7 Best Registered Agent Services in Delaware (2023 Update)

Choosing the right registered agent service is essential in establishing an LLC.

A good registered Delaware agent service will ensure that the LLC complies with the Secretary of State and provide secure and timely delivery of essential documents.

We consulted our attorneys and legal advisors with experience in Delaware registered agent services. To find the best service providers, we tested and compared over a dozen services.

Here is what we learned when we compared the pricing, turnaround time, and customer service.

Top 7 Registered Agents in Delaware (September 2023)

1 - Northwest Registered Agent (Editor's Choice)

Would you recommend Northwest Registered Agent?

Northwest Registered Agent offers reputable and reliable registered agent services in Delaware.

This online LLC service provides offers a wide range of services, including a physical street address in Delaware, scanning and forwarding documents, and a customer service team available to answer any questions.

To keep your data safe, they use data encryption and Norton and Trustwave monitoring to secure their website. That's why Northwest Registered Agent provides one of the safest online portals on the market.

With this feature, you can be sure that your documents are safe.

Northwest Registered Agent Services provided us with timely notifications of all our future filing deadlines, which allowed us to file our franchise tax and annual report.

Some features are not included in their plans, such as EIN, which resulted in paying extra, but it was worth it considering how user-friendly their online ordering system is and how knowledgeable their U.S.-based customer service representatives are.

Service Features:

• Registered Agent Services ($125): If you choose Northwest Registered Agent to incorporate your LLC, you will be exempt from paying the registered agent service cost for the first year. This service offers free mail forwarding, professional corporate advisers, and privacy by default.
• Basic LLC Formation Plan ($39 + $119 State Fee): The service package includes articles of organization, an operating agreement, a free year of registered agent service, standard and accelerated processing rates, and the ability to incorporate LLCs, companies, and organizations.
• Full Service LLC Formation Plan ($225 + $119 State Fees): Full-Service Plan includes a name-day filing, a full year of registered agent service, and free limited mail forwarding. To help you make processes easier, this plan offers an operating agreement and a client account stocked with free forms and services suited for businesses of any size.

Sign Up To Northwest Registered Agent

2 - ZenBusiness

Would you recommend ZenBusiness?

ZenBusiness stands for a reliable and affordable registered agent service. From our experience, they should be the first choice for startups and those on a fixed budget.

Their Delaware registered agent services include all the necessary features to ensure your business complies with Delaware regulations, including filing documents and maintaining records.

Their user-friendly interface made it easy to navigate the process of setting up an agent.

Although they are a young LLC service provider, we were impressed by how knowledgeable their customer service team is. ZenBusiness representatives guided us through every step of the way.

We loved that their Starter plan is free and that their annual report service is included in all plans.

The biggest downside of these packages is that they offer a free registered agent service only if you form an LLC with them.

We weren't impressed with the pricey EIN service, but the 60-day money-back guarantee and extended customer support hours made up for it.

Service Features:

• Registered Agent Service ($199): The registered agent service starts at only $199, making it one of the most affordable.
• Starter LLC Formation Plan ($0 + $110 State Fee): It features expenditure and deduction monitoring, standard filing speed (2 to 3 weeks), and a guarantee of 100% correctness. You'll also get Banking and Bank Account, Money Pro Bookkeeping, and a Website Builder. Additionally, you can opt for worry-free compliance during the first year, with the choice to renew at $199/year if preferred.
• Pro LLC Formation Plan ($199 + $110 State Fee): This package will get you access to all the Starter plan features, a guided operating agreement at $99, and an EIN. You will also have the best rush filing speed (1-2 days).
• Premium LLC Formation Plan ($349 + $110 State Fee): This bundle includes all Pro package features, a domain name, an email account, a business website that may be customized, and business document templates.

Sign Up To ZenBusiness

3 - IncFile

Would you recommend IncFile?

IncFile has a stable reputation in the industry and has one of the most affordable plans for Delaware registered agent service.

We were surprised when we compared pricing and learned that IncFile offers a registered agent service for $119, opposite to LegalZoom which charges for the same service $299 per year. At the same time, your own registered agent will be available during your normal business hours.

From our personal experience, IncFile offers a wide range of services, including a free LLC formation service.

We loved IncFile's affordable plans and easy-to-use interface. Know that many add-ons and upgrades might push you to end up with a service that you don't need if you don't have a basic understanding of registered agent terminology and its function.

Service Features:

• Registered Agent Services ($119): The formation package fee will be waived in the first year if you get any LLC package from IncFile. After that, you should expect to pay $119 per year for continued Delaware registered agent services.
• Silver LLC Formation Plan ($0 + $119 State Fee): This package includes the filing of the Articles of Organization, a year of free registered agent service, unlimited name searches, and phone and email assistance.
• Gold LLC Formation Plan ($199 + $119 State Fee): You'll get everything in the Silver Package plus important company tax paperwork including an EIN Business Tax Number and IRS Form 2553.
• Platinum LLC Formation Plan ($299 + $119 State Fee): Users will receive everything that the Gold Package includes, plus business contract templates, a next-day filing service, a web domain name, and a business email.

Sign Up To IncFile

4 - LegalZoom

They will assist you with many legal needs, and provide customizable legal forms.

LegalZoom is a very popular Delaware registered agent service and for a good reason.

They offer various business formation services, including trademark filing from business formation and corporate compliance to trademarks and copyrights.

From our experience, LegalZoom's best registered agent service is no exception: you will get online access to your documents, and an office address.

Their pricing is slightly higher than some of the other Delaware registered agent services, but this is due to their reputation and track record of success.

Service Features:

• Registered Agent Services ($299/year): The first year of Delaware registered agent services costs $249 if you create your LLC with them. The renewal would cost $299. The services include a Compiance Calender, a $1 million in identity theft, and email alerts.
• Basic LLC Formation Plan ($0 + $119 State Fee): This package provides all the necessities for starting an LLC, including a name search service, articles of organization, a digital welcome package, and a customizable website in collaboration with Wix.
• Pro LLC Formation Plan ($249 + $119 State Fee): You'll get all features from the Basic package. You'll also get an EIN, an operating agreement, tax and insurance consultations, and a professional guide on business licensing.
• Premium LLC Formation Plan ($299 + $119 State Fee): You will receive all of the Pro package's benefits and a one-on-one guide from a local professional business attorney. You'll also receive a 30-minute unlimited attorney consultation on new legal topics, plus effective updates on the formation documents for 90 days of the first subscription.

Sign Up To LegalZoom

5 - Rocket Lawyer

Rocket Lawyer offers different legal service options to businesses in Delaware, including agent services.

Rocket Lawyer's Delaware registered agent services offer businesses the ability to access various resources and services.

This includes an online legal library, legal forms, and a searchable database of attorneys.

Some of the features that we loved were incorporation and renewal services. This helped us create a one-stop for all our files.

Based on our expertise, the pricing system could be more affordable, but based on our experience we can say that for that investment you will get the right legal support.

Service Features:

• Registered Agent Service ($149.99 for non-members): A 25% discount offer that applies for package members; membership costs $39.99 monthly.
• LLC Formation Plan ($99.99 + $119 State Fee): Get it free with a $39.99 membership per month. Benefit from free legal paperwork, attorney services, free LLC formation services, and a 25% discount on registered agent service with this bundle.

Sign Up To Rocket Lawyer

6 - Delaware Business Incorporators

The Delaware Business Incorporators specializes in Delaware LLC formation services, serving entrepreneurs and startups with their registered agent office located in Wilmington, DE.

They offer legal services, such as Inc Corporate Service, Inc Formation, Inc Legal and Record Search, Payroll Service, and Business Check Printing.

From our observation, they could have a richer offer in terms of service, but we loved that they informed us about business-friendly tax law.

Service Features:

• Registered Agent Services (starts at $0): Charges a flat rate of $100 per year. But, it is offered free for the first 12 months as part of their LLC Delaware Formation package.
• Delaware LLC Formation (starts at $50): LLC formation process fee starts at $50 + state fees + one-year free agent service.

Sign Up To Delaware Business Incorporators

7 - Delaware Registered Agent Service

Among the Delaware registered agents on the list, the Delaware Registered Agent Service is the most affordable option.

Their headquarter is in Wilmington, DE., from where they offer legal services, such as Inc Corporate Service, Inc Formation, Inc Legal and Record Search, Payroll Service, and Business Check Printing.

We can testify that they are corporation-friendly, providing same-day filing.

We loved that registered agent service is free with LLC formation, but there are some extra costs that you should be well aware of.

For example, Your registered agent service couldn't assist you in the event of a dispute; instead, you would need to travel to Delaware to file a lawsuit of any kind.

Service Features:

• Registered Agent Services ($50 per year): The services are offered free for the first 12 months as part of their LLC Delaware Formation package.
• Delaware LLC Formation ($170 + $119 State Fee): LLC formation process includes preparation and filing of a Certificate Of Formation, expedited filing, and one-year agent service.

The Benefits of Working with the Best Registered Agent Service in Delaware

How Much Does a Registered Agent Service Cost in Delaware?

An experienced registered agent in Delaware can cost between $89 and $299 annually. The most basic services may cost as little as $100 per year, while more comprehensive services can range up to $300 per year.

Some businesses provide registered agents as part of their LLC creation packages, while others charge a fee for these services.

Ultimately, the cost of the service will depend on the individual needs of the business and the services they require.

Who Can Be a Delaware Registered Agent?

A Delaware registered agent can be:

• An individual resident of Delaware
• A Delaware corporation
• A foreign corporation authorized to transact business in Delaware
• Or a commercial registered agent

To be eligible for Delaware Registered Agent status, individuals must be age 18 years or older [4]. The individual should also have a physical address within the state of Delaware.

This registered office address must be a valid street address (no P.O. Boxes) and be able to receive mail from the Delaware Division of Corporations.

Your options for a Delaware Registered Agent depend on your LLC's needs, as follows:

• Option 1: Act as your agent. This will involve you taking on the responsibility of receiving and forwarding legal documents on behalf of your LLC.
• Option 2: Your LLC can serve as its agent in Delaware
• Option 3: Choosing a family member or friend as your Delaware registered agent
• Option 4: Retain a company that operates in Delaware. These are commercial registered agents who specialize in providing agent services. They are familiar with Delaware's laws and regulations.

FAQs

BEST Registered Agent in Delaware is...

When looking for a Delaware registered agent, you should examine key characteristics such as their service features, ease of use, customer feedback, and cost.

Based on our examination and research, Northwest Registered Agent is the best pick for your Delaware business.

To ensure quality service, Northwest Registered Agent offered us excellent customer support service, and former lawyers and experts in the field guided us in making an LLC.

The basic Delaware formation package, aside from the registered agent service, offers Privacy by Default and Local Corporate Guides.

It also includes all services concerning your legal documents, like scanning, forwarding emails, and storing important data - everything that you need to start your business and monitor its processes.