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Plain CharterLLC questions, short answers.

No legalese · New York

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

Asked who to hire in New York in 2026, we'd say Mainstay Filing ($199), NY Registered Agent.org ($199) and New York Registered Agent.ai ($199), in that order. Every option pays New York's $250; three years of service run $397 to $497.

By the Plain Charter editorial team ·

The short answer

Cost to file
$250
Home-state document?
Yes, needed (365 days, no older)
What recurs
$9, biennial statement
Our picks, in order
Mainstay Filing, NY Registered Agent.org then New York Registered Agent.ai

Our New York list

Prices come from each company's own pricing. How we choose.
1First choice

1. Mainstay Filing: best for registering in several states

$199 to register, $149 yearly

Mainstay Filing leads our list: you pay $199 to register and nothing for the agent for service of process until year two.

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

From year two the agent for service of process costs $149 a year, in any state.

The price covers

  • Application prepared and sent
  • Agent for service of process, no charge in year one
  • The same fee in every state

Upsides

  • $199 over the state fee
  • Any state, one fee
  • Agent included for year one

What to weigh

  • $50 a year more for the agent
Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2Local choice

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

$199 to register, $99 yearly

Our number 2 is NY Registered Agent.org, since it charges $199 plus the state fee, agent included for year one, then $99 a year.

The price covers

  • Your foreign filing
  • First agent year

Upsides

  • $199 over the state fee
  • Agent free for year one
  • $99 a year for the agent after

What to weigh

  • A second provider for the home state
Visit NY Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3Local choice

3. New York Registered Agent.ai: best for a one-state add-on

$199 to register, $99 yearly

Our number 3 is New York Registered Agent.ai, since it charges $199 plus the state fee, agent included for year one, then $99 a year.

It charges the same as NY Registered Agent.org; the order between them is a close call.

The price covers

  • Your foreign filing
  • First agent year

Upsides

  • Agent free for year one
  • $199 over the state fee
  • $99 a year for the agent after

What to weigh

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

Side-by-side prices

#PickTo startLater yearsBy year threeIncludes
1Mainstay Filing$199$149/yr$497application prepared and sent; agent for service of process, no charge in year one; the same fee in every stateVisit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2NY Registered Agent.org$199$99/yr$397your foreign filing; first agent yearVisit NY Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3New York Registered Agent.ai$199$99/yr$397your foreign filing; first agent yearVisit New York Registered Agent.aiPartner 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.

Your questions

Does my out-of-state LLC need to register?

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

source: dos.ny.gov, October 2026

What will it cost to register?

$250 to the state, plus $199 with a service.

State fees for three years come to $259. source: ny.gov, October 2026

Where is the filing sent?

It takes one filing, the Application for Authority of a Foreign Limited Liability Company (Form DOS-1361-f-a), which goes to the New York Department of State, Division of Corporations.

Include certificate of Existence (also called a Certificate of Good Standing) issued within 365 days.

What recurs once registered?

Biennial statement: $9.

Schedule: every two years, in the month the application was filed.

Why these three?

Mainstay Filing wins on what the price takes off your plate, our 30% criterion.

The two biggest criteria are three-year cost and what the price takes off your plate, at 35% and 30%.

Your home state needs an agent too; one account that covers both is simpler.

Read our criteria

New York requirements checklist

ItemAnswerCited
State filing fee$250source: ny.gov, October 2026
Home-state documentYes, needed, 365 dayssource: dos.ny.gov, October 2026
Biennial statement$9source: dos.ny.gov, October 2026
Three-year state total$259Computed from the rows
Filing fee, the reports in years two and three, then any minimum tax: that is the three-year line.

Other quick questions

Do both states need an agent?

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, NY Registered Agent.org $397 and New York Registered Agent.ai $397, before state fees.

What sources do you use?

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

Must I hire anyone?

No, you can file yourself if you meet the rules on this page.

Will these services file it?

Yes, every pick files it, and the state fee does not change.

Who comes first in New York?

Mainstay Filing, because the registration costs $199 plus state fees, with the agent for service of process free for year one. Then NY Registered Agent.org and New York Registered Agent.ai.

Sources for this page

  1. New York Department of State, August 2026 (dos.ny.gov)
  2. New York Department of State, August 2026 (filing.dos.ny.gov)
  3. New York report due date, August 2026 (nysenate.gov)
  4. NY Limited Liability Company Law, August 2026 (nysenate.gov)
  5. New York formation fee: Filing, October 2026 (dos.ny.gov)
  6. New York registered agent statute, October 2026 (nysenate.gov)
  7. Department of State, Application for, October 2026 (dos.ny.gov)
  8. LLC Law § 802, application, October 2026 (nysenate.gov)
  9. LLC Law § 808, consequences, October 2026 (nysenate.gov)
  10. Department of State, Certificate of, October 2026 (dos.ny.gov)
  11. Prices from the Mainstay Filing New York service page on November 12, 2026
  12. Prices from the NY Registered Agent.org pricing page on November 12, 2026
  13. Prices from the New York Registered Agent.ai pricing page on November 12, 2026