Best Registered Agent Service in New York (2024 LLC Guide)

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If you’re looking into Registered Agent Services in New York, you may be surprised to know that you’re not required to hire a Registered Agent in New York.

That’s right. New York is one of only two states where Registered Agents aren’t required.

We’ll explain why this is and whether or not you should still consider hiring a Registered Agent Company for your New York LLC.

What is a New York Registered Agent?

Registered AgentA Registered Agent is simply a person or company who agrees to accept legal mail (called Service of Process) in case your LLC is involved in a lawsuit.

However, New York does things a little bit differently.

By default, the New York Secretary of State is the “Agent for Service of Process” for all New York LLCs.

This means if someone were to sue your LLC in New York, they’d serve those papers on the New York Secretary of State.

And then the Secretary of State would forward that paperwork to you (at your New York LLC’s mailing address, also known as the “address for forwarding of service of process”).

If you follow so far, you may be asking yourself, “Then what’s the point of hiring a Registered Agent Service in New York if it’s not required?

And you’d be smart in asking that. Because you don’t have to hire a Registered Agent Service.

However, there are still two reasons you may want to consider hiring a Registered Agent Service in New York:

  1. To save money on the New York LLC publication requirement
  2. To keep your address off public records

Saving money on the New York LLC publication requirement

LLC PublicationEvery LLC in New York is required to meet the LLC publication requirement.

Meaning, after your LLC is approved, you need to run an ad in two newspapers for 6 weeks.

And depending on the county where your LLC is located, this can either be a few hundred dollars, or can approach $1,000, especially if you’re in one of the 5 boroughs.

One strategy that we recommend is to hire a Registered Agent in Albany County (which has really affordable newspaper fees), publish your ads in Albany County, and then change your address back to your county after you’re finished with the publication requirement.

We go more into more detail about this strategy on our website.

Keeping your address off public records

When you form an LLC in New York, there are two addresses that get listed in your LLC paperwork (called the New York Articles of Organization). These address go on public records:

  • The address for forwarding of service of process (aka mailing address)
  • Filer’s address (aka LLC Organizer address)

While you can list your own address here, some people don’t want to do that.

An alternative is to hire a Registered Agent Service that will let you use their New York office address throughout your Articles of Organization paperwork.

We have a recommendation for this below.

Is there a Registered Agent Service that can help with both?

Yes, there is. We recommend hiring Northwest Registered Agent.

They are located in Albany County and you can use their address to fulfill the newspaper publication requirement.

And they are also the only Registered Agent company that will allow you to use their address throughout your New York LLC filing.

This way, you can keep your home address off public records, if privacy is a concern of yours.

Do I have to hire a Registered Agent Service in New York?

Again, no, you’re not required to.

You can simply publish your newspaper ads in the county you’re located and use your home address (or a business or mailing address) on your LLC paperwork.

Best New York Registered Agent Services recommendations by LLC University®

Registered Agent CompanyRatingPricePros and Cons
#1.
Northwest Registered Agent logo
9.5/10$125 per yearPro: Great customer service
Helps keep your address off public records
Con: Not the cheapest
#2.
MyCompanyWorks logo
9.2/10$99 per yearPro: Good service at a good price
Con: Doesn't offer address privacy
#3.
IncFile logo
8.8/10$119 per yearPro: Decent price
Con: Doesn't offer address privacy
#4.
ZenBusiness logo
8.7/10$199 per yearPro: Reputable company
Con: Doesn't offer address privacy
#5.
Harbor Compliance logo
8.6/10$99 per yearPro: Good price
Best service for companies operating in several states
Con: Website is dated
#6.
Rocket Lawyer logo
6.8/10$150 per yearPro: Reputable company
Good value if you want to subscribe to full suite of services
Con: More focused on legal forms
#7.
Legal Zoom Logo
6.2/10$299 per yearPro: Recognizable brand name
Con: Most expensive, hard to cancel

#1. Northwest Registered Agent – Registered Agent Service

Our #1 recommended Registered Agent Service is Northwest Registered Agent.

Northwest Registered Agent is the 2nd largest Registered Agent company and they’ve been in business for over 20 years.

Any mail that is sent to them will be scanned by them and uploaded to your online account.

Northwest offers excellent customer service, and they’re easy to reach by phone or email. Their cancellation policy is also straightforward, and not hidden (unlike other companies).

Our favorite feature of Northwest is that they allow you to use their office address throughout your LLC filing so you can keep your address off public records. Northwest has offices in all 50 states, so this service is available nationwide.

Special offer: Hire Northwest to form your LLC ($39 + state fee), and you'll get a free year of Registered Agent service.

(Why is Northwest the best? Read our Northwest Registered Agent review)

Pros:

  • Save money on the New York LLC publication requirement
  • Best customer service team
  • Address privacy (Use their address instead of yours on LLC formation paperwork)
  • Helpful and knowledgeable staff
  • Live person answers the phone every time
  • Straightforward pricing models

Cons:

  • Not the cheapest

Registered Agent Services: Northwest Registered Agent charges $125 per year.

LLC Services: Northwest Registered Agent charges $39 + state fee, and they include Registered Agent Services free for the 1st year.

Online customer reviews: Customer reviews praise the helpful and knowledgeable staff at Northwest.

At other Registered Agent companies, people found that advertised prices appeared cheaper, but when it came time to checkout, they were hit with added fees and upsells. In contrast, Northwest’s advertised price was the same low price at checkout.

#2. MyCompanyWorks – Registered Agent Service

MyCompanyWorks logo

MyCompanyWorks was recently acquired by Registered Agent Solutions Inc. (RASI), a major player in the corporate compliance industry (aka Registered Agent service for large companies).

Although they’ve been acquired, MyCompanyWorks operates independently and specializes in serving small business owners.

Like other New York Registered Agents, MyCompanyWorks scans and uploads any mail that is sent to your LLC, including notices from the state. However, if your New York LLC receives a legal document (aka Service of Process) they will send it to you via overnight mail so you have all the information you need to respond or contact your company attorney.

Pros:

  • Great customer support team
  • Positive reviews on ease of use and affordable pricing
  • Useful website with helpful features
  • Good cancellation policy

Cons:

  • Doesn’t offer address privacy

Registered Agent Service: MyCompanyWorks charges $99 per year for Registered Agent Service.

LLC Service: MyCompanyWorks offers LLC packages starting at $59 + state fees. If you upgrade your package, you’ll get a free year of Registered Agent Service – and they’ll also get an EIN for your LLC.

Online customer reviews: Customer reviews on Google for MyCompanyWorks reflect positive experiences with the prices, ease of use, and DBA services. We think MyCompanyWorks is a great Registered Agent service.

#3. IncFile – Registered Agent Service

IncFile logo

IncFile has been recognized as one of America’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies by Inc. 5000. The IncFile website itself is well-designed and easy to use.

In addition to their Registered Agent services, IncFile also offers a great stand-alone business license research service. This can be very helpful for new businesses looking to save time.

We like IncFile’s affordable prices and the fact they offer exactly what they advertise.

Pros:

  • Free LLC formations and free 1st year of Registered Agent Service
  • Scans and sends any mail your LLC receives
  • Customizable email notifications

Cons:

  • Customer service not the best
  • Strict refund policy

Registered Agent Service: IncFile charges $119 per year for their Registered Agent Service.

LLC Service: IncFile’s LLC formation service starts at $0 + state fee. However, like ZenBusiness, many customers end up paying more at checkout. That said, if you form your LLC with IncFile, they will include one year of Registered Agent Service for free.

Online customer reviews: Trustpilot reviews are above average. While some customer reviews report errors on their filed documents, as well as issues with upcharges, customers seem overall satisfied with IncFile.

#4. ZenBusiness – Registered Agent Service

ZenBusiness logo

ZenBusiness is a well-known name in the Registered Agent industry. They scan and upload mail sent to your LLC, just like the other Registered Agent services.

One downside is that their website has a lot of flashy advertisements that make it hard to find information you’re looking for. Our biggest complaint is that you must use an “interactive chat” with an AI robot to get any information, which takes a long time to work through all the questions and answers.

Pros:

  • Large, reputable company
  • Scans and uploads mail to your dashboard

Cons:

  • May be hard to cancel, hidden fees
  • High price for average service
  • Some high-pressure upsells
  • Customer service not as helpful as other companies

Registered Agent Service: ZenBusiness charges $199 per year for their Registered Agent service.

LLC Service: ZenBusiness’s LLC formation service packages start at $0 + state fee. However, many people end up paying more for necessary items as they progress through checkout.

Online customer reviews: ZenBusiness customer reviews are mixed across Google and Trustpilot. The negative reviews – amongst the many positive reviews – complain about delays and confusing charges.

#5. Harbor Compliance – Registered Agent Service

Harbor Compliance logo

Harbor Compliance has its headquarters in Pennsylvania, but they offer Registered Agent Services in all 50 states.

They specialize in handling multi-state compliance issues, which can be very helpful for companies that need Registered Agent services – and business licensing services – in two or more states. This makes Harbor Compliance a great service for larger businesses with locations in multiple states.

Any mail that arrives for your LLC will be scanned and uploaded into your account. And you’ll have online access to view all your mail. If your New York LLC operates in multiple states, you’ll be able to access all the mail in one centralized dashboard.

Pros:

  • Basic, no frills website makes things simple
  • Good for bulk service: multiple businesses, multiple states
  • Experience with Non-Profits
  • Discounts available on already competitive pricing
  • Customer reviews praise responsiveness and helpfulness

Cons:

  • Doesn’t offer address privacy
  • Usually not the best for small business owners

Registered Agent Service: Harbor Compliance charges $99 per year for Registered Agent Service. However, you can get a discount if you pay for multiple years upfront.

LLC Service: Harbor Compliance’s LLC formation service packages start at $99 + state fee.

Online customer reviews: Harbor Compliance has a mix of customer feedback on Google, with some customers reporting concerns about services in certain states. That said, customer reviews on Facebook are overall positive, with business owners often praising Harbor Compliance for their helpfulness and speed in responding to questions.

#6. Rocket Lawyer – Registered Agent Service

Rocket Lawyer logo

Rocket Lawyer is a unique Registered Agent service because they focus on subscription plans that include a variety of business services and online legal services – not just Registered Agent services.

Rocket Lawyer’s main product is their legal advice service and business forms. If you subscribe to that membership, you can get a discount on Registered Agent services (and on LLC formation services).

If you don’t want to pay a monthly fee for forms and a few minutes’ conversation with a lawyer, then choosing Rocket Lawyer as your Registered Agent in New York probably isn’t the right choice.

Pros:

  • Offers a wide variety of services
  • Sends physical copies of your legal mail if your email isn’t working

Cons:

  • Expensive, even for subscribers
  • Subscription model can be tricky, refunds are rare
  • More focused on legal advice and forms, it can be hard to find what you need

Registered Agent Service: Rocket Lawyer charges $150 per year for Registered Agent Service, unless you subscribe to Rocket Lawyer Premium for $40 per month (then it’s $112 per year for Registered Agent Service).

LLC Service: Rocket Lawyer charges $99 + state fee to start an LLC for you, unless you subscribe to Rocket Lawyer premium for $40 per month (then it costs $0 + state fee for them to form your LLC).

Online customer reviews: RocketLawyer has largely positive customer reviews across Trustpilot, SiteJabber, and Google. Customers seem to appreciate Rocket Lawyer’s customer service experience and the wide variety of services they get with a subscription, including legal forms and advice, business filing, and Registered Agent discounts.

#7. LegalZoom – Registered Agent Service

Legal Zoom LLC Review Logo

LegalZoom is one of the biggest names in the Registered Agent industry, but what do you actually get with that name recognition? In our opinion, not too much. Their prices are high compared to other companies in the business formation industry, and it’s difficult to get good information from customer service.

The bottom line is: customers, vendors, and other businesses aren’t judging your New York LLC based on what Registered Agent you hire. The “prestige” of a company like LegalZoom doesn’t matter to them. So you don’t gain anything from paying extra for the big name.

Pros:

  • Large company
  • Includes identity theft protection and credit monitoring
  • They may pay the change of Registered Agent fee if you’re switching companies

Cons:

  • Has a reputation for being hard to cancel
  • Expensive, paying premium price for average service
  • Customer service has long hold times and aren’t very knowledgeable beyond advertising LegalZoom services

Registered Agent Service: LegalZoom charges $299 per year for Registered Agent Services.

LLC Service: LegalZoom’s LLC formation packages start at $0 + state fee. Upgraded packages are available, but none include free Registered Agent service.

Online customer reviews: Online customer reviews vary widely for LegalZoom. While there are no Google reviews for LegalZoom, the Trustpilot and SiteJabber reviews share a strong contrast of quite positive and equally negative reviews.

Best New York Registered Agent Services FAQs

Are there any free Registered Agent Services?

No, there are no free online Registered Agent Services. They all cost money.

The only way to get free Registered Agent service is to be the Registered Agent yourself, or ask someone you know, like a friend, family member, accountant, or attorney.


Is LegalZoom a good Registered Agent?

No, not really. LegalZoom has good name recognition, but their services aren’t any better than the competitors even though they charge more. And having a “name brand” Registered Agent doesn’t help your company. Customers don’t see that information.

Online customer reviews also complain that their business formation service isn’t much better. Many customers who hired LegalZoom to handle their business formation process weren’t always happy with the end result.


Can I be my own Registered Agent in New York?

Yes, you can be your own Registered Agent in New York (or you don’t have to list one at all).

There are no states that require you to hire a company or a lawyer to be your Registered Agent. Don’t let anyone on the internet tell you differently!

But you might not want to be your own Registered Agent (or put your address on file) for privacy reasons. Your LLC’s Registered Agent information is public record, so anyone can find the address.

Matt Horwitz, founder of LLC University®Pro Tip: There is one company however, Northwest Registered Agent, that can help solve this problem. If you hire Northwest to form your LLC – and to be your Registered Agent – they can also use their office address throughout your LLC paperwork. This means, even if Member information is required, you can still keep your name and address off public record.

You can learn more about being your own Registered Agent in New York by reading Can I be my own Registered Agent in New York.

How do I choose a Registered Agent?

Choosing the right Registered Agent for your LLC depends on your specific business needs.

We’ll guide you through your options and how to choose a Registered Agent, so you can confidently pick the best one for your LLC.


Do you need a Registered Agent for an LLC in New York?

No. The New York Secretary of State doesn’t require business owners to appoint a Registered Agent when they file their LLC paperwork.

This is because, by default, the Secretary of State is the “Agent for Service of Process” for all businesses in New York.

You can appoint a 2nd Registered Agent if you’d like, however, it’s not a requirement.

Some people do consider hiring a 2nd Registered Agent Service in Albany, New York though, so they can save money on the New York LLC publication requirement (and keep their address off public records).

If you’d like to hire a company to start an LLC for you, check out our article on Best LLC Services in New York!


How much do Registered Agents cost in New York?

LLC CostIf you don’t list a Registered Agent, then there’s no Registered Agent cost. And the same goes for if you will be your own Registered Agent, or if a friend or family member is your Registered Agent (you will only pay the New York LLC filing fees).

However, if you hire a company, there will be a fee.

If you choose to hire a New York Registered Agent Service, the fees range from $100 to $300 per year.

Good news: There are no state fees associated with listing a Registered Agent.


Do I need a Registered Agent in every state?

No, you don’t need a Registered Agent in every state.

And you aren’t required to have a Registered Agent in New York.

The exception to this would be if you need to register your LLC as a “Foreign LLC” in another state. Then you’d need a Registered Agent in that new state.

For example, if you have a New York LLC and do business in NYC, but now want to expand into Newark, New Jersey, you’ll need to register your New York LLC as a “Foreign LLC” in New Jersey. And along with Foreign LLC registration, you’ll need to appoint a Registered Agent in New Jersey.

If you’re looking for a Registered Agent for a Foreign LLC, check out our review of the Best Registered Agent Services for all 50 States.

Matt Horwitz
Matt Horwitz
Matt Horwitz has been the leading expert on LLC education for the past decade. He founded LLC University in 2010 after realizing people needed simple and actionable instructions to start an LLC that other companies weren't offering. He's cited by Entrepreneur Magazine, Yahoo Finance, and the US Chamber of Commerce, and was featured by CNBC and InventRight.
 
Matt holds a Bachelor's Degree in business from Drexel University with a concentration in business law. He performs extensive research and analysis to convert state laws into simple instructions anyone can follow to form their LLC - all for free! Read more about Matt Horwitz and LLC University.

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