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Formation Facts

What the state wants, and what it costs.

Foreign LLC guide · Wisconsin

Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin this year, 2026, we would go with WI Registered Agent.org ($199), Mainstay Filing ($199) and Wisconsin Registered Agent.co ($199), in that order. To register an out-of-state LLC in Wisconsin you pay $100 to the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, Division of Corporate and Consumer Services and then $65 with each report. Over three years that ranks 20th of 50.
Briefing by the Formation Facts team

What to know about Wisconsin

20th

of 50 on what a foreign LLC owes the state

A rank of 1 means the lowest bill. Go to the national comparison

  • Fee the state takes at registration

    $100

    dfi.wi.gov (last confirmed October 2026)

  • Report you must file again

    $65

    Annual report

  • What the state collects in 3 years

    $230

    Registration in year 1, reports in years 2 and 3

Wisconsin ranking

In order of weight: three-year fees, coverage, renewal terms, fit with Wisconsin, a clear state fee (method).

Best overall

1. WI Registered Agent.org: best for a small yearly agent price

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

We start with WI Registered Agent.org, and the reason is simple: you pay $199 plus the state fee, and your first agent year is included, then $99 a year for the agent.

Its three-year fees are lower than Mainstay Filing's, and cost is 33% of our score, the biggest weight we use.

What your money gets you

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

What works

  • $99 a year for the agent afterward
  • $199 plus the state fee
  • A year of agent service is in the price

What to weigh

  • Wisconsin only; your home state needs its own agent
Visit WI Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.

Nationwide

2. Mainstay Filing: best for adding a second state

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

Mainstay Filing takes second place because $199 plus state fees covers the registration, and the registered agent costs nothing in year 1.

A $100 gap to WI Registered Agent.org over three years is what keeps it out of first place.

In year 2 you start paying $149 a year for the agent in any state.

What your money gets you

  • Prepares your registration and files it
  • Your registered agent for the first year is free
  • One price wherever you file

What works

  • The same price in every state
  • You pay no agent fee in the first year
  • $199 to register

What to weigh

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

Home-state option

3. Wisconsin Registered Agent.co: best for a smaller agent renewal

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

Wisconsin Registered Agent.co takes third place because you pay $199 plus the state fee, and your first agent year is included, then $99 a year for the agent.

It ties with WI Registered Agent.org on price.

What your money gets you

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

What works

  • A year of agent service is in the price
  • $199 plus the state fee
  • $99 a year for the agent afterward

What to weigh

  • Wisconsin only; your home state needs its own agent
Visit Wisconsin Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.

Prices side by side

RankWhoYou pay in year 1Then per yearTheir fees across 3 years
1WI Registered Agent.org$199$99/yr$397Visit WI Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2Mainstay Filing$199$149/yr$497Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3Wisconsin Registered Agent.co$199$99/yr$397Visit Wisconsin Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
These are the prices each company showed on November 13, 2026. Remember to add the $100 state fee to each row.

Registration cost calculator

The registration fee is $100, with a $65 report from year 2, and provider fees are added on top.
3 years with WI Registered Agent.org: you pay $230 to the state and $397 to the provider, $627 in all.

How Wisconsin compares with the states near it in the ranking

RankStateThree-year foreign LLC fees
17thWest Virginia$200
19thKansas$205
20thWisconsin$230
21stNorth Dakota$235
22ndNew Jersey$250
Foreign LLC fees by state lines up every state, starting with the lowest cost.

Filing in Wisconsin for an LLC formed elsewhere

To get your out-of-state LLC registered, deliver the Foreign Registration Statement, Limited Liability Company (Form 521) to the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, Division of Corporate and Consumer Services with $100.

After you register, you must file the annual report ($65), March 31.

What to have ready

  • Your LLC's legal name and formation date in the home state.
  • A name for the registered agent with a street address in this state, which every provider on this page can supply.
  • A method for paying the $100 registration fee.

The consequences of staying unregistered

What your LLC signed can still be enforced (Wis. Stat. 183.0902(3)).

What decided the order

WI Registered Agent.org wins on price over three years, which counts 33%, and Mainstay Filing is next.

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

Quick answers

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

$100 as the official fee. Provider fees are $199.

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

Use the Foreign Registration Statement, Limited Liability Company (Form 521) and send it to the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, Division of Corporate and Consumer Services.

Will my foreign LLC have to file anything every year?

Yes, you file the annual report and pay $65.

What happens if my LLC does business there without registering?

What your LLC signed can still be enforced (Wis. Stat. 183.0902(3)).

Must I appoint a registered agent when registering in Wisconsin?

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

Which service should I choose to register a foreign LLC?

Start with WI Registered Agent.org: it registers you in Wisconsin for $199 and includes a year of agent service; the agent then costs $99 a year. Then look at Mainstay Filing and Wisconsin Registered Agent.co.

You may also want

Where this briefing comes from

  1. Our figures on Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, Division of Corporate come from dfi.wi.gov. The last time we confirmed that page was August 2026.
  2. Our figures on Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, Division of Corporate come from dfi.wi.gov. The last time we confirmed that page was August 2026.
  3. Our figures on Wisconsin report due date come from docs.legis.wisconsin.gov. The last time we confirmed that page was August 2026.
  4. Our figures on Wis come from dfi.wi.gov. The last time we confirmed that page was August 2026.
  5. Our figures on Wisconsin formation fee: Filing fee, official source come from dfi.wi.gov. The last time we confirmed that page was October 2026.
  6. Our figures on Wisconsin registered agent statute come from docs.legis.wisconsin.gov. The last time we confirmed that page was October 2026.
  7. Our figures on DFI Form 521, foreign registration statement for an come from dfi.wi.gov. The last time we confirmed that page was October 2026.
  8. Our figures on DFI file online come from dfi.wi.gov. The last time we confirmed that page was October 2026.
  9. Our figures on Wis come from docs.legis.wisconsin.gov. The last time we confirmed that page was October 2026.
  10. Our figures on DFI Form 524, withdrawal of registration come from dfi.wi.gov. The last time we confirmed that page was October 2026.
  11. Our figures on Wis come from docs.legis.wisconsin.gov. The last time we confirmed that page was November 2026.
  12. Our figures on West Virginia SOS, register an out-of-state business come from sos.wv.gov. The last time we confirmed that page was October 2026.
  13. Our figures on Form LLF-1, application for certificate of authority come from sos.wv.gov. The last time we confirmed that page was October 2026.
  14. Our figures on W come from code.wvlegislature.gov. The last time we confirmed that page was October 2026.
  15. Our figures on W come from code.wvlegislature.gov. The last time we confirmed that page was October 2026.
  16. Our figures on W come from code.wvlegislature.gov. The last time we confirmed that page was October 2026.
  17. Our figures on West Virginia SOS, cancel or withdraw a foreign come from sos.wv.gov. The last time we confirmed that page was October 2026.
  18. Our figures on Kansas Secretary of State, register a business come from sos.ks.gov. The last time we confirmed that page was October 2026.
  19. Our figures on Form FA, foreign business application come from sos.ks.gov. The last time we confirmed that page was October 2026.
  20. Our figures on K.S.A. 17-7932, activities that are not doing business come from ksrevisor.gov. The last time we confirmed that page was October 2026.
  21. Our figures on K.S.A. 17-76,126, effect of failing to register come from ksrevisor.gov. The last time we confirmed that page was October 2026.
  22. Our figures on Kansas Secretary of State, information reports come from sos.ks.gov. The last time we confirmed that page was October 2026.
  23. Our figures on North Dakota Secretary of State, limited liability companies come from sos.nd.gov. The last time we confirmed that page was October 2026.
  24. Our figures on NDCC Chapter 10-32.1 come from ndlegis.gov. The last time we confirmed that page was October 2026.
  25. Our figures on Secretary of State, registered agents come from sos.nd.gov. The last time we confirmed that page was October 2026.
  26. Our figures on Secretary of State, business services come from sos.nd.gov. The last time we confirmed that page was October 2026.
  27. Our figures on NJ Division of Revenue, Business Formation service come from njportal.com. The last time we confirmed that page was October 2026.
  28. Our figures on NJ Division of Revenue, fee schedule come from nj.gov. The last time we confirmed that page was October 2026.
  29. Our figures on Public Records Filing for New Business Entity come from nj.gov. The last time we confirmed that page was October 2026.
  30. Our figures on New Jersey Revised Uniform LLC Act come from pub.njleg.gov. The last time we confirmed that page was October 2026.
  31. Our figures on NJ Annual Reports and Change Services come from njportal.com. The last time we confirmed that page was October 2026.
  32. Pricing page for WI Registered Agent.org was confirmed on the company site on November 13, 2026
  33. Wisconsin service page for Mainstay Filing was confirmed on the company site on November 13, 2026
  34. Pricing page for Wisconsin Registered Agent.co was confirmed on the company site on November 13, 2026