Lesson 3 · Hawaii
Foreign LLC Registration in Hawaii (2026): a 5-Step Lesson and the 3 Best Services
This lesson at a glance
Lesson goals
- When registration is required
- How the filing works
- What it costs to stay registered
- The services we recommend
If you would like help with the filing
1. Mainstay Filing: best for expanding LLCs
First in the class in Hawaii is Mainstay Filing: a $199 fee for the work plus Hawaii's own fee, then $149 a year for the agent.
Over three years it costs $100 more than HI Registered Agent.org, but the grade rewards the extra steps it takes care of.
From year two the agent is $149 a year, wherever you register.
What the price covers
- Registration filed for you
- The registered agent costs nothing in year one
- One fee in every state
Marks in its favor
- No agent fee in year one
- One price anywhere
- $199 plus the state fee
Where it loses points
- HI Registered Agent.org's agent costs $50 less each renewal
2. HI Registered Agent.org: best for one extra state
Taking second place is HI Registered Agent.org, where registering costs $199 plus state fees, and year one of the agent is covered.
What the price covers
- The filing is done for you
- One year of agent service
Marks in its favor
- Then $99 a year
- A free first agent year
- A service fee of $199
Where it loses points
- A one-state service
3. Hawaii Registered Agent.co: best for a low agent renewal
Taking third place is Hawaii Registered Agent.co, where registering costs $199 plus state fees, and year one of the agent is covered.
On price it is level with HI Registered Agent.org.
What the price covers
- The filing is done for you
- One year of agent service
Marks in its favor
- Then $99 a year
- A service fee of $199
- A free first agent year
Where it loses points
- A one-state service
Compare the picks
| # | 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 | HI Registered Agent.org | $199 | $99/yr | $397 | Visit HI Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 3 | Hawaii Registered Agent.co | $199 | $99/yr | $397 | Visit Hawaii Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
Registering in Hawaii, one step at a time
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Step
1Know when registration is needed
An LLC formed in another state registers in Hawaii before it does business there. Without registration: Before it registers, the LLC may not bring a lawsuit in Hawaii courts (HRS 414-432(a); 428-1008(a)). Its agreements are not voided (HRS 414-432(e); 428-1008(b)). The state also collects back fees.
Where this comes from: Look it up at cca.hawaii.gov; last checked October 2026
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Step
2Request proof of good standing from home
The filing needs original certificate of existence from the jurisdiction of formation, dated within 60 days.
Time the order so the certificate is recent at filing.
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Step
3Appoint a registered agent in Hawaii
Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address. The address has to be a place of business with a street address in Hawaii. P.O. boxes are not accepted.
Our graded picks all serve as the registered agent.
Where this comes from: Look it up at capitol.hawaii.gov; last checked October 2026
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Step
4Fill out and file the Application for Certificate of Authority for Foreign Limited Liability Company
Registering means giving the Application for Certificate of Authority for Foreign Limited Liability Company (Form FLLC-1) to the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), Business Registration Division together with $51.
Where this comes from: Look it up at cca.hawaii.gov; last checked October 2026
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Step
5Keep the registration active
Once registered, file the annual report for $12.50, end of the quarter in which the LLC was registered.
The cost of this lesson
| What | Payee | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Registering the LLC | Paid to the state | $51 |
| Annual report | Paid to the state | $12.50 |
| Optional service | The service | $199 in the first year |
| State fees, years one to three | Paid to the state | $76 |
Why this order
edged ahead of on homework the price handles, which counts for 33%.
HI Registered Agent.org has the lower renewal, yet covering several states counted for more.
Short answers
What does Hawaii charge for registering a foreign LLC?
$51 in state fees. Service fees: $199.
Which form do I file to register?
The Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), Business Registration Division accepts it for foreign registration.
Do I need a certificate from my home state?
Yes: original certificate of existence from the jurisdiction of formation, issued within 60 days of filing.
What if the LLC does business there without registering?
Before it registers, the LLC may not bring a lawsuit in Hawaii courts (HRS 414-432(a); 428-1008(a)). Its agreements are not voided (HRS 414-432(e); 428-1008(b)). The state also collects back fees.
What is due after registering?
Keep the registration alive by filing the annual report; the fee is $12.50.
Which service should handle the registration?
We would pick Mainstay Filing, because you pay $199 plus state fees to register, and the first year with a registered agent is free. After that, HI Registered Agent.org and Hawaii Registered Agent.co.
Class references
- Hawaii DCCA Business Registration Division release of July is covered in the official page at cca.hawaii.gov; our notes follow it as of October 2026.
- Hawaii yearly filing: Annual report: fee, official source is covered in the official page at files.hawaii.gov; our notes follow it as of October 2026.
- Hawaii formation fee: Filing fee, official source is covered in the official page at cca.hawaii.gov; our notes follow it as of October 2026.
- Hawaii formation fee: Filing fee, official source is covered in the official page at cca.hawaii.gov; our notes follow it as of October 2026.
- Hawaii registered agent statute is covered in the official page at capitol.hawaii.gov; our notes follow it as of October 2026.
- Hawaii DCCA, foreign LLC registration is covered in the official page at cca.hawaii.gov; our notes follow it as of October 2026.
- Form FLLC-1 is covered in the official page at files.hawaii.gov; our notes follow it as of October 2026.
- Foreign LLC filing fees is covered in the official page at cca.hawaii.gov; our notes follow it as of October 2026.
- Hawaii Revised Statutes 428-1003, activities that are not is covered in the official page at capitol.hawaii.gov; our notes follow it as of October 2026.
- New Hawaii business registration portal FAQs is covered in the official page at cca.hawaii.gov; our notes follow it as of October 2026.
- Hawaii Revised Statutes 414-432, consequences of transacting business is covered in the official page at capitol.hawaii.gov; our notes follow it as of November 2026.
- Hawaii Revised Statutes 428-1008, effect of failure to is covered in the official page at capitol.hawaii.gov; our notes follow it as of November 2026.
- Prices taken from the Hawaii service page of Mainstay Filing on November 13, 2026
- Prices taken from the pricing page of HI Registered Agent.org on November 13, 2026
- Prices taken from the pricing page of Hawaii Registered Agent.co on November 13, 2026