Short answer: File Foreign Registration with the Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations Division for $500, and name a Massachusetts registered agent.
We've pulled these figures from the Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations Division'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 Massachusetts
File Foreign Registration with the Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations Division ($500). You'll usually need a certificate of good standing from your home state and a Massachusetts registered agent.
Known locally as a Resident Agent. Must have a physical street address in Massachusetts (no PO boxes).
How Massachusetts compares
Massachusetts's foreign LLC registration fee is $500. That's the 3rd highest of 47 jurisdictions we track. The national median is $150, so Massachusetts runs $350 above it.
| State | Fee | National rank (1 = highest) |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $500 | 3 of 47 |
| New Hampshire | $102 | 32 of 47 |
| Rhode Island | $150 | 19 of 47 |
| Connecticut | $120 | 27 of 47 |
| Vermont | $155 | 18 of 47 |
| Maine | $250 | 9 of 47 |
Massachusetts fees that apply here
| Filing | State fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Report | $520 | annual, On or before the anniversary date of the original formation. |
| Foreign Registration | $500 | For LLCs formed in another state |
Foreign LLC registration: Massachusetts questions
Do I need to register my out-of-state LLC in Massachusetts?
If your LLC is "transacting business" in Massachusetts (for example, an office, employees or ongoing operations there), you generally must register as a foreign LLC with the Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations Division.
How much does foreign LLC registration cost in Massachusetts?
$500 to file Foreign Registration.
Does a foreign LLC need a registered agent in Massachusetts?
Yes. Every registered LLC needs an agent with a physical address in Massachusetts. Known locally as a Resident Agent. Must have a physical street address in Massachusetts (no PO boxes).
Does a foreign LLC file the Massachusetts 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: ra.self allowed, report.late penalty.