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Formation Facts

What the state wants, and what it costs.

Foreign LLC guide · North Dakota

North Dakota Foreign LLC Registration (2026): What the State Charges and the 3 Best Services

For anyone bringing an out-of-state LLC into the state in North Dakota this year, 2026, we would go with North Dakota Registered Agent.co ($199), Mainstay Filing ($199) and ND Registered Agents.org ($199), in that order. You will pay $135 to get in and $50 on each report. That ranks North Dakota 21st of 50 for foreign LLCs.
Briefing by the Formation Facts team

North Dakota: the quick briefing

21st

of 50 on what a foreign LLC owes the state

States are ranked from lowest to highest. See every state side by side

  • Fee the state takes at registration

    $135

    Per sos.nd.gov, confirmed October 2026

  • Report you must file again

    $50

    Annual report

  • Paper from the home state

    Required

    Include it in the filing

  • What the state collects in 3 years

    $235

    Three years of state fees for a foreign LLC

Who we recommend in North Dakota

You can read the weights on the method page; three-year fees and coverage carry the most.

Best overall

1. North Dakota Registered Agent.co: best for an easy North Dakota registration

You pay $199 in year 1 and $99 in every later year

Why North Dakota Registered Agent.co is first: their fee is $199, and the agent renews at $99.

Cost decides this one, since three years here cost you less than three years with Mainstay Filing.

What your money gets you

  • Prepares and submits your registration
  • A year of agent service

What works

  • $199 above the state fee
  • No agent fee in year 1
  • A $99 renewal

What to weigh

  • No help beyond this state
Visit North Dakota Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.

Works anywhere

2. Mainstay Filing: best for registering in several states

You pay $199 in year 1 and $149 in every later year

Why Mainstay Filing is second: you pay $199 on top of the state fee, your registered agent is free in year 1, and then it is $149 a year.

A $100 gap to North Dakota Registered Agent.co over three years is what keeps it out of first place.

When the free year is over, the agent costs $149 a year, whatever the state.

What your money gets you

  • Prepares your registration and files it
  • Your registered agent for the first year is free
  • A service for all fifty states

What works

  • All fifty states covered
  • Agent service is included in year 1
  • $199 plus the state fee

What to weigh

  • A renewal $50 above North Dakota Registered Agent.co's
Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.

North Dakota only

3. ND Registered Agents.org: best for registering only in North Dakota

You pay $199 in year 1 and $99 in every later year

Last on the list is ND Registered Agents.org, because their fee is $199, and the agent renews at $99.

It ties with North Dakota Registered Agent.co on price.

What your money gets you

  • Prepares and submits your registration
  • A year of agent service

What works

  • A $99 renewal
  • No agent fee in year 1
  • $199 above the state fee

What to weigh

  • No help beyond this state
Visit ND Registered Agents.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.

North Dakota picks in one table

RankWhoYou pay in year 1Then per yearTheir fees across 3 years
1North Dakota Registered Agent.co$199$99/yr$397Visit North Dakota Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2Mainstay Filing$199$149/yr$497Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3ND Registered Agents.org$199$99/yr$397Visit ND Registered Agents.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
All prices come from the companies' own pages, as they stood on November 13, 2026. You will also owe North Dakota's $135 registration fee on every row.

North Dakota foreign LLC calculator

The registration fee is $135, with a $50 report from year 2, and provider fees are added on top.
3 years with North Dakota Registered Agent.co: you pay $235 to the state and $397 to the provider, $632 in all.

How North Dakota compares with the states near it in the ranking

RankStateThree-year foreign LLC fees
19thKansas$205
20thWisconsin$230
21stNorth Dakota$235
22ndNew Jersey$250
23rdLouisiana$255
You will find all fifty rows at Foreign LLC fees by state.

North Dakota foreign LLC registration in 2026

You register by sending the Application for a Certificate of Authority (foreign limited liability company) and $135 to the North Dakota Secretary of State. Include certificate of status, good standing or existence from the home-state filing office.

Once registered, the LLC has to file the annual report ($50), November 15.

Before you file

  • Certificate of status, good standing or existence from the home-state filing office.
  • The legal name of your LLC and the day it was formed.
  • Your own registered agent with a street address in the state, named on the form.
  • Money set aside for the $135 official fee.

What decided the order

North Dakota Registered Agent.co pulled ahead of Mainstay Filing on price over three years, which is weighted 33%.

Cost puts it ahead, at $397 over three years, which is $100 lower than Mainstay Filing.

Common questions

How much will it cost to register my out-of-state LLC with North Dakota?

$135 for the filing itself. Hiring one adds $199.

Which form do I use to register an out-of-state LLC with North Dakota?

Use the Application for a Certificate of Authority (foreign limited liability company) and send it to the North Dakota Secretary of State.

Does the state want a certificate from my home state?

Yes, you need certificate of status, good standing or existence from the home-state filing office.

Will my foreign LLC have to file anything every year?

Yes, you file the annual report and pay $50.

Must I appoint a registered agent when registering in North Dakota?

Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.

Which service should I choose to register a foreign LLC?

Our ranking is North Dakota Registered Agent.co, Mainstay Filing and ND Registered Agents.org.

More for this state

Where this briefing comes from

  1. Want to double-check North Dakota Secretary of State, Business Division? Go to sos.nd.gov, where we confirmed the details in August 2026.
  2. Want to double-check North Dakota Secretary of State, Business Division? Go to sos.nd.gov, where we confirmed the details in August 2026.
  3. Want to double-check North Dakota report due date? Go to ndlegis.gov, where we confirmed the details in August 2026.
  4. Want to double-check North Dakota formation fee: Filing fee, official source? Go to sos.nd.gov, where we confirmed the details in October 2026.
  5. Want to double-check North Dakota registered agent statute? Go to ndlegis.gov, where we confirmed the details in October 2026.
  6. Want to double-check Secretary of State, registered agents? Go to sos.nd.gov, where we confirmed the details in October 2026.
  7. Want to double-check Secretary of State, business services? Go to sos.nd.gov, where we confirmed the details in October 2026.
  8. Want to double-check Kansas Secretary of State, register a business? Go to sos.ks.gov, where we confirmed the details in October 2026.
  9. Want to double-check Form FA, foreign business application? Go to sos.ks.gov, where we confirmed the details in October 2026.
  10. Want to double-check K.S.A. 17-7932, activities that are not doing business? Go to ksrevisor.gov, where we confirmed the details in October 2026.
  11. Want to double-check K.S.A. 17-76,126, effect of failing to register? Go to ksrevisor.gov, where we confirmed the details in October 2026.
  12. Want to double-check Kansas Secretary of State, information reports? Go to sos.ks.gov, where we confirmed the details in October 2026.
  13. Want to double-check DFI Form 521, foreign registration statement for an? Go to dfi.wi.gov, where we confirmed the details in October 2026.
  14. Want to double-check DFI fees? Go to dfi.wi.gov, where we confirmed the details in October 2026.
  15. Want to double-check DFI file online? Go to dfi.wi.gov, where we confirmed the details in October 2026.
  16. Want to double-check Wis? Go to docs.legis.wisconsin.gov, where we confirmed the details in October 2026.
  17. Want to double-check Wis? Go to docs.legis.wisconsin.gov, where we confirmed the details in October 2026.
  18. Want to double-check DFI Form 524, withdrawal of registration? Go to dfi.wi.gov, where we confirmed the details in October 2026.
  19. Want to double-check NJ Division of Revenue, Business Formation service? Go to njportal.com, where we confirmed the details in October 2026.
  20. Want to double-check NJ Division of Revenue, fee schedule? Go to nj.gov, where we confirmed the details in October 2026.
  21. Want to double-check Public Records Filing for New Business Entity? Go to nj.gov, where we confirmed the details in October 2026.
  22. Want to double-check New Jersey Revised Uniform LLC Act? Go to pub.njleg.gov, where we confirmed the details in October 2026.
  23. Want to double-check NJ Annual Reports and Change Services? Go to njportal.com, where we confirmed the details in October 2026.
  24. Want to double-check Louisiana Secretary of State, forms and fee schedule? Go to sos.la.gov, where we confirmed the details in October 2026.
  25. Want to double-check Form 972, foreign LLC application? Go to sos.la.gov, where we confirmed the details in October 2026.
  26. Want to double-check Fee schedule effective October 1, 2026? Go to static.sos.la.gov, where we confirmed the details in October 2026.
  27. Want to double-check R.S. 12:1345, application for authority? Go to legis.la.gov, where we confirmed the details in October 2026.
  28. Want to double-check R.S. 12:1354, effect of failing to obtain authority? Go to legis.la.gov, where we confirmed the details in October 2026.
  29. Want to double-check R.S. 12:1350, registered agent? Go to legis.la.gov, where we confirmed the details in October 2026.
  30. Pricing page for North Dakota Registered Agent.co was confirmed on the company site on November 13, 2026
  31. North Dakota service page for Mainstay Filing was confirmed on the company site on November 13, 2026
  32. Pricing page for ND Registered Agents.org was confirmed on the company site on November 13, 2026