Most LLC owners pay $100 to $200 a year for the service and another $0 to $300 for the state annual report. Miss the renewal and those numbers can triple. Here is what you actually pay, broken down by line item.
Numbers are 2026 ranges based on published provider pricing and Secretary of State fee schedules.
| What you pay for | Who you pay | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Registered agent service | Provider (Northwest, Harbor Compliance, LegalZoom, etc.) | $50–$300 / year |
| State annual report fee | Secretary of State | $0–$300 / year |
| Franchise tax applies in some states | State (TX, CA, DE, NY, others) | $50–$800+ / year |
| Late filing penalty if you miss the annual report | State | $25–$400 |
| Reinstatement after dissolution | State + back fees | $200–$800+ total |
Get a reminder 30 to 60 days before your renewal so you can compare prices.
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Most providers split pricing into two tiers: a discounted first-year rate to win signups and a higher renewal rate from year two onward. Watch for that split when you compare quotes.
Prices change. Always verify on the provider's site before renewing — the cheapest option last year is rarely the cheapest this year.
This is the part most LLC owners forget when calculating renewal cost. The state filing is its own bill, due on its own schedule, paid separately from the service.
Always check the current Secretary of State schedule for your state — the numbers above are representative but not exhaustive, and fees can change year to year.
Here is the math nobody puts in the renewal invoice. The service fee is the smallest line item in the worst case.
| Scenario | What it costs |
|---|---|
| Renew on time, no switch | $100–$200 service + state fee |
| Renew on time, switch to cheaper provider | $50–$125 service + state fee — saves $50–$100 |
| Miss renewal, scramble to reinstate within 30 days | $150–$400 (service + reinstated late fees) |
| Miss renewal, dissolved, reinstate within 1 year | $400–$1,000+ (back filings + reinstatement + service) |
| Miss renewal, dissolved 1–3 years, recover full standing | $800–$2,500+ depending on state and number of missed reports |
The reminder is the gap between row one and row five. One email 30 days before your service expires costs nothing and prevents the entire cost cascade above.
The most cost-effective thing you can do for your LLC this year is set a free reminder for the renewal date. See the main registered agent renewal guide for the setup, or what happens if you skip it if you want to see the worst-case scenarios spelled out.
Service fees typically range from $50 to $300 per year for most providers. The most common bracket is $100 to $150 annually. Premium services charging $250+ usually bundle mail scanning, business address, or compliance tools. Budget services exist at $35 to $50 in specific states.
State-specific services like Texas Registered Agent ($35–$50) or Harvard Business Services tend to undercut the national providers. Northwest at $125/year is the lowest of the well-known national options. Some budget services hit $35 to $40 but with thin support and few features.
Yes. Your registered agent service fee is what you pay the provider. Separately, your state charges an annual report fee (or biennial) that you pay directly to the Secretary of State. State fees range from $0 in a few states (Ohio, Arizona) to $300+ in California and Massachusetts.
Most providers advertise a discounted first-year price to win signups, then renew at the regular rate. Common pattern: $99 in year one, $149 to $200 from year two onward. If you got a deep discount initially, expect a jump at renewal. Comparing alternatives before renewing usually saves $30 to $100 a year.
Depends how far you let it slide. A late renewal with your existing provider usually just costs the renewal fee. A missed state annual report adds $25 to $400 in late fees. Administrative dissolution and reinstatement combined can run $200 to $800+ in state fees alone, plus any back filings.
In most states, yes. You need a physical address in the state and you must be available at that address during business hours to accept service of process. You still pay state filing fees, but you skip the service fee entirely. The trade-offs are privacy (your home address goes on the public record) and reliability (you have to be there when a process server shows up).
Almost never. Most services charge for the registered agent representation only. Filing the annual report on your behalf is usually a separate fee — typically $50 to $100 — or a feature of higher-tier plans. Read the renewal invoice carefully so you know what is and is not included.
Free reminder 30 to 60 days before your renewal — long enough to compare prices, switch providers, or file the state report without the rush.
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