State registration fee
$250
sosnc.gov, read October 2026
Foreign LLC guide · North Carolina
North Carolina Foreign LLC Registration Fees (2026): the Official Numbers and the 3 Best Services
In 2026, for registering an out-of-state LLC in North Carolina, our order is North Carolina Registered Agent.co ($199), Mainstay Filing ($199) and NC Registered Agent.org ($199). Registering a foreign LLC in North Carolina costs $250, and each later report costs $200. That is number 39th of 50 on three-year state cost.
North Carolina: key numbers
39th
on a 50-state list of foreign LLC state cost
Number 1 owes the state the least. Go to the national table
Recurring report
$200
Annual report
Certificate from home state
180 days
Age limit on the certificate
State charges over 3 years
$650
Year 1 registration, years 2 and 3 reports
The services we pick in North Carolina
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. North Carolina Registered Agent.co: best for a small yearly agent price
Year 1 costs $199; every later year $99
North Carolina Registered Agent.co comes first because $199 plus the state fee, with the first agent year included, then $99 yearly for the agent.
It beats Mainstay Filing on three-year cost, and cost is 34% of the score.
What the price takes in
- Handles the registration paperwork
- A year of agent service
In its favor
- $199 to register
- The first agent year is free
- The agent renews at $99
Against it
- The home state needs a separate agent
2. Mainstay Filing: best for growing beyond the home state
Year 1 costs $199; every later year $149
We put Mainstay Filing second since $199 on top of the state fee, registered agent free for the first year, then $149 per year.
North Carolina Registered Agent.co is $100 lower across three years, which is why it ranks above this one.
Starting in year 2, you pay $149 each year for the agent.
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
- $199 plus the state fee
- All fifty states are covered
- Agent service is included for year 1
Against it
- $50 more per year for the agent
3. NC Registered Agent.org: best for a cheaper agent renewal
Year 1 costs $199; every later year $99
NC Registered Agent.org comes third because $199 plus the state fee, with the first agent year included, then $99 yearly for the agent.
Its prices equal North Carolina Registered Agent.co's, so the two are close.
What the price takes in
- Handles the registration paperwork
- A year of agent service
In its favor
- The first agent year is free
- $199 to register
- The agent renews at $99
Against it
- The home state needs a separate agent
3 providers next to each other
| No. | Provider | First year | Later years | Provider fees over 3 years | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Carolina Registered Agent.co | $199 | $99/yr | $397 | Visit North Carolina 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 | NC Registered Agent.org | $199 | $99/yr | $397 | Visit NC Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
We read each company's price page on November 13, 2026. The state's $250 is left out of the numbers above.
North Carolina foreign LLC cost calculator
The registration fee is $250, with a $200 report from year 2; provider fees are added.
North Carolina and the states around it in the ranking
| Place | State | Three-year foreign LLC fees |
|---|---|---|
| 37th | Arkansas | $570 |
| 38th | Kentucky | $645 |
| 39th | North Carolina | $650 |
| 40th | Maryland | $700 |
| 41st | Mississippi | $750 |
The complete list ranks all fifty states the same way.
North Carolina foreign LLC registration in 2026
An LLC from another state registers by sending the Application for Certificate of Authority for Limited Liability Company (Form L-09) and $250 to the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State, Business Registration Division. The state asks for certificate of existence (or similar document, such as a certificate of good standing), no older than 180 days.
The recurring obligation is the annual report ($200), April 15.
Before filing
- Certificate of existence (or similar document, such as a certificate of good standing), dated within 180 days.
- The name and formation date as the home state records them.
- A registered agent in the state, which each pick provides.
- A method of paying the $250 registration fee.
What happens if you skip registration in North Carolina
An unregistered LLC cannot bring a lawsuit in the state's courts (G.S. 57D-7-02(a)). The LLC's contracts stand (G.S. 57D-7-02(c)). The daily rate is $10. The state also charges the fees for years the LLC was unregistered.
The reasoning
In North Carolina, North Carolina Registered Agent.co beat Mainstay Filing on service bill, years one to three (34%).
Three years with North Carolina Registered Agent.co cost $397 in provider fees ($100 below Mainstay Filing).
Short answers
How much does it cost a foreign LLC to register in North Carolina?
$250 for the filing itself. Hiring one costs $199 more.
Which form registers a foreign LLC in North Carolina?
The Application for Certificate of Authority for Limited Liability Company (Form L-09), which is sent to the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State, Business Registration Division.
Does the state want a certificate from the home state?
Yes, it wants certificate of existence (or similar document, such as a certificate of good standing), dated within 180 days of the filing.
Does a foreign LLC file anything every year?
Yes, it files the annual report for $200.
What are the consequences of working there without registering?
An unregistered LLC cannot bring a lawsuit in the state's courts (G.S. 57D-7-02(a)). The LLC's contracts stand (G.S. 57D-7-02(c)). The daily rate is $10. The state also charges the fees for years the LLC was unregistered.
Does a foreign LLC in North Carolina 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 North Carolina Registered Agent.co: it registers you in North Carolina for $199 and includes a year of agent service; after that the agent costs $99 a year. Then Mainstay Filing and NC Registered Agent.org.
Where these facts come from
- Taken from sosnc.gov, a page we read in August 2026, is everything we say on this page about North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State.
- Taken from sosnc.gov, a page we read in August 2026, is everything we say on this page about North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State.
- Taken from ncleg.gov, a page we read in August 2026, is everything we say on this page about North Carolina report due date.
- Taken from sosnc.gov, a page we read in August 2026, is everything we say on this page about N.C.
- Taken from sosnc.gov, a page we read in October 2026, is everything we say on this page about North Carolina formation fee: Filing fee, official source.
- Taken from sosnc.gov, a page we read in October 2026, is everything we say on this page about North Carolina formation fee: Filing fee, official source.
- Taken from sosnc.gov, a page we read in October 2026, is everything we say on this page about North Carolina registered agent statute.
- Taken from sosnc.gov, a page we read in October 2026, is everything we say on this page about North Carolina Secretary of State, Business Registration.
- Taken from sosnc.gov, a page we read in October 2026, is everything we say on this page about Form L-09, Application for Certificate of Authority.
- Taken from sosnc.gov, a page we read in October 2026, is everything we say on this page about Secretary of State guide to registering a foreign.
- Taken from ncleg.gov, a page we read in October 2026, is everything we say on this page about G.S.
- Taken from sosnc.gov, a page we read in October 2026, is everything we say on this page about Annual report due dates.
- Taken from ncleg.gov, a page we read in November 2026, is everything we say on this page about N.C.
- Taken from sos.arkansas.gov, a page we read in October 2026, is everything we say on this page about Arkansas Secretary of State, foreign LLC forms and.
- Taken from sos.arkansas.gov, a page we read in October 2026, is everything we say on this page about Form FL-01.
- Taken from arkleg.state.ar.us, a page we read in October 2026, is everything we say on this page about Act 1041 of 2021, Uniform LLC Act.
- Taken from sos.arkansas.gov, a page we read in October 2026, is everything we say on this page about 2026 LLC franchise tax report and instructions.
- Taken from sos.arkansas.gov, a page we read in October 2026, is everything we say on this page about Form FL-04, application for cancellation.
- Taken from sos.ky.gov, a page we read in October 2026, is everything we say on this page about Kentucky Secretary of State, business filings.
- Taken from web.sos.ky.gov, a page we read in October 2026, is everything we say on this page about Form FBE, Certificate of Authority.
- Taken from apps.legislature.ky.gov, a page we read in October 2026, is everything we say on this page about KRS 14A.9-020, consequences of transacting business without authority.
- Taken from apps.legislature.ky.gov, a page we read in October 2026, is everything we say on this page about KRS 14A.9-010, authority to transact business required.
- Taken from apps.legislature.ky.gov, a page we read in October 2026, is everything we say on this page about KRS 14A.6-010, annual report.
- Taken from sos.ky.gov, a page we read in October 2026, is everything we say on this page about Kentucky Secretary of State, fee schedule.
- Taken from revenue.ky.gov, a page we read in October 2026, is everything we say on this page about Kentucky other cost: Limited Liability Entity Tax, official.
- Taken from egov.maryland.gov, a page we read in October 2026, is everything we say on this page about Maryland Business Express.
- Taken from egov.maryland.gov, a page we read in October 2026, is everything we say on this page about Business Express fee schedule.
- Taken from mgaleg.maryland.gov, a page we read in October 2026, is everything we say on this page about Corporations and Associations § 4A-1002, registration.
- Taken from mgaleg.maryland.gov, a page we read in October 2026, is everything we say on this page about Corporations and Associations § 4A-1009, activities that are.
- Taken from mgaleg.maryland.gov, a page we read in October 2026, is everything we say on this page about Corporations and Associations § 4A-1007, effect of not.
- Taken from mgaleg.maryland.gov, a page we read in October 2026, is everything we say on this page about Tax-Property § 11-101, annual report.
- Taken from sos.ms.gov, a page we read in October 2026, is everything we say on this page about Mississippi Secretary of State, Business Services.
- Taken from sos.ms.gov, a page we read in October 2026, is everything we say on this page about Business filing fee schedule.
- Taken from sos.ms.gov, a page we read in October 2026, is everything we say on this page about Business FAQs.
- Taken from sos.ms.gov, a page we read in October 2026, is everything we say on this page about Start Your Business in Mississippi.
- Taken from sos.ms.gov, a page we read in October 2026, is everything we say on this page about Mississippi annual reports.
- Taken from sos.ms.gov, a page we read in October 2026, is everything we say on this page about Registered agents.
- As read November 13, 2026, North Carolina Registered Agent.co shows pricing page on its site
- As read November 13, 2026, Mainstay Filing shows North Carolina service page on its site
- As read November 13, 2026, NC Registered Agent.org shows pricing page on its site