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LLC SchoolhousePlain LLC lessons, one state at a time.

Module 3 · New York

Foreign LLC Registration in New York (2026): a 5-Step Lesson and the 3 Best Services

If you want help registering an LLC from another state in New York during 2026, our graded list reads NY Registered Agent.org ($199), Mainstay Filing ($199) and New York Registered Agent.ai ($199). 5 steps and a $250 filing fee are all that stand between you and registration.

Taught by the LLC Schoolhouse editors

Quick facts

State registration fee$250ny.gov confirms it, as of October 2026
Certificate required365 daysOldest it may be at filing
Annual filing$9Biennial statement
What the state collects in three years$259Registration plus reports
Number of steps5One at a time

Lesson goals

  • When the rule applies
  • What to file and what it costs
  • The yearly upkeep
  • The services we recommend

Our graded picks for New York

Graded on our report card: three-year cost (32%), lesson steps handled (33%), renewal, fit with New York's steps and clear pricing.
Top of the class

1. NY Registered Agent.org: best for an inexpensive New York filing

Service fee $199, renewal $99 a year

NY Registered Agent.org comes first, and here is why: registering costs $199 plus state fees, and year one of the agent is covered.

On three-year cost it beats Mainstay Filing, which is a big part of our grading.

What the price covers

  • Your New York registration is prepared and filed
  • One year of agent service

Marks in its favor

  • A year of agent service is included
  • The agent renews at $99
  • $199 to register

Where it loses points

  • Your home state needs a separate agent
All fifty states

2. Mainstay Filing: best for one provider for both states

Service fee $199, renewal $149 a year

Taking second place is Mainstay Filing, where $199 beyond the state fee, with the agent for service of process free in year one and $149 a year afterward.

On three-year cost it falls $100 behind NY Registered Agent.org.

From year two the agent is $149 a year, wherever you register.

What the price covers

  • The filing is done for you
  • The agent for service of process costs nothing in year one
  • A fifty-state service

Marks in its favor

  • $199 on top of New York's fee
  • The same fee in every state
  • No agent fee in year one

Where it loses points

  • NY Registered Agent.org's agent costs $50 less each renewal
New York specialist

3. New York Registered Agent.ai: best for a low agent renewal

Service fee $199, renewal $99 a year

For number 3 we picked New York Registered Agent.ai: registering costs $199 plus state fees, and year one of the agent is covered.

On price it is level with NY Registered Agent.org.

What the price covers

  • Your New York registration is prepared and filed
  • One year of agent service

Marks in its favor

  • A year of agent service is included
  • The agent renews at $99
  • $199 to register

Where it loses points

  • Your home state needs a separate agent

The 3 graded picks compared

#ServiceFirst yearFrom year twoThree-year total
1NY Registered Agent.org$199$99/yr$397Visit NY 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.
3New York Registered Agent.ai$199$99/yr$397Visit New York Registered Agent.aiPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Each company's listed price on November 13, 2026. Add New York's $250 registration fee to each row.

Registering in New York, one step at a time

  1. Step
    1

    Check whether registration applies

    If your LLC was formed elsewhere and works in New York, it must first register there as a foreign LLC.

    Where this comes from: dos.ny.gov confirms it, as of October 2026

  2. Step
    2

    Order the document from your home state

    The filing needs certificate of Existence (also called a Certificate of Good Standing), at most 365 days.

    Do this step right before you file.

  3. Step
    3

    Line up a New York agent for service of process

    The Secretary of State is the agent for service of process for every New York LLC; naming a registered agent is optional. New York has no registered-office requirement. The Secretary of State is the agent for service of process for every New York LLC and mails a copy of any papers served to the address the company has on file. A designated registered agent's street address goes on the filing.

    Any of our picks covers the role.

    Where this comes from: nysenate.gov confirms it, as of October 2026

  4. Step
    4

    Hand in the Application for Authority of a Foreign Limited Liability Company

    What the New York Department of State, Division of Corporations needs from you is the filing named above and a $250 fee.

    Where this comes from: ny.gov confirms it, as of October 2026

  5. Step
    5

    Plan for the recurring filing

    Your next obligation is the biennial statement at $9, every two years, in the month the application was filed.

Costs, step by step

Cost itemPaid toTotal
Registering the LLCTo the state$250
Biennial statementTo the state$9
Help from a serviceThe service$199 for year one
Three years of state feesTo the state$259
The three-year state figure is the filing, the reports due in years two and three and any yearly minimum tax; service fees are separate.

How we graded the New York picks

edged ahead of on tuition over three years, which counts for 32%.

Over years one to three, NY Registered Agent.org costs $397 and Mainstay Filing costs $100 more.

Short answers

What does New York charge for registering a foreign LLC?

$250 for the filing. The services on this page charge $199 more.

Which form do I file to register?

Registration runs on one form, which the New York Department of State, Division of Corporations receives.

Do I need a certificate from my home state?

Yes: certificate of Existence (also called a Certificate of Good Standing), issued within 365 days of filing.

What is due after registering?

Plan for the biennial statement, which costs $9.

Which services are in this lesson?

The graded list holds NY Registered Agent.org, Mainstay Filing and New York Registered Agent.ai, best grade first.

Which service should handle the registration?

We would pick NY Registered Agent.org, because $199 added to the state fee, with the agent covered in year one, then $99 a year. After that, Mainstay Filing and New York Registered Agent.ai.

More lessons

Class references

  1. Homework check for New York Department of State, Division of Corporations: the facts come from dos.ny.gov, a page we last confirmed in August 2026, so you can compare our notes to the original.
  2. Homework check for New York Department of State, Division of Corporations: the facts come from filing.dos.ny.gov, a page we last confirmed in August 2026, so you can compare our notes to the original.
  3. Homework check for New York report due date: the facts come from nysenate.gov, a page we last confirmed in August 2026, so you can compare our notes to the original.
  4. Homework check for NY Limited Liability Company Law § 203: the facts come from nysenate.gov, a page we last confirmed in August 2026, so you can compare our notes to the original.
  5. Homework check for New York formation fee: Filing fee, official source: the facts come from dos.ny.gov, a page we last confirmed in October 2026, so you can compare our notes to the original.
  6. Homework check for New York registered agent statute: the facts come from nysenate.gov, a page we last confirmed in October 2026, so you can compare our notes to the original.
  7. Homework check for Department of State, Application for Authority: the facts come from dos.ny.gov, a page we last confirmed in October 2026, so you can compare our notes to the original.
  8. Homework check for LLC Law § 802, application for authority: the facts come from nysenate.gov, a page we last confirmed in October 2026, so you can compare our notes to the original.
  9. Homework check for LLC Law § 808, consequences of doing business: the facts come from nysenate.gov, a page we last confirmed in October 2026, so you can compare our notes to the original.
  10. Homework check for Department of State, Certificate of Publication: the facts come from dos.ny.gov, a page we last confirmed in October 2026, so you can compare our notes to the original.
  11. November 13, 2026: the pricing page for NY Registered Agent.org
  12. November 13, 2026: the New York service page for Mainstay Filing
  13. November 13, 2026: the pricing page for New York Registered Agent.ai