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Definition

What does foreign registration mean?

The filing an out-of-state LLC makes to do business in a new state, sometimes called a certificate of authority.
By the LLC Answered editorial team

At a glance

Short reply
Also called
Certificate of authority in some states
Relevant terms
Foreign LLC next to Certificate of good standing next to Annual report

In practice

Afterward the LLC usually files that state's recurring report too.

What states say

You will pay between $50 in Michigan and $750 in Texas. Each state's rule.

Where this appears

You will meet it here: Forming an LLC: all 50 states, Registered agent questions by state, Out-of-state LLC questions by state.

Explore

Proof and sources

  1. On record: LARA Corporations Division, michigan.gov, current as of October 2026
  2. On record: LARA limited liability company forms, michigan.gov, current as of October 2026
  3. On record: MCL 450.5002, certificate of authority, legislature.mi.gov, current as of October 2026
  4. On record: MCL 450.5008, activities that are, legislature.mi.gov, current as of October 2026
  5. On record: MCL 450.5007, consequences of transacting, legislature.mi.gov, current as of October 2026
  6. On record: LARA annual reports and annual, michigan.gov, current as of October 2026
  7. On record: Texas Secretary of State, foreign, sos.state.tx.us, current as of October 2026
  8. On record: Form 304 instructions, sos.state.tx.us, current as of October 2026
  9. On record: Fee schedule, Form 806, sos.texas.gov, current as of October 2026
  10. On record: Business Organizations Code, Chapter 9, statutes.capitol.texas.gov, current as of October 2026
  11. On record: Texas Comptroller, franchise tax, comptroller.texas.gov, current as of October 2026