Foreign registration
Foreign Registration in Massachusetts
An LLC or corporation formed in another state must register with the Massachusetts Corporations Division within ten days after it starts doing business here. A foreign LLC pays $500 (c. 156C, § 48) and a foreign corporation $400 (c. 156D, § 15.03). Both then file annual reports: $500 for an LLC, $100 to $150 for a corporation. We prepare and file the registration for $449 plus the state fee.
Massachusetts fees re-checked against the Massachusetts General Laws and the Corporations Division Filing Fees page: November 11, 2026
Heads up: we are an independent company that prepares and submits Massachusetts filings for owners. We are not the Secretary of the Commonwealth or its Corporations Division, and we do not give legal advice. Every state charge passes through at the exact amount billed, shown separately from our service fee.
- Filed with the Massachusetts Corporations Division
- We track your Massachusetts annual report
- Cited to M.G.L. chapters 156C and 156D
- Talk to a filer: (386) 465-3937
Foreign Registration in Massachusetts: the Massachusetts specifics
Ten days, not ninety
Massachusetts gives foreign LLCs and corporations ten days after they begin doing business to register (c. 156C, § 48; c. 156D, § 15.03). That is shorter than most states.
Check it: M.G.L. c. 156C, § 48Unregistered companies cannot sue here
A foreign corporation doing business without registering cannot maintain a lawsuit in Massachusetts courts until it registers, and it owes the fees it would have paid (c. 156D, § 15.02).
Check it: M.G.L. c. 156D, § 15.02What counts as doing business
Chapter 156D, § 15.01 lists activities that alone are not doing business, such as defending lawsuits, holding meetings and keeping bank accounts, and treats owning or leasing Massachusetts real estate, construction work and any other activity requiring the performance of labor here as doing business.
Check it: M.G.L. c. 156D, § 15.01When an out-of-state company must register
The rule is ten days after you begin doing business in Massachusetts (c. 156C, § 48; c. 156D, § 15.03). Chapter 156D, § 15.01 lists activities that alone are not doing business, such as defending lawsuits, holding board meetings, keeping bank accounts and isolated transactions, and treats owning or leasing real estate here, construction work and any other activity requiring the performance of labor here as doing business.
If you are unsure, register before signing a Massachusetts lease or bidding on a Massachusetts contract.
Source: malegislature.gov
What it costs every year
A foreign LLC pays $500 to register and $500 for each annual report. A foreign corporation pays $400 to register ($375 by fax) and files the same annual report as a domestic corporation, $100 online. Each keeps a Massachusetts agent.
Leaving later costs $100 for a withdrawal or cancellation.
Source: www.sec.state.ma.us
Worked example: a Connecticut contractor
A Connecticut LLC that takes a renovation job in Springfield is performing labor in Massachusetts, which chapter 156D, section 15.01 treats as doing business, and chapter 156C, section 48 applies the same test to LLCs. It files the sworn application within ten days, with a certificate of legal existence from Connecticut, and pays $500. Its first Massachusetts annual report is $500, on top of its Connecticut report. If the job ends and the company leaves, a withdrawal costs $100.
Source: malegislature.gov
Foreign Registration in Massachusetts: questions
A $500 annual report, the same as a domestic LLC.
Check it: Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations DivisionYes. Plan on a recent certificate of good standing or legal existence from your formation state with the application.
Check it: M.G.L. c. 156C, § 48Yes. Corp USA prepares and submits your Massachusetts filing with the Corporations Division for you. The official state fee is passed through at cost, with our service fee shown separately at checkout, so you never have to work through the state's filing system yourself.
Check it: Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations DivisionReady when you are, Massachusetts.
Heads up: we are an independent company that prepares and submits Massachusetts filings for owners. We are not the Secretary of the Commonwealth or its Corporations Division, and we do not give legal advice. Every state charge passes through at the exact amount billed, shown separately from our service fee.