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Best Registered Agent Services of 2026

Your registered agent is the one cost you pay every year your business exists, so the renewal price matters more than any first-year deal. Here are the most trusted, ranked.

By the Paperwork Hero editorial team
· Updated Nov 2026
· Fact checked
Advertiser disclosure
$
Renewal prices, not teaser rates
★
Scored on 4 weighted criteria
✓
Prices checked Nov 2026
↻
Be-your-own-agent option

Our top picks at a glance

Rank
Service
Hero Score
Year 1 · renewal
Why it stands out
★ EDITOR’S CHOICE · OUR #1 PICK
1
N
Northwest
Best overall
4.9
★★★★★
Excellent
$125 · $125
flat, every state
✓ No renewal price jump
✓ Mail scanning included
✓ Privacy by default
Get Northwest →
Lowest 3-year cost
2
H
Harbor Compliance
Multi-state
★ 4.2
Very good
$99 · $149
renewal jumps
Teaser first-year price, then +$50
3
B
Bizee
Free year 1*
★ 4.0
Very good
$0* · $149
*with Bizee formation
Only free if you also form with Bizee
4
Z
ZenBusiness
Bundled plans
★ 3.9
Good
$99 · $199
renewal doubles
Renewal price doubles after year one
5
L
LegalZoom
Big brand
★ 3.6
Trade-offs
$249 · $249
per year
Twice Northwest’s price

The best registered agents, ranked

★ OUR #1 PICK
#1
Northwest
Best overall
4.9
/5
★★★★★
Hero Score · Excellent
Get Northwest as my agent
On northwestregisteredagent.com
Why we chose it

A flat $125 a year in every state, with no renewal jump. Northwest scans your mail, sends deadline reminders and puts its address on your filings to keep your home address private.

First year
$125
Renewal
$125/yr
Best for
Predictable long-term cost
Pros
✓ No renewal price jump
✓ Mail scanning and privacy
Cons
✕ No discounted first year
#2
Harbor Compliance
Best for multi-state
4.2
/5
★★★★★
Hero Score · Very good
Visit Harbor
On harborcompliance.com
Why we chose it

Strong compliance tracking if your business operates in several states.

First year
$99
Renewal
$149/yr
Best for
Multi-state businesses
#3
Bizee
Free first year
4.0
/5
★★★★★
Hero Score · Very good
Visit Bizee
On bizee.com
Why we chose it

Free for the first year when you form your LLC with Bizee.

First year
$0 with formation
Renewal
$149/yr
Best for
New Bizee LLCs
#4
ZenBusiness
Bundled compliance
3.9
/5
★★★★★
Hero Score · Good
Visit ZenBusiness
On zenbusiness.com
Why it made the list

$99 the first year, then $199. Best if you also want its compliance plans.

#5
LegalZoom
Existing customers
3.6
/5
★★★★★
Hero Score · Trade-offs
Visit LegalZoom
On legalzoom.com
Why it made the list

Convenient if you already use LegalZoom, but $249 a year is the highest we found.

The free route: be your own agent
You can act as your own registered agent if you have a physical address in the state and are there during business hours. The catch: your address becomes public record.

How we rank

30%
Speed
How fast notices reach you.
25%
Total cost
Three-year cost with renewals.
20%
Coverage
States served, mail and reminders.
25%
Trust & support
Privacy, reliability and support.

Registered agent FAQs

What does a registered agent do?

They receive legal papers and state notices for your business and forward them to you. Every LLC and corporation needs one.

Can I switch registered agents later?

Yes, by filing a change form with your state, sometimes for a small fee.

Do I need one in every state?

In each state where your business is formed or registered to do business.

Keep your home address private
Northwest · ★ 4.9 Hero Score · $125/yr flat
Get Northwest as my agent
On northwestregisteredagent.com
Top pick · $125/yr
Northwest
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