Best Registered Agent Services in 2026
Reliable representation to keep your business compliant and your information private.
Every LLC and corporation in the United States is required to designate a registered agent. This person or service accepts legal documents, government correspondence, and compliance notices on behalf of your business. Choosing the right registered agent service can save you time, protect your privacy, and help you avoid costly compliance failures.
We reviewed the leading registered agent services to help you find reliable, affordable representation that fits your business needs.
What Is a Registered Agent?
A registered agent (sometimes called a statutory agent or resident agent) is a person or business designated to receive official documents on behalf of a company. Every state requires LLCs and corporations to maintain a registered agent with a physical address in the state of formation.
A registered agent has four core responsibilities:
Receiving Service of Process
If your business is named in a lawsuit, the registered agent receives the legal papers on your behalf. This is arguably the most critical function. If service of process is missed or ignored, a court can enter a default judgment against your business, meaning you lose the case automatically without ever having a chance to defend yourself.
Accepting Official Correspondence
Beyond lawsuits, registered agents receive a range of official documents, including:
- State compliance notices and annual report reminders
- Tax notifications from the state or IRS
- Secretary of State correspondence
- Subpoenas and government inquiries
- Formation and amendment confirmations
Maintaining a Physical Address
The registered agent must have a physical street address (not a P.O. box) in the state where your business is registered. This address becomes part of the public record, which is one reason many business owners use a service rather than their personal address.
Being Available During Business Hours
The registered agent must be available at their listed address during normal business hours to accept documents in person. This means someone must physically be present, which can be a significant burden for individual business owners.
Our Top Picks
Based on our evaluation, these are the top registered agent services we recommend.
ZenBusiness
Clear pricing, user-friendly compliance dashboard, and dependable support for businesses of all sizes.
Northwest Registered Agent
Industry-leading customer support at $125/year with the most features at its price point.
LegalZoom
Competitive registered agent pricing backed by the most recognized name in legal services.
What We Evaluated
Our evaluation of registered agent services considered these factors:
Annual Cost
Registered agent pricing varies significantly across providers. We looked at both promotional first-year pricing and standard renewal rates, since many services offer steep introductory discounts that increase substantially upon renewal. Understanding the full cost over two to three years gives a more accurate picture than the initial price alone.
Reliability
A registered agent service is only useful if it reliably handles your documents. We evaluated how providers manage incoming documents, how quickly they notify you when something is received, and their track record for consistent, dependable service.
Included Features
Beyond basic document acceptance, many services bundle additional tools. We looked at online dashboards for document access, compliance calendars and reminders, digital mail scanning, and document storage.
Privacy Protection
Since your registered agent's address appears on public filings, using a service keeps your personal home address off the public record. We evaluated how effectively each provider protects your personal information.
Customer Support
When you have questions about compliance deadlines or need help understanding a document you've received, responsive customer support matters. We assessed availability, responsiveness, and the quality of assistance provided.
National Coverage
Businesses operating in multiple states need a registered agent in each state. We evaluated which services offer coverage across all 50 states and how seamlessly they handle multi-state registrations.
Business Integration
Some registered agent services integrate with broader business formation and compliance platforms. We considered how well each service connects with other tools and services a business owner might need, such as formation filing, EIN acquisition, and operating agreement templates.
Who Needs a Registered Agent?
The following types of businesses and individuals benefit most from a professional registered agent service:
All LLCs and Corporations
Every state requires these entities to maintain a registered agent. There are no exceptions.
Home-Based Business Owners
If your business is registered at your home address, using a registered agent service keeps your personal address off public filings and prevents process servers from showing up at your door.
Businesses Without a Physical Office
If you operate remotely or from coworking spaces, you likely don't have a permanent address that meets registered agent requirements. A service solves this problem.
Multi-State Companies
Businesses registered in multiple states need a registered agent in each one. A national service simplifies this by providing coverage across all states from a single provider.
Frequent Travelers
If you're often away from your business address, you risk missing critical documents. A registered agent service ensures nothing falls through the cracks while you're away.
Those Preferring Professional Handling
Even if you could serve as your own registered agent, many business owners prefer to have a dedicated professional handling official correspondence to ensure nothing is missed or mishandled.
Can You Be Your Own Registered Agent?
Yes, in most states you can serve as your own registered agent, provided you meet certain requirements. You must be at least 18 years old, have a physical street address (not a P.O. box) in the state of formation, and be available at that address during standard business hours to accept documents in person.
However, serving as your own registered agent comes with notable drawbacks:
Drawbacks of Being Your Own Registered Agent
- Public Record Exposure: Your personal name and address will appear on public filings, accessible to anyone who searches your business records. This can lead to unwanted solicitations and junk mail.
- Must Be Available During Business Hours: You need to be physically present at the listed address during all normal business hours. Taking a vacation, stepping out for lunch, or working remotely could mean missing a critical document delivery.
- Personal Service of Lawsuits: If your business is sued, a process server will deliver the papers to you personally, potentially in front of clients, customers, or employees. This can be embarrassing and disruptive.
- Address Change Complications: If you move, you must update your registered agent address with the state, which typically involves filing paperwork and sometimes paying fees. A service provides a stable address regardless of your personal relocations.
Given that professional registered agent services typically cost between $50 and $300 per year, most business owners find the convenience, privacy, and reliability well worth the expense.
What to Consider When Choosing
Price vs. Value
Registered agent pricing ranges from around $25 per year on the low end to $125 or more on the high end for standard annual service. The cheapest option isn't necessarily the best value. Consider what's included at each price point: document scanning, compliance alerts, online dashboards, and customer support quality all factor into the true value you receive.
Reputation and Track Record
Your registered agent is responsible for receiving time-sensitive legal documents. The consequences of a missed document can be severe, including default judgments, administrative dissolution, or loss of good standing. Choose a provider with an established reputation, positive reviews, and a proven track record of reliability.
Document Access and Notifications
Modern registered agent services should offer same-day notification when documents are received, digital scanning of all incoming mail, and an online dashboard where you can view and download your documents at any time. These features ensure you're never left wondering about the status of important correspondence.
Compliance Support
Some registered agent services go beyond document handling to help you stay compliant with state requirements. Look for providers that offer annual report filing assistance, compliance calendars with automated reminders, and ongoing monitoring of your business standing with the state.
Multi-State Capabilities
If your business operates or is registered in multiple states, you need a registered agent in each one. Choosing a provider with national coverage simplifies management by giving you a single point of contact, one dashboard, and one bill for all your registered agent needs across every state.
Registered Agent vs. Business Address Services
Key Distinction
A registered agent service fulfills the legal requirement of having a designated person or entity to accept service of process and official state correspondence. A business address service provides a professional mailing address for general correspondence and day-to-day operations. They are not interchangeable.
It's important to understand the difference between a registered agent service and a business address or virtual office service, as they serve different purposes.
A registered agent service specifically fulfills the legal requirement of having a designated person or entity available to accept service of process and official state correspondence. The address is used on state filings and is part of the public record.
A business address service (or virtual office) provides a professional mailing address for general business correspondence, mail forwarding, and sometimes meeting rooms or phone answering. It is used for day-to-day business operations and marketing materials.
Some providers offer both services bundled together, which can be convenient if you need a professional address for both compliance and general business purposes. However, they are distinct services, and having a business address does not automatically satisfy the registered agent requirement unless the provider specifically offers that as part of the package.
How to Change Your Registered Agent
If you're unhappy with your current registered agent or want to switch providers, the process is straightforward in most states:
Choose your new registered agent
Select and confirm your new registered agent service. Make sure they're authorized to operate in your state before proceeding.
File a Change of Agent form
Submit the appropriate form with your state's Secretary of State office. Most states have a specific form for this purpose, and many allow online filing.
Pay the filing fee
Most states charge a fee to process the change, typically ranging from $5 to $50 depending on the state.
Confirm the change
After filing, verify that the state's records have been updated to reflect your new registered agent. Notify your previous agent that they've been replaced so they can close your account.
The entire process usually takes a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on your state's processing times. Many new registered agent services will handle the filing on your behalf as part of their onboarding process.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Focusing Only on First-Year Price
Many registered agent services offer heavily discounted first-year rates to attract new customers, then charge significantly more upon renewal. A service advertising $1 for the first year may cost $200 or more annually after that. Always compare standard renewal pricing, not just introductory offers, to understand your true long-term cost.
Using a Friend or Family Member
While technically legal in most states, designating a friend or family member as your registered agent creates problems. They must be reliably available during all business hours, and they may not understand the importance of promptly forwarding documents. If they move, go on vacation, or simply forget their responsibilities, your business is at risk. The small annual cost of a professional service is worth the peace of mind.
Ignoring Compliance After Formation
Many business owners focus on the formation process but then neglect ongoing compliance requirements. Your registered agent is only one piece of the puzzle. Annual reports, franchise tax filings, and other state requirements must be met to maintain good standing. Choose a registered agent service that helps you stay on top of these obligations, rather than one that simply accepts your documents and nothing more.
Not Updating After Moving
If you serve as your own registered agent or use a physical address tied to your location, moving without updating your registered agent information with the state can have serious consequences. Documents will be sent to your old address, and you may miss critical legal notices. If you relocate, update your registered agent filing immediately or switch to a professional service that provides a stable address.