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

Class 3 · North Dakota

Foreign LLC Registration Class, North Dakota (2026): 5 Assignments and the 3 Best Services

Today's class on registering an LLC from another state in North Dakota in 2026 comes with one answer: hire Mainstay Filing ($199), ND Registered Agents.org ($199) and North Dakota Registered Agent.co ($199), in that order. Plan on 5 assignments and a $135 filing fee.

Taught by the Formation Class faculty

Class overview

What the state charges to register$135Look at sos.nd.gov for yourself; we read it in October 2026
Certificate you must attachRequiredGoes in with the application
Recurring report$50Annual report
What the state collects in three years$235Without any service fee
Assignments5One by one

By the end you will know

  • Whether North Dakota registration applies to your LLC
  • The filing, its price and its office
  • What staying registered costs
  • Which services we recommend and why

Who we would hire in North Dakota

Five weighted criteria set the order (see how we grade), and three-year tuition and homework done count most.
Start with this one

1. Mainstay Filing: best for one provider for both states

$199 and the $135 state fee, then $149 yearly

The class favorite is Mainstay Filing, because a $199 service fee plus North Dakota's own fee, then $149 a year for the agent.

ND Registered Agents.org is $100 cheaper over three years; this one still earns the higher grade because it does more of the work.

When the free year is over, the agent costs $149 a year in any state.

Covered by the tuition

  • Filing made with the state
  • The registered agent costs nothing in year one
  • Any state, one price

Strengths

  • Registered agent is free in year one
  • $199 plus the state fee
  • Any state, one fee

Weak spots

  • A pricier agent renewal ($149)
Focused on North Dakota

2. ND Registered Agents.org: best for a small yearly agent fee

$199 and the $135 state fee, then $99 yearly

Second place goes to ND Registered Agents.org, since registration costs $199 plus state fees, and the first agent year is already paid.

Covered by the tuition

  • Registration paperwork handled
  • One year of agent service is part of the price

Strengths

  • A year of agent service is included
  • Then $99 per year
  • A $199 service charge

Weak spots

  • No help in other states
Focused on North Dakota

3. North Dakota Registered Agent.co: best for registering only in North Dakota

$199 and the $135 state fee, then $99 yearly

Third place goes to North Dakota Registered Agent.co, since registration costs $199 plus state fees, and the first agent year is already paid.

It lists the same prices as ND Registered Agents.org.

Covered by the tuition

  • Registration paperwork handled
  • One year of agent service is part of the price

Strengths

  • A year of agent service is included
  • A $199 service charge
  • Then $99 per year

Weak spots

  • No help in other states

The North Dakota grades compared

#ServiceFirst yearFrom year twoThree-year total
1Mainstay Filing$199$149/yr$497Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2ND Registered Agents.org$199$99/yr$397Visit ND Registered Agents.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3North Dakota Registered Agent.co$199$99/yr$397Visit North Dakota Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Taken from each company's price page on November 13, 2026. Each row still needs North Dakota's $135 registration fee.

The North Dakota registration, in order

  1. Assignment
    1

    See if your LLC must register in North Dakota

    LLCs formed outside North Dakota file a foreign registration before transacting business here.

    Textbook page: Look at sos.nd.gov for yourself; we read it in October 2026

  2. Assignment
    2

    Collect the document from the home state

    North Dakota asks for certificate of status, good standing or existence from the home-state filing office.

    Request it close to the date you plan to file.

  3. Assignment
    3

    Find a registered agent with an address in North Dakota

    Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address. The address has to be a complete physical address in North Dakota. P.O. boxes are not accepted.

    The grade list covers this role.

    Textbook page: Look at ndlegis.gov for yourself; we read it in October 2026

  4. Assignment
    4

    Prepare, sign and send the Application for a Certificate of Authority (foreign limited liability company)

    The form and the $135 fee go to the North Dakota Secretary of State together.

    Textbook page: Look at sos.nd.gov for yourself; we read it in October 2026

  5. Assignment
    5

    Look ahead to the recurring filing

    Pencil in the annual report and its $50 fee (November 15).

The bill

What forWho gets paidSum
The registration assignmentState agency$135
Annual reportState agency$50
Paid helpThe provider$199 to start
Three-year state totalState agency$235
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.

How the grades came out

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

ND Registered Agents.org renews for less, yet reaching several states counted for more.

Short answers

What does an LLC from elsewhere pay to register in North Dakota?

$135 as the official fee. Service fees: $199.

Which form do I file to register?

One form does the job, and the North Dakota Secretary of State handles it.

Do I need a certificate from my home state?

Yes: certificate of status, good standing or existence from the home-state filing office.

What is due after registering?

Assignment 5 has it: the annual report for $50.

Which services are in this lesson?

This class grades Mainstay Filing, ND Registered Agents.org and North Dakota Registered Agent.co.

Which service should handle the registration?

Pick Mainstay Filing: registering costs $199 plus state fees, and year one of the registered agent costs nothing. Then ND Registered Agents.org and North Dakota Registered Agent.co.

See also

Textbook pages and extra reading

  1. If you want proof of the North Dakota Secretary of State, Business Division facts, sos.nd.gov is the page to read, and we last read it in August 2026.
  2. If you want proof of the North Dakota Secretary of State, Business Division facts, sos.nd.gov is the page to read, and we last read it in August 2026.
  3. If you want proof of the North Dakota report due date facts, ndlegis.gov is the page to read, and we last read it in August 2026.
  4. If you want proof of the North Dakota formation fee: Filing fee, official source facts, sos.nd.gov is the page to read, and we last read it in October 2026.
  5. If you want proof of the North Dakota registered agent statute facts, ndlegis.gov is the page to read, and we last read it in October 2026.
  6. If you want proof of the Secretary of State, registered agents facts, sos.nd.gov is the page to read, and we last read it in October 2026.
  7. If you want proof of the Secretary of State, business services facts, sos.nd.gov is the page to read, and we last read it in October 2026.
  8. Tuition figures from Mainstay Filing (North Dakota service page), November 13, 2026
  9. Tuition figures from ND Registered Agents.org (pricing page), November 13, 2026
  10. Tuition figures from North Dakota Registered Agent.co (pricing page), November 13, 2026