Best Registered Agent Services (2026): Top 7 Compared

A registered agent is a person or business entity that performs a legal service for LLCs (limited liability companies). They work on your LLC business’s behalf to receive service of process notices, official mail, and other legal and tax documents. State law requires that all LLCs have a registered agent. However, specific requirements vary by state as well.
Northwest Registered Agent is our top Agent recommendation!
A registered agent is a person or service designated to receive legal documents, government correspondence, and official notices on behalf of your LLC. Every state requires LLCs to have a registered agent with a physical address in the state of formation.
This guide explains what registered agents do, whether you need one, how to choose the best service, and compares the top 7 options for 2026.
A registered agent (also called a “statutory agent,” “agent for service of process,” or “resident agent” depending on your state) is your LLC’s official point of contact with the state. They receive:
Your registered agent’s name and address become part of the public record when you form your LLC.
Yes. Every state requires LLCs to maintain a registered agent. This is not optional — if your LLC loses its registered agent, the state can administratively dissolve your business.
The registered agent must meet these requirements:
Yes, you can serve as your own registered agent if you meet the requirements above. This saves money ($0 vs $119-$299/year for a service), but has significant drawbacks:
Our recommendation: Use a registered agent service. At $125/year or less, you get privacy (your home address stays off public records), reliability (you never miss a legal notice), and convenience (one service handles everything).
After testing and comparing the leading services, Mainstay Filing ($199/year all-in) is our top pick for most LLC owners — the flat rate includes registered agent service and annual report filing, with Northwest Registered Agent ($125/year) the best standalone registered agent.
Rating: 4.8 / 5 | Read full review
Mainstay Filing takes a different approach from every other service on this list: registered agent service is one part of a flat $199/year subscription that also covers formation filing and — uniquely — preparation and filing of your annual report. You are not buying a registered agent and then discovering the rest of compliance costs extra; the whole obligation is handled for one locked price in all 50 states.
The registered agent service covers the essentials — a street address in your state, acceptance of service of process and official mail, and delivery of your documents — and the subscription renews at the same $199 with no year-two increase. An error-free filing guarantee backs the paperwork: if they make a mistake, they fix it free.
If you only want a standalone registered agent and nothing else, Northwest below is the specialist pick. But for owners who would otherwise buy registered agent service and annual report filing separately ($218–$448/year combined at typical rates), Mainstay’s flat rate is the strongest total-cost offer available.
Rating: 4.7 / 5 | Read full review
Northwest Registered Agent is our top recommendation for standalone registered agent service. At $125 per year, you get far more than just a registered agent — the service includes a business address, mail scanning, a free domain name, phone number, and built-in privacy protection. Northwest uses their own address on your public LLC filings so your home address stays off the record.
What sets Northwest apart is their flat-rate pricing and customer support. The $125/year rate never increases, and there are no hidden fees or upsell tactics. Their corporate guides provide live, knowledgeable support — not a call center reading scripts. If you form your LLC through Northwest ($39 + state fee), the first year of registered agent service is included free.
For businesses operating in multiple states, Northwest offers a volume discount: $100/year per state when you register in 5 or more states. Their online dashboard gives you instant access to all your documents, compliance alerts, and state filings in one place.
Rating: 4.3 / 5 | Read full review
Bizee (formerly Incfile) offers one of the lowest ongoing prices for registered agent service at $119 per year. If you form your LLC through Bizee, the first year of registered agent service is included free with their $0 formation package — making it an excellent budget option for new business owners.
Bizee’s registered agent service covers all the essentials: accepting service of process, forwarding legal documents, and providing compliance notifications. Their online dashboard provides real-time access to your documents and automated alerts for important deadlines.
Bizee handles a high volume of formations, which means support can occasionally feel less personal than Northwest. However, for business owners primarily focused on keeping costs low, Bizee’s $119/year rate (after the free first year) is hard to beat.
Rating: 3.8 / 5 | Read full review
LegalZoom is the most well-known name in online legal services, and they offer registered agent service at $299 per year — making them the most expensive option on our list. Their registered agent service includes a compliance calendar, phone notification if you’re served with a court summons, and digital scanning of all received documents.
LegalZoom also offers add-on legal services like attorney consultations, trademark filing, and contract templates. The high price is the biggest drawback — for most LLC owners who simply need reliable registered agent service, more affordable options like Northwest or Bizee provide better value.
Swyft Filings offers registered agent service at $149 per year. They are known for fast processing times and a streamlined formation experience, with same-day filing available in most states. Their registered agent service includes unlimited mail forwarding, same-day digital