Business formation
How to choose a registered agent service
Quick answer
Compare the yearly price after any first-year offer, not the offer itself: among the 10 services we rank it runs from $129 to $299 a year, and $596 at one that bills quarterly. Then check that scanning, same-day notice, an online account, reminders and address privacy are included. Also check that it covers your state, whether leaving costs a fee, and its support hours.
A registered agent accepts legal papers and state mail for your company at an address in the state. We read the pricing, terms and help pages of 10 registered agent services on Sep 25 and Sep 27, 2026. Here is what separates them.
What our ranking weighs, and why
Our registered agent ranking scores each service's standard one-state service on five things. The methodology gives the formulas.
- Yearly price (40%). The price after any first-year discount, because that is what you pay every year after.
- What's included (30%). Scanning of legal papers and state mail, same-day notice of service of process, an online account, annual-report or compliance reminders, and its address on public filings instead of yours.
- Coverage (10%). Whether it says it serves all 50 states and DC.
- Cancellation (10%). Whether you can leave without a fee, and with a pro-rated refund.
- Support (10%). Channels and hours.
The yearly price, after the offer
Renewal rates: InCorp Services $129, Bizee and CorpNet $149, Harbor Compliance $159, ZenBusiness $199, Registered Agents Inc $200, LegalZoom and MyCorporation $249, and Firstbase $299. Swyft Filings charges around $149 a quarter, which is $596 a year.
Watch the first-year prices. Harbor Compliance and ZenBusiness offer $99 and MyCorporation $120, then renew at $159, $199 and $249. Bizee and Registered Agents Inc include the first year free when they form your LLC. None of these offers gives an end date. Our ranking scores the renewal rate.
What's included
Six services state all five inclusions we check: Bizee, CorpNet, Harbor Compliance, LegalZoom, Registered Agents Inc and Firstbase. Two gaps to look for:
- Reminders. ZenBusiness and Swyft Filings don't list annual-report reminders with the agent. Both sell them in a separate compliance subscription.
- Scanning limits. InCorp charges $15 for each service-of-process document over 5 pages, after the first each year. Registered Agents Inc's client agreement covers 15 legal documents a year. MyCorporation's agent page doesn't mention scanning, an online account or same-day notice at all.
Two services go further for the price. Registered Agents Inc files your annual report "at no extra cost" (you pay the state fee). Firstbase Agent includes annual report and franchise tax filings.
Coverage
InCorp covers all 50 states, DC, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. Harbor Compliance and Registered Agents Inc cover 50 states, DC and Puerto Rico, and CorpNet lists pages for all 50 states and DC. Bizee, Swyft Filings and MyCorporation say all 50 states without mentioning DC. Firstbase's product page says all 50 states while a help article lists 34. LegalZoom's agent page doesn't say where it operates.
What leaving costs
Four services' terms allow a fee when the service ends, even where another page says there is none:
- Harbor Compliance: fees for "the removal of our local registered agent information from the records".
- Registered Agents Inc: "filing fees for resigning as registered agent".
- CorpNet: its fees for drafting and filing its resignation, if it resigns.
- ZenBusiness: a possible cancellation fee before the first 12 months end.
Where pages conflict, we use the worse reading for you. Pro-rated refunds are rare. MyCorporation gives one only after the first year, within six months of a renewal. LegalZoom refunds within 30 days of the first purchase. Most services need proof you've appointed a new agent before they stop billing.
Support
InCorp offers phone and live chat on weekdays, 6 AM - 6 PM Pacific. Firstbase advertises 24/7 support but names only email. Harbor Compliance and Registered Agents Inc publish no hours.
Checklist
- Note the renewal price, not the first-year offer, for each state you need.
- Check it covers your state, and DC or territories if you need them.
- Confirm scans, same-day notice, an online account and reminders are included, and any document limits.
- Read the cancellation terms for resignation or removal fees.
- Check whether prepaying several years lowers the rate: InCorp goes down to $87 a year on 5 years, and Harbor keeps $99 for 2 or 3 years.
- Check support hours.
Forming at the same time?
If you are also forming an LLC, see our LLC formation ranking: some packages include the agent's first year, and one requires you to buy its agent.