SunDoc Filings review 2024: Cost, plans, features and more
Updated 5:44 p.m. UTC Jan. 3, 2024
Editorial Note: Blueprint may earn a commission from affiliate partner links featured here on our site. This commission does not influence our editors' opinions or evaluations. Please view our full advertiser disclosure policy.
Pros
- Fast document filing and processing.
- Discounts available for multiple states.
- Scanned and hard copies of correspondence provided.
Cons
- No 24/7 customer support available.
- No app available.
- Basic services only.
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.
- 12 companies reviewed.
- 21 hours of product testing.
- 408 data points analyzed.
Featured registered agent service offers
SunDoc Filings overview and facts
SunDoc Filings was founded in 1999 by Stan Huser and the service provider prides itself on fast document filing and retrieval. The company claims its proximity to the California state capitol building in Sacramento, works to its advantage. Instead of relying on the postal service, SunDoc Filings says it sends document runners multiple times a day to the Secretary of State’s office.
SunDoc Filings offers various individual services and packages to help you set up and maintain your small business, such as business formation services and filings, fictitious business name registrations and employer identification number (EIN) application services. Available nationwide, the company has a network of companies throughout the United States that act as its correspondents.
Customers of SunDoc Filings seem to be extremely satisfied with the company and its services. The provider has a 4.9 out of 5 star rating on Trustpilot with over 3,000 reviews. Most reviewers noted fast arrival of documents and responsive customer service. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) gave SunDoc Filings an A+ rating, although there have been no customer reviews (or complaints) so far.
SunDoc Filings registered agent services pricing
COMPANY | COST PER YEAR |
---|---|
Better Legal
| $90
|
Harbor Compliance
| $99
|
Bizee
| $119
|
Northwest Registered Agent
| $125
|
InCorp
| $129
|
Rocket Lawyer
| $150
|
Sundoc Filings
| $159
|
Inc Authority
| $179
|
Swyft Filings
| $199
|
ZenBusiness
| $199
|
Incorporate.com
| $235
|
LegalZoom
| $299
|
SunDoc Filings offers registered agent services throughout the U.S. and will help to process or forward relevant documents or information regarding your business. Its services include:
- Correspondence reception: The company will receive any documents for your company on your behalf. These can include anything from official documents from the government (such as the IRS) to correspondence from other entities and agencies.
- Forwarding of service of process: If legal action is being taken against your company, you will be given notice via a service of process. SunDoc Filings will immediately forward these to you using FedEx Second Day Service and notify you by phone or email (your preference).
- Document scanning: You will receive scanned correspondence and documents before SunDoc Filings forwards them to you via mail. Correspondence is scanned the day it is received by the provider.
The registered agent services cost $159 per year with no known price increases after the first year. You may be able to receive a discount if you also register for the SunDoc Complete filing package to help you form your company. Discounts may also apply if you file multiple entities or want registered agent services in more than one state. To find out how much you can save, contact SunDoc Filings, or you can see pricing when filling out the form to purchase a service.
Compared to other registered agent service providers, SunDoc Filing is on the higher end of the pricing tier. For comparison, competitor BetterLegal offers registered agent services for $90 per year. That being said, SunDoc may cost less if you receive a multi-state discount, so it’s best to shop around and compare prices of all the services you need for your business before committing to one company’s services.
Like other competitors, SunDoc Filings offers similar registered agent services as part of a standalone service or as part of its business formation package. It’s best for those who may have already formed their company and who may be looking for the best pricing for registered agent services in multiple states.
SunDoc Filings customer support and experience
Customers can contact SunDoc Filings via live chat or phone. Support is only available Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST.
In terms of customer experience, SunDoc’s website is simple to navigate and provides basic information on various topics, which includes how to form an entity in your state, types of business entities available, types of documentation and different ways to manage your newly formed entity. When it comes to selecting your package and uploading documentation, SunDoc Filings’s website is also easy to navigate.
Its live support is responsive and fairly quick, though it may be slower during busier times of the day. You can ask company representatives to answer basic questions via live chat, though more specific ones may be better addressed on the phone.
SunDoc Filings vs. LegalZoom
PRICE | MULTI-STATE SUPPORT | SAME-DAY DOCUMENT SCANNING | CUSTOMER SUPPORT | |
---|---|---|---|---|
SunDoc Filings
| $159
| Yes
| Yes
| Live chat, email and phone
|
LegalZoom
| $299
| Yes
| No
| Live chat, email and phone
|
LegalZoom is priced significantly higher compared to SunDoc Filings, but businesses get additional features not available with SunDoc. For instance, LegalZoom offers up to $1 million in business identity theft protection and credit monitoring through Experian — a $239 value. LegalZoom also offers unlimited cloud storage for your business documents, and sends reminders about any annual reporting and filing deadlines your business needs to address.
However, LegalZoom does not offer same-day document scanning, a feature SunDoc does offer. This feature gives businesses an advantage. If, for example, a company receives notice of being sued, having same-day access to the correspondence offers businesses the ability to begin preparing their defense immediately.
If you’re interested in the additional security protection services LegalZoom offers, it could be a great fit. Otherwise, if you have those in place and want the benefits of immediate document access, then you’re probably better off with SunDoc Filings, given its lower annual price.
SunDoc Filings vs. Northwest Registered Agent
PRICE | MULTI-STATE SUPPORT | SAME-DAY DOCUMENT SCANNING | CUSTOMER SUPPORT | |
---|---|---|---|---|
SunDoc Filings
| $159
| Yes
| Yes
| Live chat, email and phone
|
Northwest Registered Agent
| $125
| Yes
| Yes
| Live chat, email and phone
|
Both SunDoc Filings and Northwest Registered Agent offer similar basic services such as same-day document scanning, notification of correspondence, a flat rate and mail forwarding. What makes the latter stand out is the lower pricing and online tools. Northwest Registered Agent offers services such as pre-filled forms, annual compliance reminders and instructions and guidance on filing forms.
Though both companies offer mail forwarding services, Northwest Registered Agent will only scan regular correspondence up to five times for free each year. SunDocs Filings doesn’t mention explicitly on its website whether it’ll offer this as a service.
Both registered agent companies offer basic services nationwide, making them good fits for almost any type of business. However, Northwest Registered Agents has a lower price point, making it a better choice for more budget-conscious companies.
Is SunDoc Filings right for your business?
SunDoc Filings is our top choice for businesses needing basic registered agent services with fast document delivery and great customer service. Though it’s not the cheapest option out there, its reputation, ease of use and potential discount opportunities may be worth it.
Businesses needing additional services such as annual filing reminders and identity theft protection, however, may be better off shopping for other registered agent providers to find the best fit.
When shopping around, it’s important to ensure the company you go with is serious about your privacy. Look at how they handle your physical mail if they don’t send it to you, who opens your correspondence and how they scan and send letters electronically.
“The registered agent you choose will be responsible for receiving your company’s official correspondence, so it’s important to ensure your confidentiality,” says Anna Stella, founder of BBVA, a global marketing outsourcing agency. “Ask what happens after letters are scanned, how they handle physical mail and who exactly is opening your mail.”
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.
Featured registered agent service offers
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
SunDoc Filing’s registered agent services are available throughout the U.S. in all 50 states. And, if you use SunDoc Filings in multiple states, you may be able to take advantage of its multi-state discount. This discount depends on the number of entities covered by SunDoc’s registered agent services.
Yes, SunDoc Filings provides a worry-free guarantee. If the company is at fault for any reason, it will refund your service fees. Other fees, such as government or agency fees, aren’t included in this refund policy. Issues surrounding external government agencies are not subject to SunDoc’s worry-free policy.
SunDoc Filings doesn’t have any hidden fees for its products and services. You will pay a flat fee for services, and the company outlines any additional features for which it requires payment. The website also clearly outlines any fees you may pay if you request a refund.
SunDoc Filings will fully refund your money if an unsatisfactory issue arises before it starts to process your order. However, the company will charge a $25 fee if you decide to cancel your order, in addition to any other fees that the company has incurred while processing your order. You won’t be able to receive a refund once SunDoc Filings has sent in documentation to the state filing agency.
You can cancel your service with SunDoc Filings using the following process:
- Contact SunDoc Filings as soon as possible to request a refund.
- Once it receives your request, SunDoc Filings will assess where in the process it is with completing the service you ordered.
- If the company hasn’t sent your documentation to any government agencies, it will refund you either the full amount, or minus the $25 fee and applicable processing charges.
- You will need to work with SunDoc Filings on how you want to receive your refund.
If you aren’t entitled to a refund, you will need to work with SunDoc Filings to find out why. The company outlines its terms and conditions on its website as well so you can push back if your reason falls within its terms and conditions for a qualified refund.
SunDoc Filings offers additional products and services aside from registered agent services. They include:
- Business formation services, including a corporation or LLC.
- Application packages to receive a business license.
- Annual reports or Statement of Information filings.
- Amendments and dissolutions filings.
- Applying for and obtaining Tax ID/EIN numbers.
- Reserving a business name.
- Retrieving business documents.
- Customized corporation and LLC document kits.
- Document searches, including tax lien, judgements and court records.
- Apostille and document authentication services for the state of California.
To learn more about other LLC services, head to our Best LLC Services guide.
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.
-
Small business statistics in 2024
Business formation Mehdi Punjwani
-
What types of small businesses thrive in each state?
Business formation Mehdi Punjwani
-
Best cities to start a business in 2024
Business formation Mehdi Punjwani
-
Why incorporate in Delaware? Pros and cons in 2024
Business formation Teresa Bitler
-
How to start a corporation in 8 easy steps
Business formation Sarah Li Cain
-
LLP vs. LLC: Which is best for your business?
Business formation Robert Bruce
-
Member-managed vs. manager-managed LLC: Differences, pros and cons
Business formation Cat McAlpine
-
How to start a small business at home in 2024
Business formation Blair Travers
-
Best New Jersey registered agents in 2024
Business formation Jessica Elliott
-
Free business plan template (with examples)
Business formation Alan Bradley
-
LLC vs. S-corp: Which is best for your business?
Business formation Jessica Elliott
-
DBA vs. LLC: What’s the difference?
Business formation Gina Ponce
-
30 top small business ideas for 2024
Business formation Alison Kilian
-
LLC vs. Corporation: Which is best for your business?
Business formation Brynne Conroy
-
What is a sole proprietorship? Definition, pros and cons
Business formation Mehdi Punjwani