What it means · Rhode Island
3 Best Registered Agents in Rhode Island (2026): What You Get
Quick explanation
- Does the law demand one?
- Yes, by law
- What the statute calls it
- Resident agent
- Typical service price
- $99 to $149 per year
- Our recommendations
- Mainstay Filing, RI Registered Agent.org then Rhode Island Registered Agent.co
Rhode Island: the ranked picks
Prices come from each company's own pricing page. The ranking is explained on how we pick.1. Mainstay Filing: best for LLCs likely to expand
$149 in year one and $149 when renewed
Our first recommendation is Mainstay Filing, because $149 a year is its price in this state, and it does not change anywhere else.
Yes, RI Registered Agent.org comes in $150 lower across three years. We still lead with the one that covers all states.
Includes
- An in-state street address
- Up to three government mailings a year scanned for free
- Serves LLCs, corporations, LPs, LLPs and nonprofits
Points in its favor
- The price is the same in all fifty states
- A fixed $149 each year
Where it falls short
- Pricier by $50 per year
- The agent role is all you get
2. RI Registered Agent.org: best for budget-minded owners
$99 in year one and $99 when renewed
In second place is RI Registered Agent.org, because it charges $99 a year, renewing at $99, for an LLC that remains in Rhode Island.
Includes
- A street address in the state
- Scanned copies of legal papers online
Points in its favor
- A lower annual price than Mainstay Filing
- $99 per year
Where it falls short
- Another state needs another agent
- Annual Report for a Limited Liability Company is up to you
3. Rhode Island Registered Agent.co: best for local support
$99 in year one and $99 when renewed
In third place is Rhode Island Registered Agent.co, because it charges $99 a year, renewing at $99, for an LLC that remains in Rhode Island.
The prices match RI Registered Agent.org, so pick the one you prefer.
Includes
- A street address in the state
- Scanned copies of legal papers online
Points in its favor
- $99 per year
- A lower annual price than Mainstay Filing
Where it falls short
- Another state needs another agent
- Annual Report for a Limited Liability Company is up to you
How they stack up
| # | Provider | First-year price | Year two on | Total, 3 years | What you get | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mainstay Filing | $149 | $149/yr | $447 | An in-state street address; 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 | RI Registered Agent.org | $99 | $99/yr | $297 | A street address in the state; scanned copies of legal papers online | Learn more at RI Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 3 | Rhode Island Registered Agent.co | $99 | $99/yr | $297 | A street address in the state; scanned copies of legal papers online | Learn more at Rhode Island Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
The questions, one by one
Do I have to name a resident agent?
Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
Statute: R.I. Gen. Laws § 7-16-11. webserver.rilegislature.gov · verified October 2026
Who is allowed to be the agent?
A Rhode Island resident, or a corporation, limited partnership or LLC formed in Rhode Island or authorized there.
If you meet the rule, you may name yourself and avoid paying an agent.
How much should I budget for an agent?
The recommended services charge $99 to $149 annually, or $297 to $447 across three years.
Choosing a different agent does not change any state fee.
Why does the state require one?
It accepts lawsuits and official state mail for the LLC at an address in Rhode Island.
A good agent lets you know quickly when something arrives, so deadlines are not missed. Understanding service of process
What else comes due each year?
Chiefly the Annual Report for a Limited Liability Company, filed every year. Fee: $50. Due date as the state words it: May 1, so mark the calendar. A yearly minimum tax is separate.
sos.ri.gov · verified August 2026
What put number one on top?
It is how much work the price handles, weighted at 28%, that puts Mainstay Filing first.
Our weighting leans on what three years cost first and how much work the price handles second, then three smaller factors.
If the LLC adds a state, the same agent and the same price follow it; RI Registered Agent.org ends at the Rhode Island border.
Official Rhode Island requirements
| Item | What the state says | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of filing | $150 | docs.sos.ri.gov · verified October 2026 |
| Resident agent | Yes, by law | webserver.rilegislature.gov · verified October 2026 |
| Periodic filing | $50 every year | sos.ri.gov · verified August 2026 |
| Tax owed yearly | $400 a year | tax.ri.gov · verified October 2026 |
| State fees across three years | $1,450 | Sum of the figures above |
More explanations
Can an owner act as the agent?
Yes, as long as your address and status match what the state demands.
What is the address rule?
The address has to be a Rhode Island street address, not a P.O. box, where the agent is available during business hours.
How much is each one after three years?
Mainstay Filing comes to $447; RI Registered Agent.org comes to $297; Rhode Island Registered Agent.co comes to $297
Are the figures official?
Rhode Island's official documents supply the state fees, and the companies' price pages supply the service fees.
Is a service required?
No, you may file on your own if you meet the rules on this page.
Who would you hire first in Rhode Island?
We would start with Mainstay Filing, then RI Registered Agent.org and Rhode Island Registered Agent.co.
Sources used on this page
- docs.sos.ri.gov: Rhode Island Department of State (confirmed August 2026)
- sos.ri.gov: Rhode Island Department of State (confirmed August 2026)
- webserver.rilegislature.gov: R.I (confirmed August 2026)
- sos.ri.gov: Rhode Island formation fee: Filing (confirmed October 2026)
- docs.sos.ri.gov: Rhode Island formation fee: Filing (confirmed October 2026)
- webserver.rilegislature.gov: Rhode Island registered agent statute (confirmed October 2026)
- tax.ri.gov: Rhode Island other cost (confirmed October 2026)
- Rhode Island service page from Mainstay Filing, prices as of November 13, 2026
- pricing page from RI Registered Agent.org, prices as of November 13, 2026
- pricing page from Rhode Island Registered Agent.co, prices as of November 13, 2026