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Plain talk · New York

3 Best Foreign Registration Services in New York (2026) for Real People

For foreign registration services in New York, here is our 2026 ranking: Mainstay Filing ($199), New York Registered Agent.ai ($199) and NY Registered Agent.org ($199). You'll pay the state $250 to register whoever files, plus $397 to $497 in service fees across three years.
From the LLC Plainly editorial team

The gist

You pay the state
$250
Proof of good standing?
Yes, attach it (365 day limit)
Once you're registered
$9, biennial statement
Our ranking
Mainstay Filing, New York Registered Agent.ai then NY Registered Agent.org

Our favorites in New York

The scoring is spelled out on this page.
Our favorite

1. Mainstay Filing: best for companies that keep growing

First year $199 (state's $250 separate); $149 after

Why Mainstay Filing? Honestly, its $199 fee is the same in every state, and the first agent for service of process year comes with it.

You'd save $100 over three years with New York Registered Agent.ai. The catch is it doesn't work outside New York.

The agent for service of process costs nothing the first year. After that it's $149 a year, in any state.

Your money buys

  • The registration filing
  • Agent for service of process, included the first year
  • Fifty states, one fee

The good

  • No change in price by state
  • Registers you for $199
  • First-year agent is on the house

Trade-offs

  • You'd pay $50 a year more for the agent
New York specialist

2. New York Registered Agent.ai: best for a low yearly agent fee

First year $199 (state's $250 separate); $99 after

Number 2 is New York Registered Agent.ai: the service fees come to $397 across three years.

Your money buys

  • State registration done
  • Year-one registered agent

The good

  • Registers you for $199 over the state fee
  • Year one of the agent comes with it
  • A small renewal of $99

Trade-offs

  • Your home state needs a different agent
New York specialist

3. NY Registered Agent.org: best for a one-state add-on

First year $199 (state's $250 separate); $99 after

Number 3 is NY Registered Agent.org: the service fees come to $397 across three years.

New York Registered Agent.ai charges the same, which makes this nearly a tie.

Your money buys

  • State registration done
  • Year-one registered agent

The good

  • Year one of the agent comes with it
  • A small renewal of $99
  • Registers you for $199 over the state fee

Trade-offs

  • Your home state needs a different agent

The numbers side by side

#CompanyStart priceRenewalOver three yearsCovers
1Mainstay Filing$199$149/yr$497the registration filing; agent for service of process, included the first year; fifty states, one feeSee what Mainstay Filing offersPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2New York Registered Agent.ai$199$99/yr$397state registration done; Year-one registered agentSee what New York Registered Agent.ai offersPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3NY Registered Agent.org$199$99/yr$397state registration done; Year-one registered agentSee what NY Registered Agent.org offersPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
These are service fees only, from each company's prices on November 13, 2026. The state's fees are the same whoever you pick.

What you probably want to know

Is registering required for my out-of-state LLC?

You register with the New York Department of State, Division of Corporations before your LLC starts doing business in New York.

dos.ny.gov, last seen October 2026

How much will registering cost?

$250 goes to the state, and a service costs $199 on top.

The state's three-year fees, registration included, add up to $259. ny.gov, last seen October 2026

What registers the LLC?

You file the Application for Authority of a Foreign Limited Liability Company (Form DOS-1361-f-a) with the New York Department of State, Division of Corporations. That's the whole filing.

Include certificate of Existence (also called a Certificate of Good Standing) dated within 365 days.

What do I owe after registering?

Next up is the biennial statement, at $9.

Mark the date: every two years, in the month the application was filed.

What put number one on top?

It's work taken off your hands (31% of the score), and Mainstay Filing does best there.

Together, cost across three years and work taken off your hands make up 64% of the score.

Two states, one company: that's what puts it first.

Our method, in full

New York rules at a glance

ItemDetailsCheck it
State filing fee$250ny.gov, last seen October 2026
Good standing proofYes, attach it, 365 daysdos.ny.gov, last seen October 2026
Biennial statement$9dos.ny.gov, last seen October 2026
State cost over three years$259Rows above, totaled
Each figure above links to the state's official page. The final line is our addition of the filing, two reports and any minimum tax, and it leaves out variable costs.

More questions

Does my home state need an agent too?

Yes. The state where you formed the LLC keeps its own agent rule, and Mainstay Filing can handle both states on one account.

What's the three-year total for each?

Mainstay Filing: $497 / New York Registered Agent.ai: $397 / NY Registered Agent.org: $397, not counting state fees.

What are the sources?

The state fees come from New York's own documents, and the service prices come from the companies' sites. We put dates on both.

Do I need to hire a service?

Not required. What you'd pay a service is for convenience.

Is filing included in what they sell?

Yes, because filing is what these companies sell, and the state fee stays put.

What's the best foreign registration service for New York?

Mainstay Filing wins on work taken off your hands, ahead of New York Registered Agent.ai and NY Registered Agent.org.

Official sources and price pages

  1. dos.ny.gov covers New York Department of State; we confirmed it August 2026
  2. filing.dos.ny.gov covers New York Department of State; we confirmed it August 2026
  3. nysenate.gov covers New York report due date; we confirmed it August 2026
  4. nysenate.gov covers NY Limited Liability Company Law; we confirmed it August 2026
  5. dos.ny.gov covers New York formation fee: Filing; we confirmed it October 2026
  6. nysenate.gov covers New York registered agent statute; we confirmed it October 2026
  7. dos.ny.gov covers Department of State, Application for; we confirmed it October 2026
  8. nysenate.gov covers LLC Law § 802, application; we confirmed it October 2026
  9. nysenate.gov covers LLC Law § 808, consequences; we confirmed it October 2026
  10. dos.ny.gov covers Department of State, Certificate of; we confirmed it October 2026
  11. Mainstay Filing New York service page, read November 13, 2026
  12. New York Registered Agent.ai pricing page, read November 13, 2026
  13. NY Registered Agent.org pricing page, read November 13, 2026