The average registered agent annual fee is $100–$300 for single-state coverage, with multi-state businesses often paying $500–$1,500. Choosing a reliable service helps avoid missed notices, default judgments, administrative dissolution, and reputational risks.
Last Updated: October 6, 2025
Business owners encounter many questions when forming a corporation or limited liability company (LLC). Here’s a common one: how much does a registered agent cost? Professional registered agent services generally range between $100 and $300 per year, though prices can be lower for more basic options or higher for premium services. Some providers advertise entry-level services starting around $50 annually, while comprehensive packages with compliance support can reach $400 or more.
Understanding these costs helps businesses evaluate the value of a registered agent service for their compliance needs.
A quick Google search of “registered agent service” will yield dozens of advertisements for different registered agent service providers, each touting itself as the best option. Each service charges a different price point, though.
On average, most professional registered agent services charge between $100 and $300 annually for standard registered agent service. The typical registered agent service covers the essential functions of accepting service of process, receiving and forwarding other legal documents, and handling some official state correspondence.
Pricing often reflects the provider’s reputation and the features included in the service. For example, business owners might find some budget-focused services at a lower-than-average price point (around $50 to $100 per year). These options usually provide only the minimum service of accepting and forwarding legal mail. While these services can meet the compliance requirements enacted by the state, they might not be the right fit for every business owner.
Many business owners prefer a registered agent service that provides more comprehensive services. These could include compliance reminders for annual report due dates, digital access to delivered documents, expanded support, and other services. Some companies also want to expand into other states, so they might prefer to work with a national registered agent service company. ZenBusiness, LegalZoom, Northwest Registered Agent, and Bizee are just a few of the many registered agent services available nationwide.
These higher-end services have higher price points than the bare-minimum agent services. While pricing can vary, the average cost to use a reliable registered agent service runs between $100 and $300 annually per business per state. Businesses that need an agent in multiple states will likely pay an annual fee for each state, but some brands offer bulk discounts for companies operating in multiple states. Some service providers offer introductory deals for the first year, such as 50% off the first year or a free year of registered agent service for business owners who hire the brand’s business formation services.
Business owners who plan to hire a registered agent service will want to carefully read the terms and conditions for the service they’re considering. Misunderstanding the pricing and renewal terms can lead to an unexpectedly high price tag later on.
The biggest factor affecting the cost of a registered agent service is the level of support included. A provider that only accepts service of process and forwards it typically charges less than one that also offers compliance monitoring, online dashboards, or dedicated customer support. There are exceptions; some brands may be priced higher or lower than competitors offering similar features.
Location also plays a role. Since national registered agent services must maintain a physical office in each state where they represent businesses, operating costs are higher, which can increase fees. Services that only cover one state may cost less, but they do not meet the needs of companies that plan to expand into multiple states.
The type of registered agent service can also influence pricing. For example, hiring a small firm or an individual agent may be less expensive, but the tradeoff is often fewer features or less reliability. In many cases, their service ends with accepting and forwarding legal documents, while larger professional providers may include added benefits such as online document access, compliance alerts, mail forwarding, and additional support.
As mentioned earlier, some companies offer volume discounts for multi-state businesses or for long-term contracts. Businesses that use the same service across several states may lower overall costs while simplifying management through consolidated billing and reporting.
When a business operates in more than one state, it’s required to appoint a registered agent in each state where it operates. For example, if a Nevada LLC were to expand into California, it would be required to register as a foreign LLC in California and appoint a registered agent there.
For businesses that hire a registered agent service — which is prudent for a multi-state company — operating in multiple states incurs a higher cost for registered agent services. On average, a company operating in five states could spend anywhere from $500 to $1,500 annually on registered agent services, compared to a single-state business that pays only one annual fee. Some national providers often help reduce this burden by offering consolidated services across multiple states. These providers typically allow businesses to manage all agent appointments through one online portal, reducing administrative work and sometimes offering discounted per-state rates.
Service fees for a registered agent service might seem annoying or even pricey for small business owners. But paying that fee — and maintaining an agent as a result — avoids some serious consequences, which can be more expensive than any service fee.
For starters, if a business doesn’t maintain an agent, the state can take action against it. Common consequences include penalties and fees, but states might also suspend a company’s authority to do business there. In severe cases, the state could even administratively dissolve the company, closing it down by force. Without a registered agent, businesses cannot reliably receive legal documents, which increases the risk of missing court deadlines and facing default judgments.
For example, the Colorado Secretary of State explicitly warns that a company may face a default judgment if it fails to respond to a lawsuit because it did not maintain a reliable registered agent. Those businesses could also be placed in delinquent status and lose their good standing in the state. Most states have similar consequences, but the specifics will vary.
Even when no lawsuit is pending against a business, the absence of a registered agent creates practical barriers for a company. Businesses that lose good standing may not be able to open bank accounts or enter into new contracts until they correct the lapse in coverage.
In short, every company needs a registered agent. The agent acts as the official point of contact for the state and other parties, helping ensure that legal papers are always handled responsibly.
In many states, it is possible for a business owner to serve as their own registered agent. As long as the state’s criteria are met—typically being a resident, maintaining a physical street address in that state, and remaining available at that address during regular business hours—the owner may take on the role. Some businesses also designate a friend or family member to serve in this capacity. This approach can eliminate the annual fee charged by professional providers, which may seem appealing for cost-conscious owners.
However, being legally permitted to serve as a registered agent is not always practical. Maintaining daily availability at the registered office is difficult for most entrepreneurs, and even when possible, doing so can create privacy and reputational risks.
For example, if a restaurant owner lists the restaurant address and the business is sued, a process server could deliver the lawsuit during business hours. Employees and customers present might witness the delivery, drawing unwanted attention to the company’s legal matters.
By contrast, a professional registered agent service receives legal notices at its own address and forwards them to the business in a secure and discreet manner. This separation helps protect the business’s image while ensuring official documents are handled reliably.
Choosing a registered agent service often starts with cost, but other factors such as reliability, customer support, technology platforms, and additional compliance features are equally important. Considering these elements together provides a clearer picture of long-term value.
Reliability and adherence to state requirements are the most important factors when choosing an agent. The agent selected must be available during business hours and meet any specialized state criteria. For example, Virginia requires the registered agent to be a member of the State Bar or a key member of the company. Meanwhile, Colorado requires a registered agent to have a valid state driver’s license or identification card. No matter how affordable the agent is, they must meet all state requirements.
If a business entity has expansion plans, it may be valuable to assess which states the registered agent service covers. For example, a business owner in Michigan with plans to expand into Ohio and Indiana might hire an agent in that region or go with a provider that operates nationally. Meanwhile, truly small businesses could hire one that only services their state.
Professional registered agent services also provide benefits that go beyond cost. For example, professional services may have dedicated staff, liability safeguards, and compliance tools that individual agents may not have. These brands could also have online features like digital document portals and automated reminders for annual reports and other compliance responsibilities.
Picking an agent that meets state requirements is paramount. After that, balancing costs against a service’s coverage area and extra perks can help business owners decide which registered agent service is the best fit for their business.
Specific prices vary, but on average, registered agent services typically cost between $100 and $300 per year. That said, businesses can choose the service that best fits their priorities. A smaller company might decide to prioritize budget and hire a small service with a low fee, while a larger company’s annual registered agent fee might exceed $1,000 for a national registered agent service that can cover the brand in multiple states.
Ultimately, what matters most is that a company designates a registered agent who upholds state requirements to be present at their physical address during normal business hours. That way, important legal notices don’t get overlooked, helping the company stay compliant at all times.
Disclaimer: The content on this page is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. If you have specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.
Written by ZenBusiness Editorial Team
The ZenBusiness Editorial Team has more than 20 years of combined small business publishing experience and has helped over 850,000 entrepreneurs launch and grow their companies. Our writers and business formation experts are dedicated to providing accurate, practical, and trustworthy guidance so business owners can make confident decisions.