Indiana Foreign LLC Registration

Everything you need to register a foreign LLC in Indiana.

Foreign Qualification

Filing fee: $125
Form: Application for Certificate of Authority
Annual obligation: $30 biennial
Processing time: 5-7 business days
Expedite: $50
Estimated year 1 cost: $155

Visit Indiana Secretary of State ↗

Indiana data verified Apr 18, 2026 · in.gov

Formation in Indiana

Formation fee: $95
Annual cost: $30 biennial
State income tax: Flat 3.05% income tax
Privacy: Low

What triggers foreign qualification in Indiana?

Physical office or place of business
Employees working in the state

Activities that do NOT require registration in Indiana

The following activities are explicitly carved out by statute. On their own, they do not require a foreign LLC to register in Indiana.

Maintaining or defending a lawsuit
Holding meetings of members or managers
Maintaining bank accounts
Selling through independent contractors
Obtaining orders if accepted outside Indiana before becoming contracts
Conducting isolated transactions completed within 30 days

Per Indiana Code 23-0.5-5-5(a). This is a non-exhaustive list.

Sources

https://www.in.gov/sos/business/

Need a registered agent in Indiana?

A registered agent is required for foreign qualification. These services operate in all 50 states.

Get Northwest Registered Agent ↗

Recommended · $125/year · Privacy included

Other options

Registered Agents Inc

$200/year · Includes annual report filing

Harbor Compliance

$99/year · Full-service compliance option

More Indiana guides

Check your compliance

Answer 3 questions to find out if your LLC needs to register in other states.

Start free compliance check ↗

Need to change your registered agent?

See the form, fee, and step-by-step process for changing your registered agent in Indiana.

Indiana change of agent guide ↗

What's the penalty for not registering?

Statute-cited guide to the civil penalty, back fees, and court access if you operate in Indiana without a certificate of authority.

Indiana penalty guide ↗

Not sure if you need to register?

Learn what counts as “doing business” and which activities trigger the foreign qualification requirement.

What triggers foreign qualification? ↗

This page provides general information based on publicly available state requirements. It is not legal advice. Verify with the Indiana Secretary of State before filing.