California state charges, charted
50th
of 50 when registration and reports are added up
Charge to register
$70
Recurring report
$20
Statement of Information, Form LLC-12
Proof of good standing
180 days
It has to be this fresh
Tax owed each year
$800
State total, years 1 to 3
$2,490
Registration fee, then reports for years 2 and 3, together with a tax billed annually
Our California chart of providers
The order follows five criteria described in the
method: three-year provider charges (36%), filings covered (24%), renewal price, match to California rules and fee labeling.
Best route
1. Mainstay Filing: best for one price whichever state you add
$199 plus the state fee, then the agent at $149 per year
Spot one goes to Mainstay Filing: registering costs $199 plus state fees, and the agent for service of process is free during year one.
Across three years it runs $100 above CA Registered Agent.org; with coverage weighted 24%, the extra filings it takes on more than cover the difference.
Year two brings an agent charge of $149 per year, whichever state it is.
Price covers
- Registration papers drawn up and filed for you
- Same fee wherever you file
Upside
- A $199 service charge
- All fifty states covered
Downside
- Agent renewal of $149, $50 above CA Registered Agent.org
Local to California
2. CA Registered Agent.org: best for a single extra state
$199 plus the state fee, then the agent at $99 per year
Just behind comes CA Registered Agent.org, where registering costs $199 plus state fees, and the agent is covered in year one.
Price covers
- Registration written up and sent in
- A year of agent service
Upside
- Year-one agent duty is included
- $99 yearly from year two
- $199 plus the state fee
Downside
- A separate agent is needed at home
Local to California
3. California Registered Agent.ai: best for registering with California alone
$199 plus the state fee, then the agent at $99 per year
Just behind comes California Registered Agent.ai, where registering costs $199 plus state fees, and the agent is covered in year one.
CA Registered Agent.org and this provider publish the same prices.
Price covers
- Registration written up and sent in
- A year of agent service
Upside
- $199 plus the state fee
- $99 yearly from year two
- Year-one agent duty is included
Downside
- A separate agent is needed at home
The 3 providers compared
Company price pages, seen November 12, 2026. The state's $70 is not counted in this table.
Foreign LLC budget
The registration fee is $70, with the $20 report from year two; each provider's prices go on top.
California and the states beside it on the chart
Bringing a foreign LLC into California
The route in is the Application to Register a Foreign Limited Liability Company (LLC) (Form LLC-5), delivered to the California Secretary of State, Business Entities with $70. The application is not complete without certificate of good standing (existence or status) from the home state, issued no more than 180 days.
On a recurring basis it files the Statement of Information, Form LLC-12 ($20), within 90 days of registering, then every 2 years. Taxes: $800 a year minimum LLC tax to the Franchise Tax Board (Form FTB 3522), separate from the Statement of Information.
Checklist before you file
- Certificate of good standing (existence or status) from the home state, no older than 180 days.
- Exact legal name and formation date from the home state.
- An agent for service of process located in the state, which every pick provides.
- Means of paying the $70 official fee.
Working unregistered: the risks
Registration must come first if the LLC wants to sue there (Corp. Code 17708.07(a)).
Why Mainstay Filing leads
Mainstay Filing wins on requirements handled, worth 24% of the total; CA Registered Agent.org follows.
A foreign LLC already has a home state, so a provider that covers both scored best.
California: your questions
What does California charge a foreign LLC to register?
$70 paid to the state. Providers here charge $199 extra.
Which form does a foreign LLC file with California?
The form is the Application to Register a Foreign Limited Liability Company (LLC) (Form LLC-5), and it goes to the California Secretary of State, Business Entities.
Does the filing need a certificate from the home state?
Yes: certificate of good standing (existence or status) from the home state, dated within 180 days of filing.
Does a foreign LLC have a yearly obligation?
A yearly filing applies, namely the Statement of Information, Form LLC-12, which costs $20.
What happens if the LLC does business there without registering?
Registration must come first if the LLC wants to sue there (Corp. Code 17708.07(a)).
Must a foreign LLC name an agent for service of process for California?
Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
Which provider should register my foreign LLC?
Mainstay Filing, CA Registered Agent.org and California Registered Agent.ai, as ranked.
Where each number comes from
- Seen August 2026 regarding California Secretary of State: sos.ca.gov
- Seen August 2026 regarding California Secretary of State: bpd.cdn.sos.ca.gov
- Seen October 2026 regarding California yearly filing: Statement of Information, official source: sos.ca.gov
- Seen August 2026 regarding Cal: leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
- Seen October 2026 regarding California registered agent statute: leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
- Seen October 2026 regarding California Secretary of State, foreign LLC forms: sos.ca.gov
- Seen October 2026 regarding Form LLC-5: bpd.cdn.sos.ca.gov
- Seen October 2026 regarding Corporations Code section 17708.03: leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
- Seen October 2026 regarding Revenue and Taxation Code section 19135: leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
- Seen October 2026 regarding Franchise Tax Board, LLC filing requirements: ftb.ca.gov
- Seen November 2026 regarding California Corporations Code 17708.07: leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
- Seen October 2026 regarding California other cost: Annual LLC tax: amount and: ftb.ca.gov
- Seen October 2026 regarding Tennessee Secretary of State, business forms and fees: sos.tn.gov
- Seen October 2026 regarding Form SS-4233, Certificate of Authority for a foreign: sos-prod.tnsosgovfiles.com
- Seen October 2026 regarding Tennessee Secretary of State, business FAQs: sos.tn.gov
- Seen October 2026 regarding Form SS-4241, withdrawal or cancellation: sos-prod.tnsosgovfiles.com
- Seen October 2026 regarding Tennessee Revised LLC Act, Public Chapter 286: publications.tnsosfiles.com
- Seen October 2026 regarding Foreign LLC registration form: corpfiles.delaware.gov
- Seen October 2026 regarding Delaware Code Title 6, chapter 18, subchapter IX: delcode.delaware.gov
- Seen October 2026 regarding Delaware Code Title 6, chapter 18, subchapter XI: delcode.delaware.gov
- Seen October 2026 regarding Division of Corporations fee schedule, August 2026: corpfiles.delaware.gov
- Seen October 2026 regarding Alternative entity annual tax instructions: corp.delaware.gov
- Seen October 2026 regarding Form 450, Application for Registration: docs.sos.ri.gov
- Seen October 2026 regarding Business Services fee schedule: docs.sos.ri.gov
- Seen October 2026 regarding R.I: webserver.rilegislature.gov
- Seen October 2026 regarding R.I: webserver.rilegislature.gov
- Seen October 2026 regarding Form 452, Certificate of Cancellation: docs.sos.ri.gov
- Seen October 2026 regarding Rhode Island other cost: tax.ri.gov
- Seen October 2026 regarding Massachusetts Corporations Division, foreign LLC page: sec.state.ma.us
- Seen October 2026 regarding Corporations Division fee schedule: sec.state.ma.us
- Seen October 2026 regarding G.L. c. 156C § 48, foreign LLC registration: malegislature.gov
- Seen October 2026 regarding G.L. c. 156C § 54, failure to register: malegislature.gov
- Seen October 2026 regarding G.L. c. 156D § 15.01, transacting business: malegislature.gov
- Seen October 2026 regarding 950 CMR 112.00, limited liability companies: sec.state.ma.us
- On November 12, 2026 Mainstay Filing showed this California service page
- On November 12, 2026 CA Registered Agent.org showed this pricing page
- On November 12, 2026 California Registered Agent.ai showed this pricing page