How to Choose a Registered Agent for Your Business

Thinking about using a third-party registered agent service? Read on to find out how to choose the right registered agent for your business.

Stay compliant with our registered agent services

Trustpilot star rating bar
A woman wearing a headset speaks during a phone call.

Contents

Updated on: August 4, 2025
Read time: 4 min

Small business owners running their businesses as a corporation or an LLC must designate a registered agent for their businesses. While specific registered agent requirements vary state by state, the primary function of a registered agent remains the same—to receive important government- and litigation-related mailings on behalf of your company.

An infographic describing the meaning of “registered agent.”

While it might seem more cost-effective to be your own registered agent or to designate an employee or perhaps even your spouse as your registered agent, there are several reasons to consider using a third-party registered agent service. For example, your registered agent's address is on public record, so you must consider privacy issues if you designate yourself or your spouse as your registered agent.

What are the benefits of using a registered agent service?

Seattle business attorney Mark Tyson notes that the basic services offered by commercial registered agents are fairly uniform. These services include a physical address for receiving your company's government compliance and litigation-related mailings and personnel who will receive and forward such mailings to you. This means that, as a bare minimum, the registered agent you choose should offer these services.

There are also other benefits to using a third-party registered agent service. According to Matthew L. Kreitzer, a Virginia-based business attorney, these benefits include:

  • Mail sorting. Kreitzer notes that your registered agent is a central hub for all of your business's important mailings. "It can be easy to be overwhelmed by the amount of mail you receive as a business," he points out. Using a commercial registered agent service ensures that essential mailings will come to your attention.
  • Privacy. Having a third-party registered agent reduces the risk of employees seeing sensitive information that you may not wish to share. Kreitzer gives the example of a business owner receiving sensitive mail from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission regarding certain employees who may be causing problems. "If you do not have a registered agent," he says, "your employees may accidentally open sensitive materials, which can lead to employee retention problems or issues in your workplace."
  • Flexible hours. Kreitzer also notes that many registered agents can provide more flexible hours. For example, they may offer large drop boxes where communications can be dropped off after hours. Additionally, some services may have staff working outside of normal business hours, so your company's important mail can be reviewed during off-hours.

Tyson notes that some registered agents might offer additional services, such as assisting with the business formation process by preparing and filing required formation documents with the state. While these services are usually provided for a higher or additional fee, they may be an option if you find you require such services.

How much does a registered agent service cost?

While there are clear benefits to using a commercial registered agent service, you might be worried that the costs might very well outweigh the benefits. It turns out, however, that registered agent fees are usually quite reasonable.

"Businesses that hire a commercial registered agent should expect to pay in the range of $150-$300 annually," says Tyson, "with some variation beneath and above this range, assuming you do not elect to pay for additional services, like business formation."

Kreitzer adds that most registered agents will charge a flat fee. "This is usually an annual fee," he notes. "Fees can vary depending on what kind of registered agent you choose. Different states have different rules for who can qualify as a registered agent. I would recommend avoiding registered agents that do not offer flat-fee models and that try to add additional fees. Make sure to read your contract to see what kind of fees they are charging and if there are any last-minute add-ons."

How to choose a registered agent service?

You've researched and put together a list of registered agent services whose fees fit your company's budget. How can you be sure that the registered agent you choose will provide you with good value?

A registered agent should provide the following basic tasks or services:

  • a physical address in-state
  • personnel present at that address to receive service of process and other legal notifications on behalf of the business owner
  • timely forwarding of all service of process and other legal notifications to the business owner

Assuming these tasks are all performed competently, you should choose the service that provides the best value for your budget.

It is also worth talking to other people in the industry. Another way of identifying a registered agent is to attend trade shows and talk to other businesses about which registered agents they are using. It's not uncommon for some registered agents to be more dedicated to specific industries. Different industries have different demands and require different skill sets.

You can also call the registered agent service to ask for references or read their reviews online.

Using an outside party to act as your business's registered agent may appear daunting at first sight. Still, generally speaking, the benefits of designating a commercial registered agent service as your business's registered agent can far outweigh the costs.

Stay compliant with our registered agent servicesStart Now
Twitter logoFacebook logoLinkedIn logoReddit logo

This article is for informational purposes. This content is not legal advice, it is the expression of the author and has not been evaluated by LegalZoom for accuracy or changes in the law.

65 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

Aditya was incredibly helpful and…

Aditya was incredibly helpful and professional throughout our conversation. He guided me through the payment process for the Registered Agent Service and explained everything clearly and thoroughly. He made sure all my concerns were addressed and was very patient the entire time. He also had a very nice and calming voice, which made the whole experience even better. Honestly, with the way he handled the call—with confidence, clarity, and excellent customer service—I believe Aditya has what it takes to be a manager. He’d be a great asset in a leadership role. Thank you again, Aditya!

Myrjean Aquino
122 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

Legal Zoom always saves the day

Legal Zoom always saves the day. As me registered agent for 14 years they have been a lifesaver.

Genevieve Pavitt
160 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

Keen was very supportive and helpful to…

Keen was very supportive and helpful to help me sign in for a registered agent

Marta Salerno
167 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

Legal Zoom made it very simple and easy…

Legal Zoom made it very simple and easy to set up my LLC and having them as my registered agent it keeps my company on time for Legal document filings and they notify me if something is coming up that needs my attention to keep on track.

Townline Bus LLC
225 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

Rene was super helpful in making legal Zoom, my company's registered agent

Rene was super helpful in getting Legalzoom setup as registered agent for all my companies, and help me get everything organized so that I know when to file my statements of information. Excellent customer service!

Scott Clift
226 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

My registered agent Oliver was the best!…

My registered agent Oliver was extremely knowledgeable and very helpful.

Robert Mckay
249 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

Highly Satisfied with service!

Yes, I am highly satisfied with the customer service provided by Alex. And I am highly satisfied by Legal Zooms services filling my Annual Report + Registered Agent with compliance essentials. I've been a client of Legal Zoom for many years.

Wilma Connell
266 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

Very professional and knowledgeable

I initially called concerning my registered agent account with my company. Jonar was the agent that assisted me with the my concerns and nailed it with his professionalism and knowledge provided he answered all my questions and we released the line with me being fully confident in making LegalZoom my choice to do business.

Quinten Lee
543 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

Legal Zoom Service Legal Zoom is the…

Legal Zoom is the registered agent for our company. They are incredibly helpful and knowledgeable! We never have to worry about compliance or our end of year report. In addition, the new BOI report was included with our annual report!

Connie Cochrane
877 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

I have been a client of LZ since 2007

I have been a client of LZ since 2007. They have been a very good registered agent. I very much appreciate talking with a "real human" Their team has always been friendly, knowledgeable, efficient and professional. Thanks, JB

Jeffrey Bartlett
906 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

The representative was friendly and helpful…

The representative was friendly and clear with information to become my business 'Registered Agent'. The process was also quick and easy.

Daleen
1320 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

Very helpful for first-time entrepreneurs

Legal zoom has been my Registered Agent for over a year. They've been very helpful to me as a first-time, new business owner. Without them, I'd have had a very hard time understanding my obligations to the state as a business owner. They've kept me well-informed and ensured I don't miss important filing deadlines. And their customer service is super helpful if you ever need to talk to someone.

Ashley A
Rated4.6out of 5 based on23,759+ reviewson

Showing our favorite reviews