Registered Agent Fees Are Rising — Here’s Why Ours Remain Consistent
Harvard Business Services, Inc. (HBS) continues to offer some of the lowest Registered Agent fees in the industry, along with consistent, reliable pricing. A Registered Agent serves as the link between your company and the state’s Division of Corporations where the company is formed. In recent years, many Registered Agent companies have increased their annual fees for a variety of reasons. Some organizations refer to higher compliance costs, increased mail handling, staffing requirements, technology updates, and other operating expenses. While these factors can certainly affect businesses across the industry, HBS has remained committed to keeping Registered Agent services simple, dependable, and consistently priced for our clients.
Why Registered Agent Pricing Matters
Business owners value consistency, especially when it comes to the ongoing costs of maintaining a company and keeping the company in good standing. Clients often like to know what’s coming and be able to plan ahead without being surprised by any increases. This is why HBS always focuses on providing dependable Registered Agent services at a fair, consistent, and transparent rate.
State fees can change from time to time, and those changes are unfortunately outside of a Registered Agent’s control. However, when a fee increase comes directly from the state, HBS makes every effort to communicate that clearly so clients understand the difference between a state-mandated fee and an HBS service fee. Our goal is to remain transparent, consistent, and easy to work with every step of the way.
When clients form a new company, they usually focus on the total formation cost and what is included in the formation package. They often want to know whether the state filing fee is included, whether the first year of Registered Agent service is included, and if there are any additional costs they should be aware of before moving forward.
While it’s always important to review the cost of forming a new company and to see what is included in the formation package, it’s also important to remember that the formation process is only the first step. Registered Agent service is an ongoing requirement, and the price you pay after the first year can be very different from the price that originally encouraged you to get started. That is why many business owners should consider the long-term cost of maintaining their company, and not simply the lowest advertised formation price.
It’s important to note that Registered Agent companies set their own service fees. Many clients may not realize that some providers offer a low introductory price or include Registered Agent service with the formation package for the first year, but then charge a higher renewal fee the following year. Those renewal fees can also change over time. For example, a company may advertise a very low formation price upfront, but later charge $149, $199, or even $249 per year for Registered Agent service. On the other hand, another provider may charge more upfront for the formation, but offer a lower and more predictable Registered Agent renewal fee moving forward.
A specific increase like that may not seem like a lot when looking at it as a single annual fee. However, Registered Agent service is typically needed for as long as the company remains active. This means that over five, ten, or even twenty years, those increases can really add up. This then brings up the important question when deciding on which Registered Agent to select: What will this service cost me next year, and can that price increase again?
Comparing Registered Agent Fees
Based on our recent review of several national providers, annual Registered Agent fees vary considerably:
- Harvard Business Services, Inc.: $50 per year in Delaware
- Northwest Registered Agent: $125 per year
- Agents and Corporations: $119 per year
- Bizee: $149 per year
- ZenBusiness: $199 per year
- Tailor Brands: $199 per year
- LegalZoom: $249 per year
- CSC: $249 per year
Competitor pricing is based on our research at the time of publication and is subject to change. Business owners should verify current pricing directly with each provider.
The difference between $50 and $249 may not stand out when a business is first being formed, especially if the initial formation package is advertised at a very low price. However, over time, the Registered Agent renewal fee can become a much larger part of the company’s overall maintenance cost.
How HBS Keeps Registered Agent Fees Simple and Consistent
For Delaware companies, HBS charges just $50 per year per company for Delaware Registered Agent service. Since 1981, the cost of doing business has changed dramatically. Our Delaware Registered Agent fee hasn’t. More than 45 years later, it remains just $50 per year, and we guarantee it will never increase for the life of the company as long as the company remains in good standing. That means a client does not have to wonder whether a $50 renewal will eventually become $149, $199, or $249.
HBS also offers discounted multi-year Delaware Registered Agent service:
- 1 year: $50
- 2 years: $90
- 3 years: $125
What if your company is formed in another state? HBS provides Registered Agent service for companies based outside of Delaware, as our annual agent fee is only $99 per year per company per state.
Questions to Consider when Selecting a Registered Agent
Before selecting a company formation or Registered Agent provider, below are some questions clients should consider before making a final decision:
- What is the Registered Agent fee after the first year?
- Is that renewal rate guaranteed, or can it increase?
- Are compliance services automatically bundled into a subscription?
Doing a little homework before making a decision can help avoid unexpected renewal surprises later on.
When choosing a Registered Agent, clients should also consider the provider's experience, accessibility, reputation, and ability to promptly forward important communications. HBS has specialized in Delaware company formations and Registered Agent service since 1981, and our philosophy is simple: provide dependable service at a fair and predictable price. After more than four decades of serving Delaware businesses, HBS remains committed to offering straightforward, reliable Registered Agent service with consistent pricing clients can count on.
If you have any questions about our Registered Agent Services, contact us today at 1-302-645-7400 or 1-800-345-2677 ext. 6900 or via email at info@delawareinc.com. Or, feel free to sign up for our Registered Agent Services here.
*Disclaimer*: Harvard Business Services, Inc. is neither a law firm nor an accounting firm and, even in cases where the author is an attorney, or a tax professional, nothing in this article constitutes legal or tax advice. This article provides general commentary on, and analysis of, the subject addressed. We strongly advise that you consult an attorney or tax professional to receive legal or tax guidance tailored to your specific circumstances. Any action taken or not taken based on this article is at your own risk. If an article cites or provides a link to third-party sources or websites, Harvard Business Services, Inc. is not responsible for and makes no representations regarding such source’s content or accuracy. Opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of Harvard Business Services, Inc.