Registered agent cost comparison: all 10 major providers
Sortable cost comparison of every major registered agent service, plus the $0 "act as your own agent" baseline. Year 1 + year 2+ + 3-year + 5-year totals. Non-affiliate, we earn nothing from any service. Filter to "Don't sell data" or "Cheapest 5-yr" to find your best fit fast.
Registered agent comparator
| Provider | Year 1 | Year 2+ | 3-yr total | 5-yr total | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Act as your own agent Cheapest path | $0 | $0/yr | $0 | $0 | Use your home or business address. Free, but the address is in public records and you must be available during business hours to receive service of process. Only for in-state founders. |
Bizee (formerly Incfile) | $0 (free) | $119/yr | $238 | $476 | Free year 1, $119/yr thereafter ⚠️ BBB rating F, refund/cancellation friction Source |
Northwest Registered Agent Editor's pick Doesn't sell data | $0 (free) | $125/yr | $250 | $500 | Free year 1, $125/yr thereafterSource |
MyCorporation | $120 | $120/yr | $360 | $600 | Bundled in Deluxe year 1; ~$120/yr renewalSource |
Nolo | $135 | $135/yr | $405 | $675 | $135/yr (separate) ⚠️ 1.4/5 Trustpilot, formation reviews catastrophic Source |
ZenBusiness | $0 (free) | $199/yr | $398 | $796 | Free year 1 (Premium only); standalone $199/yr ⚠️ Auto-renews compliance at $199/yr Source |
Inc Authority | $0 (free) | $199/yr | $398 | $796 | Free year 1, ~$179-$199/yr thereafter (not transparently published) ⚠️ BBB F. Aggressive outbound sales call. Source |
Swyft Filings | $199 | $199/yr | $597 | $995 | $199/yr add-on (free trial typically 60 days) ⚠️ BBB F. "Filed" status not always real. Source |
Tailor Brands LLC | $199 | $199/yr | $597 | $995 | $199/yr add-on ⚠️ Annual auto-renewal; refused-refund complaints Source |
LegalZoom | $249 | $249/yr | $747 | $1245 | $249/yr (separate) ⚠️ Attorney plan auto-converts to $49/mo Source |
Rocket Lawyer | $249 | $249/yr | $747 | $1245 | $124.99/yr (member) / $249/yr (non-member) ⚠️ Free-trial auto-converts to $39.99/mo Source |
What does a registered agent actually do?
Every LLC must designate a "registered agent", a person or business with a physical address in the state of formation, available during business hours to receive service of process (legal notices like lawsuits, court summons, state regulatory mail). The state requires this so legal notices can reliably reach the LLC's owners.
You have two legitimate options:
- Act as your own registered agent. Use your home or business address. Free. Caveat: your address goes in public records, and you must be physically available during business hours.
- Hire a registered agent service. They provide their address as the public-records address, scan and forward incoming mail. $125-$249/yr depending on provider.
Cost over 5 years: who actually saves you money?
| Provider | Year 1 | Year 2-5/yr | 5-year total | vs Northwest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Act as your own | $0 | $0 | $0 | −$500 |
| Northwest (editor's pick) | $0 (free yr 1) | $125/yr | $500 | baseline |
| Bizee | $0 (free yr 1) | $119/yr | $476 | −$24 |
| ZenBusiness | $199 | $199/yr | $995 | +$495 |
| LegalZoom | $249 | $249/yr | $1,245 | +$745 |
Across the major brands, ZenBusiness and LegalZoom are 2-2.5× more expensive over 5 years than Northwest. Bizee is technically slightly cheaper but our editorial review flagged BBB complaints about hidden charges and dark-pattern checkout. Northwest is the durable pick if "I want a paid agent that won't surprise me."
Frequently asked
How much does a registered agent cost in 2026?
Registered agent service costs range from $0 (acting as your own agent) to $249/yr (LegalZoom standalone). The cheapest commercial provider is Northwest Registered Agent at $125/yr. ZenBusiness is $199/yr standalone. Most providers offer a "free year 1" hook then charge $125-$249/yr starting year 2.
Can I be my own registered agent?
Yes, in any state where you have a physical address (not a P.O. Box) and can be available during business hours to receive service of process. The catch: your address goes in public records (anyone searching the SOS website can see it), and you cannot leave the address during business hours without risking missed legal service. For most home-based businesses without privacy concerns, "act as your own" is the cheapest legitimate path.
When should I use a paid registered agent service?
Three legitimate reasons: (1) You don't want your home address in public records (privacy). (2) You're forming an LLC out-of-state and don't have a physical address there. (3) You're frequently traveling and may not be available to receive service of process during business hours. Otherwise, save the $125-$249/yr.
What's the cheapest registered agent service?
Among the major brands, Northwest Registered Agent at $125/yr is the cheapest. Their "free year 1" promotion ($0 + $125/yr starting year 2) makes the 5-year total just $500. ZenBusiness ($199/yr) and LegalZoom ($249/yr) are nearly 2× more expensive over 5 years. Smaller boutique providers exist at $39-$99/yr but vary in reliability, verify Better Business Bureau rating before signing up.
Does Northwest Registered Agent really not sell my data?
Northwest publicly states they don't sell customer data, uncommon in the LLC formation industry. Most other formation services share or sell formation records to mailing-list brokers (this is why you receive scammy "Welcome Letter" mailers after forming an LLC; they trace back to your formation service's data partners). Verify the current privacy policy before signing up; Northwest's policy is at northwestregisteredagent.com/privacy.
Can I switch registered agents later?
Yes. File a Statement of Change of Registered Agent with your state SOS (typical fee $0-$50). The new agent takes over service-of-process notifications. Wait until your current term is near expiration to avoid double-paying.
What if my registered agent goes out of business?
Worst-case: you miss legal service and a default judgment is entered against your LLC. To avoid this, pick an established provider (Northwest, ZenBusiness, LegalZoom, all have 10+ years in market) and set up your own forwarding email/phone for the SOS's public records address as backup. Avoid $19/yr "deal" providers without track record.
Why are some "free year 1" promotions actually expensive?
Most formation services bundle a free year 1 of registered agent IF you buy their formation package. The catch: their year 2+ renewal is often higher than standalone competitors. ZenBusiness Premium ($399 formation) includes free year 1 RA, then $199/yr. Northwest at $39 formation + $125/yr RA total over 3 years is cheaper than ZenBusiness Premium's 3-year cost.
Pricing reflects each service's public pricing page and registered agent renewal disclosures, verified Q2 2026. Non-affiliate. Verify current pricing on each provider's site before purchase. Not legal advice, consult an attorney for high-asset or complex situations.