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Illinois · Foreign LLC registration

Foreign LLC in Illinois

Formed your LLC somewhere else but doing business in Illinois? Here's when you must register, the form, and the fee.

Last verified 2026-11-01 against official Illinois sources

Short answer: File Application for Admission to Transact Business with the Illinois Secretary of State, Department of Business Services for $150, and name a Illinois registered agent.

We've pulled these figures from the Illinois Secretary of State, Department of Business Services's own pages. If something's changed since our last check, the state's portal wins, so it's worth a quick look before you pay.

Registering an out-of-state LLC in Illinois

File Application for Admission to Transact Business with the Illinois Secretary of State, Department of Business Services ($150). You'll usually need a certificate of good standing from your home state and a Illinois registered agent.

A registered agent with a physical Illinois street address is required.

How Illinois compares

Illinois's foreign LLC registration fee is $150. That's the 19th highest of 47 jurisdictions we track. The national median is $150, right where Illinois sits.

Illinois and nearby states, foreign LLC registration fee. See all 47 jurisdictions.
StateFeeNational rank (1 = highest)
Illinois$15019 of 47
Indiana$10730 of 47
Minnesota$20516 of 47
Wisconsin$10033 of 47
Iowa$10033 of 47
Ohio$9941 of 47

Illinois fees that apply here

Source: Illinois Secretary of State, Department of Business Services, checked November 1, 2026.
FilingState feeNotes
Annual Report$75annual, Before the first day of the LLC's anniversary month

Foreign LLC registration: Illinois questions

Do I need to register my out-of-state LLC in Illinois?

If your LLC is "transacting business" in Illinois (for example, an office, employees or ongoing operations there), you generally must register as a foreign LLC with the Illinois Secretary of State, Department of Business Services.

How much does foreign LLC registration cost in Illinois?

$150 to file Application for Admission to Transact Business.

Does a foreign LLC need a registered agent in Illinois?

Yes. Every registered LLC needs an agent with a physical address in Illinois. A registered agent with a physical Illinois street address is required.

Does a foreign LLC file the Illinois annual report too?

Generally yes. Registered foreign LLCs usually carry the same Annual Report obligation. Confirm the foreign LLC fee with the state.

Sources and verification

Last checked against official state sources on . States change fees with little notice, so confirm on the filing portal before you pay. How we verify.

Still being confirmed with the state: processing.mail.