California Foreign LLC Registration (2026): Fees and the 3 Best Services
For foreign LLC registration in California (2026), the order we'd use is Mainstay Filing ($199), CA Registered Agent.org ($199) and California Registered Agent.ai ($199). State fees for a foreign LLC: $70 to register, $20 per report after that. Rank: 50th of 50.
Out-of-state LLCs register with the California Secretary of State, Business Entities using the Application to Register a Foreign Limited Liability Company (LLC) (Form LLC-5) ($70). Attach certificate of good standing (existence or status) from the home state, at most 180 days.
Recurring filing: Statement of Information, Form LLC-12 ($20), within 90 days of registering, then every 2 years. The tax side also applies to LLCs doing business here: $800 a year minimum LLC tax to the Franchise Tax Board (Form FTB 3522), separate from the Statement of Information.
Filing checklist
Certificate of good standing (existence or status) from the home state, at most 180 days.
The exact legal name from the home state and the formation date.
A California agent for service of process; every service on this page provides it.
A way to pay the $70 filing fee.
If you skip registration
While unregistered, the LLC is barred from starting a lawsuit there (Corp. Code 17708.07(a)).
How we ordered the California picks
Of our five criteria, state filings covered (30%) settled first place in California.
A foreign LLC already exists in another state, so a provider that covers both states scored best on coverage.
Questions about California
How much does it cost to register a foreign LLC in California?
$70 at the state office. Service fees: $199.
Which form registers a foreign LLC in California?
File Application to Register a Foreign Limited Liability Company (LLC) (Form LLC-5) with the California Secretary of State, Business Entities.
Do I need a certificate from my home state?
Yes: certificate of good standing (existence or status) from the home state, dated within 180 days of filing.
What does a foreign LLC file after registering?
The Statement of Information, Form LLC-12, $20.
What if the LLC does business there without registering?
While unregistered, the LLC is barred from starting a lawsuit there (Corp. Code 17708.07(a)).
Is an agent for service of process needed there?
Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
Who should file the registration?
We'd use Mainstay Filing: a $199 service fee in any state, the first agent year included. CA Registered Agent.org and California Registered Agent.ai follow.