Best registered agent services of 2024
Updated 2:30 p.m. UTC April 29, 2024
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Registered agent services help small businesses operate legally across state lines. Top-rated solutions deliver documents promptly, but each option has a different price point and value-added features. You do have the option of being your own registered agent, but in some cases, it might be better to use a company for this. We looked at 10 registered agent providers, assessing the companies’ reputation, customer reviews, value and support.
Use this guide to see how the best registered agent services compare and to find the best solution for your business.
Best registered agent services
- Northwest Registered Agent: Ideal for maintaining privacy.
- Harbor Compliance: Best for managing multi-state entities.
- InCorp: Better option for long-term registered agent services.
- BetterLegal: Preferred choice for monthly plans.
- Sundoc Filings: Top pick for attorneys and CPAs.
- Bizee: Best free business formation with a registered agent.
- Rocket Lawyer: Recommended subscription for legal documents.
- Swyft Filings: Good add-on to a business formation plan.
- ZenBusiness: Suitable for socially conscious entrepreneurs.
- LegalZoom: Viable option for extended customer support hours.
Featured registered agent service offers
Why trust our small business experts
Our team of experts evaluates hundreds of business products and analyzes thousands of data points to help you find the best product for your situation. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content. You can read more about our methodology below.
- 15 companies reviewed.
- 540 data points analyzed.
- 100+ hours of research.
Featured registered agent service offers
Best registered agent services comparison
MULTI-STATE SUPPORT | SAME-DAY DOCUMENT DELIVERY | LLC/CORP FILING | LIVE CHAT | AVAILABLE IN ALL 50 STATES | FULL REVIEW | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Northwest Registered Agent
| Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| No
| Yes
| |
Harbor Compliance
| Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| No
| Yes
| |
InCorp
| Yes
| No
| Yes
| Yes; human
| Yes
| |
BetterLegal
| Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| Yes; human
| Yes
| |
Sundoc Filings
| Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| No
| Yes
| |
Bizee
| Yes
| Not guaranteed
| Yes
| Yes; human
| Yes
| |
Rocket Lawyer
| Yes
| Not guaranteed
| Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| |
Swyft Filings
| Yes
| Not guaranteed
| Yes
| Yes; human
| Yes
| |
Zen Business
| Yes
| No
| Yes
| Yes; bot
| Yes
| |
LegalZoom
| Yes
| No
| Yes
| Yes; bot
| Yes
|
Methodology
We extensively research the key competitors within an industry to determine the best products and services for your business. Our experts identify the factors that matter most to business owners, including pricing, features and customer support, to ensure that our recommendations offer well-rounded products that will meet the needs of various small businesses.
We collect extensive data to narrow our best list to reputable, easy-to-use products with standout features at a reasonable price point. And we look at user reviews to ensure that business owners like you are satisfied with our top picks’ services. We use the same rubric to assess companies within a particular space so you can confidently follow our blueprint to the [name of best list] of 2024.
Expert score (10%): Our expert score summarizes the main factors that small businesses consider when choosing a registered agent. We gave equal weight (2.5%) to a vendor’s reputation, features, overall value and ease of use. A convenient, user-friendly solution is a sign of a solid investment.
Still, we are looking for a company that’s reliable and able to support your business long-term. Your registered agent is a partner who handles essential legal documents, and you don’t want to hand this responsibility over to a fly-by-the-night agency.
Value (33%): While most companies displayed annual pricing on their websites, we delved deeper into the terms of service and user feedback to see if the vendor delivered the best value for your money. We particularly looked for discounts for businesses that signed up for multiple years, states or entities.
Our research also examined when and how the vendor raised rates. We understand that few small businesses can afford unexpected price increases, and since you must file paperwork with your state before canceling the service, you should look for providers who give you enough time to take appropriate action. This emphasis on long-term planning and financial savvy can help you feel more prepared in your decision-making process.
Features (37%): To assess features, we verify that each service meets the basic legal requirements, including a physical address and online document access. Next, we looked for tools some businesses require, such as same-day document scans and compliance calendars. These can assist companies in more complex industries or those managing client accounts.
When possible, we accessed the mobile apps or dashboards to see how well they functioned. As business owners, you want to always be able to download, print and view your documents, but not every service necessarily offers each function.
Service and support (20%): We interacted with agents when possible and evaluated user feedback for our service and support component. We noted time zones, as many registered agent companies keep business hours on Pacific time, a three-hour time difference from Eastern.
Vendors with extended support hours typically received higher ratings, especially if they were responsive on one or more channels. Since many entrepreneurs prefer the convenience of live chat, we attempted to contact companies this way and noted when they claimed to offer live chat, yet it wasn’t available.
What is a registered agent service?
A registered agent (also called a “statutory agent,” “agent for service of process” or “resident agent”) is a person or company appointed by a limited liability company (LLC) or corporation to accept service of process (legal documents), government notices, annual reports and tax notices for them. All states require registered agents to be physically located in the state where this business is incorporated and all states where the company conducts business.
A business may name its owner or an employee as the registered agent as long as they have a physical address in the state where the company is conducting business. But, if the company does business in multiple states, a registered agent or registered agent service must be named in each state.
Don’t confuse having a physical presence in a state with conducting business there. You don’t need an office or storefront to be considered conducting business in a state. For instance, having employees, collecting sales tax or selling products in a state is considered doing business. So, you must also appoint a registered agent in that state to represent your company and receive and forward critical correspondence.
How do registered agent services work?
The primary job of a registered agent or a registered agent service provider is to be available to receive service of process and other important documents on behalf of its client businesses. This means someone must be at a specified physical location Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time to receive documents and legal notices. The registered agent then passes the documents on to the company’s owner, lawyer or other designated person promptly and securely.
Once a business employs a registered agent service and files incorporation paperwork naming the provider as its representative, all official paperwork from that state, such as legal and government notices, will be delivered to the registered agent.
In general, the next steps are:
1. The registered agent receives official documentation such as:
- Official federal and state correspondence, including tax notices.
- Legal notices, such as subpoenas, court summonses and lawsuit correspondence.
- Wage garnishment notices.
- Corporate filing notifications.
2. The registered agent service immediately notifies the business of the documentation received using email, a postcard, SMS or a company-provided dashboard.
3. Documents are then scanned to the business’ registered agent service account for viewing by the business’ personnel.
4. Some registered agent services then mail the hard copy of the document to the business.
Benefits of registered agent services
By law, all businesses that operate in the United States must appoint a registered agent. However, you don’t necessarily have to get a registered agent outside of your company. Some companies simply appoint someone from within the company as the listed registered agent, such as the business’s owner.
Hiring a registered agent service provider can offer many benefits, including:
- Legal compliance: Regardless of the state in which your business operates, you must appoint a registered agent. Hiring a registered agent service provider fulfills this requirement.
- Document storage and backup: Most registered agent service providers set up a digital portal for client companies. When documents are delivered to a client, the document is scanned and uploaded to the client’s portal. Some registered agent services offer mail-forwarding options. So, while you may have your document in hand if something happens to it, it is still available to you via online storage.
- Privacy: The registered agent you appoint for your business must list a physical business address for public records. If you serve as your own registered agent, your address will be made public (think lots of junk mail!). If you hire a registered agent service provider, their address will be made public and yours will remain private.
- Compliance without a physical address: If your business does not have a physical address (if you have a P.O. box alone, for example), you cannot fulfill the requirement to list a physical registered agent address if you serve as your business’s registered agent. By hiring a registered agent service provider, you can borrow their physical address to list as your business’s contact information.
- Schedule flexibility: A registered agent must be available during all regular business hours throughout the year at the physical address listed for the registered agent. If you work odd hours or need to leave the office to meet with clients, for example, you cannot fulfill this requirement. By appointing a registered agent service provider that is available during all regular business hours, you can leave your business office as necessary while still maintaining a registered agent that is available during all regular business hours, thereby enjoying flexibility while still remaining compliant with the law.
- Ease of multi-state expansion: You must appoint a registered agent in all states in which you do business. And that registered agent must have a physical address within that state. Hiring a registered agent when working across states allows you to fulfill the registered agent requirement in each state without having to set up a staffed entity in each new state in which you do business.
- Additional guidance: Many registered agent service providers offer additional support, such as legal counsel, for businesses that run into problems surrounding their paperwork or legal business matters. While this service often costs an extra fee, it is often available to businesses whenever they need it.
- Less lawsuit risk: If you act as your own registered agent and are unable to be in the office at all times during regular business hours, you risk missing the delivery of important documents, such as notices your business is being sued. If you miss such deliveries, and so are unaware of the lawsuit, you may miss the opportunity to defend your business in court. As a result, you may have to pay steep penalties or suffer other adverse business consequences. Hiring a registered agent service provider can help you avoid such a risk.
Who needs a registered agent?
If you don’t own an LLC or corporation, you likely won’t need the services of a registered agent. Sole proprietorships and partnerships are considered “disregarded entities” (or common law entities). They aren’t required to file formation documents in states where they conduct business, so they typically don’t need registered agents.
Alternatively, LLCs and corporations are formal entities and must be registered with all states where they conduct business. Part of that registration process is to appoint a registered agent with a physical mailing address in the state.
Company owners doing business in their home states may think it’s more affordable and convenient to select an in-house registered agent and designate an employee for the role. However, that means your company’s address cannot be kept private (since registered agent addresses are publicly listed), and someone must be physically present at that address during all regular local business hours. It also means undesirable legal paperwork could be delivered to your business in front of customers, such as notices that your company is being sued.
How to choose the best registered agent service
Selecting the right registered agent service depends on your specific needs, including:
- The provider’s multi-state and/or multi-year discounts.
- How quickly and in what form you need correspondence to be accessible.
- Whether you need other services the company provides.
- Your requirements surrounding the provider’s ability to offer speed and access to customer service.
Key features to look for
Registered agent services come with a core set of capabilities; some companies offer additional perks to assist with compliance.
Compare statutory agents by reviewing the following services and features:
- Physical address and availability. Registered agents supply a resident office and maintain business hours, ensuring your compliance with state regulations.
- Legal mail handling. All agents accept legal correspondence, including service of process documents. They should scan and upload the mail at a minimum. The best registered agents also offer same-day scans.
- Online document management. Registered agent companies provide an online platform where you can view, download and print scanned mail. Some also let you store other business documents, like your LLC paperwork.
- Privacy protection. Instead of putting your home or business address on public filing documents, you can add the name and address of your local registered agent service.
- Email or text notifications. Most vendors send emails or texts when they accept legal correspondence on your behalf. If you don’t open important documents, they may remind you through alternative methods.
- Compliance support. Some providers offer calendars with tax and annual reporting dates. They may notify you of upcoming deadlines by text or email.
Registered agent companies may provide additional business tools, like free forms and templates. By consolidating features on one platform, leaders can see their important documents and filing deadlines in one spot, reducing the chance that one will slip by unnoticed.
Local vs. national services
When hiring a registered agent service provider, you have two options. You can hire a national service provider, which has offices in all 50 U.S. states, or hire a local provider within your state.
National services
When hiring a national provider, if you expand your operation in other states, you don’t have to establish a business entity with a physical address in the new state. Instead, you can just register your business address as that of your registered agent for public records. Many national providers also offer other perks, such as multi-state registration discounts and free bundled registered agent and business formation services.
However, a national registered agent service provider often has thousands of client companies they represent. This means that when you call seeking advice or legal counsel, you often don’t get personalized services from a point of contact who knows your business well.
Local services
In contrast, when you hire a local registered agent service, you often have one point of contact who learns your business needs and gets to know you. This person is often a lawyer who is available to your business for legal advice as well. You may even access perks that could not be offered by a national registered agent service provider, such as recommendations to local accountants other local companies have had success with or access to the legal firms’ conference rooms for business use.
However, when using a local registered agent service provider, you cannot work through that same provider to expand your business to other states. You also aren’t likely to receive some discounts that national service providers offer, such as free LLC formation services with registered agent services, multi-state or multi-entity discounts.
In addition, since many local registered agent service providers are law firms, you often cannot just pay for registered agent services but must also pay for legal services or at least the ability to access a lawyer whenever you want to.
How much do registered agent services cost?
ANNUAL PRICE OF REGISTERED AGENT SERVICE | FREE YEAR OF REGISTERED AGENT SERVICE WITH BUSINESS FORMATION PLAN | MULTI-YEAR OR MULTI-STATE DISCOUNTS | |
---|---|---|---|
Northwest Registered Agent
| $125.00
| Yes
| Yes
|
Harbor Compliance
| $99.00
| No
| Yes
|
InCorp
| $129.00
| No
| Yes
|
BetterLegal
| $90.00
| No
| No
|
Sundoc Filings
| $159.00
| No
| Yes
|
Bizee
| $119.00
| Yes
| No
|
Rocket Lawyer
| $249.99
| No
| Yes
|
Swyft Filings
| $199.00
| No
| No
|
Zen Business
| $199.00
| No
| No
|
LegalZoom
| $249.00
| No
| No
|
Registered agent service in one state costs $90 to $249.99 annually. Several vendors offer discounts if you order services for multiple entities or in two or more states. These promotions can drop your yearly cost per agent to as low as $87.
Startups can also take advantage of free offers through Bizee or Northwest Registered Agent. These include a free year of resident agent services when you form a business through the company.
However, it’s important to review the renewal prices and the terms of service. Some providers may increase fees without warning. Others have a confusing checkout process with many add-ons.
Regardless of the vendor’s cancellation policy, it’s vital to understand that most registered agent services will only terminate services (and stop charging fees) once you designate a new agent with the state and inform your previous vendor. This process is outlined in the terms of service and must be followed precisely — you can’t simply call and cancel services.
What we don’t recommend
Most startup founders don’t think about choosing a registered agent when forming an LLC or corporation. So, they often appoint an employee to do the job. This is an acceptable temporary solution but not one we recommend long term. Due to the requirements that a registered agent be on the premises every day during all regular business hours, that person would not be able to leave the business’s location for meetings, meals or travel.
We also don’t recommend using a registered agent service just because it’s a well-known brand. Some of those companies focus primarily on providing formation services and don’t offer as many features in their registered agent packages. Some even outsource registered agent services to partner organizations, which is only revealed in their terms of service.
And while signing up for a multi-year discount sounds attractive, we don’t recommend making that a deciding factor. You never know when your company’s circumstances may change, so before you sign up with a registered agent service, make sure you can cancel a subscription and get a refund should you need to.
Featured registered agent service offers
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
If you own an LLC or a corporation, the law requires you to name a registered agent when you file business formation documents with your state. However, since sole proprietorships or general partnerships aren’t required to file formation documents in the states where they conduct business, they typically don’t need registered agents.
For LLCs and corporations conducting business in states where they don’t have a physical address, using registered agent services is necessary. This allows them to stay compliant with the applicable laws of all 50 states and the District of Columbia, which require someone to be present in a physical location (for instance, an office or store) Monday through Friday during normal local business hours to receive legal and other important business-compliance documents.
If you only do business in your state, other benefits to using registered agent services include:
- Maintaining your privacy (since registered agents’ addresses must be publicly listed).
- Allowing you to leave your office for meetings, meals and travel during regular business hours while remaining compliant.
- Not having to refile business documents with state agencies if you change addresses.
- Avoiding embarrassing correspondence — such as notices you are being sued — from being delivered to your business office in front of customers or clients.
Using a registered agent service protects:
- Your privacy by not publicly publishing your address — which is critical if you work from home.
- Your business by ensuring you’re compliant with all applicable states’ laws.
- Your important paperwork from getting lost, causing you to miss crucial deadlines and potentially be fined.
- Your reputation by saving you from the embarrassment of being served with legal documents in front of clients or employees.
All the registered agent service providers listed in our chart have agents in all 50 states, so one service can act as your agent in multiple locations, saving you time and possibly money.
To serve as a registered agent, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Have a physical address within the state of service (not a PO box).
- Be physically present at the address listed as the registered agent address during business hours (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time).
The only advantage of serving as your own registered agent is that it may save you some money. But it may not be a good long-term solution. Being a registered agent requires you to keep track of critical documents, update important forms and maintain compliance with various state laws. If you do not do so correctly or on time, you may be fined or have your business dissolved.
Yes, you need a registered agent with a physical address in the states where you do business if your business is an LLC or corporation. Sole proprietorships and partnerships typically do not need registered agents.
No. Registered agents or registered agent services must have a physical address where a business representative can receive compliance and legal documentation during regular business hours. The address cannot be a PO Box.
There is no difference. Registered and statutory agents are two terms used for the same role.
Yes, a company can change its registered agent, but the process varies by state. Typically, a company can file a form online with the Secretary of State designating a new registered agent. However, some states charge a filing fee for this. Also, many registered agent services will not cancel your account and continue charging fees until you have secured a new registered agent.
You cannot register your business with a state without designating a registered agent in your official documents. If you cancel or lose your registered agent without assigning another one, you will likely fall out of compliance with the state and be suspended from conducting business there.
“Registered agent” and “statutory agent” are two terms that mean the same thing and are often used interchangeably. The term statutory agent simply highlights the fact that the agent is required by law for each business operating within the state. Another term that means the same thing is a “resident agent.”
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