LLC in Another State

LLC in Another State › California

Living in California with an LLC formed elsewhere

If your LLC was formed outside California and does business here, it generally registers with the California Secretary of State, Business Entities as a foreign LLC. The fee is $70.

Do I have to register?

California expects an out-of-state LLC doing business here to register. What counts as doing business is set by statute; the sources below cite it. The registration is Form LLC-5, Application to Register a Foreign Limited Liability Company (LLC).

Formed in Wyoming, Delaware or Nevada?

The state fees add up like this before any service fee or yearly charge.

LLC formed inFormation feeCalifornia foreign feeState fees together
Wyoming$100$70$170
Delaware$110$70$180
Nevada$425$70$495

Formation fees are the state’s published figures; Nevada’s includes the initial list and state business license filed with the articles.

Best 3 Foreign Registration Services in California (2026)

Want it handled? For California, in order.

  1. 1. Mainstay Filing $199 + the $70 state fee = $269; registered agent free for the first year, then $149 a year.
  2. 2. CA Registered Agent.org $199 + the $70 state fee = $269; registered agent included for the first year, then $99 a year.
  3. 3. California Registered Agent.ai $199 + the $70 state fee = $269; registered agent included for the first year, then $99 a year.

Service prices read from each provider’s California page on October 28, 2026. The state fee is the official figure below and is paid to the California Secretary of State, Business Entities.

What you keep up

Statement of Information, Form LLC-12 (California Secretary of State), $20 (due: within 90 days of registering, then every 2 years). You also keep a agent for service of process in California.

California questions

Can I run an LLC from California if it was formed in another state?

You can, but California generally expects the LLC to register as a foreign LLC if it does business there. The the California Secretary of State, Business Entities takes the filing.

What does California charge a foreign LLC?

$70. $70 for Form LLC-5, Application to Register.

Do I need paper from the state where I formed?

Yes. Certificate of good standing (existence or status) from the home state, no older than 180 days.

Sources