State registration fee
$150
ilsos.gov (read October 2026)
Foreign LLC guide · Illinois
Illinois Foreign LLC Registration Fees (2026): the Official Numbers and the 3 Best Services
In 2026, for registering an out-of-state LLC in Illinois, our order is Illinois Registered Agent.co ($199), Mainstay Filing ($199) and IL Registered Agent.org ($199). Registering a foreign LLC in Illinois costs $150, and each later report costs $75. That is number 28th of 50 on three-year state cost.
Illinois at a glance
28th
on a 50-state list of foreign LLC state cost
1 means the lowest total, in a tie. See all 50 states ranked
Recurring report
$75
Annual report
Certificate from home state
60 days
Newest age allowed
State charges over 3 years
$300
The registration fee plus reports in years 2 and 3
The services we pick in Illinois
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. Illinois Registered Agent.co: best for a small yearly agent price
$199 plus $150 to the state, then $99 yearly
Number one, Illinois Registered Agent.co, for this reason: $199 on top of the state fee for the registration, then $99 per year.
Cost settles this one: three years here come to less than three years with Mainstay Filing.
What the price takes in
- Files your Illinois registration
- A year of agent service
In its favor
- Agent covered in year 1
- $199 above the state fee
- A $99 renewal
Against it
- Just Illinois
2. Mainstay Filing: best for growing beyond the home state
$199 plus $150 to the state, then $149 yearly
We put Mainstay Filing second since it files the Illinois registration for $199 beyond the state fee and includes the first agent year.
That $100 difference from Illinois Registered Agent.co over three years is what keeps it out of first place.
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
- The first agent year is covered
- Provider fee of $199
Against it
- The agent renews at $149, which is $50 above Illinois Registered Agent.co
3. IL Registered Agent.org: best for a cheaper agent renewal
$199 plus $150 to the state, then $99 yearly
In third place sits IL Registered Agent.org: $199 on top of the state fee for the registration, then $99 per year.
Illinois Registered Agent.co and this provider post the same prices.
What the price takes in
- Files your Illinois registration
- A year of agent service
In its favor
- A $99 renewal
- $199 above the state fee
- Agent covered in year 1
Against it
- Just Illinois
Prices in one place
| No. | Provider | First year | Later years | Provider fees over 3 years | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Illinois Registered Agent.co | $199 | $99/yr | $397 | Visit Illinois 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 | IL Registered Agent.org | $199 | $99/yr | $397 | Visit IL Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
Posted prices as of November 13, 2026. No row includes the $150 state fee.
Work out your total
The registration fee is $150, with a $75 report from year 2; provider fees are added.
Illinois and the states around it in the ranking
| Place | State | Three-year foreign LLC fees |
|---|---|---|
| 26th | Wyoming | $270 |
| 27th | Connecticut | $280 |
| 28th | Illinois | $300 |
| 28th | New Hampshire | $300 |
| 30th | Washington | $320 |
All fifty rows are in Foreign LLC fees by state.
Illinois foreign LLC registration in 2026
An LLC from another state registers by sending the Application for Admission to Transact Business (Form LLC-45.5) and $150 to the Illinois Secretary of State, Department of Business Services, Limited Liability Division. Include certificate of Good Standing or Existence, at most 60 days.
The recurring obligation is the annual report ($75), within the 60 days before your anniversary month.
Before filing
- Certificate of Good Standing or Existence, issued within 60 days.
- The LLC's legal name and the day it was formed.
- A registered agent in the state, which each pick provides.
- Money set aside for the $150 registration fee.
If the LLC never registers
If the LLC might ever have to sue there, register first (805 ILCS 180/45-45(a)). Whatever the LLC signed is still enforceable (805 ILCS 180/45-45(b)). The state collects unpaid fees from before the registration too.
Why Illinois Registered Agent.co is first
The criterion that decided Illinois was service bill, years one to three, at 34%.
The three-year provider fees at Illinois Registered Agent.co are $397, $100 beneath Mainstay Filing.
Short answers
How much does it cost a foreign LLC to register in Illinois?
$150 to the state in fees. Provider fees are $199.
Which form registers a foreign LLC in Illinois?
The Application for Admission to Transact Business (Form LLC-45.5), which is sent to the Illinois Secretary of State, Department of Business Services, Limited Liability Division.
Does the state want a certificate from the home state?
Yes, it wants certificate of Good Standing or Existence, dated within 60 days of the filing.
Does a foreign LLC file anything every year?
Yes, it files the annual report for $75.
What are the consequences of working there without registering?
If the LLC might ever have to sue there, register first (805 ILCS 180/45-45(a)). Whatever the LLC signed is still enforceable (805 ILCS 180/45-45(b)). The state collects unpaid fees from before the registration too.
Does a foreign LLC in Illinois 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?
Illinois Registered Agent.co leads and Mainstay Filing and IL Registered Agent.org follow. The deciding factor is service bill, years one to three.
Where these facts come from
- Each figure under Illinois Secretary of State, Department of Business Services follows what ilsos.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in August 2026.
- Each figure under Illinois Secretary of State, Department of Business Services follows what ilsos.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in August 2026.
- Each figure under 805 ILCS 180/5-5 follows what ilga.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in August 2026.
- Each figure under Illinois formation fee: Filing fee, official source follows what ilga.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under Illinois formation fee: Filing fee, official source follows what ilsos.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under Illinois registered agent statute follows what ilga.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under Form LLC-45.5, Application for Admission follows what ilsos.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under Form LLC-45.40, Application for Withdrawal follows what ilsos.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under 805 ILCS 180/45-45, consequences of transacting business without follows what ilga.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under 805 ILCS 180/45-47, activities that are not transacting follows what ilga.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under 805 ILCS 180/45-45 follows what ilga.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in November 2026.
- Each figure under Wyoming Secretary of State, foreign LLC application for follows what sos.wyo.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under Wyoming Secretary of State, fee schedule follows what sos.wyo.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under Wyoming Secretary of State, business FAQ follows what sos.wyo.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under Certificate of Withdrawal, foreign LLC follows what sos.wyo.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under Wyoming Statutes, Title 17 follows what wyoleg.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under Foreign LLC forms and fees, Business.CT.gov follows what business.ct.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under Foreign Registration Statement form follows what business.ct.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under Connecticut General Statutes, chapter 613a follows what cga.ct.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under Foreign investigations penalties follows what business.ct.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under Who can be an agent follows what business.ct.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under Foreign annual report forms and fees follows what business.ct.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under New Hampshire Secretary of State, LLC forms and follows what sos.nh.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under Form FLLC-1 follows what sos.nh.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under RSA 304-C:174, activities that do not count follows what gc.nh.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under RSA 304-C:175, registration follows what gc.nh.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under RSA 304-C:191, fees follows what gc.nh.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under Washington SOS, register a foreign LLC online follows what sos.wa.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under Washington SOS, fee schedules and priority services follows what sos.wa.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under RCW 23.95.520, activities that are not doing business follows what app.leg.wa.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under RCW 23.95.505, consequences of not registering follows what app.leg.wa.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under RCW 23.95.510, foreign registration statement follows what app.leg.wa.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- Each figure under Washington SOS, registered agents follows what sos.wa.gov states, as that page read when we opened it in October 2026.
- As read November 13, 2026, Illinois Registered Agent.co shows pricing page on its site
- As read November 13, 2026, Mainstay Filing shows Illinois service page on its site
- As read November 13, 2026, IL Registered Agent.org shows pricing page on its site