The rule
Michigan requires a resident agent for every registered foreign company[2]. Registration for a foreign for-profit corporation costs $60[3].
Mainstay Filing charges $149 a year to act as the resident agent in Michigan, and files the $5 change when you switch[1].
- Resident Agent required
- Yes
- Foreign corporation fee
- $60 (min.)
- Foreign LLC fee
- Unverified here
- Foreign LLC report
- $25, annual
- Change of agent
- $5
- Mainstay Filing
- $149 a year
Updated October 29, 2026. Unverified figures are labeled.
01Resident Agent for a foreign entity
The governing section is MCL 450.4207[2]. Those who qualify are a Michigan resident, or a corporation or LLC formed in Michigan or authorized there, whose business office (or, for a person, residence) is the registered office.
Out-of-state owners most often trip on the address rule. The address has to be a registered office in Michigan, which does not have to be the place of business. P.O. boxes are not accepted.
The resident agent must be in Michigan. For an out-of-state company that normally means a service, unless an employee lives in the state.
Mainstay Filing: $149 a year as Michigan resident agent, no increase at renewal[1]. Other published prices for Michigan, read October 20, 2026: $99 to $249 in year one.
02If the resident agent changes
The change is one filing, the Certificate of Change of Registered Office and/or Resident Agent (Form CSCL/CD-520), and costs $5 in Michigan[7].
A foreign registration in Michigan carries the resident agent duty with it; dropping the agent without withdrawing leaves the company out of compliance.
03The fees
| Entity | Fee | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign for-profit corporation | $60 minimum | [3] michigan.gov, updated October 29, 2026 |
| Domestic corporation, for comparison | $60 | [3] michigan.gov, updated October 29, 2026 |
| Domestic LLC, for comparison | $50 | [4] legislature.mi.gov, updated October 29, 2026 |
| Foreign LLC | Not verified | See the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) fee schedule: www.michigan.gov/lara/ |
The foreign LLC registration fee has not been verified for this page, so no figure is shown. Check it with the agency before filing.
04What recurs
A foreign LLC registered in Michigan files the Annual Statement every year with a $25 fee[5]. It is due February 15.
Foreign corporations also file a recurring report ($25), due May 15[6].
05Questions
Does a foreign LLC need a resident agent in Michigan?
Yes, once it registers to do business in Michigan[2].
What does Michigan charge to register a foreign corporation?
$60 at minimum[3].
Can a service be the Michigan resident agent for an out-of-state company?
Yes, and most do. For a company with no one in Michigan, Mainstay Filing supplies the Michigan address and acts as resident agent for $149 a year[1].
Sources
- Mainstay Filing pricing, registered agent and FAQ pages. Updated October 29, 2026.
- MCL 450.4207. www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-450-4207. Updated October 29, 2026.
- MCL 450.2062-450.2063, Business Corporation Act; LARA CSCL fee schedule. www.michigan.gov/-/media/Project/Websites/lara/cscl/Folder6/Filing_Fees.pdf. Updated October 29, 2026.
- MCL 450.4202 (Michigan Limited Liability Company Act, Act 23 of 1993 - formation by filing articles of organization). www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-450-4202. Updated October 29, 2026.
- Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau, Corporations Division: foreign LLC report rules. www.michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/cscl/corps/limited-liability-co/filling-requirements-con. Updated October 29, 2026.
- Michigan corporation annual report rules. www.michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/cscl/corps/michigan-business-roadmap/annual-reports-and-. Updated October 29, 2026.
- Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau - Corporations Division: Certificate of Change of Registered Office and/or Resident Agent fee. www.michigan.gov/lara/-/media/Project/Websites/lara/cscl/Folder6/Filing_Fees.pdf. Updated October 29, 2026.