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Plain English · North Dakota

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

For foreign registration services in North Dakota, our 2026 order is ND Registered Agents.org ($199), Mainstay Filing ($199) and North Dakota Registered Agent.co ($199). Every option pays North Dakota's $135; three years of service run $397 to $497.

By the Plain Charter editorial team ·

The short answer

Cost to file
$135
Proof from home state?
Needed
Each year after
$50, annual report
Our picks, in order
ND Registered Agents.org, Mainstay Filing then North Dakota Registered Agent.co

Our North Dakota list

Best first, by our stated criteria.
1We'd start here

1. ND Registered Agents.org: best for one extra state

$199 to register, $99 yearly

First choice: ND Registered Agents.org. The reason is simple: three years of service fees come to $397.

Cost decides it: three years here come in under Mainstay Filing.

The price covers

  • State registration
  • First agent year

Upsides

  • Low $99 renewal
  • Agent free for year one
  • $199 over the state fee

What to weigh

  • A second provider for the home state
Visit ND Registered Agents.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2Most included

2. Mainstay Filing: best for LLCs adding states

$199 to register, $149 yearly

Mainstay Filing ranks second, because it costs $199 plus North Dakota's fee, with a free first year of registered agent service and $149 a year after.

It costs $100 more than ND Registered Agents.org over three years, and cost carries the most weight with us.

After the free year, the registered agent renews at $149 a year.

The price covers

  • The registration filing
  • Registered agent, free for year one
  • One price nationwide

Upsides

  • Registered agent free in year one
  • Ready for the next state
  • $199 to register

What to weigh

  • Higher agent renewal ($149)
Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3North Dakota specialist

3. North Dakota Registered Agent.co: best for a low agent renewal

$199 to register, $99 yearly

North Dakota Registered Agent.co comes third: three years of service fees come to $397.

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

The price covers

  • State registration
  • First agent year

Upsides

  • $199 over the state fee
  • Agent free for year one
  • Low $99 renewal

What to weigh

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

Side-by-side prices

#CompanyFirst yearLater yearsThree yearsYou get
1ND Registered Agents.org$199$99/yr$397state registration; first agent yearVisit ND Registered Agents.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2Mainstay Filing$199$149/yr$497the registration filing; registered agent, free for year one; one price nationwideVisit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3North Dakota Registered Agent.co$199$99/yr$397state registration; first agent yearVisit North Dakota Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Each company's published prices, November 12, 2026. State fees come on top and do not change by pick.

Questions, answered plainly

When is registration required?

Registration comes before doing business in North Dakota for any out-of-state LLC.

source: sos.nd.gov, October 2026

What are the fees?

On your own, $135. With a service, add $199.

The three-year state total is $235. source: sos.nd.gov, October 2026

What is the application called?

Just one document: the Application for a Certificate of Authority (foreign limited liability company), submitted to the North Dakota Secretary of State.

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

What recurs once registered?

A recurring annual report at $50.

Schedule: November 15.

What put the first pick first?

ND Registered Agents.org wins on three-year cost, our 35% criterion.

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

Three years with ND Registered Agents.org: $397. Mainstay Filing is $100 more.

The criteria in full

North Dakota rules at a glance

RuleAnswerOfficial source
Registration filing$135source: sos.nd.gov, October 2026
Good standing proofNeededsource: sos.nd.gov, October 2026
Annual report$50source: sos.nd.gov, October 2026
State cost over 3 years$235Our sum of the fees above
Filing fee, the reports in years two and three, then any minimum tax: that is the three-year line.

FAQ

Does the home state still need an agent?

Both states have their own rules. Mainstay Filing works in each; a one-state service covers only its state.

Over three years, what does each charge?

ND Registered Agents.org $397, Mainstay Filing $497 and North Dakota Registered Agent.co $397, plus state fees.

Where do these figures come from?

North Dakota's own publications for the state side, published company prices for the rest.

Do I have to use a service?

Not required. Services charge for doing the paperwork for you.

Who files the registration?

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

Which foreign registration service would you pick in North Dakota?

ND Registered Agents.org first: you pay $199 over the state fee, then $99 each year. Mainstay Filing and North Dakota Registered Agent.co follow.

Where these answers come from

  1. sos.nd.gov · North Dakota Secretary of State · August 2026
  2. sos.nd.gov · North Dakota Secretary of State · August 2026
  3. ndlegis.gov · North Dakota report due date · August 2026
  4. sos.nd.gov · North Dakota formation fee: Filing · October 2026
  5. ndlegis.gov · North Dakota registered agent statute · October 2026
  6. sos.nd.gov · Secretary of State, registered agents · October 2026
  7. sos.nd.gov · Secretary of State, business services · October 2026
  8. ND Registered Agents.org: pricing page, read November 12, 2026
  9. Mainstay Filing: North Dakota service page, read November 12, 2026
  10. North Dakota Registered Agent.co: pricing page, read November 12, 2026