Best Registered Agent Service

One of the crucial steps and a requirement when forming your new LLC is to select a registered agent. While some states allow you to act as your own registered agent, you are required to be available during regular office hours and you may have to make your address public. This may end up reducing your privacy and even receiving lots of junk mail.

As such, you may want to appoint a registered agent service to help receive all your official mails and legal documents on your behalf, so you can maintain your privacy and have the flexibility of working from multiple locations.

In this article, we’re going to review some of the best registered agent services, so you can easily choose one that best suits your unique company needs:

Best Registered Agent Service

1. Incfile

Established in 2004, IncFile is easily one of the best and most reliable registered agents out there for its highly affordable prices without sacrificing on quality of services.

Since inception, the company has served more than 250,000 businesses and has become an increasingly popular option for entrepreneurs looking for top-notch registered agent services at a bargain price.

One of the spectacular thing about IncFile, which is also what sets them apart from the other services is that they give you one year of free registered agent service when you use their LLC formation services. However, after the first year, IncFile will charge you a flat fee of $119 per year to act as your registered agent.

The company has an outstanding customer support including a team of knowledgeable and helpful support reps always ready to resolve any issue you might be having with your registered agent service. They also receive numerous positive reviews from their customers, so you can expect them to deliver stellar services.

Pros

• Offers free one year of registered agent with their business formation packages
• Receives lots of positive customer feedback
• Offers one of the most reliable and affordable registered agent service
• Has an outstanding support service

Cons

• Their registered agent doesn’t offer any extra features

2. Northwest Registered Agent

Inarguably one of the most recognized registered agent service providers, Northwest has been providing premium services to business owners across the country since 1998.

Northwest offers registered agent services at a reasonable price of about $125, which is quite lower than what some of their competitors will charge you. The best part is that Northwest can drop that price to a more affordable rate of only $100, if you require service in several other states.

Besides their reasonable rates, Northwest also stands out as the only registered agent service provider that locally scans all the documents they receive for your business on the same day. They also offer an unrivalled customer service where they assign you one of their professional corporate guides to help with any questions or concern you might be having.

Pros

• Scan all of your important legal documents
• Offers amazing discounts for service in several states
• Exceptional customer service from dedicated corporate guides
• All business formation packages include a one year free of registered agent service
• The company has many years of experience in the industry

Cons

• Their services aren’t the cheapest out there

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3. ZenBusiness

Next up is ZenBusiness, which is another excellent registered agent service provider that offers top-notch services at the most competitive rates, without sacrificing on valuable features.

While it was recently opened in 2015, ZenBusiness has thousands of positive reviews from satisfied customers, which shows that they provide reliable and efficient services.

ZenBusiness’ registered agent service is incredibly affordable costing only $99 per year. They also offer one year of registered agent at zero cost if you purchase any of their business formation plans, with the basic package starting at only $39.

What’s more, ZenBusiness offers an outstanding customer service, so you can rest assured to receive accurate and prompt help from their support team via email, phone, or web-chat.

Pros

• Has many positive customer reviews
• Offers free one year of registered agent with all business formation packages
• Outstanding services at affordable prices
• Helpful and reliable customer support

Cons

• The company is relatively new in the industry compared to other established competitors

4. Swyft Filings

Founded in 2012, Swyft Filings is fairly new in the industry but has served thousands of businesses for the short time they’ve been in operation. The company stands out for its excellent customer feedback with high average rating scores from thousands of reviews.

Swyft Filings offers registered agent service for a flat fee of only $149 per year. While their rates aren’t the lowest, it includes compliance reminders for important deadlines, so your business can stay compliant and in good standing with the authorities.

The company also has an amazing team of support reps who provide great customer service. You can reach out their support team via email, chat, or phone for assistance with whatever you might need and you’ll be able to receive answers to all your questions promptly.

Pros

• Excellent customer feedback and high average rating scores
• Offers great customer service via email, chat, and phone
• Highly affordable prices for business formations
• Offers regular compliance reminders for important deadlines

Cons

• Registered agent service is a bit expensive
• Limited features included

5. Rocket Lawyer

Rocket Lawyer is another reputable registered agent service that guarantees to keep your business compliant with the government’s requirements no matter where you are in the country.

The company has served over 20 million customers since inception, making them one of the leading and most-recognized registered agents in the crowded market.

You can purchase Rocket Lawyer’s registered agent service for $149.99 per year or at a significantly lower rate of only $39.99 per month with their Premium legal services package. Rocket Lawyer keeps all your legal documents online for easy access and provides email notifications, so you can never miss any important deadline.

Another impressive thing about Rocket Lawyer is their excellent customer feedback and provides 100 percent satisfaction guarantee to ensure you get the best service. They also have a great customer support team that strives to respond to your questions as fast as possible.

Pros

• Offers registered agent service in all 50 states
• Discounted registered agent service with the Premium legal services plan
• Stores all official documents securely online for easy access
• provides email notifications for important deadlines
• Great customer service and 100 percent satisfaction guarantee

Cons

• Only a few features are included
• Registered agent service is quite expensive

6. LegalZoom

Founded in 2001, LegalZoom has over the years served about 4 million customers, making it one of the leading and most experienced online registered agent service providers.

Unlike the other services we’ve reviewed, LegalZoom charges a higher price of about $299 per year to act as a registered agent for your business. However, you can enjoy this service at a reduced rate of $159 for the first year if you purchase their business formation package.

With LegalZoom, you get a compliance calendar that comes handy in keeping you updated of important deadlines, so you can stay compliant and without costly penalties. LegalZoom also offers a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee, so they’ll refund your money if you’re dissatisfied with their services.

Pros

• Unmatched brand power and name recognition
• Provides a 60-day money-back guarantee
• Plenty of positive customer reviews
• Provides a compliance calendar for important deadlines

Cons

• Their registered agent service is pretty expensive compared to its competitors
• Registered agent service isn’t included with the business formation packages

7. IncAuthority

Started back in 1989, Inc Authority is not only one of the first entrants in the industry, but also one of the most experienced registered agent service providers. Since opening, the company has served over 130,000 small and medium-sized businesses across the country.

Inc Authority offers free registered agent service for the first year if you purchase their LLC formation package, which starts at zero cost. After the first year, Inc Authority charges an affordable $99 per year to continue serving as your registered agent.

As your registered agent, Inc Authority gives you a unique company address for correspondence with your state and other compliance bodies. They also scan all your compliance documents and store them digitally to your dashboard, where you can easily access them whenever you want. This allows you to always stay updated on crucial deadlines, so you can respond in due time.

Pros

• Offers unparalleled customer service
• Full year of registered agent at no cost
• Registered agent service included with their business formation
• Incredibly affordable pricing

Cons

• Doesn’t include additional compliance services such as annual reporting
• Customer support isn’t available during weekends

8. MyCompanyWorks

Since they first opened in 2001, MyCompanyWorks has been offering entrepreneurs affordable LLC formation and registered agent services and has worked with over 60,000 businesses.

The company prides itself for its amazing customer feedback with more than 2500 positive reviews available online from their customers. MyCompanyWorks stands out as one of the leading registered agent provider that provides registered agent service for an affordable price point of only $99 per year.

As your registered agent, they’ll receive all your legal or official documents on your behalf, scan them, and deliver them to you soonest possible. This helps prevent the risk of missing crucial deliveries, which can have a significant impact on your company.

Pros

• Highly rated by customers
• Offers 100 percent satisfaction guarantee
• Reasonable pricing model
• Affordable registered agent service

Cons

• Registered agent only available with their premium formation package
• Customer support isn’t always available

9. BizFilings

BizFilings is another great option you might consider for your business’ registered agent needs to help meet your state’s requirements and stay compliant.

Founded in 1996, the company has a vast wealth of experience in the industry and has served over 500,000 businesses. With BizFilings, you get six months of free registered agent with any of their business formation packages.

However, you can purchase their registered agent service as a standalone feature for about $164 per year. This gives you access to their online compliance monitoring tool, filing alerts for annual reports, and, franchise tax.

Pros

• The company is well-experienced and has served thousands of clients
• Includes a 6-month free of registered agent with their LLC formation packages
• Offers customer support for extended hours
• Provides an online compliance monitoring tool

Cons

• Expensive pricing
• Limited additional features

10. InCorp

Just like Northwest, InCorp was started back in 1998 and has since then helped more than 250,000 businesses with their unique registered agent needs.

The company is renowned for offering some of the lowest prices with their impressive volume discounts. InCorp charges only $99 per year for them to serve as your registered agent. However, this price can drop to a much lower rate of only $66.56 per year if you prepay for five years of service. This can help you save more than $160 over the five-year period.

With InCorp as your registered agent, you get a handy compliance calendar, which helps keep you informed of important deadlines. They also give you access to their EntityWatch system that helps you track the status of your registration in real-time while also reducing the risk of corporate identity theft.

Pros

• Offers reduced rates with volume discounts
• Provides access to a convenient EntityWatch system
• Currently serving as a registered agent for over 125,000 businesses
• Outstanding customer service with extended operating hours

Cons

· Doesn’t have lots of customer reviews online

11. MyCorporation

With over 20 years in the business formation industry, MyCorporation is one of the leading registered agent services and has worked with over one million businesses.

The company has earned an enviable reputation for offering efficient services and has lots of positive customer reviews online. Besides that, they have an outstanding customer support team that you can easily reach via phone or email for any assistance or concern you might have regarding their services.

While their registered agent service doesn’t include any additional features, you’ll appreciate that they offer the service at a reasonable price of only $120.

Pros

• The company has a proven track record
• Their friendly and knowledgeable support reps delivers exceptional customer service
• Offers registered agent service at a reasonable price point
• Highly rated

Cons

• Doesn’t include any additional features
• Unimpressive business formation service

5 FAQ

Are there age requirements to serve as a registered agent?

Well, some states such as Colorado require a person to be 18 years and above to qualify them as a registered agent while others don’t have age restrictions.

Can I be my own registered agent?

Yes, you can be your own registered agent. However, this will need you to be available during business hours, which can limit your flexibility as well as you’ll need to make your address public, which can significantly reduce your privacy. That said, it’s important to appoint a qualified registered agent to help protect your privacy and give you the flexibility to run your business as you like.

Can I appoint my attorney or accountant as my registered agent?

Yes, you can appoint your accountant or attorney as your registered agent if they meet the state’s qualifications. However, this might end up costing you tons of money compared to hiring a registered agent service. This might also limit you when you want to expand your business in other states.

Is it possible to change my registered agent after forming my business?

Yes. It’s possible to change your registered agent even after you’ve formed your business. While the process varies from state to state, you’re often required to fill out a form known as “Change of Registered Agent” to replace your current agent with a new one.

Why do I need to hire a registered agent service?

There are many compelling reasons why you should hire a registered agent service including helping you meet your state’s requirements to stay compliant. They also give you the flexibility to choose your business hours and the peace of mind, so you can focus on growing your business. They also help retain your privacy.