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Foreign LLC guide · Delaware

Delaware Foreign LLC Fees (2026) and the 3 Best Registration Services

On our 2026 map for a foreign LLC registration in Delaware, the order of preference is Mainstay Filing ($199), Delaware Registered Agent.ai ($199) and DE Registered Agent.org ($199). Entering Delaware as a foreign LLC costs $200 up front and $400 for each report afterward; three-year state fees place it 47th of 50.
Charted by the State Biz Facts team

Where Delaware stands on fees

47th

on the foreign registration map, of 50

Small numbers mark small bills. All states side by side

  • Charge to register

    $200

    delcode.delaware.gov (seen October 2026)

  • Recurring report

    $400

    Annual LLC tax

  • Proof of good standing

    180 days

    Oldest the certificate can be

  • State total, years 1 to 3

    $1,000

    The first filing and the years that follow

Delaware: the ranked providers

Five weighted criteria set the order; three-year provider charges and filings covered carry the most (see the method).

Top of the chart

1. Mainstay Filing: best for one price whichever state you add

$199 plus $200 to the state; $149/yr later

Start with Mainstay Filing, where $199 on top of Delaware's fee, then the agent at $149 each year from year two.

Set against Delaware Registered Agent.ai, the three-year provider bill is $100 larger, with more filings done for you.

Year two brings an agent charge of $149 per year, whichever state it is.

Price covers

  • Registration papers drawn up and filed for you
  • First-year registered agent service carries no fee
  • Active in every state on the map

Upside

  • One fee, anywhere on the map
  • Year-one agent duty is included
  • $199 plus the state fee

Downside

  • Renewal $50 higher than Delaware Registered Agent.ai's
Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.

Rooted in Delaware

2. Delaware Registered Agent.ai: best for a small yearly agent charge

$199 plus $200 to the state; $99/yr later

Just behind comes Delaware Registered Agent.ai, where $199 above the state fee to register, then $99 each year.

Price covers

  • The state filing for foreign LLCs
  • A year of agent service

Upside

  • No agent charge during year one
  • $199 to register
  • A $99 renewal

Downside

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

Rooted in Delaware

3. DE Registered Agent.org: best for a smaller agent renewal

$199 plus $200 to the state; $99/yr later

Just behind comes DE Registered Agent.org, where $199 above the state fee to register, then $99 each year.

Prices match Delaware Registered Agent.ai's exactly, so the two sit next to each other on the chart.

Price covers

  • The state filing for foreign LLCs
  • A year of agent service

Upside

  • No agent charge during year one
  • $199 to register
  • A $99 renewal

Downside

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

The ranking as figures

OrderProviderYear 1Year 2 and onProvider charges, 3 years
1Mainstay Filing$199$149/yr$497Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2Delaware Registered Agent.ai$199$99/yr$397Visit Delaware Registered Agent.aiPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3DE Registered Agent.org$199$99/yr$397Visit DE Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Company price pages, seen November 12, 2026. The $200 state fee is not part of any row.

Foreign LLC budget

The registration fee is $200, with the $400 report from year two; each provider's prices go on top.
3 years with Mainstay Filing cost $1,497 in all: $1,000 state, $497 provider.

Delaware and the states beside it on the chart

SpotStateThree-year foreign LLC fees
45thSouth Dakota$860
46thTennessee$900
47thDelaware$1,000
48thRhode Island$1,450
49thMassachusetts$1,500
The full chart measures all fifty states the same way.

How Delaware registers outside LLCs (2026)

The route in is the Certificate of Registration of a Foreign Limited Liability Company, delivered to the Delaware Department of State, Division of Corporations with $200. Include certificate of existence from the jurisdiction of formation, not older than 180 days.

From then on it files the Annual LLC tax ($400), June 1.

Gather before filing

  • Certificate of existence from the jurisdiction of formation, not more than 180 days.
  • Home state record: legal name and formation date.
  • A registered agent based in the state (all our picks offer this).
  • Budget for the $200 filing fee.

The price of not registering

An unregistered LLC cannot sue in the state's courts (6 Del. C. 18-907(a)). Its contracts stay valid (6 Del. C. 18-907(b)).

Basis for the order

Mainstay Filing pulled ahead of Delaware Registered Agent.ai on requirements handled, weighted 24%.

Registering here means two states, and one provider for both beat Delaware Registered Agent.ai.

Delaware: your questions

What does Delaware charge a foreign LLC to register?

$200 at the state office. Our picks add $199.

Which form does a foreign LLC file with Delaware?

The form is the Certificate of Registration of a Foreign Limited Liability Company, and it goes to the Delaware Department of State, Division of Corporations.

Does the filing need a certificate from the home state?

Yes: certificate of existence from the jurisdiction of formation, dated within 180 days of filing.

Does a foreign LLC have a yearly obligation?

A yearly filing applies, namely the Annual LLC tax, which costs $400.

What happens if the LLC does business there without registering?

An unregistered LLC cannot sue in the state's courts (6 Del. C. 18-907(a)). Its contracts stay valid (6 Del. C. 18-907(b)).

Must a foreign LLC name a registered agent for Delaware?

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

Which provider should register my foreign LLC?

Start with Mainstay Filing (registering costs $199 plus state fees, and the registered agent is free during year one); Delaware Registered Agent.ai and DE Registered Agent.org follow.

More from this state

Where each number comes from

  1. Seen October 2026 regarding Delaware yearly filing: Recurring obligation, official source: corp.delaware.gov
  2. Seen October 2026 regarding Delaware yearly filing: Recurring obligation, official source: corp.delaware.gov
  3. Seen October 2026 regarding Delaware yearly filing: HB 400, official source: legis.delaware.gov
  4. Seen August 2026 regarding Delaware report due date: delcode.delaware.gov
  5. Seen August 2026 regarding 6 Del: delcode.delaware.gov
  6. Seen October 2026 regarding Delaware registered agent statute: delcode.delaware.gov
  7. Seen October 2026 regarding Foreign LLC registration form: corpfiles.delaware.gov
  8. Seen October 2026 regarding Delaware Code Title 6, chapter 18, subchapter IX: delcode.delaware.gov
  9. Seen October 2026 regarding Division of Corporations fee schedule, August 2026: corpfiles.delaware.gov
  10. Seen October 2026 regarding South Dakota Secretary of State, business services: sdsos.gov
  11. Seen October 2026 regarding Filing fee schedule: sdsos.gov
  12. Seen October 2026 regarding Foreign LLC application for Certificate of Authority: sdsos.gov
  13. Seen October 2026 regarding SDCL 47-34A-1003, transacting business: sdlegislature.gov
  14. Seen October 2026 regarding SDCL 47-34A-1008, effect of not registering: sdlegislature.gov
  15. Seen October 2026 regarding Tennessee Secretary of State, business forms and fees: sos.tn.gov
  16. Seen October 2026 regarding Form SS-4233, Certificate of Authority for a foreign: sos-prod.tnsosgovfiles.com
  17. Seen October 2026 regarding Tennessee Secretary of State, business FAQs: sos.tn.gov
  18. Seen October 2026 regarding Form SS-4241, withdrawal or cancellation: sos-prod.tnsosgovfiles.com
  19. Seen October 2026 regarding Tennessee Revised LLC Act, Public Chapter 286: publications.tnsosfiles.com
  20. Seen October 2026 regarding Form 450, Application for Registration: docs.sos.ri.gov
  21. Seen October 2026 regarding Business Services fee schedule: docs.sos.ri.gov
  22. Seen October 2026 regarding R.I: webserver.rilegislature.gov
  23. Seen October 2026 regarding R.I: webserver.rilegislature.gov
  24. Seen October 2026 regarding Form 452, Certificate of Cancellation: docs.sos.ri.gov
  25. Seen October 2026 regarding Rhode Island other cost: tax.ri.gov
  26. Seen October 2026 regarding Massachusetts Corporations Division, foreign LLC page: sec.state.ma.us
  27. Seen October 2026 regarding Corporations Division fee schedule: sec.state.ma.us
  28. Seen October 2026 regarding G.L. c. 156C § 48, foreign LLC registration: malegislature.gov
  29. Seen October 2026 regarding G.L. c. 156C § 54, failure to register: malegislature.gov
  30. Seen October 2026 regarding G.L. c. 156D § 15.01, transacting business: malegislature.gov
  31. Seen October 2026 regarding 950 CMR 112.00, limited liability companies: sec.state.ma.us
  32. Delaware service page from Mainstay Filing (company page, November 12, 2026)
  33. Pricing page from Delaware Registered Agent.ai (company page, November 12, 2026)
  34. Pricing page from DE Registered Agent.org (company page, November 12, 2026)