Best Delaware registered agent services in 2024
Updated 4:51 p.m. UTC May 21, 2024
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Delaware registered agent services are essential to business operation, as no entity can legally operate within the state without one. Fortunately, there are many options available. Some business entities may appoint an internal member, though hiring a third-party individual or company to act as your agent is quite common.
We looked at the best registered agents in Delaware, comparing prices, additional services and the pros and cons of each to determine which providers are worth consideration.
Featured registered agent service offers
Best Delaware registered agent services in 2024
- Northwest Registered Agent: Best for entities operating nationwide.
- Harbor Compliance: Best for accessing live support agents.
- Rocket Lawyer: Best upfront pricing.
- SunDoc Filings: Best for quick document processing.
- BetterLegal: Most flexible registered agent service.
- InCorp: Best for multi-year registered agent service.
- Bizee: Best service packages.
- Swyft Filings: Best spam filter.
- ZenBusiness: Best for compliance.
- Incorporate.com: Best online compliance tool.
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Best Delaware registered agent service comparison
REGISTERED AGENT FEE | ENTITIES | FULL REVIEW | |
---|---|---|---|
Northwest Registered Agent
| $125 per year
| LLCs, corporations and nonprofits
| |
Harbor Compliance
| $89 to $99 per state per year
| LLCs, corporations and nonprofits
| |
Rocket Lawyer
| $249.99 per year
| Sole proprietorships, LLCs, corporations and nonprofits
| |
Sundoc Filings
| $159 per year
| Partnerships, LLCs, corporations and nonprofits
| |
Better Legal
| $10 per month or $90 per year
| LLC and corporations
| |
InCorp
| $87 to $129 per year
| LLCs, LPs, LLPs and corporations
| |
Bizee
| $119 per year
| LLCs, corporations and nonprofits
| |
Swyft Filings
| $199 per year
| LLC, corporations and nonprofits
| |
ZenBusiness
| $199 per year
| LLCs and corporations
| |
Incorporate.com
| $235 per year
| LLCs, corporations and nonprofits
|
Methodology
We extensively research the key competitors within an industry to determine the best products and services for your business. Our experts identify the factors that matter most to business owners, including pricing, features and customer support, to ensure that our recommendations offer well-rounded products that will meet the needs of various small businesses.
We collect extensive data to narrow our best list to reputable, easy-to-use products with stand-out features at a reasonable price point. And we look at user reviews to ensure that business owners like you are satisfied with our top picks’ services. We use the same rubric to assess companies within a particular space so you can confidently follow our blueprint to the Best Registered Agent Services.
The best registered agent service providers have positive user reviews on customer review sites, such as Trustpilot, G2 and the Better Business Bureau. Registered agent service providers should provide customers with fast and reliable support. Using a combination of phone support, live chat and knowledge bases, customers should be able to quickly resolve issues 24/7.
Registered agent services should be available in all states, affordably priced when compared to competitors and backed by reasonable refund policies and money-back guarantees. All registered agent service providers should expand on a basic feature set that includes company formation services, secure client portals and same-day document delivery.
What is a registered agent, and how do they work?
Registered agents are responsible for accepting and informing you of important documents such as Service of Process, billing information and tax forms. By law, every entity formed in Delaware must have a registered agent.
Provided the business has a physical office in the state, it can technically act as its own agent. Otherwise, you may hire a qualifying third party to fill the role.
Benefits of having a registered agent
There are multiple benefits to having a registered agent, especially if you choose to appoint another person or company to the position.
- You remain in good standing. Having a registered agent is a requirement in many states, including Delaware, and is a crucial part of keeping your business in good standing and avoiding penalties.
- Maintain your privacy. As registered agent information is available to the public, having someone else fill the role keeps your address information private.
- Meet timely obligations with greater ease. Because registered agents accept crucial billing and tax documents on your behalf, having one makes it easier to keep up with mandatory paperwork and fees.
How to choose the best registered agent
Pricing and convenience are significant considerations. However, there are other key features to keep in mind to help you select the best available provider.
Key features to look for
When choosing a registered agent, there are a few items to consider before signing up for a specific service.
- Availability. While major formation companies offer registered agents as an add-on, you should always double-check to ensure the service is available in your state. Contact the company’s sales team for direct confirmation if you remain uncertain.
- Pricing. Compare service providers’ prices and choose the best plan that suits your budget. For example, some registered agent services charge month-to-month, while others expect an upfront payment for an annual agreement. Other companies give you a free year of agent coverage and then charge you the total price upon renewal.
- Terms of service. It is generally a good idea to at least glimpse a brand’s Terms of Service, especially if you are concerned about things like early termination fees or a change in price upon renewal. This may also be important to know in the event of local law changes that could impact coverage.
Customer service
Customer service is a crucial but sometimes overlooked aspect of whether a service is worth consideration. It is not only a matter of how well a business treats you before you pay money for their product or service but also if that courtesy continues after you transition to a paying customer. Too often, customer reviews mention a lack of communication or consideration once a service receives their money.
Before signing up for service, check for verified reviews from customers. How long did they remain customers? How genuinely satisfied are they with the service they received? Did they have issues with customer support?
While some customers are genuinely unhappy, it might not always be the company’s fault. Failure to follow instructions or communicate honestly with a business could result in avoidable errors. And a business that attempts to set things right with unhappy customers should earn fair consideration for those efforts.
How much does a registered agent cost?
How much a registered agent will cost depends on key factors such as your budget and whether you have a physical Delaware address. Many of the companies we reviewed offer not only registered agent services but also formation packages.
PACKAGE PLAN COST RANGE | REGISTERED AGENT FEE | |
---|---|---|
Northwest Registered Agent
| $335 to $443 (with registered agent service)
| $125 per year
|
Harbor Compliance
| $99 to $1,799 plus filing fees
| $89 to $99 per state per year
|
Rocket Lawyer
| $0 to $99 plus state fees
| $249.99 per year
|
Sundoc Filings
| $79 to $279 plus state fees and add-ons
| $159 per year
|
Better Legal
| $299 plus state fees
| $10 per month or $90 per year
|
InCorp
| $99 plus state fees
| $87 to $129 per year
|
Bizee
| $0 to $299 plus state fees
| $119 per year
|
Swyft Filings
| $0 to $299 plus state fees
| $199 per year
|
ZenBusiness
| $0 to $349 plus state fees and annual billing
| $199 per year
|
Incorporate.com
| $79 to $1,729 plus a $118 state filing fee
| $235 per year
|
In some cases, it might be possible to forego registered agent charges for at least a year if you get the service as part of a bundle or agreement.
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Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
According to the Delaware Division of Corporations, every entity registered within the state needs a registered agent. The agent can be the entity itself, an individual within the state or a third-party business. The registered agent must have a physical street address and be 18 years old to qualify.
The Delaware Division of Corporations states that a registered agent can be
- The entity itself.
- An individual with a physical address within the state.
- A third-party domestically-formed business.
It is possible to act as your own registered agent in Delaware, provided you have a physical address and are at least 18 years of age.
A Delaware registered agent is responsible for accepting any formal legal documents, such as a writ or summons, on behalf of your company. Additionally, agents must inform you of any billing and tax obligations.
To change a registered agent in Delaware, you must complete a Certificate of Amendment designated for changing only the registered office or agent and file it with the Division of Corporations. The exact form you need will depend on the entity. The current fee is $50 for most entities, though a nonprofit corporation will be charged only $5.
Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
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