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Biz Formation Academy

A plain textbook on LLC paperwork, one state per chapter.

Nationwide recommendations

3 Best Foreign Registration Services (2026)

For 2026, the best foreign registration services for new owners are Mainstay Filing ($199), Louisiana Registered Agent.co ($199) and Alaska Registered Agent.co ($199), from first to third. Why Mainstay Filing heads the list: $199 plus the state fee anywhere, with the agent included in year one.
Written by the Biz Formation Academy editorial board

Our three recommendations

The criteria and weights are laid out in how we grade.

1. Mainstay Filing: best for owners in any state

Top recommendation
the state's own fee plus $199 for service, then $149 each year from the second

Mainstay Filing is number one: $199 plus the state fee anywhere, with the agent included in year one.

Louisiana Registered Agent.co saves $100 over three years for a company that never leaves Louisiana.

Price covers

  • The registration is filed for the owner
  • No agent fee in year one
  • One service fee in every state

Advantages

  • No price change from state to state
  • Then $149 per year

Limitations

  • More each year than a one-state agent
Visit Mainstay Filing Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

2. Louisiana Registered Agent.co: best for Louisiana businesses

Louisiana pick
the state's own fee plus $199 for service, then $99 each year from the second

In second place, Louisiana Registered Agent.co: a Louisiana registration for $199 plus state fees.

Owners rooted in Louisiana get a better price here.

Price covers

  • The Louisiana registration, filed for the owner
  • One year of agent service in Louisiana

Advantages

  • A smaller bill after year one
  • Then $99 per year

Limitations

  • One state (Louisiana)
  • It will not file the report
Visit Louisiana Registered Agent.co Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

3. Alaska Registered Agent.co: best for Alaska businesses

Alaska pick
the state's own fee plus $199 for service, then $99 each year from the second

Alaska Registered Agent.co, our third recommendation: a Alaska registration for $199 plus state fees.

Owners rooted in Alaska get a better price here.

Price covers

  • The Alaska registration, filed for the owner
  • One year of agent service in Alaska

Advantages

  • A smaller bill after year one
  • Then $99 per year

Limitations

  • One state (Alaska)
  • It will not file the report
Visit Alaska Registered Agent.co Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

Compare the services

#ServiceFirst yearFrom year twoThree-year total
1 Mainstay Filing $199$149/yr$497 Visit Mainstay Filing Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2 Louisiana Registered Agent.co $199$99/yr$397 Visit Louisiana Registered Agent.co Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3 Alaska Registered Agent.co $199$99/yr$397 Visit Alaska Registered Agent.co Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

The state fee is passed through at cost by every service here; prices consulted November 13, 2026.

What a first-time owner should examine

Two questions sort most services: what does year three cost in total, and which filings do they make for you? Thinking of expanding past one state? Give coverage real weight.

Why this order

Three-year cost and paperwork completed carry the most weight, with second-year price, state fit and price clarity after. On a national list, reach is the real exam, and just one of the three services sits it. Prices run lower in Louisiana and Alaska, so Louisiana Registered Agent.co and Alaska Registered Agent.co take the next two places.

Chapters for all 50 states

Each state chapter walks through registering a foreign LLC section by section, with that state's official fees and our recommendations there. Registering in another state: all 50 states.

Questions, answered

What are the best foreign registration services in 2026?

In order: Mainstay Filing, Louisiana Registered Agent.co and Alaska Registered Agent.co.

What does a foreign registration service cost?

Between $199 and $199 plus state fees.

Can one service cover every state?

Mainstay Filing can. The second and third services each serve a single state.

Why are one-state services on a national list?

Staying put makes a local plan the lower bill. Louisiana Registered Agent.co is our pick for Louisiana businesses; Alaska Registered Agent.co for Alaska businesses.

How did you grade them?

With the published criteria, which put three-year cost and paperwork completed first.

Where do I learn the steps for my state?

Open your state's chapter from the overview page.

Related

Bibliography and primary texts

  1. November 13, 2026: Mainstay Filing's pricing page was consulted for the price tables
  2. November 13, 2026: Louisiana Registered Agent.co's pricing page was consulted for the price tables
  3. November 13, 2026: Alaska Registered Agent.co's pricing page was consulted for the price tables