Best Registered Agent Service in 2020 [Budget Options]

At a Glance

If you run a multi-state business, Legalinc is the best online registered agent service for you. The company prides itself on having automated corporate filing processes, thus making them accurate and efficient. Licensing, registration, and white-labeled services are only the beginning. Here’s everything you get by hiring Legalinc:

• Entity management platform. You get alerts and notifications about document receipts, compliance, and renewal deadlines, plus there are monthly entity compliance checks.
• Automation. Experts do all the paperwork, so you can file compliance reports (in all 50 states and D.C.) in a few clicks. Legalinc takes care of all corporate filings, dissolutions, and mergers, and even makes filing articles of amendment easy.
• Entity compliance repair and restoration. If your business loses its good standing with the state, Legalinc will take care of it. If it gets dissolved or revoked, Legalinc can reinstate it.
• Document retrievals. Whether you need a certificate of good standing, apostilles, or Articles of Organization, Legalinc can retrieve those documents, as well as certified copies.
• UCC search and filings. An online dashboard makes all documents easily manageable.

Finally, there are OFAC Search, USDOT Filings, and corporate kits and supplies.

According to many, Legalinc has the best registered agent software and offers incredible services thanks to it. In case you’re not satisfied, there’s also a money-back guarantee. The only real downside is a somewhat confusing ordering system.

At a Glance

This company offers attorney-provided services and documents. It’s among the top registered agent formation services, perfect for starting any sort of business (nonprofit, S-corporation, C-corporation, general partnership, etc.) While Nationwide Incorporators doesn’t offer legal advice per se, the company will provide enough details for you to make informed decisions. Its services encompass:

• Business licenses. All 50 states are covered, and you can get a Foreign Registration as well.
• Seller’s Permit. If you’re looking to provide services or start transacting business in another state, Nationwide Incorporators can get you a seller’s permit.
• Operating agreement. You can get these whether you’re an LLC member or running a manager-managed LLC.
• Corporate minutes. The company will ensure your minutes are up-to-date in case of a lawsuit or a tax audit.

In an unlikely case of an error, Nationwide Incorporators will correct it at no additional cost. It’s likely the best registered agent for startups since it allows registration of virtually any type of company. On top of that, it’s scalable and lets businesses go multi-state once they’re ready to. The biggest flaw it has is the lack of automation and visibility, as there’s no platform you can log in to follow your files, deadlines, etc.

At a Glance

If you need help with LLC registration in Delaware, there’s no one better than Harvard Business Services to act as your registered agent. This BBB-accredited company is also available for those looking to form a domestic or international corporation.

Harvard Business Services is likely the most affordable registered agent service in the U.S. Still, it offers a wide variety of services to keep your business compliant with Delaware laws and regulations. Here’s what you’ll get:

• EIN
• Delaware certificate of good standing
• Mail forwarding and virtual office services (with a specialized airplane and yacht mail forwarding plan)
• Digital stock ledger
• Business license
• Stock amendment
• Apostille service for foreign clients
• Easily cancel an LLC or dissolve a corporation
• Certified copy of Articles of Organization

There are plenty of benefits for these services. For one, your mail forwarding doesn’t need renewing as long as you still have credits. Forming a company gives you free lifetime customer support, and then there’s pricing. Not only is Harvard Business Services the best service to open an LLC in Delaware, but you also get a year of free registered agent services. One obvious downside is that the only U.S. state you can do business in is Delaware.

At a Glance

Around 90% of Fortune 500 companies give their business to this BBB-accredited establishment. Thanks to their expedite processing, many see it as the best registered agent when it comes to service of process. Here’s everything it offers:

• Quick document delivery. Even if you’re traveling internationally, CSC will receive the documents and deliver them to you electronically in up to 24 hours.
• CSCNavigator® platform. Your entity data and day-to-day transactions integrate with ease, and all data is stored on secure servers. No wonder many think of CSC as the best registered agent when it comes to privacy as well.
• Compliance calendar. Get alerts about filing requirements and ensure that your business stays compliant.
• Entity management and compliance. CSC takes care of everything: global subsidiary management, annual reports, business licenses, etc.
• Business filing services. You can get everything you need, from the Articles of Organization to a foreign qualification.
• Digital brand services. CSC ensures your online brand stays protected.
• Global financial markets. The company provides independent directors, corporate governance, and compliance. It also takes care of fund administration.

If you need a company that not only provides a great resident agent service but plenty of additional services like digital brand protection and real estate recording and searching, CSC is the right solution. Unsurprisingly, registered agent cost comparison shows that it’s among the most expensive services out there.

At a Glance

This company offers services across all 50 states, and can also give you international representation (including Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as all Canadian provinces and territories). In terms of user-friendliness, it offers probably the best registered agent tools, which provide:

• Entity formation and management. You can choose to create a business entity in the U.S. or outside of it.
• Entity monitoring service. NRAI collects documents from the Secretary of State and color-codes notifications so you know whether they’re just informative or point to something compliant/non-compliant. The company also provides monthly legislative updates, scam alerts, and electronic legal service of process.
• Corporate services. These include tax preparation and filing, amendments, mergers, annual reports, dissolution, UCC searching, and filing. Some offices even offer additional corporate services like mortgage and banking licensing and compliance, insurance broker/agent licensing and compliance, and paralegal services.
• Document retrieval. You can easily acquire a good standing certificate, tax certificates, and letters, as well as certified copies.
• Independent director and special purpose entities. NRAI provides these without requiring director and officer insurance for each transaction.

National Registered Agents, Inc. made it into many best registered agent service reviews thanks to its user-friendliness. NRAI’s corporate services are very versatile and its customer support has been described as great. The biggest downside we can see is a high price.

At a Glance

Though USA Corporate Services is registered in all 50 states and D.C., one of its main services has to do with New York. Those who wish to have a prestigious legal address in Manhattan often go for USA Corporate Services. Other than that, the best registered agent service for those eyeing NY helps entrepreneurs start their business, both inside and outside of the USA. Here’s what the company has to offer:

• Virtual office service. Besides forwarding mail from it, the company also lets you use a Manhattan address as your virtual office, with the option of using the conference room for 2 hours a month.
• Company secretary service. USA Corporate Services will not only remind you about the annual state filings, it will also maintain your shareholder and director registers.
• Corporate document retrieval. Get good standing certificates or certified copies in no time.
• Finally, the company also provides bookkeeping and accounting services.

USA Corporate Services is likely the best registered agent for startups that want to have a legal address in Manhattan. It also offers bookkeeping and accounting services. One of its flaws is that it doesn’t offer as many services as some of its competitors.

At a Glance

If you’re working with foreign banks, the best registered agent service to help you in 2020 is United Corporate Services. Whether you need business formation services or require someone to aid you with an established business, this company can help you. It provides:

• Corporate filings and searches. United Corporate Services does everything from obtaining EIN and performing name searches to filing annual reports. It also protects your intellectual property, performs federal & state tax lien searches, and bankruptcy tracking.
• Mail forwarding and office. Choose your legal address from all 50 states, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico.
• Personalized compliance calendar. Get notified via email about annual reports and tax deadlines.
• Business entity monitoring. Don’t worry about losing your good standing status – were it to happen, United Corporate Services would notify you and fix it.
• U.S.A. Patriot Act Representation. If you’re conducting business with foreign banks, you must obtain signed certifications from them. This company does the work for you.
• Independent director services.

All banks and broker-dealers who conduct business with foreign banks should employ United Corporate Services to take care of their compliance. One thing that keeps it from being the overall best resident agent service is that their customer service isn’t great.

At a Glance

Computershare is one of the best registered agent companies that many global businesses rely on. It can help your company with its first steps (like getting a business license and a name) and make sure it always stays compliant. Here’s what you’re getting:

• Name availability. If you’ve chosen a name for your company, Computershare will check its availability and register it.
• Change of agent forms and receipts. Before signing the Registered Agent Acceptance form, Computershare will settle everything regarding the agent change. Once that’s done, all data will be reconciled, and annual report filing will be taken care of.
• Document retrieval and updating. Any document you might need – amendment, apostille, dissolution, merger, good standing certificate, certified copy – Computershare can get it.
• Global Entity Management System. A centralized system allows you to access all your data and documents instantly.
• UCC filing and search.

Computershare is likely the best registered agent service for global businesses. It does everything from name search to data reconciliation and updating and has a centralized platform for full transparency. But since it doesn’t have publicly available pricing nor many customer reviews, it’s hard to say whether the company offers a low cost registered agent service.

At a Glance

Registered Agents Inc.’s fully customizable services are appropriate for businesses of all sizes. Though it primarily serves B2B law firms, the company adjusts to every company’s needs and budget. No matter what state you’re in, if you’re browsing registered agent sites looking for something affordable and customizable, you’ve found it. With Registered Agents Inc., you’ll be getting:

• Business resources. As soon as you log in, you’ll have access to every business form you could ever need. What you do with it is up to you. You can choose to do corporate filings yourself (but with the help of Registered Agents Inc.’s resources), or outsource it to the company.
• Digital reminders. If you decide to do it yourself, don’t worry. The company will send you alerts and reminders of the upcoming deadlines.
• Privacy. Thanks to strict protocols, your privacy and security with Registered Agents Inc. are guaranteed.

If you’re in the US and looking for the best registered agent service, but you’re also on a budget, we recommend Registered Agents Inc. All solutions are customizable, and there’s a 100% refund at the end of the first year if you’re not satisfied. However, if you’re looking for a lot of extra services, this might not be the right solution for you.

At a Glance

Whether you’re looking for the best registered agent company to form a traditional LLC or you want to start a non-profit company, this BBB-accredited service will get you set up. Registered in all 50 states plus Washington D.C., it offers plenty of services:

• Document preparation and filing. Anything you need – incorporation, name registration, mergers, publication, tax clearance – URS has you covered.
• Agent change fee. You’ll hardly find free LLC services anywhere, but URS has you covered when it comes to changing your agent for service of process.
• Corporate materials. Get a corporate kit, certificates, and seals, or choose a blank file for your corporate minutes and LLC operating agreement.
• Annual registration services. Includes annual reports and a free status check.
• Charitable registrations. If you’re forming a nonprofit, URS will handle the entire registration process (state fees included) via its charitable registration management services.
• Online access. You get complete visibility into company records, invoice history, document storage, forms center, etc.
• Independent director/manager.
• International corporate services.
• UCC searches.

Anyone looking for the best registered agent service for LLC shouldn’t skip URS Agents LLC. It’s especially great for nonprofits, for which there are specific management services. However, since they do not publish their pricing on their website, you’ll need to contact their customer support to find out what their current prices are.