Short answer: File Foreign Registration Statement with the Iowa Secretary of State for $100, and name a Iowa registered agent.
We've pulled these figures from the Iowa Secretary of State'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 Iowa
File Foreign Registration Statement with the Iowa Secretary of State ($100). You'll usually need a certificate of good standing from your home state and a Iowa registered agent.
Physical Iowa street address must be continuously maintained.
How Iowa compares
Iowa's foreign LLC registration fee is $100. That's the 8th lowest of 47 jurisdictions we track. The national median is $150, so Iowa comes in $50 under it.
| State | Fee | National rank (1 = highest) |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa | $100 | 33 of 47 |
| Indiana | $107 | 30 of 47 |
| Minnesota | $205 | 16 of 47 |
| Missouri | $105 | 31 of 47 |
| South Dakota | $750 | 1 of 47 |
| Illinois | $150 | 19 of 47 |
Iowa fees that apply here
| Filing | State fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Biennial Report | $30 | biennial, January 1 to April 1 of every odd-numbered year |
| Foreign Registration Statement | $100 | For LLCs formed in another state |
Foreign LLC registration: Iowa questions
Do I need to register my out-of-state LLC in Iowa?
If your LLC is "transacting business" in Iowa (for example, an office, employees or ongoing operations there), you generally must register as a foreign LLC with the Iowa Secretary of State.
How much does foreign LLC registration cost in Iowa?
$100 to file Foreign Registration Statement.
Does a foreign LLC need a registered agent in Iowa?
Yes. Every registered LLC needs an agent with a physical address in Iowa. Physical Iowa street address must be continuously maintained.
Does a foreign LLC file the Iowa annual report too?
Generally yes. Registered foreign LLCs usually carry the same Biennial 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: dba.fee.
