Class 3 · Delaware
Foreign LLC Registration in Delaware (2026): a 5-Step Lesson and the 3 Best Services
This lesson at a glance
In this lesson
- Who has to register
- How the filing works
- What it costs to stay registered
- Our graded picks and the reasoning
Who we would hire in Delaware
1. Mainstay Filing: best for companies adding a state
Mainstay Filing gets our top grade for Delaware: $199 beyond the state fee, with the registered agent free in year one and $149 a year afterward.
Three years here cost $100 more than DE Registered Agent.org, in return for doing more of the work.
Agent service beyond the first year is $149 a year.
What the price covers
- The registration filing
- The registered agent costs nothing in year one
- All fifty states
Marks in its favor
- Covers all fifty states
- $199 plus the state fee
- Year-one agent included
Where it loses points
- A bigger agent renewal ($149)
2. DE Registered Agent.org: best for one extra state
DE Registered Agent.org is a sound second choice because $199 added to the state fee, with the agent covered in year one, then $99 a year.
What the price covers
- The filing is done for you
- One year of agent service
Marks in its favor
- $199 to register
- A year of agent service is included
- $99 yearly from year two
Where it loses points
- No help in other states
3. Delaware Registered Agent.ai: best for Delaware registrations
Delaware Registered Agent.ai is a sound third choice because $199 added to the state fee, with the agent covered in year one, then $99 a year.
DE Registered Agent.org and this service charge the same.
What the price covers
- The filing is done for you
- One year of agent service
Marks in its favor
- $99 yearly from year two
- A year of agent service is included
- $199 to register
Where it loses points
- No help in other states
The grades and prices at a glance
| # | Service | First year | From year two | Three-year total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mainstay Filing | $199 | $149/yr | $497 | Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 2 | DE Registered Agent.org | $199 | $99/yr | $397 | Visit DE Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 3 | Delaware Registered Agent.ai | $199 | $99/yr | $397 | Visit Delaware Registered Agent.aiPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
The lesson, step by step
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Step
1Decide whether Delaware registration is required
A foreign LLC is simply one formed in another state, and it registers before doing business in Delaware. Operating unregistered means: A suit started by an unregistered LLC will not be heard there (6 Del. C. 18-907(a)). Signed contracts keep their force (6 Del. C. 18-907(b)).
Where this comes from: Class notes: corp.delaware.gov (October 2026)
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Step
2Obtain your home state's certificate
Order certificate of existence from the jurisdiction of formation, dated within 180 days.
Time the order so the certificate is recent at filing.
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Step
3Line up a Delaware registered agent
Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address. The address has to be a registered office in Delaware. An entity agent keeps a business office there that is generally open; an individual agent has to be generally present there. A virtual office or mail-forwarding service alone does not qualify.
Each of our picks includes the registered agent.
Where this comes from: Class notes: delcode.delaware.gov (October 2026)
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Step
4Fill out and file the Certificate of Registration of a Foreign Limited Liability Company
That filing is the registration, and the state charges $200 for it.
Where this comes from: Class notes: delcode.delaware.gov (October 2026)
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Step
5Plan for the recurring filing
What recurs is the Annual LLC tax, $400, June 1.
What each step costs in Delaware
| Step | Payee | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Filing to register | State office | $200 |
| Annual LLC tax | State office | $400 |
| Optional service | Your service | $199 in the first year |
| Three years of state fees | State office | $1,000 |
Why Mainstay Filing comes first
edged ahead of on homework the price handles, which counts for 33%.
DE Registered Agent.org has the lower renewal, yet covering several states counted for more.
Common questions
What will I pay to get an out-of-state LLC registered with Delaware?
$200 in state fees. Our picks add $199.
Which form do I file to register?
The Delaware Department of State, Division of Corporations accepts it for foreign registration.
Do I need a certificate from my home state?
Yes: certificate of existence from the jurisdiction of formation, issued within 180 days of filing.
What if the LLC does business there without registering?
A suit started by an unregistered LLC will not be heard there (6 Del. C. 18-907(a)). Signed contracts keep their force (6 Del. C. 18-907(b)).
What is due after registering?
Step 5 covers it: the Annual LLC tax for $400.
Which service should handle the registration?
Mainstay Filing: it files the Delaware registration for $199 plus the state fee and covers the first agent year. Then come DE Registered Agent.org and Delaware Registered Agent.ai.
Class references
- Want to see Delaware yearly filing: Recurring obligation, official source for yourself? Open corp.delaware.gov. We confirmed that page in October 2026 before writing the lesson.
- Want to see Delaware yearly filing: Recurring obligation, official source for yourself? Open corp.delaware.gov. We confirmed that page in October 2026 before writing the lesson.
- Want to see Delaware yearly filing: HB 400, official source for yourself? Open legis.delaware.gov. We confirmed that page in October 2026 before writing the lesson.
- Want to see Delaware report due date for yourself? Open delcode.delaware.gov. We confirmed that page in August 2026 before writing the lesson.
- Want to see 6 Del for yourself? Open delcode.delaware.gov. We confirmed that page in August 2026 before writing the lesson.
- Want to see Delaware registered agent statute for yourself? Open delcode.delaware.gov. We confirmed that page in October 2026 before writing the lesson.
- Want to see Foreign LLC registration form for yourself? Open corpfiles.delaware.gov. We confirmed that page in October 2026 before writing the lesson.
- Want to see Delaware Code Title 6, chapter 18, subchapter IX for yourself? Open delcode.delaware.gov. We confirmed that page in October 2026 before writing the lesson.
- Want to see Division of Corporations fee schedule, August 2026 for yourself? Open corpfiles.delaware.gov. We confirmed that page in October 2026 before writing the lesson.
- November 13, 2026: the Delaware service page for Mainstay Filing
- November 13, 2026: the pricing page for DE Registered Agent.org
- November 13, 2026: the pricing page for Delaware Registered Agent.ai