Class 3 · North Dakota
Foreign LLC Registration in North Dakota (2026): a 5-Step Lesson and the 3 Best Services
Quick facts
By the end you will know
- Whether North Dakota registration applies to you
- The official form and fee
- The recurring filing
- Who we would hire to file
Who we would hire in North Dakota
1. North Dakota Registered Agent.co: best for a budget registration
North Dakota Registered Agent.co comes first, and here is why: $199 on top of the state fee to register, then $99 each year.
On three-year cost it beats Mainstay Filing, which is a big part of our grading.
What the price covers
- Your North Dakota registration is prepared and filed
- One year of agent service
Marks in its favor
- A free first agent year
- $199 to register
- The agent renews at $99
Where it loses points
- Your home state needs a separate agent
2. Mainstay Filing: best for several registrations
Mainstay Filing is a sound second choice because a $199 fee for the work plus North Dakota's own fee, then $149 a year for the agent.
Over three years it costs $100 more than North Dakota Registered Agent.co, and cost makes up 32% of the grade.
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
- Any state at one fee
- No agent fee in year one
- Service fee of $199
Where it loses points
- A renewal $50 over North Dakota Registered Agent.co's
3. ND Registered Agents.org: best for another North Dakota choice
ND Registered Agents.org is a sound third choice because $199 on top of the state fee to register, then $99 each year.
North Dakota Registered Agent.co and this service charge the same.
What the price covers
- Your North Dakota registration is prepared and filed
- One year of agent service
Marks in its favor
- $199 to register
- A free first agent year
- The agent renews at $99
Where it loses points
- Your home state needs a separate agent
The 3 graded picks compared
| # | Service | First year | From year two | Three-year total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Dakota Registered Agent.co | $199 | $99/yr | $397 | Visit North Dakota Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 2 | Mainstay Filing | $199 | $149/yr | $497 | Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 3 | ND Registered Agents.org | $199 | $99/yr | $397 | Visit ND Registered Agents.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
The steps
-
Step
1Confirm that you must register
Out-of-state LLCs that transact business in North Dakota file a foreign registration.
Where this comes from: Look it up at sos.nd.gov; last checked October 2026
-
Step
2Order a certificate from your home state
Order certificate of status, good standing or existence from the home-state filing office.
Do this step right before you file.
-
Step
3Choose the North Dakota registered agent
Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address. The address has to be a complete physical address in North Dakota. P.O. boxes are not accepted.
Any of our picks covers the role.
Where this comes from: Look it up at ndlegis.gov; last checked October 2026
-
Step
4Prepare and file the Application for a Certificate of Authority (foreign limited liability company)
Registering means giving the Application for a Certificate of Authority (foreign limited liability company) to the North Dakota Secretary of State together with $135.
Where this comes from: Look it up at sos.nd.gov; last checked October 2026
-
Step
5Keep the registration active
Your next obligation is the annual report at $50, November 15.
The cost of this lesson
| Step | Paid to | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign registration | State office | $135 |
| Annual report | State office | $50 |
| Service fees (optional) | Service company | $199 in the first year |
| State total over three years | State office | $235 |
Why North Dakota Registered Agent.co comes first
What settled it was tuition over three years, worth 32% of the grade.
Paying North Dakota Registered Agent.co for three years adds up to $397, which is $100 below the Mainstay Filing total.
Questions students ask
What does North Dakota charge for registering a foreign LLC?
$135 at the state office. A service adds $199.
Which form do I file to register?
Fill out the form named in step 4 and send it to the North Dakota Secretary of State.
Do I need a certificate from my home state?
Yes: certificate of status, good standing or existence from the home-state filing office.
What is due after registering?
Step 5 covers it: the annual report for $50.
Which services are in this lesson?
3 services are covered: North Dakota Registered Agent.co at $199, Mainstay Filing at $199 and ND Registered Agents.org at $199.
Which service should handle the registration?
By grade: North Dakota Registered Agent.co, Mainstay Filing and ND Registered Agents.org. North Dakota Registered Agent.co is first because registering costs $199 plus state fees, and year one of the agent is covered.
Class references
- Class reference on North Dakota Secretary of State, Business Division: sos.nd.gov (the state's own page), reread in August 2026 for this lesson.
- Class reference on North Dakota Secretary of State, Business Division: sos.nd.gov (the state's own page), reread in August 2026 for this lesson.
- Class reference on North Dakota report due date: ndlegis.gov (the state's own page), reread in August 2026 for this lesson.
- Class reference on North Dakota formation fee: Filing fee, official source: sos.nd.gov (the state's own page), reread in October 2026 for this lesson.
- Class reference on North Dakota registered agent statute: ndlegis.gov (the state's own page), reread in October 2026 for this lesson.
- Class reference on Secretary of State, registered agents: sos.nd.gov (the state's own page), reread in October 2026 for this lesson.
- Class reference on Secretary of State, business services: sos.nd.gov (the state's own page), reread in October 2026 for this lesson.
- On November 13, 2026 we read the pricing page of North Dakota Registered Agent.co
- On November 13, 2026 we read the North Dakota service page of Mainstay Filing
- On November 13, 2026 we read the pricing page of ND Registered Agents.org