10 Best Registered Agents In California 2025 – Top LLC Filing CA
Reviewed by Jazmin Castello - MBA, Bailey Schramm, BS
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2025 California LLC Guides
All LLCs operating within the state of California must have and maintain a suitable Registered Agent according to California Corporations Code, Section 17701.13. While the official term is “Registered Agent,” they’re also called an Agent for Service of Process.
Your Registered Agent plays several important roles in your everyday business operations. They primarily act as a physical address for Service of Process, meaning they receive and respond to legal mail and official state notices. This ensures that your LLC remains compliant with the state and continues to operate smoothly.
Choosing the right Registered Agent is important. They need to align with your business needs and be able to work with you to ensure your LLC continues to grow. If you’re currently searching for one to enhance your business, I’ve reviewed the best 10 Registered Agents in California. I’ve also described their main roles and responsibilities within your LLC.
Best California Registered Agents In Nov. 2025
The Registered Agent services on my top 10 list have undergone a comprehensive assessment as part of my detailed review process. Each one has been analyzed for its overall quality, customer service, reliability, and value for money.
These are my top three rankings from the list:
- Editor’s Choice: ZenBusiness.
- Customer Centered: Northwest Registered Agent.
- Variety of Offerings: LegalZoom.
An Overview Of California Registered Agents
Your Registered Agent in California is an individual or company that you’ve nominated to receive your Service of Process. This means that they’ll be responsible for receiving your legal documents and official state notices on behalf of your LLC. Depending on who you choose, they’ll also be able to reply to them.
According to California law, all LLCs must appoint a registered agent to ensure that company filings are correctly managed and important business deadlines are met.
You can appoint yourself, your friend, a family member, or a third-party commercial service. However, most LLCs should choose a professional third-party service to ensure compliance, privacy, and efficient business operations.
Tip: Most successful LLCs will always have a third-party company acting as their Registered Agent. This allows them to focus on other areas of the business, ensuring company growth while the regulatory side of the business is handled for them. While it represents an added cost, it’s worth the investment.
1. What Is A Registered Agent?
A Registered Agent is your LLC’s official point of contact. They provide an official physical address for legal documents and state notices to be sent and forwarded when necessary.
Furthermore, they’ll maintain an official record of any document deliveries, helping your business to stay compliant and remain in good standing with the state. Some of their main responsibilities include:
- Receiving official legal mail and state notices (Service of Process).
- Forwarding mail when necessary.
- Handling important documents and filing deadlines.
- Ensuring your LLC remains compliant with the state.
Note: Your Registered Agent must have a physical address in California (Not a P.O. box). They also need to be available during standard business hours.
2. Do I Need A California Registered Agent?
Your Service of Process is the formal legal procedure that notifies both parties of legal proceedings via official court notices. One of the most important jobs of your California Registered Agent is to accept Service of Process if your LLC is sued (California Code of Civil Procedure, Section 412.20). This informs the court that the important legal documents have been received, protecting you from potential harm.
Every California LLC is required to maintain a Registered Agent. This is because they act as an official contact point for the state. They help to :
- Prevent missed state notices.
- Maintain legal compliance.
Your Registered Agent will be listed on your Articles of Organization filed with the California Secretary of State, California Corporations Code, Section 17701.04(a)(1).
a. Your Registered Agent Information Is Public Record In California
Your Registered agent’s personal details, including their official physical address, will be made a public record in California once your Certificate of Formation is filed. Their name and address must be included in order for it to be accepted by the Secretary of State. This is the case for all state filings going forward once the LLC is formed.
This can lead to several potential issues:
- Their details may be searched for and republished on third-party websites.
- Their address may be used for other activities.
b. How To Stay Off The Public Records
Having your Registered Agent’s information on the public record can become a big issue if you’ve chosen to appoint yourself, a friend, or a family member.
Hiring a professional third-party service as your Registered Agent allows you to use their office as your physical address. This prevents any of the potential issues stated above from happening. Furthermore, their address can be used for your principal office or that of your LLC members and managers.
Who Can Be Your Registered Agent In California?
As per California Corporations Code, Section 17701.13, you have five options when appointing your Registered Agent. This can be:
- You.
- A family member.
- A friend.
- Your LLC.
- A professional third-party Registered Agent Service in California.
If you’ve chosen an individual agent (You, your friend, or a family member), they must:
- Be a California resident.
- Be able to accept Service of Process during normal business hours.
- Maintain an official physical street address in California.
In the case that you’ve chosen a corporate agent, they’ll need to:
- Be authorized to conduct business in the state of California.
- Register as a corporate agent by completing Form 1505 before offering services.
- Maintain an active status with the California SOS.
Acting as your own Registered Agent or appointing a friend or family member will save money initially. However, it comes with several risks, many of which can cost you much more when poorly managed. You risk losing standing with the state and, in some cases, being shut down.
- Administrative dissolution (Involuntary business termination).
- Missing important state notice deadlines.
- Default legal judgments.
- Contempt of Court.
This is what can happen if you don’t use a professional third-party service as your Registered Agent. I know that you’ll need to pay an added cost for their services, but it prevents these costly issues from happening as your business grows.
Risks Of Appointing Yourself
Acting as your own Registered Agent comes with a few risks:
1. Administrative Dissolution
Failing to maintain a valid Registered Agent as required under California Corporations Code §17701.13 or failing to keep your Registered Agent’s address current in your Statement of Information can lead to serious consequences for your LLC.
If your Registered Agent resigns, moves, or becomes unreachable and you do not update this information, the California Secretary of State may:
- Mark your LLC as “Not in Good Standing”
- Reject future filings
- Note your business as FTB suspended when tax issues arise
Suspension also creates additional risks. Under the Franchise Tax Board (FTB) administrative cancellation rules, if a domestic LLC remains FTB suspended for 60 or more consecutive months, it may be administratively cancelled after notice.
Once an LLC is administratively cancelled:
- It ceases to legally exist
- It cannot conduct business
- It cannot sue or defend itself in court
- Its legal protections and rights effectively end
These risks increase significantly when you appoint yourself, a friend, or a family member as Registered Agent, because address changes or missed notices are far more likely. Using a professional Registered Agent service helps ensure your contact information stays current, prevents missed notices, and reduces the chance of state penalties or administrative dissolution.
2. Missing Important State Notice Deadlines
All California LLCs must reliably receive official notices and legal correspondence from the Secretary of State and the FTB. These notices often require timely responses, and missing a deadline can lead to fines, penalties, or loss of good standing.
Self-appointed Registered Agents frequently miss critical government mail, especially when they move, travel, or are unavailable during business hours. The FTB specifically states that it sends notices regarding tax return issues, delinquencies, and compliance requirements. If these notices are not received, your LLC may face penalties, suspension, or additional enforcement actions.
Using a professional Registered Agent greatly reduces these risks by ensuring that state notices are received promptly and forwarded to you without delay.
3. Default Legal Judgments
When an LLC in California is sued, legal documents must be delivered to the Agent for Service of Process. Under California Code of Civil Procedure §415.20 and §415.30, proper service on the Registered Agent is legally binding, even if the LLC never actually sees the documents.
If you appoint yourself as the Registered Agent and miss service because you were unavailable or your address was outdated, the legal process will still move forward. Once service is completed, the LLC has 30 days to respond.
If no response is filed within the required time, the plaintiff may request a default under CCP §585. After a default is entered, the court may issue a default judgment, which can include:
- Damages claimed
- Attorney fees
- Interest
- Court costs
In these cases, the LLC may owe significant financial judgments without ever having had the chance to defend itself.
If the LLC is suspended or not in good standing, it cannot appear in court or defend the lawsuit at all, which increases the risk of an automatic judgment.
Setting aside a default judgment becomes very difficult when:
- The Registered Agent address was outdated
- The self-appointed agent failed to accept or check mail
- The agent failed to notify the LLC’s members or managers
Using a professional Registered Agent helps ensure that legal documents are received and forwarded promptly, reducing the risk of costly default judgments.
4. Contempt Of Court
California courts may issue contempt of court sanctions when an LLC or its responsible parties willfully disobey a lawful court order under Code of Civil Procedure §1209 through §1211. Contempt findings can result in:
- Monetary fines
- Orders issued directly against the LLC
- Coercive penalties intended to force compliance
- Enforcement actions against managers or members who are responsible for meeting legal obligations
If you act as your own Registered Agent and miss court orders because you were not available, the mailing address was incorrect, or you overlooked legal mail, your LLC may fail to respond to important court directives. These may include:
- Discovery orders
- Compliance directives
- Post judgment orders
Missing these documents increases the risk of contempt findings and additional penalties that could have been avoided with a reliable Registered Agent.
5. Summary
You can designate yourself, your friend, or your family as your Registered Agent. However, consider the potential risks and what this can mean for your business growth over a long-term period:
- Public exposure of your personal information.
- Missing important state notices, deadlines, and compliance documents.
- Having to be available during normal business hours.
- Ensuring proper record-keeping of company operations.
- Being fined, facing administrative dissolution, and having your company’s reputation ruined.
While these risks don’t always happen, their chances are greatly increased if you don’t appoint a professional third-party Registered Agent. Invest in your business and allow the professionals to do the important paperwork for you. Focus on growing your business and reaching your true potential.
Best Registered Agents In California Nov. 2025
1. ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness is a great option for new businesses needing California Registered Agents. Especially based on affordability, ZenBusiness stands out from competitors with its low filing fees and quality and speed of service.
While their services and affordability are a plus, there are a lot of packages and services available, so it may be overwhelming to check out or not get upsold on a service you didn’t want.
- Starts at $0 plus state fees
- Premium Registered Agent and compliance services
- Affordable EIN and expedited filing options
- Purchasing their services online is not as straightforward as with other platforms
- It’s a newer company, so they don’t have a longstanding reputation like some of their competitors
ZenBusiness is a newer company that provides services as a California Registered Agent, though customers still highlight the customer care team and quick responses. They are favored by customers for their affordability, transparency, and value.
ZenBusiness offers a number of packages, each including a free operating agreement, help as a process server, assistance with annual report filing, and a free California Registered Agent service for a year when you file an LLC with them.
Furthermore, they offer a wide range of other business support and legal advice. Everything a business needs from a Registered Agent, they can provide, like applying for an EIN, helping with website building, and more.
2. Northwest Registered Agent
Overall, anyone with a California business should consider Northwest as their Registered Agent. Their affordability is great, and they are the best Registered Agent service on this list.
Plus, their excellent customer service team offers personalized support in real-time from actual experts, which you can’t find anywhere else.
- They offer great customer service and are very customer-oriented
- Each filing comes with one year as a California Registered Agent for free
- Great data protection policies and standards
- For comparable pricing, you can get more services done from competitors
- One-on-one support may not always be quick or in a timely manner, though thorough
As a California Registered Agent, though the ones that are there are positive, Northwest provides everything you need from a Registered Agent service, like a street address in California, service of process, mail scanning, compliance monitoring, and more. Plus, their customer support team offers superior service and expertise.
Part of their service is that they offer a free compliance calendar during the first year, in addition to all the other services they provide. Through their business mail-forwarding service, you can avoid dealing with any unnecessary paperwork and only receive the most important documents. Additionally, all of their services are easily accessible through an online account on their website.
3. LegalZoom
For businesses that have more sophisticated legal needs and seek protections for IP, trademarks, and patents, LegalZoom is likely the provider for you.
This is all offered aside from their Registered Agent service, so there may be cheaper options available from other providers if all the extra services are not needed.
- Exceptional legal help on a variety of issues, including IP protection, trademark registration, patent applications, and more
- They offer up to $1 million in identity theft protection
- Have great ongoing legal protection and guidance
- Not the most affordable option on this list
- Registered Agent service is not included for free with LLC filing
LegalZoom has been around for over two decades now, so there is plenty of longevity in their reputation, and they show clear expertise in the industry. Positive reviews by customers praise the thoroughness and expertise that they provide with their legal advice, so it appears they rank well among consumers.
All in all, they have great brand power and are widely viewed as the leader in the field, plus their legal expertise and ongoing support are considered the top in the industry.
4. Rocket Lawyer
Rocket Lawyer is a great alternative to LegalZoom if you need ongoing legal support, but at a more affordable price.
They don’t have the same brand power and recognition as some of the other competitors, though they do offer comprehensive support for the legal issues of incorporating a business in California.
- They are widely used and popular among business owners
- They have a great customer support team that offers quick service
- Great ongoing legal support
- Their subscription model means the costs add up quickly
- Better for ongoing legal support, so this may not be needed for all people seeking out a Registered Agent
Many satisfied customers praise the company for the personalized care and legal expertise it provides as a California corporate agent. Another one of their strengths is their customer support team, which offers great legal advice and expertise for small business issues, and they are available 12 hours a day, not just limited to regular business hours. This is all in addition to their Registered Agent services, which are included for free for a year with LLC filings through Rocket Lawyer.
5. Harbor Compliance
Harbor Compliance is their main area of expertise, though businesses seeking out Registered Agent services should overlook Harbor Compliance.
They offer great services at affordable prices, even offering a one-time fee that covers all services for a year. So if you need a Registered Agent company that is full-service and doesn’t break the bank, Harbor Compliance is a great option.
- Great help to meet compliance requirements and filing deadlines for all relevant business documents
- They offer good services at affordable rates
- Their support team isn’t comprised of experts or are particularly skilled in providing quality advice
- Good services for the price point, but not exceptional in any particular area
As a Registered Agent, Harbor Compliance will help you with LLC formation, mail forwarding, a physical address in California, and an agent available for help and support during normal business hours. They also have great expertise when it comes to registered agent services for non-profits, and they offer quick delivery of services in less than 2 days.
Plus, their compliance calendar is straightforward and easy to follow, keeping businesses in compliance and meeting all filing deadlines as needed. This is all accessible through their comprehensive software that tracks all details of their services and stores valuable information for the business.
6. Better Legal
BetterLegal offers a range of assistance with business formation, including tax support, web creation assistance, and legal guidance. Their easy-to-use platform and straightforward packages don’t overwhelm customers and simplify the legal process of business formation.
- They provide expertise in a number of areas aside from their Registered Agent service
- All services are offered under one flat fee
- Fast turnaround times on services
- Little flexibility with packages, so you may end up paying for things under the flat fee that you didn’t need
- Limited customer support only during regular business hours
- The high price point for full formation
Some customers point out that the flat fee packages make it impossible to only pay for what you need, so customers may pay more if they’re not using all the services that are included. Thus, it may end up being more expensive than other providers that offer à la carte services.
Besides, the limited customer support during regular business hours may be a contention point for some and is better provided by other Registered Agent providers. BetterLegal has a flat-fee model that includes all services, including tax advice, accounting help, and online presence support.
7. Inc Authority
Inc Authority is another good option for Registered Agent services in California. While their prices may not be the most affordable compared to others on this list, they are a standout with their value and expertise.
- Great authority and reputation in the industry
- They offer a free Registered Agent service for 1 year with the purchase of other packages
- Free LLC filing offered
- You will be charged for the EIN filing
- They charge high prices for their packages and don’t offer refunds or money-back guarantees for any reason
- Upselling is a main tactic of theirs, so you may end up spending more than you wanted to on services you didn’t need
They are known for their generous LLC services, in addition to their other offerings. Aside from the standard deliverables associated with a Registered Agent, they also offer tax planning services, a designated agent for personalized support, and other valuable services.
In addition, the value they bring to the customer who hires them stands out from most Registered Agent services. California business owners can enjoy the convenience they gain with Inc Authority as their California Registered Agent, as they take care of service of process, necessary filings with the California Secretary of State, and other documentation needed for the state business programs division.
8. Swyft Filings
Swyft Filings is known for its flexible pricing structures and packages and quick turnaround times. This isn’t to say they’re the most affordable when it comes to Registered Agent services, though they offer great ongoing legal support to customers throughout their incorporation process.
- Their services are all offered in flexible packages
- There are installment plans available for payments if they can’t all be made up front
- They offer ongoing legal support and a California business address
- The price is much higher than other competitors
- A lot of upselling to other products and service offerings
Customers may find more comprehensive plans at more affordable prices outside of Swyft Filings, and some of their services, like their Registered Agent offering, are provided by third parties. Even still, they are favored for their transparency with turnaround times, and their additional benefits, like tax consulting in the secure client portal, are an added bonus of using them as a Registered Agent.
9. MyCompanyWorks, Inc
MyCompanyWorks is a great provider of legal advice and other services to support businesses as they incorporate.
Even still, the Registered Agent service is not included with most of their packages, only with the most expensive ones. So, those mostly looking for a Registered Agent service at a better price point will find that elsewhere.
- Their money-back policy covers 100% of the cost
- Quick turnaround times with their same-day filing
- They have great services for small business owners to help build up the credibility of their business
- Registered Agent service is only included in their most expensive package
- Aren’t as affordable as some of their competitors
MyCompanyWorks is an excellent option for any California business. Their quick turnaround times and great customer support times are some of their other strengths, and they have great tools to help businesses build good credit.
As with any other Registered Agent, they can accept service on your behalf, and you can use the Registered Agent’s address as your California business address to maintain your privacy. As your Registered Agent, they can help you with business operations and any legal notices or online forms you may need to deal with.
10. Bizee
Overall, Bizee continues to be one of the more popular California Registered Agents. Their affordable, tiered pricing means it’s accessible for any business entity, and they provide good value for what customers pay.
- They have one of the more affordable options on the market, with no filing fee, starting at $0 + State fee
- One year as a California Registered Agent is included in all packages
- Their easy-to-use online platform stores valuable information and has compliance and annual report reminders
- Limited customer service support only during normal business hours
- Costs more than other California Registered Agents
Many praise Bizee for their California Registered Agent service for its quick service and customer support responses, even though their hours and response times may appear limited from the outside.
They also offer a number of other services related to new business formation, like making the appropriate filings with the California Secretary of State and giving you all that you need from a Registered Agent service, like mail forwarding and an online account to store information, among other things.
Final Thoughts
Registered Agents can be a great tool for business owners to use while they incorporate their business and file the necessary formation documents, and getting a Registered Agent in California may even be required by the law for certain legal structures.
Registered Agents can make sure you only receive the relevant paperwork and documents you need, while also making the relevant filings on time and keeping you compliant with other legal requirements, and accepting service of process when necessary.
So, even though you can be your own Registered Agent on public record, choosing a Registered Agent in California from the above list is likely a better option.
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- Ca.gov. (2022). California Code, CORP 17701.13. [online] Available at: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CORP§ionNum=17701.13.
- Ca.gov. (2025). California Code, CCP 412.20. [online] Available at: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=412.20.&nodeTreePath=5.7.3&lawCode=CCP.
- State Bar of California, Business Law Section. (2010). Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act (Legislative Proposal BLS-2011-06). [online] Available at: https://www.calbar.ca.gov/portals/0/documents/legislation/BLS-2011-06-RULLCA.pdf.
- Ca.gov. (2017). California Code, CCP 415.20. [online] Available at: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=415.20&lawCode=CCP.
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- Ca.gov. (2025). California Code, CCP 585. [online] Available at: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=585&lawCode=CCP.
- Ca.gov. (2025). California Code, CCP 1209. [online] Available at: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=1209&lawCode=CCP.
- Ca.gov. (2025). California Code, CCP 1211. [online] Available at: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=1211&lawCode=CCP.
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