Class 3 · Michigan
Foreign LLC Registration Class, Michigan (2026): 5 Assignments and the 3 Best Services
The quick version
Class objectives
- When an LLC from elsewhere must register in Michigan
- The form and the fee
- Staying in good standing
- How the picks stack up
Michigan: the graded services
1. Mainstay Filing: best for one provider for both states
We start with Mainstay Filing; it files the Michigan registration for $199 plus the state fee, and the first agent year is free.
Three years of tuition run $100 above Michigan Registered Agent.co's, but this service does more of the homework, and the grade rewards that.
After year one, agent service costs $149 a year.
Covered by the tuition
- The registration filing
- Covers all fifty states
Strengths
- $199 on top of Michigan's fee
- All fifty states covered
Weak spots
- Renewal $50 above Michigan Registered Agent.co's
2. Michigan Registered Agent.co: best for one extra state
Second place goes to Michigan Registered Agent.co, since a service fee of $199 and an agent renewal of $99 a year.
Covered by the tuition
- The Michigan registration, prepared and sent
- One year of agent service is part of the price
Strengths
- No agent fee in year one
- $199 and the state fee
- $99 a year for the agent after that
Weak spots
- Serves Michigan alone
3. MI Registered Agent.org: best for registering only in Michigan
Third place goes to MI Registered Agent.org, since a service fee of $199 and an agent renewal of $99 a year.
It lists the same prices as Michigan Registered Agent.co.
Covered by the tuition
- The Michigan registration, prepared and sent
- One year of agent service is part of the price
Strengths
- $199 and the state fee
- No agent fee in year one
- $99 a year for the agent after that
Weak spots
- Serves Michigan alone
All the tuition in one table
| # | 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 | Michigan Registered Agent.co | $199 | $99/yr | $397 | Visit Michigan Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 3 | MI Registered Agent.org | $199 | $99/yr | $397 | Visit MI Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
Registering with Michigan, assignment by assignment
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Assignment
1When registration is required
LLCs formed outside Michigan file a foreign registration before transacting business here. Ignore the rule and this follows: If you may need to sue, register first (MCL 450.5007(1)). Its contracts can still be enforced (MCL 450.5007(3)).
Textbook page: michigan.gov, last read in October 2026
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Assignment
2Order the home-state certificate
Michigan asks for certificate of good standing, from the last 30 days.
Do this one last, so the certificate is fresh on the day you file.
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Assignment
3Arrange a Michigan resident agent
Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address. The address has to be a registered office in Michigan, which does not have to be the place of business. P.O. boxes are not accepted.
The grade list covers this role.
Textbook page: legislature.mi.gov, last read in October 2026
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Assignment
4Put together and mail the Application for Certificate of Authority to Transact Business in Michigan (for foreign limited liability companies)
To register, hand the Application for Certificate of Authority to Transact Business in Michigan (for foreign limited liability companies) (Form CSCL/CD 760) to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division with $50.
Textbook page: legislature.mi.gov, last read in October 2026
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Assignment
5What comes after
Pencil in the annual statement and its $25 fee (February 15).
What each assignment costs in Michigan
| What for | Receiver | Sum |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign registration | Paid to the state | $50 |
| Annual statement | Paid to the state | $25 |
| Service fees (optional) | The service | $199 to start |
| State fees for the first three years | Paid to the state | $100 |
Why Mainstay Filing is first
What decided it was homework the price does, which carries 34% of the grade.
Two states are involved in registering, and a provider that covers both finished ahead of Michigan Registered Agent.co.
Michigan questions
What does an LLC from elsewhere pay to register in Michigan?
$50 as the official fee. A service adds $199.
Which form do I file to register?
One form does the job, and the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division handles it.
Do I need a certificate from my home state?
Yes: certificate of good standing, issued within 30 days of filing.
What if the LLC does business there without registering?
If you may need to sue, register first (MCL 450.5007(1)). Its contracts can still be enforced (MCL 450.5007(3)).
What is due after registering?
The annual statement keeps the registration alive, at $25.
Which service should handle the registration?
Mainstay Filing, Michigan Registered Agent.co and MI Registered Agent.org, from the highest grade to the lowest.
Textbook pages and extra reading
- Extra credit: compare what we say about Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Corporations with michigan.gov, last read August 2026.
- Extra credit: compare what we say about Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Corporations with michigan.gov, last read August 2026.
- Extra credit: compare what we say about Michigan report due date with michigan.gov, last read August 2026.
- Extra credit: compare what we say about MCL 450.4202 with legislature.mi.gov, last read August 2026.
- Extra credit: compare what we say about Michigan formation fee: Filing fee, official source with michigan.gov, last read September 2026.
- Extra credit: compare what we say about Michigan formation fee: Filing fee, official source with legislature.mi.gov, last read September 2026.
- Extra credit: compare what we say about Michigan registered agent statute with legislature.mi.gov, last read October 2026.
- Extra credit: compare what we say about LARA limited liability company forms with michigan.gov, last read October 2026.
- Extra credit: compare what we say about MCL 450.5002, certificate of authority with legislature.mi.gov, last read October 2026.
- Extra credit: compare what we say about MCL 450.5008, activities that are not transacting business with legislature.mi.gov, last read October 2026.
- Extra credit: compare what we say about MCL 450.5007, consequences of transacting business without a with legislature.mi.gov, last read October 2026.
- The Michigan service page at Mainstay Filing, November 13, 2026
- The pricing page at Michigan Registered Agent.co, November 13, 2026
- The pricing page at MI Registered Agent.org, November 13, 2026