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Filing Verdict

Rankings of registered agents, LLC formation and foreign registration services in all 50 states.

Foreign registration verdict · Delaware

3 Best Foreign Registration Services in Delaware (2026)

Filing Verdict's 2026 verdict on foreign registration services in Delaware: Delaware Registered Agent.ai ($199), Mainstay Filing ($199) and DE Registered Agent.org ($199), in that order. Delaware Registered Agent.ai takes first place: $199 over the state fee to register in Delaware, with the agent renewing at $99.
The Filing Verdict editorial team
Best here
Spot 1

1. Delaware Registered Agent.ai: best for companies adding only Delaware

$199 service fee, state fee added; $99 a year from year two

9.1Editorial score
out of 10

Delaware Registered Agent.ai wins here: $199 plus the state fee, with a year of registered agent service included, then $99 a year for the agent.

The plan gives the company an in-state street address as its registered office, and papers served on the company are scanned to your online account.

The three-year total beats Mainstay Filing's, and that cost advantage carries real weight in our method.

What you get

  • Foreign registration done for you
  • One year of registered agent service

What we like

  • Files the registration for $199 plus fees
  • $99 per year keeps the agent from year two
  • Includes the first year as your registered agent

Cons

  • Covers Delaware only; your home state needs its own agent
  • The EIN application is billed separately ($99)
Visit Delaware Registered Agent.aiPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. Our full Delaware Registered Agent.ai verdict
Best for expanding companies
Spot 2

2. Mainstay Filing: best for companies working in several states

Service fee $199, $399 due at checkout with the state fee; agent $149 yearly after year one

8.9Editorial score
out of 10

Second place goes to Mainstay Filing: $199 on top of the state fee, the same in any state, with the first year of registered agent service included.

After the free first year the agent is $149 a year, whichever state you register in.

Over three years Delaware Registered Agent.ai is $100 cheaper, which puts Mainstay Filing behind it on cost.

What you get

  • The registration filing, done for you
  • First-year registered agent service, free
  • Free same-business-day scans of service of process

What we like

  • Registered agent service free in year one
  • Same-business-day scans of served papers, free
  • One price in all fifty states
  • Service fee of $199, plus the state's fee

Cons

  • After year one its agent runs $149 a year, $50 above Delaware Registered Agent.ai
Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. Our full Mainstay Filing verdict
Lower renewal than Mainstay
Spot 3

3. DE Registered Agent.org: best for Delaware registrations only

Service fee $199, state fee extra; agent $99 yearly after year one

8.6Editorial score
out of 10

Third place goes to DE Registered Agent.org: $199 plus the state fee, with a year of registered agent service included, then $99 a year for the agent.

The plan gives the company an in-state street address as its registered office, and papers served on the company are scanned to your online account.

On price and features Delaware Registered Agent.ai and DE Registered Agent.org match line for line, which makes this a close call between safe choices.

What you get

  • Foreign registration done for you
  • Year-one registered agent service

What we like

  • Then $99 a year for agent service
  • The first registered agent year is included
  • Service fee $199, state fee extra

Cons

  • Covers Delaware only; your home state needs its own agent
  • The EIN application is billed separately ($99)
Visit DE Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. Our full DE Registered Agent.org verdict

The 3 verdicts at a glance

No.ServiceVerdict scoreService feeYear twoBest forVisit
1Delaware Registered Agent.ai9.1$199$99/yrThe lowest agent renewal here Visit Delaware Registered Agent.aiPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2Mainstay Filing8.9$199$149/yrCompanies registered in several states Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3DE Registered Agent.org8.6$199$99/yrThe lowest agent renewal here Visit DE Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
The marks out of 10 are editorial: Filing Verdict sets them from the criteria on How we rank, and customers do not rate anything here.

Delaware foreign registration service prices for 2026: year one, renewals and three years

ServiceYear 1Year 2Year 3Total, 3 yearsAgent covered in year one
Delaware Registered Agent.ai$199$99$99$397Included
Mainstay Filing$199$149$149$497Free
DE Registered Agent.org$199$99$99$397Included
Prices were read from each company's own pages on November 12, 2026. Delaware's $200 registration fee goes on top of every row and is not counted in these totals.

Why this order

Filing Verdict gives total over three years and paperwork the price handles 35% each, and renewal behavior, match to the state and up-front pricing split the rest. In Delaware the order was settled by total over three years.

Delaware Registered Agent.ai totals $397 over three years, $100 under Mainstay Filing. Year one is covered by both services, so the renewal price decided the order.

The full list of criteria and weights is on How we rank.

Delaware foreign LLC registration: the fee, the form and the filing office

The company registers with the Delaware Department of State, Division of Corporations by filing the Certificate of Registration of a Foreign Limited Liability Company. The state fee is $200. Delaware also asks for certificate of existence from the jurisdiction of formation, issued within 180 days of filing.

Afterwards the company files the Annual LLC tax ($400), due June 1.

Before you file: a checklist

  • Certificate of existence from the jurisdiction of formation, issued within 180 days before you file.
  • The exact legal name from the home state, and the date the company was formed there.
  • A registered agent with a street address in the state; each service on this page can act in that role.
  • The $200 state fee, paid with the filing.
  • A calendar entry for the Annual LLC tax and its $400 fee.

What skipping Delaware registration can cost

Until it registers, an out-of-state LLC cannot bring suit in Delaware courts (6 Del. C. 18-907(a)). Contracts it signs stay valid (6 Del. C. 18-907(b)).

Delaware foreign registration service: questions answered

Does Delaware require an out-of-state LLC to register?

Yes, once it transacts business there. Until it registers, it cannot bring suit in the state's courts.

What does foreign registration cost in Delaware?

The state fee is $200, and the service fee is $199.

Does Delaware want a certificate from my home state?

Yes. It asks for certificate of existence from the jurisdiction of formation, issued within 180 days of filing.

Is a registered agent required once I have registered?

Yes. The company still needs a registered agent here, with a street address in the state.

Which foreign registration services are ranked on this page?

Delaware Registered Agent.ai ($199), Mainstay Filing ($199) and DE Registered Agent.org ($199), from first place to last.

Which foreign registration service is the best pick in Delaware?

Delaware Registered Agent.ai, because the Delaware registration for $199 with the first agent year included, then $99 a year.

Read next

Sources and dates

  1. Delaware yearly filing: Recurring obligation, official source, confirmed October 2026
  2. Delaware yearly filing: Recurring obligation, official source, confirmed October 2026
  3. Delaware yearly filing: HB 400, official source, confirmed October 2026
  4. Delaware report due date, confirmed August 2026
  5. 6 Del. C. § 18-201, confirmed August 2026
  6. Delaware registered agent statute, confirmed October 2026
  7. Foreign LLC registration form, confirmed October 2026
  8. Delaware Code Title 6, chapter 18, subchapter IX, confirmed October 2026
  9. Division of Corporations fee schedule, August 2026, confirmed October 2026
  10. Checked November 12, 2026: Delaware Registered Agent.ai, pricing and service pages
  11. Checked November 12, 2026: Mainstay Filing, Delaware service page
  12. Checked November 12, 2026: DE Registered Agent.org, pricing and service pages