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Register Your Indiana LLC in Michigan

Step-by-step foreign qualification requirements, fees, and filing instructions for Indiana LLCs expanding into Michigan.

Cost Summary

Michigan filing fee: $50
Indiana Certificate of Existence: $15
Annual obligation in Michigan: $25/year
Estimated year 1 total: $90

Note: Year 1 total includes the $50 filing fee in Michigan, the $15 Certificate of Existence fee from Indiana, and $25 in first-year Michigan state charges. Registered agent fees (typically $100-$200/year) are not included.

Indiana data last reviewed Aug 15, 2026 · in.gov

Michigan data last reviewed Aug 15, 2026 · michigan.gov

How to register your Indiana LLC in Michigan

Check name availability in Michigan

Before filing, verify that your LLC name (or a distinguishable variation) is available in Michigan. If your exact name is already taken, you may need to register under a fictitious or assumed name.

Search the business name register on the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs website before you file.

Get a Certificate of Existence from Indiana

Michigan requires a Certificate of Existence from Indiana to prove your LLC is in good standing. The fee is $15. Available to order online. No expiration printed; foreign-state applications typically require dating within 30-90 days.

Order from Indiana ↗

File the Application for Certificate of Authority (Form CSCL/CD-760) in Michigan

Submit your application along with the Certificate of Existence and the $50 filing fee. Processing time is 5-7 business days. Expedited processing available for $50-$1,000. Online filing is available.

Michigan filing portal ↗

Appoint a registered agent in Michigan

You must designate a registered agent with a physical address in Michigan to accept legal documents on behalf of your LLC. This is required as part of the foreign qualification application.

Ongoing compliance in Michigan

Annual report: $25/year
Report due: February 15
Processing time: 5-7 business days
Expedite: $50-$1,000

Important to know about Michigan

The annual report is due February 15 on a fixed calendar rather than the registration anniversary.
Penalties accrue per calendar month and Michigan looks back up to five years.

Already operating in Michigan without registering? Our guide to what Michigan charges unregistered LLCs covers fines, back fees, and court access.

Activities that do NOT require registration in Michigan

Maintaining, defending, or settling any proceeding
Holding meetings of members, or carrying on other activities concerning internal affairs
Maintaining bank accounts
Maintaining securities transfer, exchange, or registration offices, or trustees or depositaries for those securities
Selling through independent contractors
Soliciting or obtaining orders, if the orders require acceptance outside Michigan to become contracts
Creating or acquiring indebtedness, mortgages, and security interests in real or personal property
Securing or collecting debts, or enforcing mortgages and security interests securing those debts
Owning real or personal property, and nothing more
Conducting an isolated transaction completed within 30 days that is not one of repeated transactions of a like nature
Transacting business in interstate commerce

Under MCL 450.5008. Michigan tracks the MBCA list exactly, 11 items, with a 30-day isolated-transaction cap. Note MCL 450.5009 separately permits FHA and VA loan activity without authority to transact business.

Need a registered agent in Michigan?

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

Get Northwest Registered Agent ↗

Recommended · $125/year · Privacy included

Registered Agents Inc

$200/year · Report filing included, state fees extra

Visit site ↗

Harbor Compliance

$99 first year, then $149/year · Full-service compliance option

Visit site ↗

Not sure which service fits? Our full Northwest Registered Agent review and Harbor Compliance review cover pricing, renewal terms, and where each one fits.

Need a business address in Michigan?

A virtual mailbox gives your LLC a professional address in Michigan for mail forwarding, public filings, and banking, without leasing office space.

Northwest Mail Forwarding $20/mo

Unique suite number + unlimited digital mail scanning

Learn more ↗

Independent mailbox providers

iPostal1

Largest address network in the US. Best budget option for a registered business address.

From $14.99/mo Visit site ↗

Alliance Virtual Offices

Real commercial address inside a staffed office center, with an Address Certification Letter for banking and registration.

From $49/mo Visit site ↗

Bizee

Commercial street address with unlimited mail scanning, cheapest bundled with Bizee formation.

$29/mo Visit site ↗

Check your full compliance

Use our free tool to check if you need to register in additional states.

Start free compliance check ↗

Sources

https://www.michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/cscl/corps

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