Recommended Business Formation Services:

Which is the Best California Registered Agent Service? Options for Your Business (2023)

Hiring a registered agent in California saves you from a lot of trouble while setting up your business. Aside from being a requirement, registered agents also give you convenience and peace of mind because they will handle service of process, manage notifications, and represent your business in all state matters.

While you can hire your own registered agent, we recommend opting for well-established companies like the ones our team listed below in our California registered agent reviews.

Best Customer Support
Northwest
Best Registered Agent Service
Incfile
Affordable Option
ZenBusiness

Reviews of the Best California Registered Agents

Incfile advantages

1. Incfile

Incfile offers both LLC formation and registered agent services to its customers. If you avail any business package, you get the registered agent service for free in the first year. However, if you only need a la carte registered agent services for your California business, Incfile charges $119 per year. Placing this side-by-side with competitors, Incfile is one of the budget-friendly options out there.

When you hire Incfile as your registered agent in California, they will be the state’s point of contact for your business. They will receive and manage documents, represent your business, and handle general correspondence between your business and the state.

Aside from the usual tasks an agent has to accomplish, Incfile goes the extra mile by sending email and SMS notifications to you every time a document is received on your behalf. The way they handle the service of process, as well as the documentation, is really professional and efficient.

Pros

Cons

2. Northwest Registered Agent

Another noteworthy pick in our California registered agent reviews is the reliable Northwest. If you need a registered agent for a number of businesses, our team recommends Northwest because they offer bulk discounts. 

The normal rate that Northwest offers for their registered agent service is $125 per year. If you register your business in more than 5 states, you will only pay $100 per state every year.

While you can find cheaper prices than what Northwest offers, the value of the services they provide makes them one of the best companies for California businesses. Your agent will always be available during regular business hours, and they will scan and upload important documents so you can easily view them online. 

You also don’t have to worry about your private information getting leaked to hackers. Similar to IncFile Registered Agent service, Northwest has a Privacy by Default Guarantee that keeps your personal details safe. And to keep your company in good standing, you will also get compliance alerts for any important deadlines.

Pros

Cons

3. ZenBusiness

If you have a tight budget and you just want a bare-bones package for your California business, ZenBusiness is a great option. They will handle the service of process and give you a business address in California.

Basically, ZenBusiness does what you need a registered agent for. They will take care of the mail forwarding of notices from the California Secretary of State, coordinate with the right agencies, be the point of contact between you and the state, and handle important paperwork. 

They charge $99 per year for their registered agent services. However, if you want compliance alerts, you have to pay an extra $50, which puts ZenBusiness at a disadvantage because other companies already include notifications for a lower price.

Nevertheless, ZenBusiness is still a cheap option if you only want basic registered agent services. With their good reviews and decent customer service, ZenBusiness deserves a spot here in our team’s list.

Pros

Cons

Our Top Pick: Incfile

Overall, the three registered agent services above are your best options if you’re building a business in California [1]. But if you want a reliable service that can seamlessly handle crucial documents and paperwork, Incfile is your best bet.

Backed by years of experience and hordes of satisfied clients, Incfile can fulfill your needs and meet the level of value you’re looking for as a business owner.

For a list of excellent registered agents, you can check the following pages, too!

Nevada 

Charles McMillan
Charles McMillan
Charles is a family man, an entrepreneur, and a writer. He is skilled in finding the balance between efficiency, affordability, and high-quality offerings when it comes to business services. He’s on a continuing mission to discover and rediscover the most popular LLC services, while sharing his most accurate assessment and review to help business owners like himself.