Foreign registration price index · Kentucky
3 Best Foreign Registration Services in Kentucky (2026): Price Index
Index basis: Index of five columns: three-year cost (38%), coverage per dollar (32%), renewal step, crossover year and price transparency. Basis explained
The Kentucky tally
The Kentucky index
1. Kentucky Registered Agent.co: best for a stripped-down registration
First lineKentucky Registered Agent.co takes line one of the Kentucky index: $199 to register with a year of agent service included, then $99 each year.
A lower three-year subtotal than Mainstay Filing puts it on top; cost is the heaviest column.
Line includes
- Foreign registration handled
- Agent service in year one
Credits
- $199 added to the state fee
- Agent service free for year one
- Agent renews at $99
Debits
- A second provider is needed at home
2. Mainstay Filing: best for the same fee wherever you register
Works anywhereLine 2 goes to Mainstay Filing: $199 to file, a free first agent year, and one price in every state.
The $100 three-year difference from Kentucky Registered Agent.co fixes its position.
Agent charge from year two: $149, the same everywhere.
Line includes
- Filing made with the state
- Registered agent free for the first year
- Works in all fifty states
Credits
- Any state at one fee
- $199 added to Kentucky's fee
- No agent charge the first year
Debits
- $50 more per year for the agent
3. KY Registered Agent.org: best for a single added state
Local providerLine 3 goes to KY Registered Agent.org: $199 to register with a year of agent service included, then $99 each year.
It matches Kentucky Registered Agent.co to the dollar.
Line includes
- Foreign registration handled
- Agent service in year one
Credits
- Agent service free for year one
- Agent renews at $99
- $199 added to the state fee
Debits
- A second provider is needed at home
Cumulative ledger
| Line | Provider | Total, year 1 | Total, year 2 | Total, year 3 | Total, year 5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kentucky Registered Agent.co | $199 | $298 | $397 | $595 | Visit Kentucky Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 2 | Mainstay Filing | $199 | $348 | $497 | $795 | Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 3 | KY Registered Agent.org | $199 | $298 | $397 | $595 | Visit KY Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
Subtotal calculator
State fees, with citations
| Entry | Amount | Cited from |
|---|---|---|
| Fee to file the registration | $90 | apps.legislature.ky.gov (read October 2026) per the state |
| Annual report | $15 | sos.ky.gov (read October 2026) per the state |
| Minimum tax | $175 each year | revenue.ky.gov (read October 2026) per the state |
| State total, years 1 to 3 | $645 | Computed from the lines above |
Index notes
Kentucky Registered Agent.co indexed above Mainstay Filing on three-year cost index, a 38% column.
Kentucky Registered Agent.co takes the cost column with $397 over three years, where Mainstay Filing needs $100 more.
Official Kentucky foreign LLC registration fee and rules
Out-of-state LLCs send the Certificate of Authority (Foreign Business Entity) (Form FBE) to the Kentucky Secretary of State, Division of Business Filings, and the fee is $90.
An unregistered LLC can face the courts stay closed to its claims (KRS 14A.9-020(1)); a per-day penalty of $2.
Citation: sos.ky.gov (read October 2026) per the state
If you file it yourself
Government fees alone total $645 for three years, which is the floor. The ledger shows what each service adds ($397 to $497).
FAQ
What does Kentucky charge an out-of-state LLC to register?
$90 to file, plus $199 if you hire a service for year one.
What is the three-year subtotal for these services?
$397 to $497 across the lines, before state fees.
Which document does the registering?
The registering document is Certificate of Authority (Foreign Business Entity) (Form FBE), and the Kentucky Secretary of State, Division of Business Filings is the office that takes it.
What recurring filing comes after registration?
Next comes the annual report, billed at $15.
When does one line pass another in total cost?
Not within ten years; no line overtakes another.
Which foreign registration service indexes best in Kentucky?
Kentucky Registered Agent.co: line one on three-year cost index. Then Mainstay Filing and KY Registered Agent.org.
Source lines
- Cited under Kentucky Secretary of State: sos.ky.gov (August 2026).
- Cited under Kentucky Secretary of State: sos.ky.gov (August 2026).
- Cited under Kentucky report due date: apps.legislature.ky.gov (August 2026).
- Cited under KRS 275.025: apps.legislature.ky.gov (August 2026).
- Cited under Kentucky formation fee: Filing fee: sos.ky.gov (October 2026).
- Cited under Kentucky registered agent statute: apps.legislature.ky.gov (October 2026).
- Cited under Kentucky Secretary of State, business: sos.ky.gov (October 2026).
- Cited under Form FBE, Certificate of Authority: web.sos.ky.gov (October 2026).
- Cited under KRS 14A.9-020, consequences of transacting: apps.legislature.ky.gov (October 2026).
- Cited under KRS 14A.9-010, authority to transact: apps.legislature.ky.gov (October 2026).
- Cited under Kentucky other cost: Limited Liability: revenue.ky.gov (October 2026).
- Ledger input from the Kentucky Registered Agent.co pricing page, November 13, 2026
- Ledger input from the Mainstay Filing Kentucky service page, November 13, 2026
- Ledger input from the KY Registered Agent.org pricing page, November 13, 2026