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Register Your Maryland LLC in Wisconsin

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

Cost Summary

Wisconsin filing fee
$100
Maryland Certificate of Status
$20
Annual obligation in Wisconsin
$25/year
Estimated year 1 total
$145
Note: Year 1 total includes the $100 filing fee in Wisconsin plus the $20 Certificate of Status fee from Maryland. Registered agent fees (typically $100-$200/year) are not included.
Maryland data verified May 1, 2026 · dat.maryland.gov
Wisconsin data verified May 1, 2026 · wdfi.org

How to register your Maryland LLC in Wisconsin

1

Check name availability in Wisconsin

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

Check the Wisconsin Secretary of State website for name availability search.

2

Get a Certificate of Status from Maryland

Wisconsin requires a Certificate of Status from Maryland to prove your LLC is in good standing. The fee is $20. No state-imposed expiration; third parties typically require certificate dated within 30-60 days.

3

File the Application for Certificate of Authority in Wisconsin

Submit your application along with the Certificate of Status and the $100 filing fee. Processing time is 5-10 business days. Expedited processing available for $25.

Wisconsin filing portal ↗
4

Appoint a registered agent in Wisconsin

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

Ongoing compliance in Wisconsin

Annual report
$25/year
Report due
Anniversary quarter
Processing time
5-10 business days
Expedite
$25

Activities that do NOT require registration in Wisconsin

  • Maintaining or defending a lawsuit, administrative proceeding, or arbitration
  • Holding meetings of members or managers, or carrying on internal company affairs
  • Maintaining bank accounts
  • Maintaining offices or agencies for the transfer, exchange, or registration of the LLC's own securities
  • Selling through independent contractors
  • Soliciting or obtaining orders if orders require acceptance outside the state before becoming contracts
  • Creating or acquiring indebtedness, mortgages, or security interests in real or personal property
  • Securing or collecting debts, or enforcing mortgages or security interests
  • Owning real or personal property
  • Conducting an isolated transaction completed within 30 days that is not part of repeated similar transactions
  • Transacting business in interstate commerce

Wisconsin's Uniform Limited Liability Company Law, codified at Chapter 183 (modernized by 2021 Wisconsin Act 258, effective January 1, 2023), lists activities at Section 183.0905 ('Activities not constituting doing business'). Under the post-2023 act, Wisconsin uses 'doing business' rather than 'transacting business.' The pre-2023 version of the statute used different section numbers; references to Section 183.1003 reflect the OLD numbering and refer to 'Consequences of transacting business without registration' (the closed-door statute), not the safe harbors.

Need a registered agent in Wisconsin?

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 · Includes annual report filing
Visit site ↗
Harbor Compliance
$99/year · Full-service compliance option
Visit site ↗

Check your full compliance

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

Start free compliance check ↗

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