Most services make the first year cheap or free and earn their money on the renewal. Here is what each one charges to be your registered agent, in year one and every year after, cheapest over five years first.
| Service | Year one | Each year after | Five years | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northwest Registered Agent$100 a year per state for five or more states. | $125 | $125 | $625 | Visit ↗ |
| InCorp ServicesFlat price in every state; cheaper if you prepay several years. | $129 | $129 | $645 | Visit ↗ |
| Harbor ComplianceIntroductory price for new customers. | $99 | $159 | $735 | Visit ↗ |
| BizeeFree for the first year if you form with Bizee. | $149 | $149 | $745 | Visit ↗ |
| CorpNetPlus a 3% card fee. | $149 | $149 | $745 | Visit ↗ |
| Swyft Filings | $149 | $149 | $745 | Visit ↗ |
| Tailor Brands | $199 | $199 | $995 | Visit ↗ |
| ZenBusinessSometimes offered at $99 for the first year on its own page. | $199 | $199 | $995 | Visit ↗ |
| Registered Agents IncIncludes filing your annual report (you still pay the state fee). | $200 | $200 | $1,000 | Visit ↗ |
| MyCorporationRenews at more than double. | $120 | $249 | $1,116 | Visit ↗ |
| LegalZoomRenews automatically. | $249 | $249 | $1,245 | Visit ↗ |
| FirstbaseIncludes annual report and franchise tax filings. | $299 | $299 | $1,495 | Visit ↗ |
| Rocket Lawyer$124.99 agent plus the required $249 Plus membership. | $373.99 | $373.99 | $1,869.95 | Visit ↗ |
Prices for hiring the agent on its own, from each company's own pages, checked 21 October 2026. Cheapest over five years first. Some links are partner links; it never changes the order.
Every LLC must name a registered agent in the state where it is formed, and in every state where it registers to do business. The agent has a street address in that state and is there in normal office hours to accept legal papers, such as notice of a lawsuit, and official letters from the state.
The agent’s address goes on the public record. Many owners use a service for that reason alone: it keeps their home address off the state’s website.
Yes, in every state, if you have a street address in that state (not a PO box), you are there during business hours, and you are happy for that address to be public. You cannot be your own agent in a state where you don’t live, which is why forming in Wyoming or Delaware from elsewhere always adds an agent fee. The LLC cost calculator adds it for you when you pick a different home state.
A $0 or $99 first year often renews at $159 to $249. MyCorporation more than doubles, from $120 to $249.
Some services only cancel once you name a replacement agent with the state, which costs a state filing fee.
Agents pass on legal papers and state letters. Forwarding your ordinary business mail is usually a separate paid service.
Northwest drops to $100 a year per state if you need an agent in five or more states.
If you also need the LLC formed, see the best LLC services ranked by five-year cost, which counts each one’s agent price.