Resident agent required
Yes
sec.state.ma.us, read October 2026
Registered agent guide · Massachusetts
Massachusetts Registered Agent Rules and Fees (2026): the Official Numbers and the 3 Best Agents
MA Registered Agent.org ($99 a year), Mainstay Filing ($149 a year) and Massachusetts Registered Agent.co ($99 a year) come first, second and third for hiring a registered agent in Massachusetts in 2026. The law in Massachusetts calls for a resident agent on every LLC. Annual state fees add up to $500, number 49th of 50.
Massachusetts: key numbers
Limited Liability Company Annual Report
$500 / yr
Due date, in the state's own words: on or before the anniversary date of filing of the certificate of organization. malegislature.gov, read August 2026
State charges over 1 year
$500
State fees for a single year
Ranked services for Massachusetts
The method page lists every criterion and weight.
1. MA Registered Agent.org: best for one state and one agent
$99 a year (renewal $99)
MA Registered Agent.org comes first because a flat $99 yearly price that includes scanned and forwarded papers.
Mainstay Filing costs more over three years, and that criterion is worth 34% of the score.
What the price takes in
- A registered office address inside the state
- Legal papers are scanned and uploaded for you
In its favor
- $99 annually
- Under Mainstay Filing on the yearly price
Against it
- Only Massachusetts; any other state needs its own agent
- Nothing is done about the Limited Liability Company Annual Report on your behalf
2. Mainstay Filing: best for a business that plans to grow
$149 a year (renewal $149)
Mainstay Filing comes second because a flat $149 yearly price from a provider that serves the whole country.
MA Registered Agent.org comes out $150 ahead on three-year provider fees.
What the price takes in
- A registered office in Massachusetts, address provided
- 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
- A flat $149 yearly
- One price, any state
Against it
- $50 extra per year compared with MA Registered Agent.org
- It covers the agent role only, and reports are yours to send in
3. Massachusetts Registered Agent.co: best for a registered office inside the state
$99 a year (renewal $99)
We put Massachusetts Registered Agent.co third since a flat $99 yearly price that includes scanned and forwarded papers.
MA Registered Agent.org and this provider post the same prices.
What the price takes in
- A registered office address inside the state
- Legal papers are scanned and uploaded for you
In its favor
- $99 annually
- Under Mainstay Filing on the yearly price
Against it
- Only Massachusetts; any other state needs its own agent
- Nothing is done about the Limited Liability Company Annual Report on your behalf
Compare the 3 picks
| No. | Provider | Price per year | Renewal price | Provider fees over 3 years | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MA Registered Agent.org | $99 | $99/yr | $297 | Visit MA Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 2 | Mainstay Filing | $149 | $149/yr | $447 | Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 3 | Massachusetts Registered Agent.co | $99 | $99/yr | $297 | Visit Massachusetts Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
Every price here was read from the company's own site on November 13, 2026. Changing agents does not change what the state bills.
Massachusetts registered agent calculator
Agent prices plus the state's recurring charges (the Limited Liability Company Annual Report from year 2). Formation fees are not counted.
Massachusetts and the states around it in the ranking
| Place | State | Yearly state fees |
|---|---|---|
| 46th | Nevada | $350 |
| 47th | Delaware | $400 |
| 48th | Rhode Island | $450 |
| 49th | Massachusetts | $500 |
| 50th | California | $810 |
The full table is at Registered agent rules by state, lowest bills first.
What Massachusetts law says about the resident agent
Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address. The address has to be a street address in Massachusetts. A post office address is not sufficient.
The state accepts: A Massachusetts resident, a Massachusetts corporation, or a corporation from another state authorized to do business in Massachusetts. State regulations (950 CMR 112.13) also allow other business entities authorized in Massachusetts. Under M.G.L. c. 156C, § 5.
State fees that repeat
On top of the agent there is the Limited Liability Company Annual Report, due every year at $500, on or before the anniversary date of filing of the certificate of organization.
Why the Massachusetts ranking looks like this
Service bill, years one to three decided first place in Massachusetts. It is worth 34% of the score, and the other criteria are paperwork inside the price, second-year price, match to the state, state fee shown apart.
MA Registered Agent.org comes to $297 in provider fees over three years, $150 less than Mainstay Filing.
Massachusetts registered agent FAQ
Are Massachusetts LLCs obliged to keep a resident agent on file?
Yes. Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
Who can serve as the resident agent for Massachusetts LLCs?
A Massachusetts resident, a Massachusetts corporation, or a corporation from another state authorized to do business in Massachusetts. State regulations (950 CMR 112.13) also allow other business entities authorized in Massachusetts.
What does registered agent service cost in Massachusetts each year?
Plan on $99 to $149 a year.
What state fees does an LLC pay every year?
The state collects $500 per year on our yearly measure, which is the Limited Liability Company Annual Report at $500 every year.
Which registered agents does this page rank?
MA Registered Agent.org ($99 a year), Mainstay Filing ($149 a year) and Massachusetts Registered Agent.co ($99 a year), listed from strongest to weakest.
Which registered agent would you choose?
Choose MA Registered Agent.org: an in-state-only plan at $99 per year, then $99. Then Mainstay Filing and Massachusetts Registered Agent.co.
Where these facts come from
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth traces back to sec.state.ma.us, a page we read in August 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth traces back to malegislature.gov, a page we read in August 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about M.G.L. c. 156C, sec. 12 traces back to sec.state.ma.us, a page we read in August 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Massachusetts formation fee: Filing fee, official source traces back to sec.state.ma.us, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Massachusetts formation fee: Filing fee, official source traces back to sec.state.ma.us, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Massachusetts registered agent statute traces back to sec.state.ma.us, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Nevada yearly filing: Annual list + license: fees traces back to nvsos.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Delaware yearly filing: Recurring obligation, official source traces back to corp.delaware.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Delaware yearly filing: Recurring obligation, official source traces back to corp.delaware.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Delaware yearly filing: HB 400, official source traces back to legis.delaware.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Rhode Island Department of State, Business Services Division traces back to docs.sos.ri.gov, a page we read in August 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Rhode Island Department of State, Business Services Division traces back to sos.ri.gov, a page we read in August 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Rhode Island other cost traces back to tax.ri.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about California Secretary of State traces back to sos.ca.gov, a page we read in August 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about California Secretary of State traces back to bpd.cdn.sos.ca.gov, a page we read in August 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about California yearly filing: Statement of Information, official source traces back to sos.ca.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about California other cost: Annual LLC tax: amount and traces back to ftb.ca.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about California other cost: Annual LLC tax: amount and traces back to ftb.ca.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- MA Registered Agent.org posted pricing page; we read the page November 13, 2026
- Mainstay Filing posted Massachusetts service page; we read the page November 13, 2026
- Massachusetts Registered Agent.co posted pricing page; we read the page November 13, 2026