A registered agent is free when you serve as your own agent and usually costs $100 to $300 per year for a professional service in the United States. Current examples range from about $99 for a promotional first year to $249 per year at standard pricing.
Registered Agent Costs at a Glance
| Option | Typical cost | Important detail |
|---|---|---|
| Serve as your own registered agent | $0 | You must meet your state's address and availability requirements. |
| Harbor Compliance | $99 first year, then $149 annually | The renewal price is higher than the introductory rate. |
| Northwest Registered Agent | $125 per year | Northwest advertises a flat annual price with no per-document charges. |
| ZenBusiness | $99 plus state fees for the first year, then $199 annually | The service renews at the higher standard rate. |
| LegalZoom | $249 per year | The price includes document scanning, alerts and cloud storage. |
Provider prices can change. Check the checkout page and renewal terms before you buy.
These are plain links to each provider; we don't earn a commission on them. For more agents, including $25 to $50 a year options in Wyoming and Delaware, see the registered agent directory.
What Determines the Cost of a Registered Agent?
The cost depends on whether you appoint yourself, how many states you need coverage in and what the provider includes.
Common factors include:
- The provider's renewal price after the first year
- The number of states where your business is registered
- Document scanning and mail forwarding
- Compliance reminders
- Annual report and other state filing services
- Virtual business address services
- Change-of-agent filing support
A registered agent receives lawsuits, official state notices and other legal documents for your business. LLCs, corporations and similar entities generally need a registered agent in each state where they are registered. The agent must have an address in that state.
Is a Registered Agent Free?
Yes. You can usually serve as your own registered agent without paying an annual service fee if you meet your state's requirements.
You typically must:
- Have a physical street address in the state
- Be available at that address during normal business hours
- Accept service of process and government correspondence
- Keep the registered agent address current with the state
Serving as your own agent can save $100 to $300 per year, but it has tradeoffs. Your address may appear on public business records, you must remain available during business hours and you are responsible for receiving and acting on time-sensitive documents.
A professional service costs more but can keep your home address off public records. It can also forward documents digitally and send notice when official mail arrives.
What Is the Cheapest Professional Registered Agent Service?
Among the providers listed above, Harbor Compliance has the lowest introductory price at $99 for the first year. Its annual renewal price is $149. Northwest Registered Agent costs $125 per year, so it becomes less expensive than Harbor Compliance after the first year if both prices stay the same.
The long-term cost matters more than the first-year promotion:
- Harbor Compliance costs $99 in year one and $149 in years two and three, for a three-year total of $397.
- Northwest Registered Agent costs $125 per year, for a three-year total of $375.
- ZenBusiness costs $99 in year one and $199 in years two and three, for a three-year total of $497.
- LegalZoom costs $249 per year, for a three-year total of $747.
These totals cover registered agent service only. They do not include formation fees, state fees or optional services.
Does the Registered Agent Fee Include State Filing Fees?
Usually, no. The registered agent fee is separate from:
- LLC or corporation formation fees
- Foreign qualification fees
- Annual or biennial report fees
- State franchise taxes
- Certificates of good standing
- Change-of-agent filing fees
- Annual report filing services
For example, ZenBusiness lists registered agent service separately from its compliance filing service. The registered agent service receives and delivers official documents, while the compliance service handles filings such as annual reports.
Some providers include filing reminders or change-of-agent paperwork. Confirm what the annual price covers before ordering.
Do You Need a Separate Registered Agent in Every State?
Usually, yes. A business generally needs a registered agent with a physical address in each state where it is formed or foreign-qualified.
If your company operates in five states, you may need five state-specific registered agent appointments. Some providers offer multi-state discounts. Northwest, for example, advertises service at $100 per state for businesses operating in five or more states.
How Much Should a Small Business Budget?
For a one-state LLC or corporation, plan for:
- $0 per year if you serve as your own registered agent
- $100 to $150 per year for straightforward professional coverage
- $150 to $250 per year for providers with broader compliance tools or higher-priced plans
- More than $250 per year when the service includes specialized support, multi-state management or extra compliance work
A practical budget for professional coverage is about $125 to $150 per year. Compare the renewal price, document handling, privacy protection and included services instead of choosing based only on the first-year offer.
A professional service may be worth the cost if you work from home, travel often or do not want your personal address listed in public business records.