Top 5 Best Registered Agent Services For All 50 States In 2022
When starting a business, one of the first things you need to do is select a registered agent. A registered agent is a person or company that accepts legal documents on behalf of your business.
They are responsible for forwarding any important legal papers to you in a timely manner. There are many registered agent services available, but not all of them are created equal. You will want to choose one who will best serve your needs.
In this article, we will list and discuss the five best-registered agent services and their features. In the end, we will also answer some common questions about using a registered agent service for your business.
What Are The Best Registered Agent Services?
A registered agent is a crucial part of any business. They provide a physical address for the business, receive legal documents on behalf of the company, and forward these documents to the appropriate party.
Registered agent services can be found through many different sources, but not all registered agents are created equal. There are a few key factors to look for when choosing a registered agent service.
First, make sure that the registered agent service is available in your state. Some registered agents only operate in certain states, which could create problems down the line if your business expands.
Second, take a look at how long the registered agent service has been in business. A longer track record usually means that the registered agent is more reliable and has a better understanding of the filing requirements in your state.
Finally, check reviews of the registered agent service before making your decision. This will give you an idea of what other businesses have experienced with the registered agent service and whether or not they would recommend them.
By taking the time to choose the right registered agent service, you can ensure that your business is compliant with state regulations and avoid any potential problems in the future.
ZenBusiness
Overview
ZenBusiness is one of the best online registered agent services. They are available in all 50 states and have been in business for over five years.
In that time, they have helped thousands of businesses with their compliance needs and have become a leading recommended registered agent service.
ZenBusiness has a team of experienced professionals who are available to answer any questions you may have about using a registered agent service.
Top Features
- Available in all 50 states.
- Works with business entities that are new business formations, existing businesses, or self-filers.
- Scan and Upload documents to a provided online platform.
- Timely notification via mail of critical legal matters that require your attention.
- Great customer service offering a customer support team to answer all your questions and concerns.
- Works with self-filers as a stand-alone registered agent. You can purchase the registered agent service separately.
- Easy to change registered agents if you need a new one.
Pricing
For top registered agent services provided by ZenBusiness, the price is an annual fee of $199/year.
My Take
ZenBusiness is a great choice for agent services if you need a fast turnaround to set things up and get going with your business entity, whether that be an LLC or Corporation.
Just bear in mind that Zenbusiness does not provide registered agent services for professional limited liability companies (PLLCs), professional corporations (PCs), or nonprofits (NPs).
I like that they are available online and provide a convenient registered agent dashboard through their ZenBusiness platform. This is beneficial because it makes legal documents and other business services easily accessible.
They also provide additional services such as LLC formation services and an incorporation service if needed, which is a plus.
So if you are ready for professional registered agent services and need things done fast give ZenBusiness a try!
LegalZoom
Overview
LegalZoom is one of the oldest and most popular online legal services. They have been in business since 2001 and have helped over two million businesses with their compliance needs.
Their top priority as registered agents is to make sure you get your legal notices and critical mail, while also providing extra protection for the business entity.
LegalZoom has an independent network of attorneys and experienced professionals who are available to answer questions and give business advice.
Top Features
- Available in all 50 states.
- Independent network of attorneys.
- Longtime in the business and well-known brand.
- Unlimited cloud storage for your business documents.
- 1 Million in identity theft protection and credit monitoring included.
- Alerts and emails notifying you of important documents and critical tax and annual reports deadlines.
Pricing
Legalzoom’s professional registered agent service is priced at $299/year.
My Take
Legalzoom has been a player in legal services, legal docs, and business formation services for a long time.
As a result of being in the business for such a long time, they have helped millions of businesses and have established themselves as a reliable company for providing registered agent services as well as other services.
Although not the least priced for their registered agent services, their strong network of legal professionals and years of experience in the industry gives peace of mind that the service will be professional and of great value.
If you are looking for a seasoned company and peace of mind for your company’s registered agent then Legalzoom is the choice for you.
Incfile
Overview
Incfile is one of the most popular online business filing services. They have been in business since 2004 and have helped over 800,000 businesses with their business formation needs.
Incfile prides itself on being the easiest way to set up and manage your business. They offer free registered agent services for the first year when you start a business with Incfile.
Top Features
- Available in all 50 states
- Fast and simple expert filing
- Works with Non-Profit corporations
- $0 registered agent service fee for the 1st year with business formation service.
- Email and SMS notifications
- Business management platform
Pricing
IncFile charges $119/year after the first year and is free for the first year with business formation services.
My Take
Incfile is one of the best-registered agent services when starting a small business, because of its simplicity and no cost for the first year.
Small business owners will find this a benefit in reducing startup costs and making the management of their business simpler with the all-in-one platform that Incfile offers their clients.
Besides their free registered agent services for the first year, Infile also offers new business startups a zero-cost business formation service.
So if you are looking to save a little on your startup expenses and make the process fast and easy for your registered agent service, look no further than giving Incfile a try!
Northwest Registered Agent
Overview
Northwest Registered Agent is one of the oldest companies providing registered agent service online and started back in 1998. They are family owned and operated and have over 700+ employees and maintain more than 3 million businesses across the country.
Customer service is Northwest’s top priority and all support and operations are based in the U.S. They provide what they call Corporate Guides(r), to assist with the toughest business questions.
Top Features
- Available in all 50 states.
- Locally scanned documents. Every page received is scanned and uploaded into your account for access online.
- Free limited mail forwarding with up to 5 documents a year.
- Corporate business advisors are available to answer business questions over the phone.
- Never sells data, all personal information is kept private.
Pricing
The price for Northwest Registered Agent services is $125/year per state that you do business. They discount the price to $100/year for the fifth state and beyond.
My Take
Northwest Registered Agent has been in the business for a long time and is family owned and operated which is a plus.
They pride themselves on providing exceptional customer service and supporting their clients with quick access to business advisors over the phone if you have questions or are stuck with needing some business advice.
That benefit alone is well worth the value of using Northwest Registered Agent as your choice for an online registered agent service.
Rocket Lawyer
Overview
Rocket Lawyer is one of the most popular online legal services. They have been in business since 2008 and have helped over 20 million people with their legal needs.
Also, Rocket Lawyer offers a wide variety of legal services, legal and tax documents, and also includes affordable registered agent services.
Top Features
- Available in all 50 states.
- Free legal advice from on-call lawyers.
- Works with Non-Profit businesses.
- Unlimited document storage and access to business forms.
- Discounts with Premium Monthly Membership
Pricing
Rocket Lawyer charges $149.99/year to non-members for their registered agent services. That amount is discounted by 25% for monthly premium members. Their Premium Membership is $39.99/month.
My Take
Rocket Lawyer provides registered agent services online, but also offers plenty more services that can benefit and support small businesses.
One of the key services that can support the business owner is their premium membership because it gives you access to a lawyer for legal questions and consultations. It also includes access to plenty of documents for hundreds of purposes.
If you are looking for a company to meet your registered agent need and that can also provide legal services and documents when needed, Rocket Lawyer is your go-to company for your best-registered agent service.
What Are Registered Agent Services?
A registered agent service is a company that is designated to receive legal and tax documents on behalf of your LLC or corporation. Registered agents have a registered address with the state where your business is registered.
Many LLCs and corporations elect to use a registered agent service because they offer many benefits, such as:
- You have a registered address in the state where your business is registered.
- Your registered agent service can forward any document they receive on your behalf.
- You can have peace of mind knowing that your registered agent will be available during business hours to receive any documents that are served.
- A great registered agent service will also provide additional support, such as incorporating your LLC or corporation, filing annual reports, and more.
Overall, using a registered agent service is beneficial for LLCs and corporations because it provides stability and an extra level of support.
Doing some research to find a great registered agent service that meets the specific needs of your business is key.
Can I Be My Own Registered Agent?
Yes, you can be your own registered agent, but there are some drawbacks.
One potential drawback of being your own registered agent is that your registered address will be made public.
If you are running a business out of your home, you may not want customers or clients to know your home address.
Also, you as the registered agent must be available during business hours to receive and handle important legal documents.
By acting as your own agent you could potentially miss out on some additional benefits that come with working with most registered agent services.
For example, most registered agent services offer additional benefits, such as privacy by providing a physical address for your business and forwarding mail.
In addition, agent services typically have experience dealing with the legal system and can offer valuable guidance if you ever find yourself in a legal dispute.
Also, most agent services usually have access to a network of attorneys and other professionals who can offer assistance with various legal matters if needed.
Conclusion
There are many registered agent services available, but not all of them are created equal. The companies listed above are the top choices when it comes to the best-registered agent services.
They each have their own unique features and benefits that make them stand out from the rest. When choosing the best-registered agent service for your business, it is important to consider what your specific needs are.
Some businesses may need a service that offers additional features, such as legal and tax services or document access. Others may simply need a registered address and mail forwarding for privacy. It all depends on your specific needs as a business owner.
No matter what your needs are, one of the companies listed above is sure to be a great fit for your business and meet your registered agent needs.
