Best Georgia registered agent services comparison
What is a registered agent service, and how does it work?
A registered agent service acts as the official contact for a business, handling all legal and governmental communications, including tax forms and lawsuit notifications. This service is essential for business owners who want to keep their contact information private and businesses operating in multiple states.
The agent accepts documents and forwards them to the business, helping avoid missed deadlines and potential legal issues. You're able to act as your own registered agent, but to meet requirements, it's often better to hire a third-party professional registered agent.
For businesses operating in Georgia, designating a registered agent with the Georgia Secretary of State, Corporations Division to ensure compliance with state regulations is essential. The process of appointing a registered agent is relatively straightforward.
Small business owners need to pick an individual or entity as their registered agent, ensure they meet the eligibility criteria and file the necessary paperwork with the secretary of state.
To be eligible, your registered agent can be any individual resident of Georgia; Domestic corporation or limited liability company; or Foreign corporation or limited liability company with a certificate of authority to transact business in Georgia.
Individuals who serve as registered agents must be over 18 years of age, have their primary residence in Georgia and consent to being a registered agent.
Georgia regulations for businesses state that a registered agent can be any individual resident of Georgia; Domestic corporation or limited liability company; or Foreign corporation or limited liability company with a certificate of authority to transact business in Georgia. It's very common to leverage a registered agent service provider to act as your business' registered agent and receive documents on your behalf.
Can I be my own registered agent in Georgia?
Yes, in the state of Georgia, you can be your own registered agent as long as you are over 18, live in the state and consent to being a registered agent for the business. You can learn more about the requirements to be a registered agent in Georgia by visiting the official state website.
How do you change your registered agent in Georgia?
You can change your registered agent with a form submitted to the Georgia Secretary of State for a fee. Some companies will do this for you if you hire them as a registered agent.
How to choose the best Georgia registered agent service
Selecting the best Georgia registered agent service boils down to your business needs, budget and other factors, such as how soon you want to be notified of any critical correspondence. You may also want to consider looking into additional features like customizable notifications and legal document templates.
Key features to look for
No matter what you're looking for in a Georgia registered agent service, you want to be sure the provider offers the basics.
Here's what to look for:
Add-ons and extras
In addition to key features, other add-ons to look for in a registered service agent include:
Customer service is a critical part of choosing a registered agent. While you hopefully won't get legal notices or process service regularly, knowing you can trust that the mail will be received and processed in an expedited manner is important.
If you choose a registered agent service company for additional business services, you'll want to be able to reach it when it's convenient for you and know you'll be able to get quick and efficient help from a qualified expert.
How much do registered agent services cost in Georgia?
Pricing for registered agent services in Georgia varies between different providers. Many companies charge around $100 to $150 per year for their services. For example, Harbor Compliance costs $99, Better Legal costs $90 and Northwest Registered Agent costs $125.
Other providers cost a bit more, with SunDoc Filings charging $159 per year and ZenBusiness charging $199 per year. Still others cost a considerable amount more. LegalZoom charges $249 per year and Swyft Filings charges $149 per quarter (or $596 per year).
The specific features included in each plan, as well as the optional add-ons can also vary among providers. So, it is important to closely compare offerings and packages before deciding who you want to give your business to.
Additionally, some registered agent services offer options that can save you money. For example, if you sign up for one of Bizee's LLC formation plans (even the free plan), you'll receive a free year of registered agent services. InCorp offers discounted rates for committing to multiple years of registered agent services, bringing the yearly cost down from $129 to $87 with a five-year commitment.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Ashley Gutierrez, Deirdre Mundorf, Eric Rosenberg, Robert Bruce, Sarah Li-Cain and Teresa Bitler also contributed to this article.