Foreign LLC Registration in Connecticut (2026): 5 Moves and the 3 Best Services
If you are hiring for registering an LLC from another state in Connecticut in 2026, we rank CT Registered Agent.org ($199), Connecticut Registered Agent.co ($199) and Mainstay Filing ($199), in that order. 5 moves and a $120 state fee; later reports cost $80 each.
From the Founder Primer desk
Need to know
State fee to register
$120
Check it yourself at business.ct.gov; we read it in October 2026
Good-standing proof
90 days
How old it can be
Repeating report
$80
Annual report
Three years of state fees
$280
Registration, reports, any minimum tax
Primer moves
5
Listed below
After this primer
Which LLCs must register
What to file and what it costs
What staying registered costs
Who we would hire to file
Who we would hire in Connecticut
Marked on the scoring page: three-year cost (27%), to-dos cleared (38%), renewal, fit with Connecticut's rules and readable pricing.
Our pickService $199; renewal $99 a year
1. CT Registered Agent.org: best for a low yearly agent cost
First place goes to CT Registered Agent.org because Connecticut registration filed for $199, with a year of agent service; renewal $99.
It beats Mainstay Filing on three-year cost, a big part of the score.
Inside the price
Filing with the state
One year of agent service
In its favor
Agent renews at $99
A $199 service fee
No agent fee in year one
Against it
No help in other states
Connecticut focusService $199; renewal $99 a year
2. Connecticut Registered Agent.co: best for another Connecticut option
Connecticut Registered Agent.co takes second; Connecticut registration filed for $199, with a year of agent service; renewal $99.
It costs the same as CT Registered Agent.org.
Inside the price
Filing with the state
One year of agent service
In its favor
Agent renews at $99
No agent fee in year one
A $199 service fee
Against it
No help in other states
Any stateService $199; renewal $149 a year
3. Mainstay Filing: best for a second state and more
Mainstay Filing lands third: service fee $199, plus Connecticut's fee; the agent is $149 a year from year two.
CT Registered Agent.org is $100 lower over three years, which keeps this one out of first.
The agent's price after year one is $149 a year, the same across states.
Company prices as listed on November 13, 2026. The $120 state fee is not in these figures.
The primer, move by move
Move 1
Do you have to register?
Term to know: a foreign LLC is formed in another state. It registers before doing business there. Operating unregistered costs you: Expect a bill for back fees.
Where this comes from: Check it yourself at business.ct.gov; we read it in October 2026
Move 2
Order the certificate from home
The filing needs certificate of existence (certificate of good standing) from the state of formation, no older than 90 days.
Leave this for just before you file.
Move 3
Choose the Connecticut registered agent
Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address. The address has to be a Connecticut street address that is not a P.O. box, plus a Connecticut mailing address, which can be a P.O. box.
Where this comes from: Check it yourself at cga.ct.gov; we read it in October 2026
Move 4
Prepare the Foreign Registration Statement, Limited Liability
Prepare the Foreign Registration Statement, Limited Liability, add $120, and deliver both to the Connecticut Secretary of the State, Business Services Division.
Where this comes from: Check it yourself at business.ct.gov; we read it in October 2026
Move 5
After registration
File the annual report for $80, between January 1 and March 31 and the registration stays alive.
Connecticut costs by move
Line
Goes to
Amount
The registration move
State office
$120
Annual report
State office
$80
Optional service
Service company
$199 in year one
Three years of state fees
State office
$280
State fees come from the official pages in the sources. Three years means the filing, two years of reports and the minimum tax where one applies.
Why CT Registered Agent.org is first
edged out on founder outlay over three years, worth 27%.
CT Registered Agent.org takes the cost criterion: $397 over three years, against $100 more at Mainstay Filing.
Connecticut quick answers
Which fees does Connecticut take from a foreign LLC?
$120 for the filing. Add $199 if you hire a service.
Which form do I file to register?
Use the Foreign Registration Statement, Limited Liability; the Connecticut Secretary of the State, Business Services Division receives it.
Do I need a certificate from my home state?
Yes: certificate of existence (certificate of good standing) from the state of formation, issued within 90 days of filing.
What if the LLC does business there without registering?
Expect a bill for back fees.
What is due after registering?
Move 5 has it: the annual report for $80.
Which service should handle the registration?
CT Registered Agent.org first, then Connecticut Registered Agent.co and Mainstay Filing; CT Registered Agent.org wins on founder outlay over three years.