Across the US
3 Best Foreign Registration Services (2026)
The shortlist
1. Mainstay Filing: best for companies that might expand
The national first pick is Mainstay Filing: registering anywhere costs $199, and the agent is free in year one.
It sits $100 above North Carolina Registered Agent.co across three years, and it is the only pick you can take to any state.
Covered by the tuition
- The registration is filed for you
- No agent fee in year one
- One service fee in every state
Strengths
- No price change from state to state
- $149 yearly after that
Weak spots
- Not the smallest bill in one state
2. North Carolina Registered Agent.co: best for North Carolina businesses
North Carolina Registered Agent.co takes second: $199 plus North Carolina's fee, then $99 a year.
Owners rooted in North Carolina get a better price here.
Covered by the tuition
- The North Carolina registration, filed for you
- One year of agent service in North Carolina
Strengths
- Cheaper from year two
- $99 yearly after that
Weak spots
- Other states need another provider
- Report filing is left to you
3. Registered Agent NJ.org: best for New Jersey businesses
Third on the list is Registered Agent NJ.org: $199 plus New Jersey's fee, then $99 a year.
Owners rooted in New Jersey get a better price here.
Covered by the tuition
- The New Jersey registration, filed for you
- One year of agent service in New Jersey
Strengths
- Cheaper from year two
- $99 yearly after that
Weak spots
- Other states need another provider
- Report filing is left to you
Compare the services
| # | Service | First year | From year two | Three-year total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mainstay Filing | $199 | $149/yr | $497 | Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 2 | North Carolina Registered Agent.co | $199 | $99/yr | $397 | Visit North Carolina Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 3 | Registered Agent NJ.org | $199 | $99/yr | $397 | Visit Registered Agent NJ.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
Before you decide
Put the three-year totals next to what each price handles: the filing, the agent and the yearly report. Thinking of expanding past one state? Give coverage real weight.
Behind the ranking
The rubric puts the most weight on three-year tuition and on the homework a price does, then on year-two tuition, fit with each state's class and readable fees. This page serves an owner wherever they live, so reach across all fifty states settles first place. For a company at home in North Carolina, North Carolina Registered Agent.co costs less; for one in New Jersey, Registered Agent NJ.org does.
Classes for all 50 states
Go to your state's class on registering a foreign LLC for the exact assignments and fees. Registering in another state: all 50 states.
Foreign Registration Services: questions
What are the best foreign registration services in 2026?
Mainstay Filing, North Carolina Registered Agent.co and Registered Agent NJ.org, in that order.
What does a foreign registration service cost?
From $199 to $199, with the state fee extra.
Can one service cover every state?
Among the services listed, only Mainstay Filing does; each state service sticks to its own state.
Why are one-state services on a national list?
A company that will only ever file in a single state can save with them. North Carolina Registered Agent.co is our pick for North Carolina businesses; Registered Agent NJ.org for New Jersey businesses.
How did you grade them?
Three-year tuition and homework done count for the most, then year-two tuition, state fit and readable fees.
Where do I learn the steps for my state?
Every state has its own class with the official form and fee.
Textbook pages and extra reading
- Mainstay Filing's pricing page, read on November 13, 2026
- North Carolina Registered Agent.co's pricing page, read on November 13, 2026
- Registered Agent NJ.org's pricing page, read on November 13, 2026