Top 7 Best Rhode Registered Agents 2024: Reviews & Guides
Reviewed by Randolph Vialva, MBA
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If you’re a business owner in Rhode Island, then you likely need a registered agent to meet the legal obligations necessary to continue to transact business through your business entities.
You can be your own registered agent or hire a Rhode Island registered agent service. But your Rhode Island business will benefit most if it hires a Rhode Island registered agent.
That’s why we’ve created this guide. It covers everything you need to know to find the best Rhode Island registered agent service for your company. Keep reading to learn more.
An Overview Of A Registered Agent
A Rhode Island registered agent is like an official point of contact for your company. They accept service of process, respond to official requests during normal business hours, and may even act as the physical address for your business entity in Rhode Island.
When you hire a professional registered agent service, you can get even more support. For example, some of the resident agent options on our list will help with legal documents, set up an online account dashboard for your domestic limited liability company, and provide you with an LLC formation service or a registered office address along with annual report reminders if you need them.
The specific kinds of support you get from Rhode Island registered agents depend on which ones you hire to help your Rhode Island business during normal business hours and beyond them.
Start Your Rhode Business With A Registered Agent
You can also use whichever best-registered agent service you choose to start your business. Most of the Rhode Island registered service agent options on our list will help you form your business entity with articles of incorporation or LLC paperwork and legal documents.
This will get your new company registered with the Rhode Island Secretary of State. Then, you may even be able to get a free resident agent to support your new business address during regular business hours if you choose the right Rhode Island registered agent service.
The process is very easy. Just choose a provider, log onto their website, select the type of business formation support you want, and the company will guide you through the rest.
Who Can Be A Rhode Registered Agent Service?
There are only two requirements that someone needs to satisfy in order to become a Rhode Island registered agent that’s considered valid by the Rhode Island Secretary of State:
- The Rhode Island registered agent must be at least 18 years old
- The registered agent’s name must be tied to a valid street address in the state
As long as you meet these two requirements, any Rhode Island resident can become a registered agent in Rhode Island that’s valid with the Rhode Island Department of State.
But if you want help with business documents, formation documents, and legal mail to remain in good standing, along with other services, then hiring a Rhode Island registered agent service will typically be your best bet.
Read more: Best LLC Services 2024
Top 7 Best Rhode Registered Agents In 2024
- Zenbusiness: Best Overall
- Northwest Registered Agent: Most Affordable
- IncFile: Most Well-Rounded
- Harbor Compliance: Best Online Resources
- LegalZoom: Best Reputation
- Incorp: Easiest to Use
- Rocket Lawyer: Best Ongoing Legal Service
Read more: Best LLC Formation Services In Rhode Island (RI) For 2024
Top 7 Best Rhode Registered Agents April 2024
Zenbusiness
ZenBusiness is an all-around provider that does everything well to support the companies it works with in many different ways.
- Starts at $0 plus state fees
- Premium registered agent and compliances services
- Affordable EIN and expedited filing options
- Lacking a national reputation
From support with taxes and accounting to help with business planning, this best-registered agent option does it all. ZenBusiness can help you stay on top of state fees, act as your street address or registered agent’s address, and so much more. From formation to the all-important registered agent services, they’ve got your back. And with thier worry-free compliance services, you can gain peace of mind while focusing on what you do best: running your busines.
The company also offers after-hours customer support, which many of its competitors don’t. This makes it a good fit if you tend to do business outside of normal hours and need a registered agent in Rhode Island who can act as your own address.
Northwest Registered Agent
Northwest registered agent service gives you an affordable way to get access to high-quality registered agent support.
- Affordable
- Has strong reviews
- Offers same-day filing
- LLC formation can be pricey
With Northwest, you can get all of the different kinds of help that your business needs to stay in good standing in the state and more. The company will act as your physical address or business address in the state of Rhode Island if you need one. They’ll also help with same-day filing, accepts service of process, and much more.
This company also has good online reviews from real customers, which suggests that you’ll be happy with the service you receive from Northwest as well.
Incfile
IncFile stands out with strong online tools and resources that can help your business thrive in the state of Rhode Island.
- Excellent online tools and resources
- Easy interface to use
- No automatic renewal
- No volume-buyer discounts
IncFile offers an easy online interface that’s packed with helpful online tools and resources. Whether you need help setting up a business in Rhode Island for the first time, or you’re looking for Rhode Island registered agents who will also help with annual reports and business mail, this could be the right registered agent option for you.
Harbor Compliance
Harbor Compliance stands out with an easy-to-use service that’s straightforward enough for anyone to enjoy.
- Easy to use
- Offers legal document support
- Helps with business formation
- No premium services
With Harbor Compliance, you won’t get access to as many premium services as you would from other registered agent options. But this Rhode Island registered agent service does the basics extremely well.
Whether you just need a registered agent in Rhode Island or you want to be able to receive service at a registered office in the state, this provider could be the best fit for your LLC business if it wants simple, solid registered agent service and support.
LegalZoom
LegalZoom has the best reputation in the industry and offers a ton of additional business and legal service options to choose from.
- Industry-leading reputation
- Lots of ongoing service options
- Good customer support
- Can be expensive
LegalZoom is a company you may be familiar with already, thanks to its stand-out ongoing business and legal services. It’s also a good option for a registered agent in Rhode Island, thanks to great customer support and a wide variety of service options in the state.
The one downside with this company is that it can be a bit more expensive than other service options for your LLC. But you will get a ton of value for that extra cost if you choose LegalZoom as your resident agent in Rhode Island.
Incorp
Incorp is an affordable, easy-to-use option that won’t break your budget.
- Affordable
- Easy to use
- Helps with foreign qualification
- Limited services available
With Incorp, you get a straightforward online registered agent account that’s super easy to access and control from anywhere you have an internet connection. The company receives good reviews and helps with some additional services, such as foreign qualifications.
The only thing to consider about this service is that it has limited premium options available for your LLC in the state. You may want to choose another registered agent in the state of Rhode Island if you’re looking for that kind of support.
Rocket Lawyer
Rocket Lawyer offers many ongoing legal services in addition to its solid registered agent plans.
- Ongoing legal services
- Subscription-based pricing
- Money-back guarantee
- A credit card is required for a free trial
If you want access to legal support options like chatting with a lawyer, getting help with business documents, and more, then Rocket Lawyer could be your best fit. Its registered agent option gives you everything that you want from a provider and you can also sign up for a monthly subscription plan that gives you access to these other services. The company’s reviews are also solid.
What Is The Cost Of A Rhode Registered Agent
The exact cost of your Rhode Island registered agent will come down to the company you pick. But as a general rule of thumb, you can expect to pay between $99 and $299 per year for a Rhode Island registered agent that will keep you in good standing with the Rhode Island Secretary of State.
Why Should You Use Rhode Registered Agent Services?
Using registered agent services makes it easier to remain in good standing with the Department of State in Rhode Island. They’ll ensure that all of your obligations are met – from paying state fees on time to compiling your Rhode Island annual report and a process server or compliance calendar for your business docs if your Rhode Island LLC needs one.
If you act as your own registered agent as an individual resident, you won’t get to benefit from the additional services these companies offer either. From corporate guides that help with the annual cost to a local office address and an online dashboard, hiring a Rhode Island registered agent service can help your company thrive in many ways.
Final Thoughts
Hiring registered agent services in Rhode Island will help your company satisfy its legal requirements, receive documents that you’re legally required to process in a timely manner, and comply with all other legal matters for your LLC in the state.
If you’re ready to hire a registered agent service, then Northwest is our overall winner thanks to its affordability and great online resources. However, IncFile is an affordable option, and ZenBusiness is a good selection if your want help for your business with more than just registered agent services.
At the end of the day, each of the providers on our list can be a good fit for your business. The registered agent service that’s right for you will come down to your company’s specific goals and preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A Rhode Island registered agent service is a company that will help your LLC accept legal documents, stay in good standing, and even set up a registered office or an LLC in the state if you need that kind of service.
Yes, but acting as your own registered agent can take away valuable time from running your business.
It typically costs between $99 and $299 per year to hire a registered agent service in this state.
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- Start a business in Rhode Island | Help. Ri.gov. Published 2020. Accessed November 12, 2022. https://www.ri.gov/SOS/quickstart/help/
- File Your Annual Report – Rhode Island – Nellie M. Gorbea. www.sos.ri.gov. Accessed November 12, 2022. https://www.sos.ri.gov/divisions/business-services/ri-business/file-your-annual-report
- Rhode Island Registered Agent | For LLCs & Corporations. Northwest Registered Agent. Accessed November 12, 2022. https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/registered-agent/rhode-island
- Get a Rhode Island Resident Agent Today. ZenBusiness Inc. Accessed November 12, 2022. https://www.zenbusiness.com/rhode-island-resident-agent/