Are you planning to form a limited liability company (LLC) in California?
If so, it’s essential to know that every California LLC is required to have a registered agent. A registered agent serves as your business’s official point of contact for legal and government correspondence, ensuring compliance with state laws.
The agent you choose plays a critical role by managing legal notices, handling mail on your behalf, and ensuring that your company remains in good standing with annual reporting and documentation requirements.
In this guide, we break down California's registered agent requirements and introduce six professional registered agent service providers to help you make an informed decision.
Who can be a registered agent in California?
But first, let's take a look at the requirements for being a registered agent in the state of California:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Reside and maintain a mailing address in the state of California
- If an entity is your registered agent, this business must also maintain an address in California and have a physical location in the state of California.
You can serve as your own registered agent in California, but this is not usually advisable.
Top 6 Registered Agent Services in California
We have taken the time to compile a list of the registered agents that you will want to consider working with in the state of California. These agents are experienced and can help you to protect your business and personal finances all year long.
1. Watkins Firm
For reliable legal counsel combined with registered agent services, the Watkins Firm provides experienced professionals to support your business needs.
Their team is well-versed in managing essential tax-related processes, ensuring that your annual report is prepared and submitted promptly to maintain compliance with state requirements.
With a strong track record in legal and administrative support, the Watkins Firm offers a dependable choice for businesses seeking both registered agent services and broader legal assistance. Their expertise ensures that your business remains on track and compliant, giving you peace of mind.
- Cost: Request a quote
- View Website
- Address: 9915 Mira Mesa Blvd, Suite 130, San Diego, CA 92131
2. Northwest Registered Agent (Our Partner)
Northwest Registered Agent is a well-regarded choice for registered agent services, offering a combination of skilled customer support, meticulous handling of legal documents, and an intuitive client portal. For a straightforward, flat fee, you can manage your business filings efficiently without worrying about hidden charges.
Their platform allows you to access, view, and print your documents in PDF format as soon as you sign up, ensuring convenience and transparency.
Northwest Registered Agent provides these features and more, making it a reliable option for businesses seeking professional registered agent services.
- Cost: $125/year
- Visit website
- Address: Sacramento, CA 95816 Sacramento County
3. Bend Law Group, PC
This organization specializes in providing registered agent services for businesses in California, ensuring that all legal correspondence and documentation are managed promptly and accurately to keep your business in compliance.
For businesses operating outside California, they partner with LegalInc Corporate Services to deliver consistent and reliable registered agent support nationwide.
Whether your business is based in one state or spans multiple states, this service ensures seamless management of your registered agent needs across all locations.
- Cost: $99/year
- Visit website
- Address: 2181 Greenwich Street, San Francisco, CA, 94123
4. A People’s Choice
If you’re seeking a straightforward registered agent service and prefer to handle the rest of your business needs independently, A People’s Choice could be a suitable option. You can contact them through their website to request a quote for their services.
By selecting this agent, you’ll ensure your business entity has a physical address in California at a reasonable cost, helping you meet state compliance requirements efficiently.
- Cost: $175/year
- Visit website
- Address: 2041 East St. PMB 818, Concord, CA 94520
5. California Legal Scriveners
California Legal Scriveners provides professional registered agent services, ensuring that your business stays compliant with state requirements. They specialize in managing legal documentation and promptly handling official notices sent to your business. While they do not offer regular mail forwarding, California Legal Scriveners ensures that all legal correspondence is processed accurately and efficiently.
Their services include dependable support to keep your business on track, with customer assistance available to address any questions or concerns.
- Cost: $50/year
- Visit website
- Address: 1401 21st Street, Suite R, Sacramento, CA 95811
6. Archetype Legal PC
This company focuses on handling legal documentation and ensuring all official notices for your business are managed promptly and accurately.
However, they do not provide regular mail forwarding services. By choosing this company as your registered agent, you’ll have access to customer support throughout the week and the assurance that all legal notifications and documents sent to your business are processed efficiently and in compliance with state requirements.
- Cost: $89/year
- Visit website
- Address: 100 Pine Street Suite 1250 San Francisco, CA 94111
