As a business owner, dealing with a lot of legal documents and government forms is common, which is why hiring a registered agent is essential. A registered agent is someone or a company that accepts official documents for you. In simple terms, they act as your mail carrier for legal matters. You might believe you can manage without one, but believe us, it’s more challenging than it seems.
In Delaware, every business must have a registered agent before operating. Without a registered agent, your important legal papers might get lost in the mail or, even worse, sent to an old address that no one checks. This can be especially concerning if those papers are time-sensitive or have deadlines.
That’s why it’s so important for businesses to have an effective way of dealing with these kinds of things—and having an experienced professional handle them for you can be just what you need. In this guide, we present the top 10 Delaware registered agents for 2024.
The Best Delaware Registered Agents for 2024
If you’re looking for a Delaware registered agent, you’ve come to the right place. This is your one-stop guide to the best-registered agents in the state. And if you want to skip ahead, here’s a preview of our top picks:
- Incfile – 1 Year Free Registered Agent Services
- Harvard Business Services – Affordable Domestic and International Packages
- CSC Global – Extensive Range of Business Solutions
- Northwest Registered Agent – Streamlined Prices and Checkout Process
- CT Corporation – Order Files Online
- National Registered Agents, Inc – Same-Day Document Processing
- Delaware Registered Agent Service – First-Class Customer Support
- BizFilings – Free Filings and Documents
- Delaware Business Incorporations – Transparent Pricing, No Hidden Fees!
- MyLLC.com – Price Match Guaranteed
Best Delaware Registered Agents Compared
Delaware is known for its tax-friendly laws, and companies that operate in Delaware need to find a registered agent to offer their business address. Here, we take a look at the best registered agents in Delaware and what they have to offer.
But we don’t just want you to take our word for it. We’re going to show you how we ranked these companies so you can make an informed decision before hiring a Delaware registered agent.
We also have some handy resources and tips at the end of this post, so keep reading!
1. Incfile – Up to 1 Year Free Registered Agent Service
Incfile Inc is a Delaware registered agent dedicated to providing its customers with professional guidance and efficient services. They have access to a database of more than 60 million companies, which means more businesses can use the mailing address of their choice.
Price
Incfile offers free services for up to 1 year only; you are expected to pay between $119.00 and $250.00, depending on the situation.
Pros
- Rates are Affordable
- Up to 1 year of free Registered Agent Service
- Online access to documents
Cons
- There is an extra charge for registering the EIN and drafting the operating agent.
- The Incfile free service is only for one year.
- Not BBB accredited
2. Harvard Business Services – Best for Domestic and International Businesses
If you reside in or near Delaware, then your registered agent is Harvard Business Services (also known as HBS). HBS’s services include Inc Corporate Service, Inc Formation, Inc Legal and Record Search, and Payroll Service.
Price
Harvard Business Services offers its services for $50. But if you want an economical and environmentally-friendly way to fulfill the minimum requirements, they offer Harvard’s Green package for $179.
Pros
- Affordable rates
- Has domestic and international packages
Cons
- Limited address range
- No incorporation services
3. CSC Global – Best Multi-Service Offers
CSC is a registered corporate agent. This means that they will handle any legal form or document to be mailed to your business. In addition, they have access to their database of more than 8 million companies, which means more businesses can use the mailing address of their choice.
Price
CSC Global does not disclose its prices. You will need to contact their customer sales team for a custom quote.
Pros
- Extensive range of business solutions
- Responsive customer service
Cons
- Pricing is not disclosed on the website
- Few customers reviews online
4. Northwest Registered Agent – Most Transparent Transactions
You will find Northwest Registered Agent (also known as NWR) in Delaware, and it is considered one of the best Delaware registered agents around. They are based in Wilmington, DE, and boast a database of more than 8 million companies.
Price
The Northwest Registered Agent charges $125.00 per year. Prices can also change depending on the plan you avail.
Pros
- Transparent Fees
- The checkout process is easy
- Prices are streamlined
Cons
- Not BBB accredited
- Lots of add-ons
- Expensive EIN Service
5. CT Corporation – Most Convenient
If you are looking for a Delaware registered agent that can provide their services to customers in all 50 states, then CT Corporation is the best Delaware Registered Agent for 2024. The company also offers incorporation services, which many other companies do not do.
Price
CT Corporation offers a wide range of plans and pricing ranging from $89.00 to $678 plus state fees.
Pros
- Excellent customer service
- Offers online orders for some files
Cons
- High prices
- Sketchy reputation
6. National Registered Agents, Inc – Country-Wide Network
National Registered Agents, Inc is a registered agent in Delaware and has its head office in Wilmington, DE. It has a database of over 8 million companies. It is a premier full-service provider of registered agent and business services, including Inc Legal and Record Search, Inc Corporate Service, Payroll Service, and Business Check Printing. The company also services International clients.
Price
National Registered Agents, Inc does disclose its prices on its website, but they have an annual fee of $89.
Pros
- Same-Day Documents
- Nationwide office network
Cons
- It does not offer Incorporation Services
- Does not disclose prices on their website
7. Delaware Registered Agent Service – Most Affordable Option
This company has its head office in Wilmington, DE and is a registered agent of the state of Delaware. It offers Inc Corporate Service, Inc Formation, Inc Legal and Record Search, Payroll Service, and Business Check Printing. However, they do not offer incorporation services, only registered agent services.
Price
Delaware Registered Agent Service offers $50 per year for the registered agent service and offers free incorporation service with State Fees, Expedite, and 1 Year Registered Agent Service for $170.
Pros
- Affordable Service
- Responsive Customer Service
Cons
- It does not offer Incorporation services
8. BizFilings – Excellent Free Document Resource
This is another registered agent of the state of Delaware. They have their head office in Wilmington, DE and offer Inc Corporate Service, Inc Formation, Inc Legal and Record Search, Payroll Service, and Business Check Printing. However, they do not offer incorporation services, only registered agent services.
Price
BizFilings prices start at $99 for the basic plan, $229 for the standard plan, and $399 for the complete plan. All plans have state fees. Additional fees for added services range from $20 up to $199.
Pros
- Registered Agent Service is included in all plans.
- The majority of BizFilings’s legal forms and documents are available for free.
Cons
- Expensive formation packages.
- EIN Registration service is extra with the Basic and Standard plans
9. Delaware Business Incorporations – Best Customer Support
The Delaware Business Incorporations is not a registered agent of Delaware; instead, they are a Legal service firm. They are located in Wilmington, DE and offer Inc Corporate Service, Inc Formation, Inc Legal and Record Search, Payroll Service, and Business Check Printing. However, the company does not offer incorporation services, only registered agent services.
Price
Delaware Business Incorporation offers the first 12 months of free registered agent service for $50 with the additional state fees.
Pros
- Excellent customer service
- No hidden fees
Cons
- PDF Files are locked with a passcode
- No incorporation service
10. MyLLC.com – Free Corporate Checks
As the name suggests, My LLC has its head office in Wilmington, DE and is a registered agent of the state of Delaware. They offer Inc Corporate Service, Inc Formation, Inc Legal and Record Search, Payroll Service, and Business Check Printing. However, they are not an incorporated Delaware business; but rather registered agents of the state of Delaware.
Price
MyLLC.com has a flat rate of $99, and you can add other features with it.
Pros
- Uniformly responsive customer feedback
- It has a price match feature
- Offers a free corporate check, even if you’re not a customer
Cons
- The website is difficult to navigate
- It doesn’t have a variety of packages
What is a Delaware registered agent?
A Delaware Registered Agent is a person or company that signs up to provide their address as an official Delaware Registered Office for someone who does business in Delaware (such as a corporation or LLC). Typically, your business can sign up for this service and be provided an address in the state of Delaware (usually Wilmington), where any legal documents will be forwarded so that you can take action on them.
A Delaware Registered Agent also provides “service of process.” The service process means that if you are served with a lawsuit, a summons and complaint or an order to appear in court because of a contract dispute or some other legal matter, then the Delaware Registered Agent will forward this paperwork to you at no additional charge.
Any business with operations in Delaware should sign up for this service. This will save you the trouble of obtaining your registered agent (which costs more), and it is much easier to have all your legal documents forwarded to one place.
Why do I need a Delaware-registered agent?
For one, it’s a convenient way for your business to keep its official records up-to-date. Suppose an LLC or corporation is ever dissolved or revoked in Delaware. In that case, the registered agent will take action and forward all official documents to the correct party at no additional charge. This can be especially helpful if you use a Delaware “subchapter S” corporation to operate in Delaware and have not made yourself available by telephone or email.
Second, it’s also an excellent way for customers to receive legal notices. If you have a Delaware Registered Agent, you will know that the registered agent can forward all legal documents to the registered agent for your company. This will ensure that you always receive the proper notices at the appropriate time.
Third, it’s a legal requirement in Delaware. All businesses registered in Delaware must have a registered agent. In addition, service of process must be available for any legal papers that need to be delivered in a manner known as “delivery by first-class mail, postage prepaid.”
Lastly, it will save you money. While most registered agents charge $100 per year, they often waive this fee if you go with them as your registered agent. This means that your company will only be charged for official documents and not the process of forwarding them to the correct party at no additional charge.
As we can see from the above reasons, Delaware Registered Agents are a convenient and cost-effective way for businesses to handle their legal matters when doing business in Delaware.
Who can be a Delaware registered agent?
Any firm owner or employee can function as the registered agent in Delaware if they are at least 18 years old and have a physical address in the state. You can also choose a member of your LLC or a trusted friend, as long as they meet these conditions. That said, it’s always a good idea to choose a paid service for this purpose, so if you don’t know anyone that meets these criteria, we recommend that you sign up for one of the Delaware Registered Agent services we have talked about in the top 10 list above.
There are also some alternative options available to business owners who do not have someone they can trust or who prefer the extra level of security that comes with hiring a Delaware Registered Agent service:
- You can hire a Delaware Registered Agent service provider who would care for all your business needs.
- You can join an LL.C or LLC and have your registered agent be the managing member of the LLC and the registered agent for your LLC.
- You can hire a professional to act as your Delaware Registered Agent who already has a registered agent in the state.
How To Find a Registered Agent in Delaware?
If you’ve decided to use a registered agent in Delaware and are looking for one, then there are several ways you can go about choosing one:
- You can contact a Delaware Registered Agent directly to ask for a quote or get more information about their services.
- You can browse their websites for more information about their services or go to the Department of State website and look up registered agents.
- You can ask fellow business owners or other Delaware residents in your area if they know of a registered agent they would recommend.
- You can search online for reviews and testimonials about the registered agent you’re considering.
- You can ask people who use the service to email you their contact information.
- You can speak to other business owners in your area, find out if any are using Delaware Registered Agents, and go from there.
- You can visit the Delaware Secretary of State’s website to look up registered agents in the state and then call them directly to inquire about pricing and services.
- You can try out several different service providers, compare their costs and services, and determine which one you like best.
- If you find a few different ones close to your area, you can call them all and compare their prices to be sure that they’re offering similar services at similar rates.
- You can ask yourself if any of your friends or family members would be able to serve as a registered agents for you.
- You can try asking local or out-of-state businesses, see if any of them know of a registered agent, and go from there.
- You can check with a professional, such as an accountant or legal service provider, for recommendations on which Registered Agent to use.
What are the Delaware Registered Agent Requirements?
You need to meet a few requirements to qualify as a registered agent. Below, we’ve outlined each of these requirements in more detail for your convenience.
Principal Business Address
The principal business address means the location you or your Delaware Registered Agent will physically be when providing services as a registered agent. To fulfill this requirement, you will need to maintain a principal business address in Delaware.
It is also essential that you maintain a physical location in Delaware. But again, you can check on your local government’s website and search for an accredited area close to your home or place of business.
Delaware Business License
You must also have a valid Delaware business license to be a registered agent. You can check this requirement by checking your local government’s website and searching for accredited Delaware businesses. Furthermore, to make your business a Delaware corporation or LLC, you must also have one.
Adhere to the Secretary of State’s Communication Requests
Aside from the registered agent requirements, you also must adhere to the Secretary of State’s communication requests regarding your business. This means that a Delaware Registered Agent must reply to all communication from the Secretary of State about your business within 30 days.
This requirement is in place for a reason: to protect and safeguard consumers who are doing business in Delaware.
Receive Service of Processes
Your Delaware Registered Agent will also have to do what’s called “service of process,” which means they must receive any legal process sent to your Delaware Registered Agent company. This means that a Delaware Registered agent will have to sign a form and physically get any document served to them to provide it to the appropriate party when necessary.
Conclusion : what is the best Delaware Registered agent in 2024?
If you’re looking for a Delaware Registered Agent, you should always choose one with the best reviews possible. Remember to check out their website or call them to get more information about their services before signing up.
We recommend Incfile in particular, which offers the best protection for your business and offers one year free.