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When starting a corporation or limited liability company (LLC) in New York, it is a requirement to have a registered agent. A registered agent is a designated individual or professional service responsible for receiving legal and tax documents on behalf of your business.
While it is possible to act as your own registered agent, there are several compelling reasons to consider using a professional registered agent service. In this article, we will explore the seven best New York registered agent services, the benefits of using a registered agent and why it may be a wise choice for your business in New York.
Featured Partners
1
ZenBusiness
$0 + State Fees
Varies By State & Package
2
LegalZoom
$0 + State Fees
Varies By State & Package
3
Northwest Registered Agent
$39 + State Fees
Varies By State & Package
| Company | Forbes Advisor Rating | Registered Agent Service | Business Filing Service | Mobile App | LEARN MORE | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rocket Lawyer |  |
4.5 |  |
$124.99 per year with membership or $249.99 per year at full price | Free for first filing ($99.99 for nonmembers) | Yes | Learn More | On Rocket Lawyer's Website | |
| Northwest Registered Agent |  |
4.5 |  |
$125 per year | Free DIY or $100 filing service fee plus state fees | No | Learn More | On Northwest Registered Agent's Website | |
| ZenBusiness |  |
4.4 | |
$199 per year | $0 to $349 plus state fees | Yes | Learn More | On ZenBusiness' Website | |
| Legal Zoom |  |
4.4 | |
$249 per year | $0 to $299 plus state fees | Yes | Learn More | On Legal Zoom's Website | |
| Bizee |  |
4.3 | |
$0 to $119 per year | $0 to $299 plus state fees | No | Learn More | On Bizee's Website | |
| Harbor Compliance |  |
4.3 | |
$99 per year | $99 plus state fees | No | Learn More | On Harbor Compliance's Website | |
| Inc Authority |  |
4.2 |  |
$0 for the first year | Free LLC registration | No | Learn More | On Inc Authority's Website |
A registered agent is an individual or entity appointed to receive official mail and legal documents on behalf of a business, such as a corporation or LLC.
The primary duty of a registered agent is to receive important documents, including legal notices, tax forms and other official correspondence. Most importantly, registered agents must always be available during regular business hours, typically Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., to receive these vital documents. By law, the registered agent is required to have a physical address where the business is registered, serving as the designated contact point for mail delivery.
Some privacy concerns may arise for individuals who do not wish to disclose their personal address as the registered agent. In such cases, commercial registered agent services are available as an alternative. These services provide a professional address for the registered agent, ensuring privacy and maintaining the necessary legal compliance.
According to Section 302 of the Limited Liability Company (LLC) Law in New York, every domestic LLC or authorized foreign LLC must designate a registered agent for service of process, in addition to the Secretary of State. This registered agent is the individual or entity upon whom legal documents and official notices can be served on behalf of the LLC.
The requirements for a registered agent in New York can be any of the following:
If the registered agent chooses to resign from their position, they must file a certificate with the New York Department of State titled Certificate of Resignation of Registered Agent of (name of the LLC) Under Subdivision (d) of Section 302 of the Limited Liability Company Law. This certificate must be executed by the registered agent and should include the necessary information related to the resignation.
Once the certificate of resignation is filed with the Department of State, the designation of the registered agent will terminate after 30 days. During this period or thereafter, the LLC can deliver a new certificate designating a new registered agent to the Department of State.
In contrast to other states, New York businesses do not have the option to choose their own registered agent initially. Instead, the New York Department of State, also known as the Secretary of State or Division of Corporations, automatically serves as the default registered agent for all New York businesses.
While the New York Department of State acts as the initial registered agent, business owners are still required to provide a physical address where all legal documents can be forwarded. Although this is optional, it allows for added flexibility and convenience in managing legal correspondence for the business.
If you choose to use a registered agent in New York, there are several factors to consider. Here are some key things to look for:
These factors can help you when choosing a registered agent in New York. It is important that the agent you choose can meet your business requirements as well as ensure compliance with legal obligations.
Featured Partners
1
ZenBusiness
$0 + State Fees
Varies By State & Package
2
LegalZoom
$0 + State Fees
Varies By State & Package
3
Northwest Registered Agent
$39 + State Fees
Varies By State & Package
Forbes Advisor recently conducted a comprehensive evaluation of 15 registered agent service providers in the state of New York. The goal was to determine the top options available in the market. We looked into various factors such as multistate support, same-day document delivery, user experience, reputation, customer support and pricing. The objective was to identify the most dependable, cost-effective and user-friendly services. Each criterion was assigned a weighted score, and the registered agent services with the highest scores were included in the final list.
The pricing of each registered agent service provider was thoroughly researched, focusing on their transparency and affordability. Providers that openly displayed their pricing plans received higher ratings. Additionally, companies offering free registered agent services for the initial year, when utilizing their business formation services, were given special consideration. The pricing and affordability aspect accounted for 20% of the overall evaluation score.
In order to evaluate the customer support provided by each registered agent provider, we took into account the range of support options available. This involved assessing whether they offered phone support, live chat, 24/7 customer care and access to online knowledge base resources. The quality of service and support accounted for 15% of the total score.
The general features provided by registered agent providers played a large part of our scoring process, accounting for 30% of the total score. This category encompassed various factors, including the provider’s capability to handle multiple states, same-day document delivery, business formation filing and user-friendly features. We evaluated the overall value and functionality offered by each registered agent service.
We took into consideration the availability of mobile apps offered by the registered agent service and assigned a rating that accounted for 5% of the total score. Providers that offered mobile app functionality for both Android and Apple platforms received higher scores in this category, as it indicates added convenience and accessibility for users.
In order to assess customer satisfaction and user experiences, we collected ratings and feedback from various platforms such as Trustpilot, G2, Capterra and BBB. This component contributed to 10% of the overall methodology score. Each registered agent service provider was given a score based on their customer reviews, ranging from 0 (lowest) to 5 (highest). This allowed us to evaluate the level of customer satisfaction.
The expert score was determined by assessing various factors, including standout features, value for money, ease of use and popularity among the public. We also considered security features, additional services, money-back guarantees and exceptional customer support when assigning this score. The expert score contributed to 20% of the overall rating, providing valuable insights into the overall quality and appeal of the service.
By considering these factors and assigning weighted scores, we were able to identify the best New York registered agent services that met our criteria for reliability, convenience and customer satisfaction.
Yes. According to New York state law, all domestic and foreign business entities must have a registered agent in the state.
To appoint a registered agent in New York, you need to choose a registered agent, obtain their consent and complete and file the necessary forms (such as Certificate of Incorporation for corporations or Articles of Organization for LLCs). The registered agent must have a physical address in the state of New York and be available during normal business hours.
To change your registered agent in New York, you need to obtain written consent from the new registered agent and complete the appropriate form: Certificate of Change of Address of Registered Agent. The certificate of change must be enclosed in a white cover sheet with the title of the document including the name and address of the person to whom the receipt should be mailed to. Include the statutory fee of $5 and send to: New York Department of State, Division of Corporations, One Commerce Plaza, 99 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12231.
In New York, the Secretary of State automatically serves as your registered agent when forming an LLC. In this case, the New York Secretary of State will mail you any legal documents they receive on your behalf. If you prefer, you can also use a second registered agent such as a commercial registered agent.
Hiring a registered agent service instead of serving as your own registered agent in New York can provide numerous advantages. These professional service providers specialize in managing legal documents and ensuring compliance with state regulations along with protecting your privacy. Many service providers also offer additional services such as hassle-free LLC formation filing, legal services and much more.
