State registration fee
$500
Source sec.state.ma.us, October 2026
Foreign LLC guide · Massachusetts
Massachusetts Foreign LLC Registration Fees (2026): the Official Numbers and the 3 Best Services
Mainstay Filing ($199), MA Registered Agent.org ($199) and Massachusetts Registered Agent.co ($199) come first, second and third for registering an out-of-state LLC in Massachusetts in 2026. Expect $500 to the state for registration, plus $500 for each report. Massachusetts ranks number 49th of 50 on three-year cost.
Massachusetts in figures
Recurring report
$500
Foreign LLC annual report
Certificate from home state
90 days
Newest age allowed
State charges over 3 years
$1,500
The first filing and two years of upkeep
Our Massachusetts recommendations
The method page lists every criterion and weight.
1. Mainstay Filing: best for one price in any added state
$199 plus $500 to the state, then $149 yearly
Mainstay Filing comes first because the provider fee is $199 in any state, and the first year of agent service costs nothing.
Budget $100 more than MA Registered Agent.org across three years; fewer filings are left for you to do.
The free year is followed by $149 a year, in every state.
What the price takes in
- Files the registration for you
- One price whatever the state
In its favor
- $199 plus the state fee
- One price everywhere
Against it
- A higher agent renewal ($149)
2. MA Registered Agent.org: best for a single added state
$199 plus $500 to the state, then $99 yearly
We put MA Registered Agent.org second since $199 on top of the state fee for the registration, then $99 per year.
What the price takes in
- Files your Massachusetts registration
- A year of agent service
In its favor
- Then $99 yearly
- $199 and the state fee
- A year of agent service in the price
Against it
- Just Massachusetts
3. Massachusetts Registered Agent.co: best for Massachusetts registrations
$199 plus $500 to the state, then $99 yearly
We put Massachusetts Registered Agent.co third since $199 on top of the state fee for the registration, then $99 per year.
Its prices equal MA Registered Agent.org's, so the two are close.
What the price takes in
- Files your Massachusetts registration
- A year of agent service
In its favor
- $199 and the state fee
- Then $99 yearly
- A year of agent service in the price
Against it
- Just Massachusetts
3 providers next to each other
| 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 | MA Registered Agent.org | $199 | $99/yr | $397 | Visit MA Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 3 | Massachusetts Registered Agent.co | $199 | $99/yr | $397 | Visit Massachusetts Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
These were the posted prices on November 13, 2026. Add the $500 state fee to every row.
Foreign LLC cost calculator
The registration fee is $500, with a $500 report from year 2; provider fees are added.
Massachusetts and the states around it in the ranking
| Place | State | Three-year foreign LLC fees |
|---|---|---|
| 46th | Tennessee | $900 |
| 47th | Delaware | $1,000 |
| 48th | Rhode Island | $1,450 |
| 49th | Massachusetts | $1,500 |
| 50th | California | $2,490 |
For the other states, see Foreign LLC fees by state.
Massachusetts foreign LLC registration fee and form (official)
The Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations Division takes the Foreign Limited Liability Company Application for Registration (General Laws Chapter 156C, Section 48) and $500 from LLCs formed in other states. The state asks for certificate of legal existence or good standing, at most 90 days.
Reports after registration: the Foreign LLC annual report ($500), anniversary of registration.
What to have in hand
- Certificate of legal existence or good standing, no more than 90 days.
- The home-state legal name and date of formation.
- A resident agent in the state, available from any pick on this page.
- A way to pay the $500 state charge.
What happens if you skip registration in Massachusetts
Until the LLC registers, a suit it files is blocked (G.L. c. 156C, 54(a)). Its contracts remain valid (G.L. c. 156C, 54(a)).
Why the first pick is first
Mainstay Filing moved ahead of MA Registered Agent.org on paperwork inside the price, which is weighted 28%.
The LLC belongs to one state and operates in another, and coverage of both settled the ranking.
Massachusetts foreign registration service FAQ
How much does it cost a foreign LLC to register in Massachusetts?
$500 to the state in fees. Hiring one costs $199 more.
Which form registers a foreign LLC in Massachusetts?
The Foreign Limited Liability Company Application for Registration (General Laws Chapter 156C, Section 48), which is sent to the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations Division.
Does the state want a certificate from the home state?
Yes, it wants certificate of legal existence or good standing, dated within 90 days of the filing.
Does a foreign LLC file anything every year?
Yes, it files the Foreign LLC annual report for $500.
What are the consequences of working there without registering?
Until the LLC registers, a suit it files is blocked (G.L. c. 156C, 54(a)). Its contracts remain valid (G.L. c. 156C, 54(a)).
Does a foreign LLC in Massachusetts need a resident agent?
Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
Which service would you choose to register a foreign LLC?
Mainstay Filing, because $199 plus the Massachusetts state fee, then $149 a year for the agent starting in year 2. After it come MA Registered Agent.org and Massachusetts Registered Agent.co.
Where these facts come from
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth traces back to sec.state.ma.us, a page we read in August 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth traces back to malegislature.gov, a page we read in August 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about M.G.L. c. 156C, sec. 12 traces back to sec.state.ma.us, a page we read in August 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Massachusetts formation fee: Filing fee, official source traces back to sec.state.ma.us, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Massachusetts formation fee: Filing fee, official source traces back to sec.state.ma.us, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Massachusetts registered agent statute traces back to sec.state.ma.us, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Massachusetts Corporations Division, foreign LLC page traces back to sec.state.ma.us, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about G.L. c. 156C § 48, foreign LLC registration traces back to malegislature.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about G.L. c. 156C § 54, failure to register traces back to malegislature.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about G.L. c. 156D § 15.01, transacting business traces back to malegislature.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Tennessee Secretary of State, business forms and fees traces back to sos.tn.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Form SS-4233, Certificate of Authority for a foreign traces back to sos-prod.tnsosgovfiles.com, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Tennessee Secretary of State, business FAQs traces back to sos.tn.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Form SS-4241, withdrawal or cancellation traces back to sos-prod.tnsosgovfiles.com, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Tennessee Revised LLC Act, Public Chapter 286 traces back to publications.tnsosfiles.com, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Foreign LLC registration form traces back to corpfiles.delaware.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Delaware Code Title 6, chapter 18, subchapter IX traces back to delcode.delaware.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Delaware Code Title 6, chapter 18, subchapter XI traces back to delcode.delaware.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Division of Corporations fee schedule, August 2026 traces back to corpfiles.delaware.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Alternative entity annual tax instructions traces back to corp.delaware.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Form 450, Application for Registration traces back to docs.sos.ri.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Business Services fee schedule traces back to docs.sos.ri.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about R.I traces back to webserver.rilegislature.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about R.I traces back to webserver.rilegislature.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Form 452, Certificate of Cancellation traces back to docs.sos.ri.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Rhode Island other cost traces back to tax.ri.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about California Secretary of State, foreign LLC forms traces back to sos.ca.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Form LLC-5 traces back to bpd.cdn.sos.ca.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Corporations Code section 17708.03 traces back to leginfo.legislature.ca.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Revenue and Taxation Code section 19135 traces back to leginfo.legislature.ca.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Franchise Tax Board, LLC filing requirements traces back to ftb.ca.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about California other cost: Annual LLC tax: amount and traces back to ftb.ca.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- As read November 13, 2026, Mainstay Filing shows Massachusetts service page on its site
- As read November 13, 2026, MA Registered Agent.org shows pricing page on its site
- As read November 13, 2026, Massachusetts Registered Agent.co shows pricing page on its site