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Plain CharterLLC questions, short answers.

Plain answers · Rhode Island

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

In Rhode Island for 2026, we would use Mainstay Filing ($199), Rhode Island Registered Agent.co ($199) and RI Registered Agent.org ($199), in that order. On top of the $150 state fee, service fees come to $397 to $497 over three years.

By the Plain Charter editorial team ·

Quick answer

What the state charges
$150
Home-state document?
Yes, needed (60 days, no older)
After registering
$50, annual report
Who to hire
Mainstay Filing, Rhode Island Registered Agent.co then RI Registered Agent.org

Who we'd hire in Rhode Island

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

1. Mainstay Filing: best for one price in any state

$199 plus the state fee, then $149 a year

Start with Mainstay Filing: it charges $199 on top of the state fee and includes the resident agent free for the first year, then $149 a year.

The extra $100 over three years, compared with Rhode Island Registered Agent.co, pays for coverage beyond Rhode Island.

From year two the resident agent costs $149 a year, in any state.

The price covers

  • Registration, filed
  • One price nationwide

Upsides

  • $199 plus state fee
  • One price anywhere

What to weigh

  • Renewal $50 above Rhode Island Registered Agent.co
Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2Local choice

2. Rhode Island Registered Agent.co: best for a lean registration

$199 plus the state fee, then $99 a year

Rhode Island Registered Agent.co ranks second, because it charges $199 plus the state fee, agent included for year one, then $99 a year.

The price covers

  • Your foreign filing
  • Agent included, year one

Upsides

  • Registers for $199
  • Agent renews at $99
  • Agent service, year one

What to weigh

  • Rhode Island only; the home state needs its own agent
Visit Rhode Island Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3Local choice

3. RI Registered Agent.org: best for another local option

$199 plus the state fee, then $99 a year

RI Registered Agent.org ranks third, because it charges $199 plus the state fee, agent included for year one, then $99 a year.

It charges the same as Rhode Island Registered Agent.co; the order between them is a close call.

The price covers

  • Your foreign filing
  • Agent included, year one

Upsides

  • Registers for $199
  • Agent renews at $99
  • Agent service, year one

What to weigh

  • Rhode Island only; the home state needs its own agent
Visit RI Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.

Side-by-side prices

#ServiceFirst yearYear two onThree yearsIncludes
1Mainstay Filing$199$149/yr$497Registration, filed; one price nationwideVisit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2Rhode Island Registered Agent.co$199$99/yr$397your foreign filing; agent included, year oneVisit Rhode Island Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3RI Registered Agent.org$199$99/yr$397your foreign filing; agent included, year oneVisit RI Registered Agent.orgPartner 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.

The plain answers

Who has to register here?

Registration comes before doing business in Rhode Island for any out-of-state LLC.

Unregistered, the LLC faces its own lawsuits are blocked (R.I. Gen. Laws 7-16-54(a)).

docs.sos.ri.gov (October 2026)

What are the fees?

$150 in state fees and $199 for a service.

State fees for three years come to $1,450. docs.sos.ri.gov (October 2026)

Which form, and where does it go?

Just one document: the Application for Registration for a Foreign Limited Liability Company (Form 450), submitted to the Rhode Island Department of State, Business Services Division.

Include certificate of Good Standing or Letter of Status issued within 60 days.

What does staying registered cost?

The annual report, at $50.

When it is due: Between February 1 and May 1.

How was the order decided?

It comes down to what the price takes off your plate, where Mainstay Filing is strongest.

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

With two states in play, a provider for every state made the difference over Rhode Island Registered Agent.co.

Read our criteria

The official requirements

RuleDetailFrom
Application fee$150docs.sos.ri.gov (October 2026)
Good standing proofYes, needed, 60 daysdocs.sos.ri.gov (October 2026)
Annual report$50docs.sos.ri.gov (October 2026)
State minimum tax$400 a yeartax.ri.gov (October 2026)
State fees, first three years$1,450Added up from the above
Every amount links to its official source. The three-year line is our own sum of filing, reports and any minimum tax.

More answers

Do both states need an agent?

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

What is the three-year cost of each?

Mainstay Filing $497, Rhode Island Registered Agent.co $397 and RI Registered Agent.org $397 (service fees only).

Where do these figures come from?

Official Rhode Island sources for state fees, company price pages for service fees.

Do I have to use a service?

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

Will these services file it?

All the picks on this page file it; state fees are identical.

What is the best foreign registration service for Rhode Island?

First Mainstay Filing, then Rhode Island Registered Agent.co and RI Registered Agent.org.

Sources

  1. docs.sos.ri.gov (Rhode Island Department of State, August 2026)
  2. sos.ri.gov (Rhode Island Department of State, August 2026)
  3. webserver.rilegislature.gov (R.I, August 2026)
  4. sos.ri.gov (Rhode Island formation fee: Filing, October 2026)
  5. docs.sos.ri.gov (Rhode Island formation fee: Filing, October 2026)
  6. webserver.rilegislature.gov (Rhode Island registered agent statute, October 2026)
  7. docs.sos.ri.gov (Form 450, Application for Registration, October 2026)
  8. webserver.rilegislature.gov (R.I, October 2026)
  9. webserver.rilegislature.gov (R.I, October 2026)
  10. docs.sos.ri.gov (Form 452, Certificate of Cancellation, October 2026)
  11. tax.ri.gov (Rhode Island other cost, October 2026)
  12. November 12, 2026: Mainstay Filing Rhode Island service page
  13. November 12, 2026: Rhode Island Registered Agent.co pricing page
  14. November 12, 2026: RI Registered Agent.org pricing page