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Foreign LLC guide · North Carolina

North Carolina Foreign LLC Fees (2026): Data on File and the 3 Best Services

Desk ranking for a foreign LLC registration in North Carolina, 2026: NC Registered Agent.org ($199), North Carolina Registered Agent.co ($199) and Mainstay Filing ($199). Registration: $250 at the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State, Business Registration Division; $200 per report after that. Three-year rank: 39th of 50.

Desk note by LLC Data Desk ·

North Carolina data on file

39thof 50 on registration plus reports1 = smallest bill. See the whole table
Fee to register
$250Data: sosnc.gov, pulled October 2026
Report
$200Annual report
Home-state certificate
180 daysMust be at least this recent
Total owed to the state, 3 yrs
$650First filing, then two upkeep years

Who we would hire in North Carolina

Order set by five weighted criteria (see method): three-year service fees 31%, filings covered 29%, then renewal, fit with North Carolina rules and fee transparency.

1. NC Registered Agent.org: best for a light North Carolina registration

Top rankedYr 1 $199; each later year $99

First, NC Registered Agent.org, because registration $199 plus state fees; agent covered in year one.

Three-year service fees come in under Mainstay Filing's, and cost carries 31%, our heaviest weight.

What the fee covers

  • Registration paperwork handled
  • A year of agent service

Pros

  • $99 a year for the agent after
  • $199 and the state fee
  • No agent fee in year one

Cons

  • North Carolina alone
Visit NC Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.

2. North Carolina Registered Agent.co: best for North Carolina registrations

In-state optionYr 1 $199; each later year $99

#2 is North Carolina Registered Agent.co: registration $199 plus state fees; agent covered in year one.

Same prices as NC Registered Agent.org.

What the fee covers

  • Registration paperwork handled
  • A year of agent service

Pros

  • $99 a year for the agent after
  • No agent fee in year one
  • $199 and the state fee

Cons

  • North Carolina alone
Visit North Carolina Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.

3. Mainstay Filing: best for one fee in any added state

NationwideYr 1 $199; each later year $149

We rank Mainstay Filing third. Reason: registration is $199 plus state fees, and the registered agent is free for year one.

Three-year service fees run $100 above NC Registered Agent.org's; cost carries 31% of the score.

The free year ends; $149 a year begins, whichever state it is.

What the fee covers

  • Registration filed on your behalf
  • Registered agent: no fee in year one
  • Serves all fifty states

Pros

  • Registered agent free in year one
  • Service fee $199
  • One fee, any state

Cons

  • NC Registered Agent.org's agent renews for $50 less
Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.

3 services, side by side

#ServiceYr 1Yr 2+Service fees, 3 yrs
1NC Registered Agent.org$199$99/yr$397Visit NC Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2North Carolina Registered Agent.co$199$99/yr$397Visit North Carolina Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3Mainstay Filing$199$149/yr$497Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Posted fees, November 12, 2026. North Carolina charges $250 to register, separate from every service.

North Carolina foreign LLC cost calculator

Registration fee $250, report $200 from year two; service fees are added.
$650 state plus $397 service (NC Registered Agent.org) gives $1,047 over 3 years.

North Carolina next to nearby ranks

RkStateThree-year foreign LLC fees
37thArkansas$570
38thKentucky$645
39thNorth Carolina$650
40thMaryland$700
41stMississippi$750
The full ranking uses one method for all fifty states.

North Carolina filing for out-of-state LLCs

$250 plus the Application for Certificate of Authority for Limited Liability Company (Form L-09), to the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State, Business Registration Division. The state wants certificate of existence (or similar document, such as a certificate of good standing), not older than 180 days.

Then each cycle the annual report ($200), April 15.

Before you file

  • Certificate of existence (or similar document, such as a certificate of good standing), no older than 180 days.
  • Home-state legal name and formation date.
  • A registered agent with a street address here; each service on this page supplies one.
  • A budget for the $250 filing fee.

Operating unregistered: risks

No standing to sue in the state's courts until registered (G.S. 57D-7-02(a)). What the LLC signed is still enforceable (G.S. 57D-7-02(c)). Each day adds $10 applies. The state also bills fees for the years without registration.

Why NC Registered Agent.org leads

NC Registered Agent.org pulled ahead of North Carolina Registered Agent.co on service bill over three years, weighted 31%.

Three years with NC Registered Agent.org run $397 in service fees ($100 under Mainstay Filing).

Questions

Fee for a foreign LLC to register in North Carolina?

$250 for the filing. Services here charge $199 more.

Foreign registration form for North Carolina?

Use the Application for Certificate of Authority for Limited Liability Company (Form L-09); it goes to the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State, Business Registration Division.

Home-state certificate required?

Yes: certificate of existence (or similar document, such as a certificate of good standing), dated within 180 days of filing.

Anything due yearly from a foreign LLC?

Yes, the annual report, fee $200.

What if the LLC works there unregistered?

No standing to sue in the state's courts until registered (G.S. 57D-7-02(a)). What the LLC signed is still enforceable (G.S. 57D-7-02(c)). Each day adds $10 applies. The state also bills fees for the years without registration.

North Carolina: a registered agent for a foreign LLC?

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

Which service do you pick for foreign registration?

NC Registered Agent.org, then North Carolina Registered Agent.co and Mainstay Filing. The split is service bill over three years.

Related files

Basis for this page

  1. Desk file: North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State. Basis sosnc.gov; pulled August 2026.
  2. Desk file: North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State. Basis sosnc.gov; pulled August 2026.
  3. Desk file: North Carolina report due date. Basis ncleg.gov; pulled August 2026.
  4. Desk file: N.C. Basis sosnc.gov; pulled August 2026.
  5. Desk file: North Carolina formation fee: Filing fee, official source. Basis sosnc.gov; pulled October 2026.
  6. Desk file: North Carolina formation fee: Filing fee, official source. Basis sosnc.gov; pulled October 2026.
  7. Desk file: North Carolina registered agent statute. Basis sosnc.gov; pulled October 2026.
  8. Desk file: North Carolina Secretary of State, Business Registration. Basis sosnc.gov; pulled October 2026.
  9. Desk file: Form L-09, Application for Certificate of Authority. Basis sosnc.gov; pulled October 2026.
  10. Desk file: Secretary of State guide to registering a foreign. Basis sosnc.gov; pulled October 2026.
  11. Desk file: G.S. Basis ncleg.gov; pulled October 2026.
  12. Desk file: Annual report due dates. Basis sosnc.gov; pulled October 2026.
  13. Desk file: N.C. Basis ncleg.gov; pulled November 2026.
  14. Desk file: Arkansas Secretary of State, foreign LLC forms and. Basis sos.arkansas.gov; pulled October 2026.
  15. Desk file: Form FL-01. Basis sos.arkansas.gov; pulled October 2026.
  16. Desk file: Act 1041 of 2021, Uniform LLC Act. Basis arkleg.state.ar.us; pulled October 2026.
  17. Desk file: 2026 LLC franchise tax report and instructions. Basis sos.arkansas.gov; pulled October 2026.
  18. Desk file: Form FL-04, application for cancellation. Basis sos.arkansas.gov; pulled October 2026.
  19. Desk file: Kentucky Secretary of State, business filings. Basis sos.ky.gov; pulled October 2026.
  20. Desk file: Form FBE, Certificate of Authority. Basis web.sos.ky.gov; pulled October 2026.
  21. Desk file: KRS 14A.9-020, consequences of transacting business without authority. Basis apps.legislature.ky.gov; pulled October 2026.
  22. Desk file: KRS 14A.9-010, authority to transact business required. Basis apps.legislature.ky.gov; pulled October 2026.
  23. Desk file: KRS 14A.6-010, annual report. Basis apps.legislature.ky.gov; pulled October 2026.
  24. Desk file: Kentucky Secretary of State, fee schedule. Basis sos.ky.gov; pulled October 2026.
  25. Desk file: Kentucky other cost: Limited Liability Entity Tax, official. Basis revenue.ky.gov; pulled October 2026.
  26. Desk file: Maryland Business Express. Basis egov.maryland.gov; pulled October 2026.
  27. Desk file: Business Express fee schedule. Basis egov.maryland.gov; pulled October 2026.
  28. Desk file: Corporations and Associations § 4A-1002, registration. Basis mgaleg.maryland.gov; pulled October 2026.
  29. Desk file: Corporations and Associations § 4A-1009, activities that are. Basis mgaleg.maryland.gov; pulled October 2026.
  30. Desk file: Corporations and Associations § 4A-1007, effect of not. Basis mgaleg.maryland.gov; pulled October 2026.
  31. Desk file: Tax-Property § 11-101, annual report. Basis mgaleg.maryland.gov; pulled October 2026.
  32. Desk file: Mississippi Secretary of State, Business Services. Basis sos.ms.gov; pulled October 2026.
  33. Desk file: Business filing fee schedule. Basis sos.ms.gov; pulled October 2026.
  34. Desk file: Business FAQs. Basis sos.ms.gov; pulled October 2026.
  35. Desk file: Start Your Business in Mississippi. Basis sos.ms.gov; pulled October 2026.
  36. Desk file: Mississippi annual reports. Basis sos.ms.gov; pulled October 2026.
  37. Desk file: Registered agents. Basis sos.ms.gov; pulled October 2026.
  38. NC Registered Agent.org pricing page; company site pulled November 12, 2026
  39. North Carolina Registered Agent.co pricing page; company site pulled November 12, 2026
  40. Mainstay Filing North Carolina service page; company site pulled November 12, 2026