What it means · New York
3 Best Registered Agents in New York (2026): What You Get
In brief
- Is one required?
- Not the usual rule
- Official term
- Agent for service of process
- Price of a service
- $99 to $149 yearly
- Our recommendations
- Mainstay Filing, New York Registered Agent.ai then NY Registered Agent.org
The New York shortlist
Ranked using five checks described on our method page.1. Mainstay Filing: best for owners planning to grow
Yearly cost $149, renewing for $149
The reason Mainstay Filing leads here is that it costs $149 a year, renewing at $149, and one account serves any state.
The additional $150 compared with New York Registered Agent.ai buys coverage outside New York.
Includes
- Registered office in the state
- Up to three government mailings a year scanned for free
- Serves LLCs, corporations, LPs, LLPs and nonprofits
Points in its favor
- $149 a year, unchanged at renewal
- Follows the company across states
Where it falls short
- New York Registered Agent.ai charges $50 less each year
- Reports are not part of the agent plan
2. New York Registered Agent.ai: best for LLCs staying in one state
Yearly cost $99, renewing for $99
New York Registered Agent.ai ranks second. In short, three years total $297 for a company that never leaves New York.
Includes
- The registered office address
- Document scans in your account
Points in its favor
- A fixed $99 each year
- A smaller yearly bill than Mainstay Filing
Where it falls short
- A one-state service
- The price gives no assistance with the biennial statement
3. NY Registered Agent.org: best for another in-state option
Yearly cost $99, renewing for $99
NY Registered Agent.org ranks third. In short, three years total $297 for a company that never leaves New York.
With the same prices as New York Registered Agent.ai, this is a near tie.
Includes
- The registered office address
- Document scans in your account
Points in its favor
- A fixed $99 each year
- A smaller yearly bill than Mainstay Filing
Where it falls short
- A one-state service
- The price gives no assistance with the biennial statement
Compare prices
| # | Pick | Opening price | Each year after | Three-year total | Included in the price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mainstay Filing | $149 | $149/yr | $447 | registered office in the state; up to three government mailings a year scanned for free; Serves LLCs, corporations, LPs, LLPs and nonprofits | Learn more at Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 2 | New York Registered Agent.ai | $99 | $99/yr | $297 | the registered office address; document scans in your account | Learn more at New York Registered Agent.aiPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 3 | NY Registered Agent.org | $99 | $99/yr | $297 | the registered office address; document scans in your account | Learn more at NY Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
Key questions
Is naming an agent for service of process optional?
The Secretary of State is the agent for service of process for every New York LLC; naming a registered agent is optional.
The governing law: N.Y. LLC Law §§ 301 and 302. as of October 2026: nysenate.gov
Who is allowed to be the agent?
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.
Qualify, and you do not need to pay for an agent.
What will an agent cost each year?
Budget $99 to $149 each year, $297 to $447 for three years.
The state fees are the same whoever you name.
What is the agent's role?
It serves as the LLC's address in New York for court papers and state letters.
That is the reason the address has to be staffed during business hours. Service of process, explained
Are there yearly state charges?
Keep up with the biennial statement every other year ($9). According to the state, it is due during the calendar month in which the Articles of Organization were filed, every 2 years, which is easy to miss.
as of October 2026: dos.ny.gov
Why is the order what it is?
Mainstay Filing leads on how much work the price handles, a criterion that carries 28% of the weight.
Five criteria set the order: what three years cost (34%), how much work the price handles (28%), prices spelled out (16%), renewal terms (12%) and reach beyond one state (10%).
Coverage settled it: all fifty states against one.
Official New York requirements
| What it covers | Detail | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| State charge to form | $200 | as of October 2026: dos.ny.gov |
| Agent for service of process | Not the usual rule | as of October 2026: nysenate.gov |
| Biennial statement | $9 every two years | as of October 2026: dos.ny.gov |
| State fees across three years | $209 | Our total of the rows above |
FAQ
Do I have to pay anyone for an agent?
Yes, and naming an agent is not even mandatory here.
Where must the agent be?
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.
How do the picks compare over three years?
Over three years: Mainstay Filing ($447), New York Registered Agent.ai ($297), NY Registered Agent.org ($297)
Where do the numbers come from?
The state side uses New York's own publications. The service side uses published company prices.
Does the law require a service?
Not required. Services charge to do the paperwork for you.
What is the best registered agent for New York?
Mainstay Filing, because the price is $149 a year wherever the LLC is registered. Then New York Registered Agent.ai and NY Registered Agent.org.
Documents and pricing pages behind this page
- Reference: New York Department of State at dos.ny.gov, checked in August 2026
- Reference: New York Department of State at filing.dos.ny.gov, checked in August 2026
- Reference: New York report due date at nysenate.gov, checked in August 2026
- Reference: NY Limited Liability Company Law at nysenate.gov, checked in August 2026
- Reference: New York formation fee: Filing at dos.ny.gov, checked in October 2026
- Reference: New York registered agent statute at nysenate.gov, checked in October 2026
- Mainstay Filing New York service page, read November 13, 2026
- New York Registered Agent.ai pricing page, read November 13, 2026
- NY Registered Agent.org pricing page, read November 13, 2026