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New Jersey requires companies to have an official address and an appointed person to receive official mail during business hours. To meet these requirements, people who live out of state or work from home hire a New Jersey registered agent. Top-rated services offer 24/7 online document access and reliable customer support.

For our guide, we evaluated 15 registered agent solutions. Our team spoke with customer service representatives, reviewed mobile app ratings and heard customer feedback. We looked at dozens of features and services, assessing vendors on document delivery times, pricing, account tools and more. Explore the best registered agent services in New Jersey in 2024.

Best New Jersey registered agents

Why trust our small business experts

Our team of experts evaluates hundreds of business products and analyzes thousands of data points to help you find the best product for your situation. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content. You can read more about our methodology below.

  • 15 companies reviewed.
  • 12 hours of product testing.
  • 540 data points analyzed.

Best New Jersey registered agents comparison

SAME-DAY DOCUMENT DELIVERYMULTI-STATE SUPPORTLLC/CORP FILINGPHONE SUPPORTMOBILE APPFULL REVIEW
Northwest Registered Agent
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Harbor Compliance
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Rocket Lawyer
Not guaranteed
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Sundoc Filings
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Better Legal
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
InCorp
Yes, for expedited orders
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Bizee
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Swyft Filings
Not guaranteed
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
ZenBusiness
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Incorporate.com
Service of process, yes; other mail, no
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Inc Authority
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
LegalZoom
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

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 in New Jersey and how does it work?

A New Jersey registered agent is an individual aged 18 or older (or third-party service) designated as the official contact to receive legal documents. Legal entities must enter this information when applying to do business in New Jersey as an in-state or out-of-state (foreign) company.

Registered agents maintain a physical office during standard business hours. They receive official mail, like legal documents, and notify business owners promptly. Registered agent services typically provide an online portal for document access and state filing deadline tracking.

Benefits of a New Jersey registered agent

Outsourcing registered agent services helps your company comply with New Jersey laws. But it also provides tools and resources to support business objectives like expanding nationally. 

The benefits of a New Jersey registered agent include:

  • Flexibility. New Jersey requires companies to maintain regular business hours and have a registered agent available to accept official mail. For around $7 to $20 per month, a professional agent can take this job over, giving you the freedom to go on vacation, live out of state, work from home or travel for business.
  • Accessibility. Although you’re not physically in your registered office, you have 24/7 access to official documents through an online portal. This software typically displays service of process information and may have a compliance calendar or state deadline details.
  • Scalability. Many New Jersey registered agent companies offer additional services, from business formation to funding solutions. Several give discounts for multi-state entities or a free year of registered agent services when you form a business in a new state.
  • Privacy. A big advantage of registered agent services is that you put the company’s address on public filings instead of your own. This can reduce spam and other data-related privacy intrusions.

Who needs a registered agent in New Jersey?

Legal entities such as corporations, LLCs, nonprofits and limited liability partnerships (LLPs) must register to do business in New Jersey. This process involves obtaining the certificate of formation or authority and assigning a registered agent to represent your company. New Jersey requires the registered agent to be located within the state and says, “Many business owners prefer to use a registered agent service.”

Therefore, any legal entity must have a registered agent available to receive legal mail during regular business hours. This person must be at least 18 years old, and the registered office must have a physical address, not a post office (P.O.) box.

How to choose the best New Jersey registered agent

Whether you’re starting a business in New Jersey or wanting an official address for your home business, a New Jersey registered agent can help. Review customer feedback and reviews to find trustworthy services, and remember to make sure the agency offers essential features and resources. 

Key features to look for

The best registered agent services provide reliable support and prompt document delivery. Compare companies to see which ones have the best value for the price.

Although tools and resources vary by provider, most vendors offer the following features: 

  • Online portal. You can view, download or print business documents and official mail from an internet browser.
  • Notifications. Get alerts for service of process filings or important state deadlines by email, phone or text.
  • State compliance assistance. Review upcoming deadlines or state requirements on a compliance calendar or request help from customer support or compliance specialists.
  • Service of process support. Always have a registered agent present during business hours to sign for lawsuit-related documents and then receive fast notification of the filing.

How much does a New Jersey registered agent cost?

COST PER YEARFREE ONE-YEAR REGISTERED AGENT WITH BUSINESS FORMATIONMULTI-STATE DISCOUNTMULTI-YEAR DISCOUNT
Northwest Registered Agent
$125
No
Yes
No
Harbor Compliance
$99
No
No
Yes
Rocket Lawyer
Varies with membership type
No
No
No
Sundoc Filings
$159
No
Yes
No
Better Legal
$90
No
No
No
InCorp
$129
No
Yes
Yes
Bizee
$119
Yes
No
No
Swyft Filings
$199
No
No
No
ZenBusiness
$199
No
No
No
Incorporate.com
$235
No
No
No
Inc Authority
$179
Yes
No
No
LegalZoom
$199
No
No
No

New Jersey registered agent services range from $90 to $249 yearly. Only Better Legal offers a monthly payment option for $10. The lowest rate is $87 annually through InCorp, but this requires a five-year commitment.

Northwest Registered Agent, Sundoc Filings and InCorp provide discounts for multi-state entities, whereas Rocket Lawyer and LegalZoom offer lower rates for members. Inc Authority and Bizee are great options for companies starting an LLC in New Jersey. Forming a corporation or LLC is free; you get a complimentary year of registered agent service.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

You can be a registered agent in New Jersey if you are a natural person aged 18 or older. In addition, the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services requires agents to have a registered office in New Jersey.

A great way to find a New Jersey registered agent is to review guides of the best registered agent services or see a listing from government agencies. Once you have identified potential agents, look at customer reviews and ratings to determine reliability and trustworthiness. Always read the terms of service carefully and ask questions before signing a contract.

When filling out your business formation documents online, you can enter your information as the registered agent in New Jersey. You must be 18 or older and have a physical New Jersey address.

You can change your registered agent by filing a Certificate of Change form with the New Jersey Division of Revenue. The department accepts the documents in person, by fax, online or by mail. It costs $25 to file a New Jersey Certificate of Change. Many registered agent services will handle the paperwork on your behalf.

New Jersey’s Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services requires registered agents to be 18 years or older and have a registered office in New Jersey.

A registered agent maintains a physical address and signs for official documents on behalf of the company they represent. They ensure business owners are notified promptly when legal papers arrive, which may involve email, phone or text notifications and uploading the documents to an online portal.

Registered agent services range from $90 to $249 annually. However, some vendors offer multi-state and multi-year discounts, reducing the price further.

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.

Jessica Elliott is a business writer specializing in technology, marketing, and operations. She dissects complex topics and empowers leaders to make informed decisions. Her work appears in Business News Daily, U.S News & World Report's 360 Reviews, and Investopedia.

Sierra Campbell is a small business editor for USA Today Blueprint. She specializes in writing, editing and fact-checking content centered around helping businesses. She has worked as a digital content and show producer for several local TV stations, an editor for U.S. News & World Report and a freelance writer and editor for many companies. Sierra prides herself in delivering accurate and up-to-date information to readers. Her expertise includes credit card processing companies, e-commerce platforms, payroll software, accounting software and virtual private networks (VPNs). She also owns Editing by Sierra, where she offers editing services to writers of all backgrounds, including self-published and traditionally published authors.