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Lesson 3 · Texas

How to Register a Foreign LLC in Texas (2026): 4 Steps and the 3 Best Services

Mainstay Filing ($199), TX Registered Agent.org ($199) and Texas Registered Agent.ai ($199) are our 2026 picks, in that order, for registering a foreign LLC in Texas. The 4 steps below start with whether you need to register at all. State fee: $750.

The Founder Classroom teaching team ·

The short version

State fee to register
$750Source: sos.state.tx.us, confirmed October 2026
Yearly report
NonePublic Information Report
State fees, first three years
$750Before service fees
Steps
4In order

What you will learn

  • Who has to register
  • What to file and what it costs
  • The yearly upkeep
  • The services we recommend

Teacher's pick

Who we'd use in Texas

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

1. Mainstay Filing: best for companies adding a state

Service fee $199 · renewal $149 a year

For most new founders in Texas, Mainstay Filing: a $199 service fee plus Texas's own fee, then $149 yearly for the agent.

The three-year premium over TX Registered Agent.org is $100, which the 35% steps-handled weight covers.

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

What you get

  • The registration filing
  • Registered agent free for year one
  • Fifty-state service

What we like

  • $199 over the state fee
  • Ready for your next state
  • Registered agent free in year one

Watch out for

  • Renewal $50 above TX Registered Agent.org
Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Texas focus

2. TX Registered Agent.org: best for a budget registration

Service fee $199 · renewal $99 a year

Number 2 is TX Registered Agent.org: a $199 service fee and $99 a year for the agent in Texas.

What you get

  • Registration prepared and filed
  • A year of agent service

What we like

  • Low $99 renewal
  • $199 over the state fee
  • A year of agent service included

Watch out for

  • Serves Texas alone
Visit TX Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Texas focus

3. Texas Registered Agent.ai: best for Texas registrations

Service fee $199 · renewal $99 a year

Number 3 is Texas Registered Agent.ai: a $199 service fee and $99 a year for the agent in Texas.

On price it ties with TX Registered Agent.org.

What you get

  • Registration prepared and filed
  • A year of agent service

What we like

  • A year of agent service included
  • Low $99 renewal
  • $199 over the state fee

Watch out for

  • Serves Texas alone
Visit Texas Registered Agent.aiPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.

Side-by-side prices

#ServiceFirst yearFrom year twoThree-year total
1Mainstay Filing$199$149/yr$497Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2TX Registered Agent.org$199$99/yr$397Visit TX Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3Texas Registered Agent.ai$199$99/yr$397Visit Texas Registered Agent.aiPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Published prices, read November 12, 2026. Every row excludes the $750 state fee.

How to register in Texas

  1. Step 1: Decide whether Texas registration is needed

    The rule: an LLC from another state registers before doing business in Texas. If it does business unregistered: Until registered, it is shut out of Texas courts as a plaintiff (BOC 9.051(b)). Signed contracts keep their force (BOC 9.051(c)).

    Official source: Source: comptroller.texas.gov, confirmed October 2026

  2. Step 2: Name your Texas registered agent

    Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address. The address has to be a street address where papers can be handed to the agent during normal business hours. A mailbox service or answering service alone does not qualify.

    TipEach of our picks includes the registered agent.

    Official source: Source: sos.texas.gov, confirmed October 2026

  3. Step 3: File the Application for Registration of a Foreign Limited Liability Company

    Pay $750 and file the Application for Registration of a Foreign Limited Liability Company (Form 304) with the Texas Secretary of State.

    Official source: Source: sos.state.tx.us, confirmed October 2026

  4. Step 4: Stay registered

    After registering, file the Public Information Report, May 15.

Step-by-step costs

ItemPaid toAmount
Filing to registerThe state$750
Service fees (optional)The service$199 first year
State total over three yearsThe state$750
The state rows are official figures; the service row uses each company's published price. The three-year total leaves service fees out.

How the grade worked out

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

Your LLC has a home state too, and covering both with one provider scored highest.

Questions students ask

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

$750 to the state. Our picks add $199.

Which form do I file to register?

The registration form is the Application for Registration of a Foreign Limited Liability Company (Form 304) (submitted to the Texas Secretary of State).

What if the LLC does business there without registering?

Until registered, it is shut out of Texas courts as a plaintiff (BOC 9.051(b)). Signed contracts keep their force (BOC 9.051(c)).

What is due after registering?

After registering, the LLC owes the Public Information Report.

Which services are in this lesson?

3 services: Mainstay Filing at $199, TX Registered Agent.org at $199 and Texas Registered Agent.ai at $199.

Which service should handle the registration?

Mainstay Filing first, then TX Registered Agent.org and Texas Registered Agent.ai; Mainstay Filing leads on lesson steps handled.

Related lessons

Lesson sources

  1. comptroller.texas.gov. Texas yearly filing: Annual report, official source. Confirmed October 2026.
  2. statutes.capitol.texas.gov. Texas report due date. Confirmed August 2026.
  3. sos.texas.gov. Tex. Confirmed August 2026.
  4. sos.texas.gov. Texas registered agent statute. Confirmed October 2026.
  5. sos.state.tx.us. Texas Secretary of State, foreign entities FAQ. Confirmed October 2026.
  6. sos.state.tx.us. Form 304 instructions. Confirmed October 2026.
  7. statutes.capitol.texas.gov. Business Organizations Code, Chapter 9. Confirmed October 2026.
  8. comptroller.texas.gov. Texas Comptroller, franchise tax. Confirmed October 2026.
  9. tcss.legis.texas.gov. Texas Business Organizations Code, Chapter 9. Confirmed November 2026.
  10. Mainstay Filing, Texas service page (read November 12, 2026)
  11. TX Registered Agent.org, pricing page (read November 12, 2026)
  12. Texas Registered Agent.ai, pricing page (read November 12, 2026)