Like most states in the U.S., Delaware law requires every business registered in Delaware as an LLC, corporation, LP, or non-profit organization to have a registered agent.
Are you looking for a Delaware registered agent service but not sure where to start? Our experts compare and outline the best registered agent services for you and your Delaware business.
Reviews of the Top Delaware Registered Agents
1. Incfile
Incfile has operated since 2004 and has served over 250,000 businesses. It’s well known for its $0 starting price for an incorporation package with free registered agent services for one year before state fees. It also provides a wide range of services to meet the needs of a new business and provides strong technical support to customers.
Included in many of its packages is a free business tax consultation and expedited business processing which you would typically have to pay a premium for. It’s one of the most popular services for new business owners looking to form an LLC and manage ongoing business compliance needs.
Pros
- Highly affordable services if you want to opt for the $0 fee package
- Offers competitively priced incorporation packages
- Processed over 250,000 business formations
- Next day processing for all packages
- Named one of the best 360 entrepreneurial companies in America in 2018
- A+ BBB rating and over 15,000 online reviews, mostly positive
- Business formation and compliance processes are easy to understand
Cons
- Does not offer as wide a variety of related services as competitors
- Has upsells
2. Northwest Registered Agent
Another one of our experts’ top pick for the best Delaware registered agent services is Northwest. This company has served businesses for over 20 years. It’s well known for its strong customer support.
Every customer is assigned an expert Corporate Guide who will be your contact throughout your time with Northwest. You will not have to continually repeat the background of your business each time you contact the company for help.
It also keeps things simple with just one single package which gives you everything you need for your business. It offers same day filing services and has an affordable price for its packages. Northwest Registered Agent is also known for its strict ethical code and being dedicated to its customer support.
Pros
- One of the most experienced registered agent services
- Over 23 years of experience
- Offers 24-hour expedited filing
- Prompt customer service response within 24 hours
- Dedicated Corporate Guides that understand your business
- Simplified package structure
Cons
- Not the most affordable option
- Does not offer free registered agent services with incorporation packages
3. ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness is a relatively new business that was established in 2015. However, it has grown quickly and established a reputation as a trustworthy provider that is affordable and provides fast turnaround times. It also provides expert service and support to help business owners who are trying to understand the requirements of starting and operating a business for the first time.
It provides a one-year worry-free guarantee where ZenBusiness submits documents for you and provides you alerts for annual report filing. A CPA assessment is also included in all packages to help you to evaluate your finances and recommend a CPA for your needs.
Pros
- Provides more choice with two coverage plans for registered agent services
- Over 3,500 positive customer reviews with average 4.7/5 rating
- Offers one year of free registered agent services with incorporation packages
- Offers multiple customer support channels including phone, online chat and email
- Highly affordable registered agent services
Cons
- New business that is not as experienced as other providers
- Requires higher-tier packages for expedited processing
4. Swyft Filings
Swyft Filings is another relatively new player, having started in 2012.
It was started by a lawyer who saw the need to make business filing processes easier, and it shows as its formation packages include a 30-minute legal consultation with a registered professional. The company promises to send you timely reminders so you stay compliant. This feature does not include any extra hidden fees.
However, businesses who are looking for a cheap package that includes free registered agent services with formation services will not be able to find it at Swyft Filings. Swyft Filings’ registered agent services are only available as a standalone service.
Pros
- Best Delaware registered agent for customer service contact
- Provides a personal Business Specialist
- Offers 30-minute legal consultation with a registered tax professional
- Provides refund guarantee for unsatisfied customers
- Provides same-day or next-day filing for important documents
- User-friendly platform
- Includes lifetime company alerts
Cons
- Does not package registered agent services with business formation services
- Customer service not available on weekends
A Guide In Choosing a Delaware Registered Agent
Selecting topnotch registered agent service (a statutory agent) is part of the requirements for setting up a business in Delaware. To help you determine the best Delaware registered agent for your business, our experts have provided the following criteria:
Packages & Pricing
Most topnotch LLC companies offer their registered agent service [1] as an independent service but also include the service in their LLC formation package. Often, you can get registered agent services at a better deal if you get an incorporation package.
For example, Incfile’s cheapest incorporation package is $0 before state fees and you get one year of registered agent services for free.
Experience and Track Record
Check how many years of experience your registered agent and their track record in terms of the number of businesses they have helped to form. Our team also suggests checking their customer reviews as a service with years of experience often has hundreds and thousands of customer reviews. These feedback will verify a company’s quality of service and customer journey.
Customer Service
For excellent customer services our experts strongly recommend to look for the different channels through which you can contact your registered agent provider.
A good company should offer you excellent and reliable support via several ways, including live chat, email, phone call, fax, in-office visit, and more, with a rapid response time.
Turnaround Time
If you need your registered agent to process documents urgently, our experts highly recommend opting for a provider that offers expedited processing. A registered service agent can lessen how long it will take setting up your own LLC. It offers expedited process for your documents, as well. Incfile and Northwest Registered Agent’s packages come with next day processing while other providers may ask you to pay more for expedited processing.
FAQ
How do I choose a registered agent in Delaware?
To choose a registered agent in Delaware, you need to look out for the registered agent’s reputation, years of experience, access to the Delaware Secretary of State, customer support, and pricing. The registered agent must have a physical office in Delaware and must be opened during normal business hours to receive business documents. Ideally, the registered agent should also have direct, online access to the Delaware Secretary of State.
Our Top Pick For a Delaware Registered Agent: Incfile
All four of the top registered agent services reviewed above are good and reliable options and are far better than paying a traditional law firm to form your LLC.
However, our team of experts recommend Incfile as the top provider of the best Delaware registered agents if you’re looking for a service with great value for your money.
Planning to launch an online business this year? You can check the most desirable state to form an LLC for your online business here. Read next!
