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Formation ClassClass is in session: LLC paperwork, state by state.

Class session 1 · Michigan

Michigan LLC Formation Class (2026): 7 Assignments and the 3 Best LLC Services

Graded for 2026, the best help with starting an LLC in Michigan comes from Mainstay Filing ($199), Michigan Registered Agent.co ($199) and MI Registered Agent.org ($199), in that order. 7 assignments make up the class; the state's own charge is $50, plus $25 for the annual statement.

Taught by the Formation Class faculty

Key facts for this class

Cost at the state office$50legislature.mi.gov (page read September 2026)
Annual statement$25 a yearDue date as the state says it: February 15
Three years of state fees$100Formation, reports and any minimum tax
Assignments7In order

What this class teaches

  • What Michigan charges for a new LLC and where the filing goes
  • Who can be the resident agent
  • What happens once the LLC exists
  • Which services we recommend and why

If you want someone else to file

Graded on the grading page: three-year tuition (30%), homework done (34%), year-two tuition, fit with the Michigan class and fees a student can read.
Top of the class

1. Mainstay Filing: best for a first year with very little homework

$199 per year, and the $249 charged at checkout includes the state fee

Mainstay Filing earns the top grade in Michigan: $199 a year does three pieces of homework at once: the filing, the resident agent and the annual statement.

Michigan Registered Agent.co is $200 cheaper over three years; this one still earns the higher grade because it does more of the work.

Add the annual statement to what it does, with Michigan's $25 passed along at cost.

Covered by the tuition

  • The formation filing
  • Resident agent for the whole year
  • Annual statement filed on time
  • EIN application included
  • No markup on the state fee

Strengths

  • No extra charge for the EIN application
  • One yearly fee of $199, annual statement included
  • $199 every year

Weak spots

  • A yearly premium of $100 over Michigan Registered Agent.co
Local choice

2. Michigan Registered Agent.co: best for a bare-bones formation

$199 and fees, then $99 each year

Grade number 2 belongs to Michigan Registered Agent.co, where $199 to begin, with no agent fee in year one, then $99 each year from year two.

You still file the annual statement every year.

Covered by the tuition

  • Filing made with the state
  • A year of agent service is part of the price

Strengths

  • $199 and the state fee
  • First agent year included
  • Then $99 per year

Weak spots

  • Preparing the annual statement is up to you
  • It bills $99 for the EIN assignment
Local choice

3. MI Registered Agent.org: best for a small agent renewal

$199 and fees, then $99 each year

Grade number 3 belongs to MI Registered Agent.org, where $199 to begin, with no agent fee in year one, then $99 each year from year two.

You still file the annual statement every year.

It charges exactly what Michigan Registered Agent.co charges.

Covered by the tuition

  • Filing made with the state
  • A year of agent service is part of the price

Strengths

  • First agent year included
  • Then $99 per year
  • $199 and the state fee

Weak spots

  • Preparing the annual statement is up to you
  • It bills $99 for the EIN assignment

All the tuition in one table

#ServiceFirst yearFrom year twoThree-year total
1Mainstay Filing$199$199/yr$597Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2Michigan Registered Agent.co$199$99/yr$397Visit Michigan Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3MI Registered Agent.org$199$99/yr$397Visit MI Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Prices come from each company's own site, read November 13, 2026. None of the rows includes the $50 state fee.

Starting a Michigan LLC, assignment by assignment

  1. Assignment
    1

    Check that nobody else has the name

    the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) holds the records, so begin there; in Michigan, a name that is taken may get the filing returned.

    Bring a second name with you.

  2. Assignment
    2

    Choose your resident agent

    Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address. A Michigan resident, or a corporation or LLC formed in Michigan or authorized there, whose business office (or, for a person, residence) is the registered office.

    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.

    Every class favorite here can be your resident agent.

    Textbook page: legislature.mi.gov (page read October 2026)

  3. Assignment
    3

    Do it yourself or get help

    Filing on your own costs only the $50 state fee. A service adds $199 and does the forms; see the grades for the order.

  4. Assignment
    4

    Draw up the Articles of Organization

    Send the Articles of Organization (Form CSCL/CD-700) to the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) along with $50; the law behind it is MCL 450.4202, and the LLC exists. According to the state, processing takes Up to 10 business days for non-expedited.

    Textbook page: legislature.mi.gov (page read September 2026)

  5. Assignment
    5

    Order the LLC's federal tax ID

    After Michigan approves the LLC, ask the IRS for an Employer Identification Number; banks and payroll providers need it. Mainstay Filing does this one for you at no added charge.

  6. Assignment
    6

    Write an operating agreement

    Owners sign it to settle shares, votes and what happens when a member leaves. It is private and never filed.

  7. Assignment
    7

    Handle Michigan's recurring filing

    Expect Michigan to ask for the annual statement every year, due February 15, with a fee of $25. Miss the deadline and $10 is added.

    Textbook page: michigan.gov (page read August 2026)

The bill

ItemPaid toPrice
The formation assignmentGoes to the state$50
Annual statementGoes to the state$25 every year
Penalty for filing lateGoes to the state$10
Service, if you hire oneService$199 in the first year
Three-year state totalGoes to the state$100
Filing fee plus two later reports plus any minimum tax makes the state's three-year total. The pages listed below show where each figure came from.

Why the list runs this way

pulled ahead of on homework the price does, which counts for 34%.

Michigan Registered Agent.co costs less, though the annual statement would be your homework.

What students ask

What will starting a Michigan LLC cost?

The state's fee is $50. Service fees on this list run $199.

Which form creates the LLC?

The Articles of Organization (Form CSCL/CD-700) is what creates the company, and the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) is who receives it.

Is a resident agent required?

Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.

How long does Michigan take to process the filing?

Count on Up to 10 business days for non-expedited.

What does Michigan require each year?

Expect Michigan to ask for the annual statement every year, at $25, with timing described as February 15.

Can I form the LLC without a service?

A service is optional. Owners can file with the $50 fee as long as they appoint a resident agent.

Which LLC service should a first-time founder use?

Pick Mainstay Filing: for one yearly fee of $199 the class assignments on filing, resident agent and annual statement are all done for you. Then Michigan Registered Agent.co and MI Registered Agent.org.

See also

Textbook pages and extra reading

  1. Class notes on Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Corporations come straight from michigan.gov (reread August 2026).
  2. Class notes on Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Corporations come straight from michigan.gov (reread August 2026).
  3. Class notes on Michigan report due date come straight from michigan.gov (reread August 2026).
  4. Class notes on MCL 450.4202 come straight from legislature.mi.gov (reread August 2026).
  5. Class notes on Michigan formation fee: Filing fee, official source come straight from michigan.gov (reread September 2026).
  6. Class notes on Michigan formation fee: Filing fee, official source come straight from legislature.mi.gov (reread September 2026).
  7. Class notes on Michigan registered agent statute come straight from legislature.mi.gov (reread October 2026).
  8. Class notes on Processing time, official source come straight from michigan.gov (reread September 2026).
  9. Pulled November 13, 2026: Michigan service page from Mainstay Filing
  10. Pulled November 13, 2026: pricing page from Michigan Registered Agent.co
  11. Pulled November 13, 2026: pricing page from MI Registered Agent.org