State registration fee
Foreign LLC guide · Delaware
Delaware Foreign LLC Registration Fees (2026): the Official Numbers and the 3 Best Services
Facts for Delaware
Recurring report
Certificate from home state
State charges over 3 years
Delaware: who to hire
1. Mainstay Filing: best for one price in any added state
Mainstay Filing ranks number one. $199 plus the Delaware state fee, then $149 a year for the agent starting in year 2.
Compared with Delaware Registered Agent.ai, the three-year bill is $100 larger, and more filings are covered for it.
After year 1, agent service runs $149 yearly everywhere.
What the price takes in
- Files the registration for you
- Registered agent costs nothing in the first year
- One price whatever the state
In its favor
- $199 on top of Delaware's fee
- No agent fee in the first year
- Your next state is covered too
Against it
- $50 more per year for the agent
2. Delaware Registered Agent.ai: best for a single added state
Number 2, Delaware Registered Agent.ai, for this reason: $199 on top of the state fee for the registration, then $99 per year.
What the price takes in
- Files your Delaware registration
- A year of agent service
In its favor
- $99 a year from year 2
- A provider fee of $199
- A year of agent service in the price
Against it
- No help outside this state
3. DE Registered Agent.org: best for a business that only registers in Delaware
Number 3, DE Registered Agent.org, for this reason: $199 on top of the state fee for the registration, then $99 per year.
On price it matches Delaware Registered Agent.ai exactly.
What the price takes in
- Files your Delaware registration
- A year of agent service
In its favor
- A provider fee of $199
- $99 a year from year 2
- A year of agent service in the price
Against it
- No help outside this state
Delaware ranking in one table
| No. | Provider | First year | Later years | Provider fees over 3 years | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mainstay Filing | $199 | $149/yr | $497 | Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 2 | Delaware Registered Agent.ai | $199 | $99/yr | $397 | Visit Delaware Registered Agent.aiPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 3 | DE Registered Agent.org | $199 | $99/yr | $397 | Visit DE Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
Foreign LLC cost calculator
Delaware and the states around it in the ranking
| Place | State | Three-year foreign LLC fees |
|---|---|---|
| 45th | South Dakota | $860 |
| 46th | Tennessee | $900 |
| 47th | Delaware | $1,000 |
| 48th | Rhode Island | $1,450 |
| 49th | Massachusetts | $1,500 |
Delaware foreign registration: the fee, the form and the office
A foreign LLC files the Certificate of Registration of a Foreign Limited Liability Company with the Delaware Department of State, Division of Corporations and pays $200. The state asks for certificate of existence from the jurisdiction of formation, no older than 180 days.
Reports after registration: the Annual LLC tax ($400), June 1.
What to have in hand
- Certificate of existence from the jurisdiction of formation, dated within 180 days.
- The home-state legal name and date of formation.
- A registered agent located in the state (each pick includes one).
- Money set aside for the $200 official fee.
The price of not registering
An LLC that has not registered has no right to sue in the state's courts (6 Del. C. 18-907(a)). Contracts already signed stay in force (6 Del. C. 18-907(b)).
Why Mainstay Filing is first
Paperwork inside the price decided first place in Delaware. It is worth 28% of the score, and the other criteria are service bill, years one to three, second-year price, match to the state, state fee shown apart.
Your LLC is already formed somewhere else, so a provider that can serve both states earned the top score.
Short answers
How much does it cost a foreign LLC to register in Delaware?
$200 as the official fee. Provider fees are $199.
Which form registers a foreign LLC in Delaware?
The Certificate of Registration of a Foreign Limited Liability Company, which is sent to the Delaware Department of State, Division of Corporations.
Does the state want a certificate from the home state?
Yes, it wants certificate of existence from the jurisdiction of formation, dated within 180 days of the filing.
Does a foreign LLC file anything every year?
Yes, it files the Annual LLC tax for $400.
What are the consequences of working there without registering?
An LLC that has not registered has no right to sue in the state's courts (6 Del. C. 18-907(a)). Contracts already signed stay in force (6 Del. C. 18-907(b)).
Does a foreign LLC in Delaware 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 Mainstay Filing: $199 plus state fees pays for the registration, and the registered agent is free in year 1. Then Delaware Registered Agent.ai and DE Registered Agent.org.
Where these facts come from
- Backing for the numbers about Delaware yearly filing: Recurring obligation, official source is found at corp.delaware.gov, which we read in October 2026, and you can check it there.
- Backing for the numbers about Delaware yearly filing: Recurring obligation, official source is found at corp.delaware.gov, which we read in October 2026, and you can check it there.
- Backing for the numbers about Delaware yearly filing: HB 400, official source is found at legis.delaware.gov, which we read in October 2026, and you can check it there.
- Backing for the numbers about Delaware report due date is found at delcode.delaware.gov, which we read in August 2026, and you can check it there.
- Backing for the numbers about 6 Del is found at delcode.delaware.gov, which we read in August 2026, and you can check it there.
- Backing for the numbers about Delaware registered agent statute is found at delcode.delaware.gov, which we read in October 2026, and you can check it there.
- Backing for the numbers about Foreign LLC registration form is found at corpfiles.delaware.gov, which we read in October 2026, and you can check it there.
- Backing for the numbers about Delaware Code Title 6, chapter 18, subchapter IX is found at delcode.delaware.gov, which we read in October 2026, and you can check it there.
- Backing for the numbers about Division of Corporations fee schedule, August 2026 is found at corpfiles.delaware.gov, which we read in October 2026, and you can check it there.
- Backing for the numbers about South Dakota Secretary of State, business services is found at sdsos.gov, which we read in October 2026, and you can check it there.
- Backing for the numbers about Filing fee schedule is found at sdsos.gov, which we read in October 2026, and you can check it there.
- Backing for the numbers about Foreign LLC application for Certificate of Authority is found at sdsos.gov, which we read in October 2026, and you can check it there.
- Backing for the numbers about SDCL 47-34A-1003, transacting business is found at sdlegislature.gov, which we read in October 2026, and you can check it there.
- Backing for the numbers about SDCL 47-34A-1008, effect of not registering is found at sdlegislature.gov, which we read in October 2026, and you can check it there.
- Backing for the numbers about Tennessee Secretary of State, business forms and fees is found at sos.tn.gov, which we read in October 2026, and you can check it there.
- Backing for the numbers about Form SS-4233, Certificate of Authority for a foreign is found at sos-prod.tnsosgovfiles.com, which we read in October 2026, and you can check it there.
- Backing for the numbers about Tennessee Secretary of State, business FAQs is found at sos.tn.gov, which we read in October 2026, and you can check it there.
- Backing for the numbers about Form SS-4241, withdrawal or cancellation is found at sos-prod.tnsosgovfiles.com, which we read in October 2026, and you can check it there.
- Backing for the numbers about Tennessee Revised LLC Act, Public Chapter 286 is found at publications.tnsosfiles.com, which we read in October 2026, and you can check it there.
- Backing for the numbers about Form 450, Application for Registration is found at docs.sos.ri.gov, which we read in October 2026, and you can check it there.
- Backing for the numbers about Business Services fee schedule is found at docs.sos.ri.gov, which we read in October 2026, and you can check it there.
- Backing for the numbers about R.I is found at webserver.rilegislature.gov, which we read in October 2026, and you can check it there.
- Backing for the numbers about R.I is found at webserver.rilegislature.gov, which we read in October 2026, and you can check it there.
- Backing for the numbers about Form 452, Certificate of Cancellation is found at docs.sos.ri.gov, which we read in October 2026, and you can check it there.
- Backing for the numbers about Rhode Island other cost is found at tax.ri.gov, which we read in October 2026, and you can check it there.
- Backing for the numbers about Massachusetts Corporations Division, foreign LLC page is found at sec.state.ma.us, which we read in October 2026, and you can check it there.
- Backing for the numbers about Corporations Division fee schedule is found at sec.state.ma.us, which we read in October 2026, and you can check it there.
- Backing for the numbers about G.L. c. 156C § 48, foreign LLC registration is found at malegislature.gov, which we read in October 2026, and you can check it there.
- Backing for the numbers about G.L. c. 156C § 54, failure to register is found at malegislature.gov, which we read in October 2026, and you can check it there.
- Backing for the numbers about G.L. c. 156D § 15.01, transacting business is found at malegislature.gov, which we read in October 2026, and you can check it there.
- Backing for the numbers about 950 CMR 112.00, limited liability companies is found at sec.state.ma.us, which we read in October 2026, and you can check it there.
- As read November 13, 2026, Mainstay Filing shows Delaware service page on its site
- As read November 13, 2026, Delaware Registered Agent.ai shows pricing page on its site
- As read November 13, 2026, DE Registered Agent.org shows pricing page on its site