If you want to start an LLC in Illinois, you need a registered agent who serves as your company's point of contact for all legal concerns and receives letters from the state.
As seasoned business professionals and legal consultants with experience supporting numerous startups in Illinois, we understand the importance of finding the right registered agent service for your needs.
To provide you with the best options, we collaborated with our legal advisors and conducted hands-on evaluations of various registered agent services in the state.
Discover the four leading registered agent services that ranked best in pricing, service features, and turnaround times in our comprehensive review below.
Northwest
ZenBusiness
IncFileTop 4 Illinois Registered Agents (May 2023)
1 - Northwest Registered Agent Service (Editor's Choice)
Northwest Registered Agent is one of the leading LLC service providers in Illinois.
They have assisted thousands of business owners in achieving their objectives by offering business formation services and related solutions.
This Illinois registered agent service distinguishes itself from its competition by stressing great customer service, open communication, and appropriate privacy and data protection safeguards, as stated in its slogan.
They provide a variety of LLC options to Illinois entrepreneurs and business owners.
Drawing from our experience, we can say that their seasoned staff demonstrated proficiency in every facet of LLC formation and upkeep, delivering great service.
Their prompt assistance enabled us to set up our business within just a few days.
We strongly endorse Northwest Registered Agent for their expedited turnaround times and remarkable customer support.
They provide assistance through phone, email, or chat, ensuring timely and informative responses.
While their services might be priced higher compared to some competitors, we have to stress that you do get your money's worth with them.
Service Features:
- Registered Agent Services ($125): It provides free mail forwarding, expert business advice, and default privacy. The first year of registered agent service is free if you form your LLC with Northwest.
- Â Basic LLC Formation Plan ($39 + $154 State Fee): This package includes articles of incorporation, an operating agreement, and a one-year complimentary registered agent service with standard and accelerated processing rates.
- Full Service LLC Formation Plan ($225 + $154 State Fee): This bundle includes a registered agent service for a year, same-day filing and your operating agreement, and a client account with free forms and services.
- They don't sell your data
- Excellent personalized customer service
- Has a solid experience of 20+ years
- The clarify the fees
- A year of free Illinois registered agent service is included with the business formation package
- Not the cheapest in the market
2 - ZenBusiness Registered Agent Services
ZenBusiness is an LLC formation service that provides all the services you would expect from a registered agent, such as taking service of process on your behalf and assisting you in keeping your LLC in good standing with the Illinois Secretary of State.
ZenBusiness offers an intuitive client dashboard with information on how to launch and manage any kind of business successfully.
Their signup process was fairly easy and took us less than 20 minutes.
We found their phone support for LLC services to be very helpful.
The representative we communicated with didn't attempt to upsell LLC services as some other businesses might do but instead offered honest advice on the most suitable package for our needs.
ZenBusiness also supplied additional services beyond basic LLC formation, including a business operating agreement form and an invoicing tool.
We were especially pleased with their starter pack, as it offers basic LLC services at no charge, aside from the state fee.
This option enabled us to initiate the LLC formation process without making a substantial financial commitment upfront.
Service Features:
- Registered Agent Service ($199): This registered agent service renews for $199 annually.
- Starter LLC Formation Package ($0 + $154 State Fee): This membership covers the standard corporation filing service, as well as a name availability search. This product's filing rate is typical (2 to 3 weeks).
- Pro LLC Formation Package ($199 + $154 State Fee): Features of the Basic Package and faster filling speed from 4 to 6 days.
- Premium LLC Formation Package ($299 + $154 State Fee): It covers the platform's services (plus state filing fees), faster-filling speed (1-2 days), and a customized business website.
- Fair and simple pricing model
- Expanded client support system
- Great deal of favorable customer feedback
- 60 days of Money-back satisfaction guarantee
- Fewer advanced features
3 - IncFile Registered Agent Services
IncFile is one of the more well-known Illinois registered agent services, offering the bare essentials for running and managing an LLC.
In our experience, IncFile's registered agent services filed our articles of organization, gave our business a physical address in Illinois, and took mail and service of process on our LLC's behalf.
They consistently notified us about renewal deadlines to ensure our compliance and securely stored our formation documents for easy access when needed.
Their user-friendly online order form enables swift and straightforward incorporation within minutes. IncFile provides dependable registered agent services throughout Illinois, alongside their incorporation offerings.
In addition, if you don't own a company but would like to enjoy free features during the startup process, IncFile offers good free LLC creation services in Illinois.
We found that the main benefit of using IncFile is the convenience it offers. We were able to complete the entire LLC formation process online, while IncFile took care of ensuring everything else was in order.
Service Features:
- Registered Agent Services ($119): This amount is payable every year. However, if you let IncFile create your LLC, the registered agent is free in the first year.
- Free Silver LLC Formation Package ($0 + $154 State Fee): In this package, the following features are included: a year of free registered agent service, articles of Organization, and unlimited name searches.
- IncFile Gold LLC Formation Package ($199 + $154 State Fee): The silver package is included in this plan. In addition to this, the firm will get an EIN business tax number, IRS Form 2553, an operational agreement, banking resolution, an internet access dashboard, and tax counseling.
- Platinum LLC Formation Package ($299 + $154 State Fee): Platinum has all the features from the previous bundles, and also provides domain registration, free company websites, and business contract templates.
- Convenient user dashboard
- All creation plan has free registered agent services for one year
- Very fast processing of orders
- Transparent pricing
- Less support features
4 - LegalZoom Registered Agent Service
LegalZoom can handle all the paperwork for you, including filing your articles of organization and providing you with a physical address in Illinois.
As your main point of contact, LegalZoom's registered agent accepts mail and service of process on behalf of your Illinois LLC during normal business hours.
Their registered agent will advise you of any compliance filing timelines for any paperwork you may be needed to file to keep your high standing with the Illinois Secretary of State.
We found LegalZoom's pre-filled Operating Agreement quite handy and were impressed with the knowledge and professionalism demonstrated by their support teams, who provided useful advice during the entire process.
Nonetheless, LegalZoom's registered agent services could be more expensive compared to other companies on the list, as they have built a strong brand reputation over more than a decade.
Their basic package does have a reasonable price, but may not offer as extensive a range of features as some alternative options.
Service Features:
- Registered Agent Services ($299): If you want to form an LLC with them, the first year costs $249, and the renewal costs $299. They also provide $1 M identity theft protection, important email alerts, and limitless cloud storage.
- Basic LLC Formation Package ($0 + $154 State Fee): This package includes company articles of organization, a comprehensive digital LLC welcome packet, an intensive name search feature, and a website featured by WIX.
- Pro LLC Formation Package ($249 + $154 State Fee): It includes the features from the Basic package, the company's operating agreement, an EIN, tax savings and insurance advice from a specialist, and an intensive licensing guide for your location.
- Premium LLC Formation Package ($299 + $154 State Fee): It contains everything in the Pro package and a half-an-hour countless attorney consultations on legal matters and applied changes to LLC documentation within three months of the first subscription. You'll also enjoy diligent guidance from an Illinois business attorney.
- Robust brand familiarity
- Offers comprehensive legal services
- One-stop shop for all legal requirements
- Average client reviews
- Pricey plans
What Are the Benefits of Working with the Best Registered Agent in Illinois?
The benefits of working with your own registered agent in Illinois include the following [1]:
1. Expertise
Your limited liability company will be able to comply with state regulations through your own registered agent in Illinois because they are well-versed with state rules and regulations regarding compliance filing.
2. Discretion
Law enforcement frequently delivers lawsuits and legal documents in person. You might not want clients or co-workers to see that personal exchange as a business owner.
Some business owners choose a registered agent for privacy reasons [2].
3. Time Commitment
The time required to deal with accepting paperwork and preparing annual reports is often not available to busy business owners, especially for a limited liability company.
You won't have to fret about any of these with your own registered agent, as they meet deadlines during regular business hours.
4. Regular Hours
During regular business hours, your own registered agent in Illinois can be reached to receive the crucial paperwork for your LLC.
Due to travel, meetings, or other errands, a business owner cannot remain in their home or office during all typical business hours.
How Much Does Hiring a Registered Agent Service in Illinois Cost?
Hiring a registered agent in Illinois costs anywhere between $89 and $299.
If you don't want to pay this fee, you can act as your registered agent, provided you have a physical street address in Illinois and are of legal age.
If, for whatever reason, you need to change your current registered agent, please check our guide on how to change your Illinois registered agent.
What Are the Requirements for an Illinois Registered Agent?
The requirements for an Illinois registered agent include the following:
- Must have an Illinois office address.
- Must be 18 years of age or older.
- Required to be available throughout regular work hours (9 AM to 5 PM).
- It is necessary to guarantee that documents are delivered and processed promptly.
Our Selection Process for the Best Registered Agent
When rounding up the registered agent services on this list, we prioritized the registered agent companies that provide the best all-around service based on a number of important criteria.
We enlisted the help of several legal advisors and attorneys to provide us with the expertise needed to score and rank each of the best registered agent services present on the list.
1. Price
We ranked each registered service based on its cost. This includes both the base pricing model and any discounts and special offers, with the goal of giving our clients in Illinois the opportunity to get their Illinois LLC started at the lowest cost.
2. Expertise
We scored each registered agent company based on how they handle tasks in the registered agent services niche. Our goal is to ensure a high standard of registered agent services provided by companies with proven experience and a stellar track record.
3. Customer support
We ranked the best-registered agent companies based on the availability and quality of their customer support. Each registered agent service has been scored on their capability to answer the client's questions and resolve their problems as they arise.
4. Turnaround time
We went through the entire registered order request with each and every best-registered agent company we ranked, making sure to note the exact amount of time it took each registered agent to provide us with the service we needed.
We did this, so our clients would have their needs met in a timely manner.
Check our article on how long it takes to form an LLC in Illinois.
FAQs
Why Do I Require a Statutory Agent in Illinois?
You require a statutory agent in Illinois because all LLCs, corporations, and nonprofit organizations are necessitated by state law to elect and maintain a registered agent and office to form an LLC in Illinois.
How Much Does it Cost to Change My Registered Agent?
It costs $0 to $50 to change your registered agent, depending on the number of states your LLC is registered in.
Can I Be My Own Illinois Statutory Agent?
Yes, you can be your own statutory agent in Illinois, provided that you satisfy the state of Illinois' requirements for any registered agent.
How Much Is The Filing Fee for Forming an LLC in Illinois?
$150 is the filing fee for forming an LLC in Illinois. This covers the drafting of basic documents like articles of incorporation and operating agreements.
Can I Use My Residential Address as My Registered Address in Illinois?
Yes, you can use your residential address as your registered address in Illinois when you form the company; however, you may later change it and add an official business address.
BEST Registered Agent in Illinois is...
While compiling and searching for the best Illinois registered agent services, we have realized that Northwest Registered Agent is your best pick.
In our experience, Northwest Registered Agent ensured that our business entity was complying with the law and maintained its legal standing.
Their customer support teams were very knowledgeable and eager to help out and answer all of our concerns.
This registered agent company offers the organization of all legal documents and emails important for your business entity, high-level privacy protection, and great customer service to meet your demands.
Our #1 Recommendation
Northwest Registered Agent Service
- They don't sell your data
- Excellent personalized customer service
- Has a solid experience of 20+ years
- The clarify the fees
- A year of free Illinois registered agent service is included with the business formation package
- Get the BEST PRICE until the end of May
- Not the cheapest in the market
