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Plain CharterLLC questions, short answers.

Answered simply · Michigan

3 Best Foreign Registration Services in Michigan (2026), Plainly Answered

For foreign registration services in Michigan, our 2026 order is Mainstay Filing ($199), MI Registered Agent.org ($199) and Michigan Registered Agent.co ($199). Count on $50 for the state and $397 to $497 in service fees by year three.

By the Plain Charter editorial team ·

Quick answer

What the state charges
$50
Proof from home state?
Yes (30 days, no older)
Ongoing filing
$25, annual statement
Our picks, in order
Mainstay Filing, MI Registered Agent.org then Michigan Registered Agent.co

Who to use in Michigan

Ranked by how we choose: three-year cost first, then what the price covers.
1Our first pick

1. Mainstay Filing: best for growing companies

Service $199, agent renewal $149

Mainstay Filing is the one we'd hire first in Michigan, because you pay $199 to register and nothing for the resident agent until year two.

Three years cost $100 more than MI Registered Agent.org; reach across states decides it here.

There is no resident agent charge in year one; $149 a year follows.

The price covers

  • Application prepared and sent
  • Any state, one fee

Upsides

  • $199 over the state fee
  • Ready for the next state

What to weigh

  • Agent renews at $149, $50 over MI Registered Agent.org
Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2Michigan specialist

2. MI Registered Agent.org: best for a low yearly agent cost

Service $199, agent renewal $99

MI Registered Agent.org comes second: the filing costs $199 and the yearly agent renewal is $99.

The price covers

  • State registration
  • A year of agent service

Upsides

  • $199 plus the state fee
  • Year-one agent included
  • Agent renews at $99

What to weigh

  • A second provider for the home state
Visit MI Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3Michigan specialist

3. Michigan Registered Agent.co: best for another local option

Service $199, agent renewal $99

Michigan Registered Agent.co comes third: the filing costs $199 and the yearly agent renewal is $99.

Same published prices as MI Registered Agent.org; pick whichever you prefer.

The price covers

  • State registration
  • A year of agent service

Upsides

  • Year-one agent included
  • $199 plus the state fee
  • Agent renews at $99

What to weigh

  • A second provider for the home state
Visit Michigan Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.

How the picks compare

#PickFirst-year priceRenewal priceThree-year totalWhat it covers
1Mainstay Filing$199$149/yr$497application prepared and sent; any state, one feeVisit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2MI Registered Agent.org$199$99/yr$397state registration; A year of agent serviceVisit MI Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3Michigan Registered Agent.co$199$99/yr$397state registration; A year of agent serviceVisit Michigan Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Read from company pricing on November 12, 2026; three years means the first year plus two renewals.

What owners ask

When does an out-of-state LLC have to register here?

If an LLC formed in another state does business in Michigan, it registers first.

The cost of not registering: no lawsuits as plaintiff (MCL 450.5007(1)).

from michigan.gov · October 2026

What are the fees?

On your own, $50. With a service, add $199.

State fees for three years come to $100. from legislature.mi.gov · October 2026

Which form, and where does it go?

What you file: the Application for Certificate of Authority to Transact Business in Michigan (for foreign limited liability companies) (Form CSCL/CD 760). Where: the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division.

Send along certificate of good standing no older than 30 days.

Any ongoing fees?

You keep filing the annual statement ($25).

Deadline: February 15.

Why these three?

Because of what the price takes off your plate: Mainstay Filing does best there, and it counts for 30%.

Most of our weighting sits on three-year cost and what the price takes off your plate.

MI Registered Agent.org serves Michigan only, so your home state would need someone else.

Read our criteria

What Michigan requires

WhatDetailSource
Registration fee$50from legislature.mi.gov · October 2026
Proof of existenceYes, 30 daysfrom michigan.gov · October 2026
Annual statement$25from michigan.gov · October 2026
Three-year state total$100Sum of the rows
We add the filing, two years of reports and any minimum tax for the three-year line. Publication and other variable costs are excluded.

Other quick questions

Do I still need an agent in my home state?

Yes, each state follows its own rule. A one-state service covers only this state.

Over three years, what does each charge?

Mainstay Filing $497, MI Registered Agent.org $397 and Michigan Registered Agent.co $397 in service fees.

What are the numbers based on?

Each state fee links its official source; each service price comes from the company's site.

Is a service required by law?

No. The state accepts filings from owners; a service saves time and handles the agent role.

Who files the registration?

Yes. Each pick here files it for you; the state fee is the same either way.

What is the best foreign registration service for Michigan?

Mainstay Filing tops our list because the registration costs $199 plus state fees, with the resident agent free for year one; MI Registered Agent.org and Michigan Registered Agent.co come next.

Where these answers come from

  1. Michigan Department of Licensing and: michigan.gov (August 2026)
  2. Michigan Department of Licensing and: michigan.gov (August 2026)
  3. Michigan report due date: michigan.gov (August 2026)
  4. MCL 450.4202: legislature.mi.gov (August 2026)
  5. Michigan formation fee: Filing fee: michigan.gov (September 2026)
  6. Michigan formation fee: Filing fee: legislature.mi.gov (September 2026)
  7. Michigan registered agent statute: legislature.mi.gov (October 2026)
  8. LARA limited liability company forms: michigan.gov (October 2026)
  9. MCL 450.5002, certificate of authority: legislature.mi.gov (October 2026)
  10. MCL 450.5008, activities that are: legislature.mi.gov (October 2026)
  11. MCL 450.5007, consequences of transacting: legislature.mi.gov (October 2026)
  12. Mainstay Filing Michigan service page (prices on November 12, 2026)
  13. MI Registered Agent.org pricing page (prices on November 12, 2026)
  14. Michigan Registered Agent.co pricing page (prices on November 12, 2026)