7 Best Registered Agent Services in Ohio (2023) You’ll Love

A registered agent service is important to ensure your business stays up to date with Ohio's laws and filing requirements.

Since I've been in the business industry for more than a decade, I had worked with several registered agent services across all states. After collaboration with a few companies in Ohio, I'll share my insights to help you decide which service is right for your business.

We discovered best registered agent services in Ohio that are worth trying.

Top 7 Best Registered Agents in Ohio (October 2023)

1 - Northwest Registered Agent (Editor's Choice)

Would you recommend Northwest Registered Agent?

Northwest Registered Agent Service leads our list of Ohio's top registered agent services.

With over 20 years of experience, they have a proven track record of great assistance with LLC formation.

Our team of legal experts tried their services and were impressed with their expertise and fast response.

From the initial order process to a follow-up and answering our questions, our experience with their customer service showed us exactly why they have the excellent reputation they do.

Northwest Registered Agent offers different business services, including document filing, EIN acquisition, a secure online portal to manage your registered agent services, and more.

Get a deeper understanding of this company by referring to the review of Northwest Registered Agent.

Service features:

• Registered Agent Service ($125): The first year of the Ohio registered agent services fee is free if you hire Northwest to form your LLC. The service includes free mail forwarding, expert corporate guides, and privacy by default.
• Basic Plan ($39 + $99 State Fee): Basic Ohio Plan includes articles of organization, operating agreement, one-year free registered agent service, standard & expedited processing speeds available, and it can be used to form LLCs, corporations, and nonprofits.
• Full Service LLC Formation Plan ($225 + $99 State Fee): Full Service Ohio Formation plan includes same business day filing, a full year of registered agent service, free limited mail forwarding, an operating agreement, and a client account loaded with free forms and tools.

Sign Up To Northwest Registered Agent

2 - ZenBusiness

Would you recommend ZenBusiness?

ZenBusiness Registered Agent Service is second on our list because they offer low-cost LLC formation packages. ZenBusiness provides affordable corporate and LLC formation services in Ohio.

We have tested their registered agent service and from our findings, their service is solid.

If you have a rigid budget, we recommend starting with their Starter plan, which will provide you 100% accuracy guarantee.

The biggest downside is that Registered agent service is not included in their LLC formation plans, but that is compensated with a free LLC filing discount and its online account management system, where you get to manage everything in one place.

Want to gain deeper insights into this organization? Check out our thorough review of ZenBusiness.

Service features:

• Standard Registered Agent Service ($199): Getting your own registered agent means having a registered representative, access to documents online, and expert assistance.
• ZenBusiness Starter Plan ($0 + $99 State Fee): With this plan, you will get standard filing speed (2 to 3 weeks), and name availability. With this plan you can opt for worry-free compliance free for full first year. Afterwards, you can renew it at $199 on yearly basis.
• ZenBusiness Pro Plan ($199 + $99 State Fee): Pro Plan brings faster-expedited filing speed (1 to 2 business days). ZenBusiness Pro Plan offers an EIN for legal IRS relations, while to make legal presence strong this package offers an operating agreement as well. This agreement will help you streamline internal and external procedures.
• ZenBusiness Premium Plan ($299 + $99 State Fee): ZenBusiness Premium Plan builds on Pro option while adding business document templates. They are created to cut time on repetitive tasks and make processes and operation effective. Free month trial of banking, bank account, and bookkeeping will help you organize your financial management. In addition, website builder will make your online presence stronger.

Sign Up To ZenBusiness

3 - IncFile

Would you recommend IncFile?

IncFile registered agent has a strong reputation and comes for a price of $119 with their LLC formation package.

The Ohio registered agent company provides a simple process for forming and advising LLCs. They are one of the most cost-effective services you can find, but you will face many upsells.

Our team tried out their Ohio registered agent packages and found out that with IncFile you don't have to sign a contract, their platform is user-friendly and you can easily complete all paperwork.

They also provided us with an address for our business. During our trial with this LLC formation service, their customer service managed to answer our questions, and we had many questions.

Service features:

• Registered Agent Service ($119/year): The registered agent service is free for the first year if made with an LLC formation package. After the initial year, the renewal will be $119 per year.
• Silver Package ($0 + $99 State Fee): Silver Package includes preparing & filing the articles of organization, unlimited name searches, free registered agent service for a year, and unlimited phone & email support.
• Gold Package ($199 + $99 State Fee): Gold Package contains everything Silver Package features plus EIN Business Tax Number, IRS Form 2553, operating agreement, banking resolution, lifetime company alerts, online access dashboard, business banking account, and Ohio business tax consultation.
• Platinum Package ($299 + $99 State Fee): Ohio Platinum Package includes everything from the Gold Package, plus business contract templates, free next-day filing, and domain name + business email.

Sign Up To IncFile

4 - LegalZoom

This well-known brand is one of the leading Ohio registered agent services. With more than two decades of experience, they have created around a million business formations.

LegalZoom's registered agent services are far more costly than many other services, and that price is backed by an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Their registered agent service comes with many benefits including instant online access to your account and an office address.

Based on our firsthand experience, LegalZoom has a wide range of registered agent products and knowledgeable customer service.

Their basic registered agent packages were a great fit for starting our brand-new business.

Service features:

• Registered Agent Service ($299): Their LLC formation service charges $249 for the first year and subsequent renewals will cost $299. Their service offering comprises email alerts, a Compliance Calendar, limitless online storage, and identity theft cover worth $1M.
• Basic LLC Formation Package ($0 + $99 State Fee): Features include comprehensive name search, complete digital LLC welcome packet, articles of organization, and customizable website powered by Wix.
• Pro LLC Formation Package ($249 + $99 State Fee): This package comes with all Basic package features plus an operating agreement, an EIN, engaging consultations regarding taxation and insurance, and a comprehensive guide on licenses.
• Premium LLC Formation Package ($299 + $99 State Fee): The plan encompasses all the components available in the Pro package plus an engaging guide from a business attorney. Furthermore, you will have changes made to your formation documents and limitless 30-minute consultations with a legal professional for the initial 90 days of your subscription.

Sign Up To LegalZoom

5 - Swyft Filings

Swyft Filings is a trusted registered agent service that offers all the documents and other needs required to start an LLC in Ohio.

This includes a street address, and a registered agent service, next to three different formation packages.

Their registered agent package will help you with entity formation, and from our experience with corporate compliance also.

For $99 per three months, we got Swyft Filings professional support with many legal and compliance requirements for our business.

Discover more about this company by delving into the review of Swyft Filings.

Service features:

• Registered Agent Service ($99): The registered agent services cost $99 per three months, and this will be an ongoing quarterly subscription, according to a sales representative.
• Basic Plan ($0 + $99 State Fee): Basic Ohio Plan gets your business approved by the states, free 30-business tax consultation, and a free domain name.
• Standard Plan ($199 + $99 State Fee): Standard Ohio Package contains everything in the Basic Plan and you also get an additional Federal Tax ID (EIN) and most documents needed to start your business (operating agreement, banking resolution, and organizational minutes).
• Premium Package ($299 + $99 State Fee): Premium Ohio Package includes all basic and standard services and additional ones, including free eDelivery of state documents (docs uploaded to account for ease of access), customized digital LLC kit, and free business website and web hosting.

Sign Up To Swyft Filings

6 - Harbor Compliance

Harbor Compliance registered agent service is known for its great customer service, so we decided to test it.

Forming an LLC with them was a fast and straightforward process, as we were guided through every step.

We got instant online access to registered agent addresses and a discount as first-time clients.

After this in-depth review of Harbor Compliance, our findings show that this company is a knowledgeable expert on the subject of corporate governance matters.

Service features:

• Registered Agent Service ($89-$99): These registered agent services cost from $89 to $99 annually per state with no additional charges, and you get a 5-10% discount if you pay ahead for registered agent services for +2 years.
• Formation Plan ($99 + $99 State Fee): This Ohio Formation Package includes checking name availability, and preparing and filing your articles of organization with the state.

Sign Up To Harbor Compliance

7 - Ohio Registered Agent Service

Ohio Registered Agent Service assists existing Ohio companies in staying compliant with the Ohio Secretary of State. Additionally, they help out-of-state companies register a business entity in Ohio.

They offer instant pre-populated paperwork in your internet portal and filing guidance on the cheaper and more convenient methods to file in Ohio.

From our experience, they will email you notifications to submit your Ohio yearly information promptly, and you can constantly keep a record of your deadlines in your web-registered agent portal.

We loved that their price structure is simple and easy to follow; on their website, you will find listed services with prices and total sums, explaining where your money goes.

• Registered Agent Services ($49/year): Provides timely alerts to annual reports, an online account, and dashboard, and same-day document delivery, as well as optional contract renewal.

What Are the Benefits of Working With a Registered Agent Service in Ohio?

Although an entrepreneur can act as his or her registered agent, there is indeed a multitude of important factors just why the tiniest of businesses pick the best registered agent service provider to manage this vital necessity.

Here are some of the benefits of having a Registered Agent Service [1]:

1. Privacy

Ohio registered agents provide a valuable service by allowing businesses to list their agent's address on the Ohio Secretary of State website and in other public records [2].

If you are your own registered agent for your company and name your residential address as the registered agent's office, your contact details will appear on publicly available information, and task workers will send notices to your residence.

2. Our Corporation Operates in Multiple Jurisdictions

Whenever you establish your company to do an operation in jurisdictions besides the one where it was formed, a registered agent is required in each of those areas.

By choosing a Registered Agent service provider, you can have one firm handle this vital function within every area.

3. Organized Documents

Ohio Registered agent services are advantageous to entrepreneurs to ensure compliance with statutory standards and that every critical alert to the firm is stored in a single place with their registered agent.

The best registered agent service provides an online account portal, allowing you to follow all mailings and updates.

You can quickly manage and trace your mail each day through the Internet.

4. Legal Advantages

LLC registered agent services can help navigate the legal requirements of running a business, preventing costly penalties and keeping Ohio companies on par with other businesses in the area.

These service providers consist of experts who guide businesses through complex state laws so that compliance is always maintained ensuring optimal business success.

5. Risk Reduction

By transferring responsibility to the Ohio registered agent service, you limit the possibility of non-compliance.

The best registered agent service provider will be accessible when needed and will give you timely notification of updates and just about any other steps that your company maintains, ensuring that your company never misses a due date.

How Much Does a Registered Agent Service Cost in Ohio?

An Ohio registered agent service costs between $50 and $300 each year, which is somewhat reasonable given the numerous privileges you may get from them.

What Are the Requirements for a Registered Agent in Ohio?

A registered agent in Ohio is required by Ohio State Law (Title 17, Section 1701.07) to:

• All Ohio Registered agents must be ready to accept legal papers
• All Ohio Registered agents must be of legal age (18+)
• All Ohio Registered agents must possess a physical, registered office address in the state of Ohio. There are strictly no P.O. Boxes
• All Ohio Registered agents must be a citizen or a business entity offering registered agent services

You can change a registered agent in Ohio at any time if you are not satisfied with your current one.

FAQs

Our Favorite Registered Agent in Ohio is...

All businesses and LLCs in Ohio must appoint an Ohio statutory agent (also known as a registered agent in Ohio) to receive service of process at their behest. It’s crucial to pick the right one for your business.

Our recommendation is the Northwest Registered Agent service.

We felt confident our venture was in good hands with its cycle time transparency, compliance calendar, personalized services, life-long support, and outstanding customer support team.

If you want affordable prices, followed by same-day filing and expert customer assistance, Northwest Registered Agent is a good choice.

We thought their "no refund" policy was a little odd at first, but as we worked with them, we learned the reasons behind it and saw how confident they are in their knowledge.

They work best for business owners that seek services that respect their privacy and business operations.