Top 10 Best California Registered Agents 2024: Detailed Reviews & Guides
Reviewed by Jazmin Castello - MBA
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If you’re looking to start a business in California, there are many different legal requirements you must fulfill in order to stay in accordance with the law. While this may seem overwhelming, paying attention to the forms and filings required of you will keep you out of legal trouble and avoid costly court appearances.
One of the first things you can do to get your business’s legal affairs in order is to hire a registered agent who will file the necessary legal documents on your behalf. While this can be costly for new business owners, the good news is that there are options available that can help you get your business legally on track without the high price tag.
Continue reading as we review top California registered agent service providers.
What Is A Registered Agent?
Registered agent is a legal term used in the United States. It refers to a business or individual that can accept service when a business is involved in legal proceedings, like a lawsuit or summons. Technically you can be your own registered agent, though many opt for a reliable registered agent service instead. They can also fulfill a number of other services on a business’s behalf, like giving them a physical street address and accepting legal mail and business mail. Overall, a California registered agent can help businesses with legal proceedings and save them time and money by filtering through all mail to provide businesses with only the most important documents. Plus, since registered agents give them a business address that differs from their own physical address, they can ensure their privacy and protection.
How To Choose The Suitable Registered Agent?
There are a number of things businesses may want to keep in mind when choosing the right California registered agent. Businesses should consider how quick the turnaround time is, whether registered agent services are included with other packages and services offered and the affordability of the services. Registered agents are oftentimes experts in other areas as well, so based on the business’s needs, they may seek out a provider that offers assistance in other areas like legal, accounting, and taxes. Above all, businesses will want to choose a registered agent that will save them valuable time, and keep them in compliance with the California Secretary of State and any required document filings.
Why You Should Choose A Registered Agent In California?
There are many options available in the state, so there is reliability, quick service, and convenience to pick someone with local expertise. A statutory agent is a great business service and is important because the registered agent information will go on public record as your own business address, giving you added security and safety and a local office address. You can be your own registered agent, though, for these reasons, any California business should consider hiring a resident agent in California.
Top 10 Best California Registered Agents 2024
- Zenbusiness: Editor’s Choice
- Northwest Registered Agent: Customer Centered
- Incfile: Free Filing
- Rocket Lawyer: Full-Service Support
- Harbor Compliance: Quick Delivery
- BetterLegal: Affordable
- LegalZoom: Variety of Offerings
- Inc Authority: No Fees
- Swyft Filings: A la Carte Services
- Mycompanyworks: Reasonable Pricing
Top 10 Best California Registered Agent 2024
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 compliances 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 California registered agents, 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.
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.
IncFile
Overall, Incfile 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
- Cost more than other California registered agents
Many praise Incfile 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.
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 they provide 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.
Harbor Compliance
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.
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 a 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.
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 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.
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 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 statutory 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.
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 upfront
- 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.
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 your business
- Registered agent service 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 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 statutory agent, they can help you with business operations, and any legal notice or online form you may need to deal with.
Why You Should Choose A Registered Agent In California?
There are many options available in the state, so there is reliability, quick service, and convenience to pick someone with local expertise. A statutory agent is a great business service and important because the registered agent information will go on public record as your own business address, giving you added security and safety and a local office address. You can be your own registered agent, though for these reasons, any California business should consider hiring a resident agent in California.
Considerations for Evaluating Registered Agent Services:
Let us look at the several aspects we should evaluate for finding the best-registered agent service provider.
- The first thing is you should identify your requirements; if you need an LLC registered in just one state, then you go for a local provider; however, if your business is growing at a good pace, you should go for a nationwide registered LLC, and you can also consider other types of registered agent services if they cater to your specific requirements.
- Another important aspect to consider is the pricing; most registered agent services have their pricing structure publicly available. Still, their pricing structure varies a lot so you will have several options, and you can choose the best price and services that meet your requirements.
- You should also try to find a registered agent services provider locally because it is a requirement for the agent to have a physical address in your incorporation state.
These mentioned above are the most important factors you should consider for choosing your registered agent services; however, if you have specific requirements, you can discuss them with your service provider.
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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- Frequently Asked Questions :: California Secretary of State. Ca.gov. Published 2020. Accessed November 9, 2022. https://www.sos.ca.gov/business-programs/business-entities/faqs
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