Agent for service of process required
See rules
nysenate.gov (read October 2026)
Registered agent guide · New York
New York Registered Agent Rules and Fees (2026): the Official Numbers and the 3 Best Agents
NY Registered Agent.org ($99 a year), Mainstay Filing ($149 a year) and New York Registered Agent.ai ($99 a year) come first, second and third for hiring a registered agent in New York in 2026. The agent rule here reads differently from most states, and the full text is further down. Recurring state fees: $4.50 a year, number 11th of 50.
New York: key numbers
Biennial statement
$9 / 2 yrs
Due date, in the state's own words: during the calendar month in which the Articles of Organization were filed, every 2 years. dos.ny.gov (read October 2026)
State charges over 1 year
$4.50
The recurring charges for one year
New York ranking
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. NY Registered Agent.org: best for a low flat agent price
Year 1 is $99, year 2 is $99
NY Registered Agent.org ranks number one. $99 per year for an agent with an office address in the state.
Three-year fees come in under Mainstay Filing's, on the criterion that counts most.
What the price takes in
- A New York address on the public record
- Scans of served papers
In its favor
- $99 per year with no increase
- Under Mainstay Filing on the yearly price
Against it
- Only New York; any other state needs its own agent
- The biennial statement falls outside the price
2. Mainstay Filing: best for companies in several states
Year 1 is $149, year 2 is $149
In second place sits Mainstay Filing: it costs $149 a year here and in every other state; renewal is $149.
Provider fees over three years are $150 above NY Registered Agent.org's, and cost carries 34% of the score.
What the price takes in
- An in-state street address on file
- 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
- Reaches all fifty states
Against it
- NY Registered Agent.org charges $50 less every year
- An agent-only plan, so you file the reports
3. New York Registered Agent.ai: best for New York specialists
Year 1 is $99, year 2 is $99
We put New York Registered Agent.ai third since $99 per year for an agent with an office address in the state.
Its prices equal NY Registered Agent.org's, so the two are close.
What the price takes in
- A New York address on the public record
- Scans of served papers
In its favor
- Under Mainstay Filing on the yearly price
- $99 per year with no increase
Against it
- Only New York; any other state needs its own agent
- The biennial statement falls outside the price
The ranking in numbers
| No. | Provider | Price per year | Renewal price | Provider fees over 3 years | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NY Registered Agent.org | $99 | $99/yr | $297 | Visit NY 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 | New York Registered Agent.ai | $99 | $99/yr | $297 | Visit New York Registered Agent.aiPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
Prices come from the companies' own pages, read November 13, 2026. New York's own fees stay the same whichever agent you choose.
Upkeep cost calculator
Agent prices plus the state's recurring charges (the biennial statement from year 2). Formation fees are not counted.
New York and the states around it in the ranking
| Place | State | Yearly state fees |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | South Carolina | $0 |
| 1st | Texas | $0 |
| 11th | New York | $4.50 |
| 12th | Pennsylvania | $7 |
| 13th | Hawaii | $12.50 |
The full table is at Registered agent rules by state, lowest bills first.
New York agent for service of process requirements from the Secretary of State (official)
The Secretary of State is the agent for service of process for every New York LLC; naming a registered agent is optional. New York has no registered-office requirement. The Secretary of State is the agent for service of process for every New York LLC and mails a copy of any papers served to the address the company has on file. A designated registered agent's street address goes on the filing.
Permitted agents: If one is designated: a person who lives in New York or has a business address there, an LLC formed or authorized in New York, or a corporation formed or authorized in New York. Statute: N.Y. LLC Law §§ 301 and 302.
State fees that repeat
Each cycle the biennial statement costs $9, during the calendar month in which the Articles of Organization were filed, every 2 years. The state sends its mail to your agent for service of process.
Why the New York ranking looks like this
The criterion that decided New York was service bill, years one to three, at 34%.
The three-year provider fees at NY Registered Agent.org are $297, $150 beneath Mainstay Filing.
New York questions and answers
Are New York LLCs obliged to keep an agent for service of process on file?
The Secretary of State is the agent for service of process for every New York LLC; naming a registered agent is optional.
Who can serve as the agent for service of process for New York LLCs?
If one is designated: a person who lives in New York or has a business address there, an LLC formed or authorized in New York, or a corporation formed or authorized in New York.
What does registered agent service cost in New York each year?
The agents on this page charge $99 to $149 per year.
What state fees does an LLC pay every year?
The state collects $4.50 per year on our yearly measure, which is the biennial statement at $9 every two years.
Which registered agents does this page rank?
NY Registered Agent.org ($99 a year), Mainstay Filing ($149 a year) and New York Registered Agent.ai ($99 a year), arranged by our ranking, best first.
Which registered agent would you choose?
NY Registered Agent.org, because $99 a year, with no step up at renewal, aimed at a company that works in one state. After it come Mainstay Filing and New York Registered Agent.ai.
Where these facts come from
- Backing for the numbers about New York Department of State, Division of Corporations is found at dos.ny.gov, which we read in August 2026, and you can check it there.
- Backing for the numbers about New York Department of State, Division of Corporations is found at filing.dos.ny.gov, which we read in August 2026, and you can check it there.
- Backing for the numbers about New York report due date is found at nysenate.gov, which we read in August 2026, and you can check it there.
- Backing for the numbers about NY Limited Liability Company Law § 203 is found at nysenate.gov, which we read in August 2026, and you can check it there.
- Backing for the numbers about New York formation fee: Filing fee, official source is found at dos.ny.gov, which we read in October 2026, and you can check it there.
- Backing for the numbers about New York registered agent statute is found at nysenate.gov, which we read in October 2026, and you can check it there.
- Backing for the numbers about South Carolina Secretary of State for formation is found at dor.sc.gov, which we read in August 2026, and you can check it there.
- Backing for the numbers about South Carolina Secretary of State for formation is found at dor.sc.gov, which we read in August 2026, and you can check it there.
- Backing for the numbers about South Carolina yearly filing: Annual report, official source is found at dor.sc.gov, which we read in October 2026, and you can check it there.
- Backing for the numbers about Texas yearly filing: Annual report, official source is found at comptroller.texas.gov, which we read in October 2026, and you can check it there.
- Backing for the numbers about Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Corporations and is found at pa.gov, which we read in August 2026, and you can check it there.
- Backing for the numbers about Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Corporations and is found at pa.gov, which we read in August 2026, and you can check it there.
- Backing for the numbers about Hawaii DCCA Business Registration Division release of July is found at cca.hawaii.gov, which we read in October 2026, and you can check it there.
- Backing for the numbers about Hawaii yearly filing: Annual report: fee, official source is found at files.hawaii.gov, which we read in October 2026, and you can check it there.
- Pricing page at NY Registered Agent.org, from the company website, read November 13, 2026
- New York service page at Mainstay Filing, from the company website, read November 13, 2026
- Pricing page at New York Registered Agent.ai, from the company website, read November 13, 2026