How to Register a Foreign LLC in Michigan

How to Register a Foreign LLC in Michigan: 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 jurisdictions. This document must be dated within 60 days of your Michigan foreign registration filing and confirms your LLC remains in good standing in its formation state. Your home state sets the fee and how long this takes, so order it early and check both with the office that issues it.

2. 2

   Appoint a Registered Agent in Michigan

   Michigan law requires you to designate a registered agent with a physical Michigan address who can accept legal documents and official correspondence on behalf of your LLC. The registered agent must be either an individual resident of Michigan or a Michigan-registered entity authorized to serve as a registered agent. You can serve as your own registered agent if you've a Michigan address, hire a professional registered agent service for a yearly fee, or designate a Michigan-based business associate or attorney to fulfill this role.

   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 Michigan registered agent requirements set out what Michigan itself asks.

   Registered agent services for a foreign LLC in Michigan

   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

   Search the Michigan business entity database to verify your LLC's name doesn't conflict with existing registered entities, as Michigan requires a distinguishable name for all business registrations. If your LLC name conflicts with an existing Michigan entity, you can't use your original name and must register under an assumed name by filing an Assumed Name Certificate with the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). The assumed name process requires additional paperwork and fees but allows you to conduct business under a different name while maintaining your original LLC identity in your home state.

4. 4

   File the Application for Certificate of Authority to Transact Business in Michigan (CSCL/CD-760)

   Complete Form CSCL/CD-760, available from the Michigan LARA website at https://www.michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/bcs/corps/foreign-llc, and submit it as LARA directs, providing your LLC's home state information, principal office address, registered agent details, and member or manager information. The form requires your Certificate of Good Standing and the $50 filing fee. Check the current processing time, and whether a faster paid service is offered, with the state filing office. Once approved, Michigan will issue your Certificate of Authority confirming your foreign LLC registration is active.

5. 5

   Understand Your Ongoing Tax Obligations

   We have not confirmed whether Michigan charges a yearly tax on an LLC formed in another state, so check with the state's tax agency before you budget. However, you must register with the Michigan Department of Treasury for applicable state taxes if your LLC generates income, has employees, or conducts taxable activities in Michigan. This includes Michigan Business Income Tax, sales tax, use tax, or withholding tax depending on your business activities. Contact the Michigan Department of Treasury or consult with a tax professional to determine which tax registrations and filings apply to your specific business operations and ensure compliance with all state tax obligations.

6. 6

   File Your Annual Report / Ongoing Compliance

   Michigan requires all foreign LLCs to file an Annual Statement by February 15 each year with a $25 filing fee to maintain active registration status. This early deadline requires careful calendar management as many states have later annual report due dates. The Annual Statement updates your LLC's current information including registered agent, principal office address, and member or manager details. Missing the February 15 deadline may cost you more, which we have not confirmed for an LLC formed in another state, and a report that stays unfiled can lead the state to revoke your authority to do business in Michigan. We have not confirmed whether a late fee applies to an LLC formed in another state, so check with the state office that takes the report.