Top Registered Agent Services of 2025
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Registered agent services

Starting a business is a big step with a ton of requirements. Before you consider filing papers with the Secretary of State, you must designate a registered agent. This person or company will play a key role in keeping your business compliant with the state. Registered Agent is a position of trust. Your registered agent is responsible for your business compliance with the state. If they do not perform their role properly, your business could miss important deadlines, mail or even be sued.

If you haven’t formed your LLC yet, ZenBusiness is our top LLC formation choice and they offer registered agent services that you can include in your LLC package. If you only need a registered agent service, we recommend Northwest Registered Agent. They offer a quick, easy and reliable registered agent service plus an option to add registered agent locations to multiple states.

Why do I need a registered agent?

It’s required by law for each LLC or corporation to designate a registered agent in all 50 US states. You cannot launch your LLC business without appointing an agent and it’s one of the first sections to fill out on the application paperwork. This person or service must have a physical address where a person can receive and sign for business documents during normal business hours of 9:00-5:00 pm. A PO Box is not allowed.

This physical address is also called your registered office and is where your business is notified of annual renewals and licensing requirements. You can have a mailing address of a PO Box, but this is different from your registered office.

Therefore, if you do not have a physical address where someone is always available during business hours, appointing a service to act on your behalf gives you some freedom to work wherever you like. Having a professional registered agent ensures that you don’t miss important information. If you operate in several states and have filed foreign and domestic LLC papers, a professional registered agent service can keep track of multiple filings.

Who can be my registered agent?

• You can be your own registered agent
• You can appoint a friend, family member, or partner
• You can hire a professional registered agent service

Advantages of using a professional registered agent service

• You have the freedom to work where you like. If you do not live in the state where your business is registered, the service can perform all of the required duties
• You can concentrate on building your business, rather than keeping track of paperwork and legal requirements
• Protect your personal information from public record and stay anonymous
• If you are registered in more than one state, one service can keep track of all requirements
• If you desire to maintain a level of privacy, the agency is listed on the state documents and website rather than your name

We reviewed and tested all the registered agent services listed on our site. We put emphasis on experience, responsive and knowledgeable customer support, transparent pricing, and ease of use.

Domestic LLC vs. Foreign LLC

A domestic LLC means you file your LLC in the state where you live and do most of your business. This is the most common and cost-effective scenario. A foreign LLC is needed if you form your LLC in one state but run a business or have a physical location in another state. For example, if you file your LLC in one state but open a store in a different state, you’ll need to file a foreign LLC in that second state to do business legally.

Foreign LLCs usually cost more and might require you to appoint a registered agent in more then one state. If you file your LLC in a state that isn’t your home state, you will still need to file a foreign LLC in your home state to run your business there.

Additional LLC & business services

BOIR for business

Starting in 2024, new and existing U.S. businesses must submit the ‘Beneficial Ownership Information Report’ (BOIR) to FinCEN. This report includes personal information about key individuals in the company including the entity, its beneficial owners, and in some cases its company applicants. The top LLC filing services listed on our chart can help you with the BOIR requirement.

Business license

Many businesses might require licenses or permits. The license and permits requirements will depend on the type of business as well as the state in which you incorporate your business. Professional business formation services can help you obtain a business license in all 50 states and assist with submitting your BOIR.

Same day LLC filing

Rush LLC filing is available in the Pro and Premium packages with most of our top business formation services or as an upgrade to the free LLC package. ZenBusiness offers a comprehensive service that includes everything you need to launch your business. Their Pro package, priced at $199 plus state fees, covers all necessary steps for business formation.