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Plain CharterLLC questions, short answers.

Term

What is a foreign registration?

Getting permission from a second state for an LLC that already exists. Also known as foreign qualification.

By the Plain Charter editorial team ·

Key points

Also known as
Foreign qualification or certificate of authority

Why it matters

The filing is usually short; the planning is in the recurring costs.

What the states say

Registration fees run from $50 in Michigan to $750 in Texas. All 50 states.

Where to go next

Read it in context: LLC requirements by state, Registered agent rules by state, Foreign LLC rules by state.

Sources for this page

  1. LARA Corporations Division, October 2026 (michigan.gov)
  2. LARA limited liability company forms, October 2026 (michigan.gov)
  3. MCL 450.5002, certificate of authority, October 2026 (legislature.mi.gov)
  4. MCL 450.5008, activities that are, October 2026 (legislature.mi.gov)
  5. MCL 450.5007, consequences of transacting, October 2026 (legislature.mi.gov)
  6. LARA annual reports and annual, October 2026 (michigan.gov)
  7. Texas Secretary of State, foreign, October 2026 (sos.state.tx.us)
  8. Form 304 instructions, October 2026 (sos.state.tx.us)
  9. Fee schedule, Form 806, October 2026 (sos.texas.gov)
  10. Business Organizations Code, Chapter 9, October 2026 (statutes.capitol.texas.gov)
  11. Texas Comptroller, franchise tax, October 2026 (comptroller.texas.gov)