How to Register a Foreign LLC in Illinois

How to Register a Foreign LLC in Illinois: Step-by-Step

1. 1

   Obtain a Certificate of Good Standing

   Contact your home state's Secretary of State office to request a Certificate of Good Standing, also called a Certificate of Status or Certificate of Existence in some states. Illinois requires this certificate to be dated within 90 days of your foreign registration filing, so timing is essential. Your home state sets the fee and how long this takes, so order it early and check both with the office that issues it. Order this certificate early in your process to ensure it remains current when you submit your Illinois application.

2. 2

   Appoint a Registered Agent in Illinois

   Illinois law requires you to designate a registered agent with a physical Illinois address who is authorized to accept service of process in the state. You can appoint yourself or a business partner if they maintain an Illinois address, or hire a professional registered agent service. Professional services charge a yearly fee and provide reliable service with forwarding capabilities. Your registered agent's information will be public record, so many business owners prefer using a professional service for privacy and reliability reasons.

   Before you compare paid services: in most states the LLC's owner, or another individual who qualifies, may serve as its registered agent themselves, generally subject to that state's rules on keeping a street address in the state and being available there during normal business hours. A paid service is one way to meet the requirement and not the only one. The Illinois registered agent requirements set out what Illinois itself asks.

   Registered agent services for a foreign LLC in Illinois

   Affiliate disclosure: Northwest Registered Agent, Bizee, ZenBusiness and LegalZoom pay us a commission if you sign up through our link, at no extra cost to you. We list only the registered agent services we have an affiliate relationship with, so this is not a survey of the whole market.

   This list is not scored. The four are listed cheapest annual renewal first, and every claim below is about the services listed here rather than the whole market.

   • Northwest Registered Agent$125/yr renewal

     Best for: Privacy-focused owners and anyone who just needs an agent, not a formation bundle

   • Bizee$149/yr renewal

     Best for: A free first year (some visitors are being shown shorter free periods, so confirm at checkout), renewing at $149/yr, if you're comfortable with the BBB caveat

   • ZenBusiness$199/yr renewal

     Best for: First-time founders forming a new LLC who want phone, email and chat support

   • LegalZoom$249/yr renewal

     Best for: Complex structures that want attorney consultations, which come with LegalZoom's $299 formation plan (and, in one version of its plans, the $249 plan) rather than this renewal price

   Note: Bizee holds a C rating from the BBB and is not accredited. BBB's profile carries a live alert describing a pattern of complaints about unexpected charges, difficulty canceling and filing delays, and Bizee has posted a response to it. We flag this so you can make an informed choice.

   Annual renewal is each provider's own standard published rate. Check the current terms at each provider before you buy. The scored ranking, and the formula behind it, is in our full formation services review →

3. 3

   Check Your LLC Name Availability

   Illinois requires your LLC name to be distinguishable from other Illinois entities. Search the Illinois Secretary of State business database to verify availability before filing your application. If your exact LLC name is already taken by another Illinois entity, you must adopt an assumed name for use in Illinois and file an Application to Adopt an Assumed Name along with your foreign qualification. This assumed name becomes your legal business name within Illinois while your original name remains unchanged in your home state.

4. 4

   File the Application for Admission to Transact Business (Form LLC-45.5)

   Complete Form LLC-45.5 through the Illinois Secretary of State website at https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/business_services/foreign_llc.html. The form requires your LLC's principal office address, registered agent information, member or manager details, and the nature of business activities. Include your Certificate of Good Standing and pay the $150 filing fee. Check the current processing time, and whether a faster paid service is offered, with the state filing office. Double-check all information for accuracy, as errors can delay processing and require amended filings with additional fees.

5. 5

   Understand Your Ongoing Tax Obligations

   You must register with the Illinois Department of Revenue for applicable state taxes including income tax withholding if you've employees, sales tax if you sell taxable goods or services, and use tax obligations. Visit the Illinois Department of Revenue website to determine which tax registrations apply to your business activities. Register within 30 days of beginning business operations in Illinois. Maintain accurate records of all Illinois business activities for tax reporting purposes.

6. 6

   File Your Annual Report / Ongoing Compliance

   Illinois requires foreign LLCs to file an Annual Report before the first day of the anniversary month each year with a $75 fee. Illinois charges an LLC formed in Illinois a $100 late penalty on this report. We have not confirmed that the same amount applies to an LLC formed in another state, so check before the deadline. Set calendar reminders well in advance of your deadline. The Annual Report updates your LLC's address, registered agent, and management information. File online through the Illinois Secretary of State website to ensure timely submission and receipt confirmation.