If you’re forming an LLC structured business, you’d be needing the best registered agent service you could get your hands on. Why is that you may ask? Registered agents accept service of process notices such as legal documents and government notices on behalf of the LLC.
Registered agents also safeguard the owner’s privacy by receiving mail in the stead of the owner’s personal email address. Registered agents can also help businesses file taxes as well as keep legalities in check, preventing possible incoming lawsuits.
While it is possible to be your own registered agent, it is highly not recommended as you’d be compromising on your own safety and privacy by exposing sensitive details such as address and phone number.
That’s not all, as a registered agent, you’ll need to be available from 9am to 5pm every weekday to accept service of processes, adding more to your plate than what you already have as a business owner, so it is advisable to choose a professional registered agent service provider instead.
30 Seconds Summary: My Top Recommendation
Northwest Registered Agent – After testing and purchasing all the available options out there, Better Legal is arguably the best company that provides a registered agent service right now. They offer registered agent service as a separate option so you only pay for what you need.
Besides transparency, their customer support is pretty awesome. They are very professional and attentive towards any concerns you might have. With over 4000+ positive reviews, you can’t go wrong.
As a Business Fair Field reader, you will get to enjoy the service at a discounted price. Click here to check price (discount applied automatically after clicking the link, valid only for a limited period of time). Don’t miss this special deal.
| Wallet | Features | Editor’s Comment | Rating | Get The Best Deal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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1. A physical office in every state 2. Highly reputable and professional 3. Great customer support 4. 4000+ positive reviews |
Northwest Registered Agent offers the best registered agent service. We mean it when we say no other company can come close to this. Hands down the best. | 10/10 | Check Current Price |
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1. Hassle free service 2. Transparent pricing structure 3. Great customer support 4. 4000+ positive reviews |
They don’t offer registered agent service alone. This particular service is already provided within their all-in-one package. | 10/10 | Check Current Price |
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1. Long history of establishment 2. Services are affordable 3. Staffs are professional 4. 3000+ positive reviews |
Swyft Filings have a long history in helping businesses legally form their corporation. They are known to hire professional and smart registered agent. | 9/10 | Check Current Price |
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1. Flexible choice of services 2. Economical pricing 3. Decent customer support 4. 2000+ positive reviews |
Incfile services are arguable the most affordable. If you are extremely tight on budget, give this service a try. | 8.0/10 | Check Current Price |
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1. Very popular lately 2. Competitive pricing structure 3. Solid design and interface 4. 2000+ positive reviews |
A relatively new LLC formation service that’s getting a lot of attention lately. Design and interface are intuitive which makes submitting information much easier. | 8.0/10 | Check Current Price |
How to Choose Your Registered Agent Services
When choosing your registered agent, price is always a concern as well as the needs for your business. You might be able to get a free registered agent as a complimentary service if you used one of the LLC formation services we recommend. One should always weigh the price against the services provided to prevent a skewed judgement.
These company incorporation services that provide their clients with consultations with attorneys and powers of attorney are highly beneficial for an LLC. Each agent has their own software and technology, it is important to pick an agent with up to date technology for the sake of efficiency.
Having registered agents readily available when you need a quick question answered as well as educating you through various media platforms are also noteworthy perks. In this article, I will be recommending the best registered agent services for your business.
Top Rated & Best Registered Agent Services For LLC – Revealed
Here’s 6 of the best registered agent services:
1. ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness is a Public Benefit Corporation and small business empowering the next generation of small businesses to be successful. ZenBusiness’s goal is to make the dream of starting a new business accessible to everyone across the country.
ZenBusiness makes it their mission to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs, small business owners, and freelancers by making it easier than ever to start, run, and grow a successful business. ZenBusiness is there to join and support the brave entrepreneurs and business owners in taking the leap towards their dream of building a better life.
Why ZenBusiness
Zenbusiness files and return your completed business documents at a low cost with no hidden fees. Starting at $99 per year for their standard coverage and $149 per year for complete coverage.
Zenbusiness’s Standard coverage plan includes registered agent services, online document access and expert support. Zenbusiness’s complete coverage plan includes everything the standard plan has and adds their worry free compliance guarantee to the mix.
Zenbusiness’s worry free compliance guarantee provides proactive alerts and notification for upcoming filing events, covers your annual report filing and allows two amendments yearly so you stay in good standing with the state.
Should you ever miss filing deadlines or forget to file your annual report, Zenbusiness registered agents will provide a detailed action plan as well as cover the costs for you to regain your good standing with the state.
Zenbusiness ensures compliance, adds protection against legal or tax notices and keeps you organised by accepting your legal documents and storing them in your dashboard for your viewing, downloading or printing anytime online.
Not to mention, if you are new to the business, Zenbusiness offers LLC service that includes a year of free services at a price of $39. The customer support team from this registered agent service are very efficient and knowledgeable to assist you with your needs
Verdict
ZenBusiness is the top registered agent service on this list for it has the best-registered agent services online coupled with its affordability and quality of service as well as features overall. This is the best choice for business owners and entrepreneurs who are looking for the best registered agent service and an incorporation with a limited budget.
Check out our in depth ZenBusiness LLC review if you wish to know more about what its offering and how it stands against its competitors.
2. Incfile
Incfile makes registering a company as easy as possible, so you can focus on the important things. Beyond that, they have a full suite of startup services such as an agent for banking and bookkeeping, which means Incfile not only helps you get started, but supports you in your continued success as your one-stop-shop.
Incfile uses technology to streamline the business registration process and has cultivated a team of experts so that it is easier than ever to get started and grow a big idea into a healthy business. Since starting in 2004, Incfile have assisted more than 250,000 entrepreneurs and small business owners to form and grow their businesses.
Their mission as a credible registered agent service provider is to offer you with a superior and modern experience at an unparalleled value.
Why Incfile
Incfile is a humble company that does not claim to offer the best registered agent services online, but does offer some benefits that distinguish them from the other companies. By registering with Incfile, they will provide one year of free registered agent services, thereafter it agent is $119 per year.
That’s not the only thing free, Incfile’s basic price for the formation of a new entity or LLC is $0, you only pay the state fees. Incfile registered agents will prepare and file your documents with the state for you and only deliver everything after the company has been filed. Incfile guarantees a full refund upon failing to do so.
Incfile provides readily available registered agents who will receive state and IRS mail correspondence, compliance documents and legal proceedings on your company’s behalf. Incfile’s software includes a handy digital dashboard for you to access, store and retrieve any information they’ve received for your business.
Email and SMS notifications will be sent out whenever there are documents for your business and automatic mail forwarding of all legal correspondence, documentation and information directly to you. Incfile’s customer support is fantastic, having a live chat for you to connect directly with their customer support team during office hours.
Verdict
Incfile takes the number 2 spot on this list for their free registered agent services and premium services on their business formation packages for LLC, and against their modesty, I believe it is fair to put them among the best registered agent services online.
If you’re just incorporating an LLC, why not use Incfile? As a new business owner, there’s a lot to deal with. Let Incfile registered agents help you take the legal part off your shoulders so you can focus on the other things, for free. I would say this is a fantastic LLC service, and if you’re no longer in need of their registered agent services, you can always back out at a later time.
If you’d want to have an even better idea on how IncFile fairs against its competitors, we’ve also done a comprehensive comparison between IncFile vs ZenBusiness.
3. Northwest Registered Agent
Northwest Registered Agent is a family-owned business and operated by employees that care. They have employed over 200 customer support employees nationwide that know the ins and outs of local business and care about customer safety and experience.
Is Northwest Registered Agent the best? – YES!
Northwest knows that clients are already going through something that will seem incredibly frustrating, thus making it their job to help their clients make their business registration problems disappear, initially and ongoing.
Why Northwest Registered Agent
Northwest Registered Agent charges an unchanging $125 per year for their registered agent services, and if you are a newly formed business, there is free registered agent service for the first year.
Also, if you require service in multiple states, Northwest Registered Agent does offer volume discounts.
Their registered agent services feature annual report compliance assistance, a free suite of online tools, tips for filing annual reports, pre-populated forms making filing simple and straightforward, personalized customer support, personal assistants, locally scanned documents, real-time support outside normal business hours and LLC membership and stock certificates.
Northwest, as a reputable registered agent service provider, will never send out “no reply” type of emails and all your emails to them will be answered the same day they are sent.
Verdict
Northwest Registered Agent takes the second runner up on this list as they offer competitive pricing (more or less the same as ZenBusiness plus having the free registered agent service for the first year like Incfile), as well as professional customer support officers.
Northwest Registered Agent offers one of the best registered agent services online, as well as the best LLC services. It may not have all the additional perks as the 2 top registered agents on this list, but if you’re solely looking for registered agent services, Northwest Registered Agent is not to be looked down upon.
4. Harbor Compliance
Harbor Compliance makes it their mission to simplify the licensing process to help your organization stay compliant. That means access to a team of compliance experts, backed by their proprietary tracking software to ensure that no detail goes unnoticed.
Founded by a team of government licensing specialists and technology trailblazers, Harbor Compliance is a leading provider of compliance solutions for companies of all types and sizes. Since 2012, they have helped more than 25,000 clients apply for, secure, and maintain licensing across all industries.
Why Harbor Compliance Registered Agent Service
Harbor Compliance has their own advanced compliance software to power their nationwide registered agent services, bringing exceptional security and efficiency to multi-state organizations.
For $89 to $99 per year, they will provide pre-filled state forms and user-friendly software and let you save money with fair, transparent pricing and discounts on multiple orders. They also have value-added features like customizable notifications and annual report notices with no additional fees.
Harbor Compliance’s registered agent services include immediate access to their address. When you request for their service, you can find their local registered agent address immediately in your Client Portal.
They provide the state forms pre-filled and signed by them in the states that require our signature to save you time.
This registered agent service provider has local offices in every state that are open during business hours to receive your time-sensitive legal documents and will send email notifications, and you can access your documents securely online.
When you receive service of process, they will also call the primary contact for your account. Harbor Compliance’s software tracks your annual reports and sends reminders to you prior to the due dates, helping you stay in good standing with the state.
Verdict
Harbor Compliance has the most affordable registered agent services. Every other feature however comes at a price that leaves much to be desired, one such example being $499 for their business formation packages.
If you’re a new business owner just starting up an LLC, there are better options out there that offer free registered agent services in the first year of incorporation that have already been covered.
But, if your LLC has already been incorporated and you are seeking out for one of the best registered agent services, Harbor Compliance is one of the best options you should be considering as there are even further volume discounts on top of their already highly affordable registered agent service.
5. Legalzoom
LegalZoom was founded in 1999 when their founders realized the internet was a perfect tool to make legal help more widely available to all Americans, not just the wealthy. Their goal is to make legal help accessible to the average American as they believed that the law only works when it’s available to everyone.
Why Legalzoom Registered Agent Service
LegalZoom is a world-renowned company, serving over 4 million people thus far. They have been featured in The Huffington Post, Forbes and The Wall Street Journal.
LegalZoom incorporates a lot of advanced legal technology and deploys highly experienced attorneys that have met specific eligibility requirements for satisfaction guaranteed to their customers.
If you’re dissatisfied with their services for any reason, they’ll refund all fees paid to them at any time within 60 days of your initial purchase. LegalZoom’s registered agent services are nothing too unique though, offering the same as whatever the other registered agent services have to offer. The customer support from this registered agent service provider is top-notch and will easily guide you through your problems.
Verdict
Legalzoom is by far the most renowned legal service provider in this list, comparable to the big three market leaders that is The Corporation Trust Company (CT), The Corporation Service Company (CSC) and National Registered Agents Inc (NRAI). However, LegalZoom’s fees are far below what the big 3 would charge.
However, despite their high standards and reputation, This registered agent service provider still falls short in this list’s rankings when it comes to being the top registered agent service providers as when it comes to registered agent services, there are more inexpensive providers out there. But if you do have the money and want quality and satisfaction guaranteed, Legalzoom will not let you down.
You should check out our in depth LegalZoom review to find out more about their services.
6. Rocketlawyer
Rocket Lawyer wants to change things by making legal services affordable, simple and available to more people than ever before. They’ve been able to build a service that millions of people rely upon.
Rocketlawyer spends all their time and resources making it easier for people to get the legal help they need, so they can focus on taking care of their families and building strong businesses.
Rocketlawyer combines free legal documents and free legal information with access to affordable representation by licensed attorneys. With Rocket Lawyer On Call, you can create a Will for your family for free or incorporate a business free from legal fees.
As they know there’s no replacement for qualified counsel, local attorneys are there to help when you need more guidance. Rocketlawyer’s commitment to affordable and accessible legal services is at the heart of everything they do. Most attorneys and bar associations agree that much can and should be done to improve access to the law by reducing cost and complexity. Together, they’ll make the law work for you.
Why Rocketlawyer Registered Agent Service
Rocket Lawyer is the simple way to meet the legal needs of your family and business. Whether you want a quick and simple legal document for free, or have a more complex legal situation requiring the advice of an attorney, Rocket Lawyer is there to help.
They provide simple step-by-step instructions to help you customize documents for your specific needs. And to be sure it’s done right, their members can have their document reviewed by an attorney from their hand-picked network for free.
For non-members, their registered agent services fees are $149.99 per year and by signing up for a premium membership with them, you can get another 25% off. This membership is free for the first 7 days then costs $39.99 per month after that.
Business formation service comes free, excluding state fees, with the membership. By signing up for a membership, you get free access to all of Rocket Lawyer’s documents. This allows you to make as many contracts and forms as you like, and sign and store documents online.
You also get quick answers on legal questions from experienced attorneys. Similarly to Legalzoom, this registered agent services are nothing out of the ordinary.
Verdict
Rocket Lawyer is one of the companies that provide free business formation service which is great for new LLCs, if you subscribe to them. Subscription benefits mostly comprise of legal services that have already been discussed above so if you have reason to become a premium member, this can reduce a significant amount of the costs for Rocket Lawyer’s registered agent services, but is still pricier than the ones ranked above, less Legalzoom.
Moreover, if your business only needs registered agent services, Rocket Lawyer is more than likely not a viable option as it is the features of their subscription services catered to specific businesses that makes them stand out.
Our Final Thoughts – Registered Agent Review
Northwest Registered Agent is currently our most recommended option if you need a registered agent service for your business. The price is fair and their employees know exactly what their responsibilities are.
When forming an LLC, choosing the right business organization is of utmost importance as it can protect against legal liability, list its stocks and shares and possibly reduce income tax. As LLCs are one of the more common business organization structures, it is crucial to have the right registered agent service providers.
The registered agent helps the company by assisting with document filing, forwarding mails, and protecting a business owner’s privacy. Every option discussed above has their own pros and cons setting them apart from one another whether it is their registered agent or other legal services.
There are other great companies such as MyCompanyWorks who are also offering their services at a competitive rate. You might want to check out our honest MyCompanyWorks review to find out more about their services.
For LLC formation, Incfile and Northwest Registered Agent come close too as they too have that free registered agent service for the first year bonus.
If for any reason you decide that you want to switch to a different registered agent, you can file a “change of registered agent” form with the state you business is in for a fee. Just remember to indicate the change in your annual report and company’s resolution. But at the end of it all, only you would know the best registered agent service for yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I require Registered Agent Services in Forming LLC or Any Corporations?
Yes, if you’re looking to form an LLC or Corporation without proper registered agent services then your filing would likely to be incomplete and rejected by the state. Hence, you’d ideally search for agent services and resubmit your business formation documents to be consider as a compliant company.
Does Registered Agent Services Encompasses Compliance Assistance Tools?
Starting a business correctly doesn’t have to be difficult. With over 15 years of experience consulting new businesses and start ups, Matthew is probably the best person to help you set a strong foundation for your business.