Short answer: File Foreign Limited Liability Company-Certificate of Registration Application (Form 521) with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) for $100, and name a Wisconsin registered agent.
We've pulled these figures from the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI)'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 Wisconsin
File Foreign Limited Liability Company-Certificate of Registration Application (Form 521) with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) ($100). You'll usually need a certificate of good standing from your home state and a Wisconsin registered agent.
Physical street address in Wisconsin required, no PO Box alone, registered office must be identical to business office.
How Wisconsin compares
Wisconsin's foreign LLC registration fee is $100. That's the 8th lowest of 47 jurisdictions we track. The national median is $150, so Wisconsin comes in $50 under it.
| State | Fee | National rank (1 = highest) |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | $100 | 33 of 47 |
| Illinois | $150 | 19 of 47 |
| Michigan | $50 | 47 of 47 |
| Ohio | $99 | 41 of 47 |
| Indiana | $107 | 30 of 47 |
| Pennsylvania | $250 | 9 of 47 |
Wisconsin fees that apply here
| Filing | State fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Report (Form 5) | $25 | annual, End of the calendar quarter in which the LLC was originally organized, beginning the year following formation |
| Foreign Limited Liability Company-Certificate of Registration Application (Form 521) | $100 | For LLCs formed in another state |
Foreign LLC registration: Wisconsin questions
Do I need to register my out-of-state LLC in Wisconsin?
If your LLC is "transacting business" in Wisconsin (for example, an office, employees or ongoing operations there), you generally must register as a foreign LLC with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI).
How much does foreign LLC registration cost in Wisconsin?
$100 to file Foreign Limited Liability Company-Certificate of Registration Application (Form 521).
Does a foreign LLC need a registered agent in Wisconsin?
Yes. Every registered LLC needs an agent with a physical address in Wisconsin. Physical street address in Wisconsin required, no PO Box alone, registered office must be identical to business office.
Does a foreign LLC file the Wisconsin annual report too?
Generally yes. Registered foreign LLCs usually carry the same Annual Report (Form 5) 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: name rules restricted words exact restrictions.