5 Best Registered Agent Services - Compared and Reviewed (2023)
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Todd Stewart
- New Update
- May 24, 2023
Registered Agent Services Evaluated:
Our Finalists:
Choosing the right registered agent is essential to establishing and growing your digital business or any startup company. An excellent registered agent prepares the legal documents to keep businesses in full regulatory compliance and keeps you updated. This guide ranks and reviews our finalists for the 5 best registered agent services. Decide which registered agent is best for you!
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Which are the Best Registered Agent Services?
Did you know all formal business entities, including an LLC or a corporation, must have a registered agent for each state they operate in?
So when you’re ready to take your sole proprietorship or startup business to the next level, you need to sign up with a registered agent service.
There are many to choose from, so we’ve done the legwork of picking our five finalists for the best, most reputable, and cost-effective registered agent services out there:
- Northwest Registered Agent
- ZenBusiness
- Incfile
- Tailor Brands
- Inc Authority
Best Overall
Bottom Line
Strengths:
- Excellent customer support with knowledgeable “Corporate Guides”
- Straightforward pricing with no hidden fees
- Same-day processing on all orders
- Provides a free suite of online tools for managing your business
- Offers additional services such as business formation, annual report filing, and more
Best Value
Bottom Line
Strengths:
- Affordable pricing with different plans to suit various budgets
- Easy-to-use platform with a user-friendly interface
- Offers additional business services such as formation, operating agreements, and EIN registration
- Provides worry-free compliance guarantee
- Excellent customer reviews and ratings
Best for Beginners
Bottom Line
Strengths:
- Free registered agent service for the first year
- Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
- Offers additional services such as business formation, tax consultations, and annual compliance
- Fast order processing and turnaround times
Best All-in-One
Bottom Line
Strengths:
- Offers a wide range of branding and design solutions, including logo design and website creation
- Provides registered agent services alongside other business services
- User-friendly platform with a focus on branding
- Offers a variety of packages to suit different budgets and requirements
- Excellent customer support and reviews
Best Customer Service
Bottom Line
Strengths:
- Free business formation service with the option to add registered agent services
- Competitive pricing and a la carte options
- Provides additional services such as EIN registration, operating agreements, and business funding analysis
- Excellent customer reviews and ratings
- Dedicated customer support team
Additional Registered Agent Services to consider
6. BusinessRocket.com
BusinessRocket.com offers an efficient and affordable solution for business registration and formation services..
7. Harbor Compliance
Harbor Compliance is a well-known and reputable provider of business registration and compliance services.
8. Business Anywhere
BusinessAnywhere is a business registration service that offers a unique value proposition through its focus on remote work and digital nomadism.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Benefits of Working With the Best Registered Agent Service?
Some benefits include:
- Compliance with state regulations
- Protection of your privacy
- Timely handling of official documents
- Consistent point of contact for legal correspondence
- Access to additional business services
What To Look For In a Registered Agent Service?
Consider the following factors:
- Reputation and customer reviews
- Pricing and transparency
- Quality of customer support
- Additional services offered
- User-friendly platforms and tools
Reasons To Use a Registered Agent Service
- State requirements: Most states require businesses to have a registered agent to receive legal documents on their behalf.
- Privacy: A registered agent service keeps your personal information off public records, protecting your privacy.
- Availability: Registered agents must be available during normal business hours. Using a service ensures you’ll never miss important legal correspondence.
- Multi-state operations: If your business operates in multiple states, a registered agent service can provide representation in each state.
- Expertise: Registered agent services have experience handling legal documents and can guide you through compliance issues.
How Much Does the Best Registered Agent Service Cost?
The cost of registered agent services can vary but typically range from $50 to $300 per year. Some providers offer additional discounts for multi-year commitments or when bundled with other business services.
Can I use myself as a registered agent?
Yes, you can act as your registered agent if you meet the state requirements, such as having a physical address in the state where your business is formed and being available during normal business hours. However, a professional registered agent service can offer benefits like privacy protection, convenience, and expert guidance.
4 Tips to consider when choosing a registered agent service
- Evaluate the provider’s reputation and customer reviews to ensure they have a history of satisfied clients.
- Compare pricing, including any hidden fees or additional costs for services you may need in the future.
- Assess the quality of customer support, as this can be crucial when dealing with time-sensitive legal matters.
- Ensure the provider offers the additional services you may need, such as business formation, annual report filings, or mail forwarding.
Does your registered agent provider offer mail forwarding?
Some registered agent services offer mail forwarding as an additional feature, either included in their base price or as an add-on service. When selecting a registered agent provider, make sure to inquire about mail forwarding options and any associated fees.
Do you need registered agents in more than one state?
If your business operates in multiple states, you’ll need a registered agent in each state where you have a physical presence or require a foreign qualification. Many registered agent services offer nationwide coverage to meet this need.
When is hiring a registered agent service a good idea?
Hiring a registered agent service is a good idea when:
- You want to ensure compliance with state regulations
- You value privacy and wish to keep your personal information off public records
- You need a consistent point of contact for legal correspondence
- You want access to expert guidance and additional business services
- Your business operates in multiple states, requiring registered agents in each state
Wrap Up / Conclusion
Advertiser's Disclosure
Our site is reader-supported. When you buy through one of our affiliate links, we might earn a commission from that sale at no extra cost to you.
