Registered agent required
Yes
legis.iowa.gov (read October 2026)
Registered agent guide · Iowa
Iowa Registered Agent Rules and Fees (2026): the Official Numbers and the 3 Best Agents
The best picks for hiring a registered agent in Iowa in 2026 are Mainstay Filing ($149 a year), IA Registered Agent.org ($99 a year) and Iowa Registered Agent.co ($99 a year), in that order. An LLC in Iowa cannot skip a registered agent. Recurring state fees: $15 a year, number 15th of 50.
Iowa: key numbers
15th
place among 50 states, one-year state cost
Ordered from the lowest total up. Open the complete list
Biennial report
$30 / 2 yrs
Due date, in the state's own words: April 1 of odd-numbered years. help.sos.iowa.gov (read October 2026)
State charges over 1 year
$15
State fees for a single year
Our Iowa recommendations
The order comes from five criteria, and the two that weigh most are three-year fees and coverage (the method page explains the rest).
1. Mainstay Filing: best for a business that plans to grow
Year 1 is $149, year 2 is $149
We put Mainstay Filing at number one since one $149 agent plan that works in each new state a company adds.
Over three years the provider fees are $150 above IA Registered Agent.org's, and in exchange the state paperwork it handles is wider.
What the price takes in
- A Iowa street address on the public record
- Scans papers served on the company the same business day, at no charge
- Scans the first three government letters each year, no charge
- Serves nonprofits, corporations, LPs and LLPs as well
In its favor
- $149 annually
- The same price in all fifty states
Against it
- $50 per year more than IA Registered Agent.org
- On this plan you file the reports yourself
2. IA Registered Agent.org: best for one state and one agent
Year 1 is $99, year 2 is $99
IA Registered Agent.org comes second because $99 per year for an agent with an office address in the state.
What the price takes in
- A registered office address inside the state
- Scans of served papers
In its favor
- Cheaper per year than the national pick
- $99 per year with no increase
Against it
- No cover outside this state
- The biennial report falls outside the price
3. Iowa Registered Agent.co: best for a registered office inside the state
Year 1 is $99, year 2 is $99
Iowa Registered Agent.co comes third because $99 per year for an agent with an office address in the state.
IA Registered Agent.org and this provider post the same prices.
What the price takes in
- A registered office address inside the state
- Scans of served papers
In its favor
- $99 per year with no increase
- Cheaper per year than the national pick
Against it
- No cover outside this state
- The biennial report falls outside the price
Iowa ranking in one table
| No. | Provider | Price per year | Renewal price | Provider fees over 3 years | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mainstay Filing | $149 | $149/yr | $447 | Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 2 | IA Registered Agent.org | $99 | $99/yr | $297 | Visit IA Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 3 | Iowa Registered Agent.co | $99 | $99/yr | $297 | Visit Iowa Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
Posted prices as of November 13, 2026. State fees do not move.
Agent and state fees, year by year
Agent prices plus the state's recurring charges (the biennial report from year 2). Formation fees are not counted.
Iowa and the states around it in the ranking
For the other states, see Registered agent rules by state.
Iowa law on a registered agent
Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address. The address has to be a place of business in Iowa. The registered office street address and the agent's business office have to match, and P.O. boxes are not accepted.
Who can act as agent: Any individual or business with a place of business in Iowa that has agreed to serve. See Iowa Code § 489.115.
Keeping a Iowa LLC going in 2026
Letters about the biennial report go to the address of your registered agent. The cost is $30 every two years, and the date is April 1 of odd-numbered years.
What decided the order
The criterion that decided Iowa was paperwork inside the price, at 28%.
Coverage of all fifty states counted for more than IA Registered Agent.org on our weights.
Iowa registered agent FAQ
Are Iowa LLCs obliged to keep a registered agent on file?
Yes. Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
Who can serve as the registered agent for Iowa LLCs?
Any individual or business with a place of business in Iowa that has agreed to serve.
What does registered agent service cost in Iowa each year?
Agents ranked here bill $99 to $149 annually.
What state fees does an LLC pay every year?
The state collects $15 per year on our yearly measure, which is the biennial report at $30 every two years.
Which registered agents does this page rank?
Mainstay Filing ($149 a year), IA Registered Agent.org ($99 a year) and Iowa Registered Agent.co ($99 a year), arranged by our ranking, best first.
Which registered agent would you choose?
Mainstay Filing, because it costs $149 a year here and in every other state; renewal is $149. After it come IA Registered Agent.org and Iowa Registered Agent.co.
Where these facts come from
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Iowa Secretary of State, Business Services Division traces back to help.sos.iowa.gov, a page we read in August 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Iowa Secretary of State, Business Services Division traces back to help.sos.iowa.gov, a page we read in August 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Iowa report due date traces back to legis.iowa.gov, a page we read in August 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Iowa Code § 489.201 traces back to legis.iowa.gov, a page we read in August 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Iowa formation fee: Filing fee, official source traces back to legis.iowa.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Iowa registered agent statute traces back to legis.iowa.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Hawaii DCCA Business Registration Division release of July traces back to cca.hawaii.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Hawaii yearly filing: Annual report: fee, official source traces back to files.hawaii.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Nebraska yearly filing: Recurring filing, official source traces back to nebraskalegislature.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Nebraska yearly filing: Recurring filing, official source traces back to sos.nebraska.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Indiana Secretary of State, Business Services Division traces back to inbiz.in.gov, a page we read in August 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Indiana Secretary of State, Business Services Division traces back to forms.in.gov, a page we read in August 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Code traces back to corporations.utah.gov, a page we read in August 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Code traces back to corporations.utah.gov, a page we read in August 2026.
- As read November 13, 2026, Mainstay Filing shows Iowa service page on its site
- As read November 13, 2026, IA Registered Agent.org shows pricing page on its site
- As read November 13, 2026, Iowa Registered Agent.co shows pricing page on its site