Skip to content
Founder ClassroomLearn the LLC paperwork for your state.

Lesson 3 · Connecticut

How to Register a Foreign LLC in Connecticut (2026): 5 Steps and the 3 Best Services

Mainstay Filing ($199), CT Registered Agent.org ($199) and Connecticut Registered Agent.co ($199) are our 2026 picks, in that order, for registering a foreign LLC in Connecticut. After the picks: 5 steps and a $120 state fee.

The Founder Classroom teaching team ·

Before you start

Filing fee
$120Per business.ct.gov, last confirmed October 2026
Certificate needed
90 daysHow recent it must be
Recurring report
$80Annual report
State fees, first three years
$280Before service fees
Steps
5Each one explained

In this lesson

  • When the rule kicks in
  • The form and the fee
  • The yearly upkeep
  • The services we recommend

Teacher's pick

The Connecticut services we recommend

How we graded: five criteria, with three-year cost and steps handled counting most.
Top pick

1. Mainstay Filing: best for companies adding a state

$199 to register, $149 yearly

For most new founders in Connecticut, Mainstay Filing: registration for $199 plus state fees and a free first year as a registered agent.

Three years with it costs $100 more than CT Registered Agent.org; it wins on what it handles.

Year two onward: $149 a year for the agent.

What you get

  • Your filing, done
  • Registered agent free for year one
  • All fifty states

What we like

  • Same fee in every state
  • $199 + state fee
  • Agent included for year one

Watch out for

  • Agent renews at $149, $50 over CT Registered Agent.org
Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
One-state plan

2. CT Registered Agent.org: best for one extra state

$199 to register, $99 yearly

CT Registered Agent.org ranks second: a $199 service fee and $99 a year for the agent in Connecticut.

What you get

  • Connecticut registration filed for you
  • A year of agent service

What we like

  • $99 yearly from year two
  • Free first agent year
  • $199 + state fee

Watch out for

  • One-state service
Visit CT Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
One-state plan

3. Connecticut Registered Agent.co: best for registering only in Connecticut

$199 to register, $99 yearly

Connecticut Registered Agent.co ranks third: a $199 service fee and $99 a year for the agent in Connecticut.

On price it ties with CT Registered Agent.org.

What you get

  • Connecticut registration filed for you
  • A year of agent service

What we like

  • $99 yearly from year two
  • $199 + state fee
  • Free first agent year

Watch out for

  • One-state service
Visit Connecticut Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.

Our Connecticut picks compared

#ServiceFirst yearFrom year twoThree-year total
1Mainstay Filing$199$149/yr$497Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2CT Registered Agent.org$199$99/yr$397Visit CT Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3Connecticut Registered Agent.co$199$99/yr$397Visit Connecticut Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Read from each company's pricing on November 12, 2026. State fee ($120) not included.

The Connecticut registration, in order

  1. Step 1: Confirm you need to register

    A foreign LLC is one formed in another state. Before it transacts business in Connecticut, it registers there. Operating without it: The state also collects back fees.

    Official source: Per business.ct.gov, last confirmed October 2026

  2. Step 2: Request proof of good standing at home

    The filing needs certificate of existence (certificate of good standing) from the state of formation, at most 90 days.

    TipOrder it once the rest of the filing is ready.

  3. Step 3: Appoint a registered agent in Connecticut

    Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address. The address has to be a Connecticut street address that is not a P.O. box, plus a Connecticut mailing address, which can be a P.O. box.

    TipEach of our picks includes the registered agent.

    Official source: Per cga.ct.gov, last confirmed October 2026

  4. Step 4: File Foreign Registration Statement, Limited Liability

    The Foreign Registration Statement, Limited Liability goes to the Connecticut Secretary of the State, Business Services Division with $120.

    Official source: Per business.ct.gov, last confirmed October 2026

  5. Step 5: Keep the registration active

    Next comes the annual report at $80, between January 1 and March 31.

What you will pay

ItemPaid toAmount
Registration feeState office$120
Annual reportState office$80
Filing service (optional)The service$199 first year
State total over three yearsState office$280
For the three-year state total we add the filing fee, the reports in years two and three and any minimum yearly tax.

Behind the ranking

Mainstay Filing beat CT Registered Agent.org on lesson steps handled, our 35% criterion.

Registering here means two states at least; one provider for both beat CT Registered Agent.org.

Connecticut questions

What does it cost to register a foreign LLC in Connecticut?

$120 for the filing. Service fees: $199.

Which form do I file to register?

The Connecticut Secretary of the State, Business Services Division takes the Foreign Registration Statement, Limited Liability.

Do I need a certificate from my home state?

Yes: certificate of existence (certificate of good standing) from the state of formation, issued within 90 days of filing.

What if the LLC does business there without registering?

The state also collects back fees.

What is due after registering?

Step 5 covers it: the annual report for $80.

Which service should handle the registration?

In order: Mainstay Filing, CT Registered Agent.org and Connecticut Registered Agent.co. Mainstay Filing comes first because $199 on top of the state fee, with the registered agent free for year one and $149 a year after.

Next up

Lesson sources

  1. Connecticut Secretary of the State, Business Services Division (business.ct.gov), confirmed August 2026
  2. Connecticut Secretary of the State, Business Services Division (business.ct.gov), confirmed August 2026
  3. Connecticut yearly filing: Annual report: fee, official source (business.ct.gov), confirmed October 2026
  4. Connecticut report due date (cga.ct.gov), confirmed August 2026
  5. Connecticut formation fee: Filing fee, official source (business.ct.gov), confirmed October 2026
  6. Connecticut formation fee: Filing fee, official source (business.ct.gov), confirmed October 2026
  7. Foreign LLC forms and fees, Business.CT.gov (business.ct.gov), confirmed October 2026
  8. Foreign Registration Statement form (business.ct.gov), confirmed October 2026
  9. Foreign investigations penalties (business.ct.gov), confirmed October 2026
  10. Who can be an agent (business.ct.gov), confirmed October 2026
  11. Foreign annual report forms and fees (business.ct.gov), confirmed October 2026
  12. November 12, 2026: Mainstay Filing, Connecticut service page
  13. November 12, 2026: CT Registered Agent.org, pricing page
  14. November 12, 2026: Connecticut Registered Agent.co, pricing page