
- Only Alabama; your home state needs its own agent
The ranking in numbers
| No. | Provider | First year | Later years | Provider fees over 3 years | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alabama Registered Agent.co | $199 | $99/yr | $397 | Visit Alabama 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 | AL Registered Agent.org | $199 | $99/yr | $397 | Visit AL Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
Posted prices as of November 13, 2026. Add the $150 state fee to every row.
Alabama foreign LLC cost calculator
The registration fee is $150; provider fees are added.
Alabama and the states around it in the ranking
| Place | State | Three-year foreign LLC fees |
|---|---|---|
| 11th | Iowa | $130 |
| 12th | Indiana | $137 |
| 13th | Alabama | $150 |
| 13th | Arizona | $150 |
| 13th | Colorado | $150 |
The complete list ranks all fifty states the same way.
How a foreign LLC registers in Alabama
An LLC from another state registers by sending the Foreign Limited Liability Company (LLC) Application for Registration and $150 to the Alabama Secretary of State, Business Entities Division.
Reports after registration: the business privilege tax return, same date as the federal return.
What to have in hand
- The name and formation date as the home state records them.
- A registered agent with a street address in this state; every provider on this page supplies one.
- A way to pay the $150 filing fee.
What happens if you skip registration in Alabama
Until the LLC registers, a suit it files is blocked (Ala. Code 10A-1-7.21(a)). The state does not void contracts (Ala. Code 10A-1-7.21(b)).
What decided the order
The criterion that decided Alabama was service bill, years one to three, at 34%.
It leads on cost at $397 over three years, $100 lower than Mainstay Filing.
Questions about Alabama
How much does it cost a foreign LLC to register in Alabama?
$150 for the filing itself. Provider fees are $199.
Which form registers a foreign LLC in Alabama?
The Foreign Limited Liability Company (LLC) Application for Registration, which is sent to the Alabama Secretary of State, Business Entities Division.
Does a foreign LLC file anything every year?
Yes, it files the business privilege tax return.
What are the consequences of working there without registering?
Until the LLC registers, a suit it files is blocked (Ala. Code 10A-1-7.21(a)). The state does not void contracts (Ala. Code 10A-1-7.21(b)).
Does a foreign LLC in Alabama need a registered agent?
Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
Which service would you choose to register a foreign LLC?
Choose Alabama Registered Agent.co: it registers you in Alabama for $199 and includes a year of agent service; after that the agent costs $99 a year. Then Mainstay Filing and AL Registered Agent.org.
Where these facts come from
- Each figure under Alabama formation fee: Filing fee, official source follows what alison.legislature.state.al.us states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under Alabama formation fee: Filing fee, official source follows what sos.alabama.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under Alabama formation fee: Name reservation, official source follows what sos.alabama.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under Alabama formation fee: Name reservation, official source follows what alison.legislature.state.al.us states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under Alabama registered agent statute follows what alisondb.legislature.state.al.us states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under Alabama Secretary of State, LLC filings follows what sos.alabama.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under Foreign LLC Application for Registration follows what sos.alabama.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under Secretary of State Online Services follows what alabamainteractive.org states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under Code of Alabama, section 10A-1-7.01 follows what alison.legislature.state.al.us states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under Department of Revenue, business privilege tax notice follows what revenue.alabama.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under Code of Alabama, section 10A-1-7.21 follows what alison.legislature.state.al.us states, as that page read when we opened it in November 2026.
- Each figure under Iowa Secretary of State, business entity forms and follows what sos.iowa.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under LLC Foreign Registration Statement, Form 635_0010 follows what sos.iowa.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under Iowa Code 489.902, registration requirement follows what legis.iowa.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under Iowa Code 489.905, activities that do not count follows what legis.iowa.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under Iowa Code 489.212, biennial report follows what legis.iowa.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under Iowa Secretary of State, certificate of existence follows what sos.iowa.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under Indiana Secretary of State business forms follows what in.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under Indiana Code 23-0.5-5, registration of foreign entities follows what iga.in.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under Indiana Code 23-0.5-9, fees follows what iga.in.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under Indiana Code 23-0.5-4, registered agents follows what iga.in.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under INBiz Business Entity Report follows what inbiz.in.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under Arizona Corporation Commission, LLC forms follows what azcc.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under Form L025 instructions follows what azcc.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under Commission LLC fee schedule follows what azcc.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under A.R.S. 29-3903, registration of foreign LLC follows what azleg.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under A.R.S. 29-3905, activities that are not doing business follows what azleg.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under Arizona Corporation Commission FAQs follows what azcc.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under Colorado Secretary of State, foreign entity FAQ follows what coloradosos.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under Sample Statement of Foreign Entity Authority follows what coloradosos.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under Secretary of State business fee schedule follows what coloradosos.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, Title 7 follows what content.leg.colorado.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under Registered agent requirements effective July 1, 2025 follows what coloradosos.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under Periodic report FAQ follows what coloradosos.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Alabama Registered Agent.co posted pricing page; we read the page November 13, 2026
- Mainstay Filing posted Alabama service page; we read the page November 13, 2026
- AL Registered Agent.org posted pricing page; we read the page November 13, 2026