Best Free Registered Agent Services
There is no completely free registered agent service. Instead, all registered agent services charge a fee (most often annually), which can range from about $100 to $300 dollars a year depending on the company. Some companies do offer free services for a year with LLC formation.
For more on registered agents, see our guide What is a Registered Agent?
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Best Free Registered Agent Service (When Forming Your Business)
Recommended: Northwest offers free registered agent services with LLC formation ($29 plus state fees).
What Are the Best Free Registered Agent Services?
Although there are no completely free services, some of them offer free registered agent services for a year with LLC formation as an incentive to sign up. These include two of our Five Best Registered Agents of 2024: Northwest and LegalZoom
Northwest
We chose Northwest as the best registered agent service because of the company's great customer support and excellent value. This company locally scans every document you receive. Most registered agent services only scan certain documents like a legal summons.
Includes:
- Easy online ordering system
- Professional and friendly Corporate Guides (experts) to help you
- Business data protection
- Compliance calendar
- Unlimited cloud storage
Northwest offers a great deal for their registered agent service at $125 per year. If you choose Northwest, you get an online account to access important documents. Their website is easy to use, and their business experts provide helpful support.
LegalZoom
LegalZoom has high brand awareness, higher pricing, and a strong foothold in the registered agent services industry.
Includes:
- $159 annually with LLC formation
- $299 annually
LegalZoom's registered agent services include features such as business data protection, a compliance calendar, and unlimited cloud storage. Although its prices are higher than the competition, you may feel more comfortable choosing this service since it has more experience and brand recognition.
Other Registered Agent Services to Consider
These companies round out our top five registered agent services of 2024.
ZenBusiness
For registered agent services, ZenBusiness charges $199 per year, but they don't include free registered agent services with LLC formation.
Customer reviews of ZenBusiness often mention the company's fast support and high customer satisfaction.
You can also upgrade to ZenBusiness's "Complete" registered agent services, which come with a worry-free compliance guarantee. This guarantee covers:
- Annual filing report alerts
- Handling document submissions on your behalf (you're responsible only for state fees)
- Two free changes to your filings per year (state filing fees may still apply)
- Coverage of the costs needed to regain good standing if your company misses a deadline or state requirement.
Incfile
LegalZoom has high brand awareness, higher pricing, and a strong foothold in the registered agent services industry.
Includes:
- $159 annually with LLC formation
- $299 annually
LegalZoom's registered agent services include features such as business data protection, a compliance calendar, and unlimited cloud storage. Although its prices are higher than the competition, you may feel more comfortable choosing this service since it has more experience and brand recognition.
Rocket Lawyer
Rocket Lawyer has provided services to more than 800,000 businesses. For business owners who anticipate needing legal help, the company’s legal services plans can include registered agent services for free for the first year.
Includes:
- A 25% discount with a premium subscription
- $149.99 annual fee for non-members
Rocket Lawyer is known for providing high-quality legal services, help, and advice for business owners and entrepreneurs. The company is incredibly experienced with many customers. Rocket Lawyer also promises a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Benefits of Using a Registered Agent Service
A registered agent service accepts and sends legal documents, acting as your company’s main point of contact with the state. You can be your own registered agent, but consider the following benefits of using a registered agent service:
- Compliance. Your service will help your business keep up with state regulatory requirements.
- Peace of Mind. By using a service provider, you can focus on growing your business.
- Flexibility. A professional service allows you to work whenever you want instead of having to make yourself available between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. every weekday.
- Privacy. Your registered agent service’s address — not your personal or office address — will be a matter of public record.
For more information, see our guide Should I Use a Registered Agent Service?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best registered agent service?
The best registered agent service is ZenBusiness. For other good options, see our guide to the 5 Best Registered Agent Services of 2024.
Is a registered agent service worth it?
We recommend hiring a registered agent service for flexibility, peace of mind, help with legal compliance, and privacy. For a small annual fee, you can work whenever you want and don’t have to be available to receive official documents during normal business hours, and you can focus on building your business instead of handling paperwork. You can also receive advice on filing deadlines and other compliance issues, and your home address will stay private.
How much does it cost to hire a registered agent?
Registered agent services generally run about $100-$300 a year.
