One of the first steps to starting a business in Connecticut is choosing a registered agent. When you file your entity formation documents with the Connecticut Secretary of State, Commercial Recording Division, you will need to list the name and address of your registered agent. Whether you hire a commercial service to handle this critical job, appoint a colleague, or choose to be the registered agent for your business, you should understand the requirements and risks. A registered agent is responsible for receiving service of process documents or notices permitted by law to be served upon the corporation.
They must be available at the physical address on file during normal business hours to maintain state compliance. Not being available for a service of process delivery puts your business at risk for fines and penalties. In our own experience, hiring a registered agent is well worth the peace of mind and compliance coverage. We have spent over 15 hours researching various companies to understand who offers the best service for the best value. I have used a few of these registered agent services for my own businesses and would recommend them to new businesses and anyone looking to change service providers. Here are the best registered agents in Connecticut.
N.W. Registered Agent
Northwest Registered Agent is the best overall due to its numerous pros and a minimal number of cons. Perfect for all sorts of registered agent work.
ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness is the ideal choice if you're interested in starting and growing your business with all sorts of registered agent services right at your fingertips.
Harbor Compliance
Harbor Compliance is the best registered agent in Connecticut for monitoring compliance. All documents are processed the same day; perfect if you're in a rush.
Inc Authority
Inc Authority provides highly efficient registered agent services while being very affordable for all sorts of businesses and entrepreneurs.
LegalZoom
LegalZoom is an excellent choice for entrepreneurs who want to do all of their legal correspondence themselves with certain helpful features.
What Is the Best Registered Agent Service in Connecticut?
1. Northwest Registered Agent
Best Overall Registered Agent in Connecticut ($125/year)
Northwest Registered Agent provides premium business services, from starting a business to maintaining compliance. As your registered agent, their local office will be the point of contact to ensure your business can always be reached during normal business hours for service of process documents and official mail deliveries. This gives you flexibility, so you don’t need to be available at an office during business hours. Your address is not made public.
They keep you organized with an online business management account for all your official mail and scanned documents, and they will send you compliance and annual report reminders to ensure you are up to date with state requirements. When documents arrive, you can count on same-day scanning and email notifications, and you can request mail forwarding. They are there to make sure important documents can be received and relayed to you and provide compliance support while protecting your personal information.
Pros
- Great Customer Service: Get speedy help over the phone or by email from knowledgeable professionals.
- Business Formation Package Deals: Use their business formation service and get a year of registered agent service, all for $225. Get a discount if you need services in 10 or more states.
- Same-day Scanning and Notifications: Get notified when mail is received and view a scanned copy on your online account.
Cons
- Not the Cheapest: Other companies offer lower prices for similar services.
- Mail Forward Fees: You will be charged additional fees if you need more than five normal business mail documents scanned per year.
- No Free Business Formation: Some registered agent services offer free business formation services when you order a registered agent, but Northwest Registered Agent charges for that.
Pricing
Registered Agent Service ($125/year): Ensure your business can always be reached and stay on top of legal mail and compliance requirements with convenient notifications and quality customer support.
2. ZenBusiness
Best Registered Agent in Connecticut for Startups and Small Businesses ($199/year)
Get quality business support and help with service of process and compliance documents with ZenBusiness registered agent services. As your point of contact, you will not need to worry about being available during normal business hours to receive service of process notices, nor have your address publicly listed. Your registered agent will take care of these mandatory duties, such as relaying important information to you when new mail is received and sending you annual report due date alerts.
They will help ensure your business is in compliance with the state and keep you organized with an online account for all your important documents.
ZenBusiness has a great start-up service for new businesses. If you pay a small fee to form your business with them, they offer one year of registered agent services free. They have great customer reviews averaging 4.3 out of 5 stars on the Better Business Bureau website. They also offer a full array of services, such as tax and accounting help, funding, bookkeeping, and comprehensive reporting, so you can keep up with your business needs all within one company.
Pros
- A Free Year of Registered Agent Services: Order their business formation package for only $49, and get one year of registered agent services for free.
- Quality Customer Care: Call or email their local customer service agents for quality support.
Cons
- Reporting Service Fee: Pay an additional $100 for annual reporting and filing services.
- Excessive Fees: They offer lots of add-ons that can add up quickly, like a $99 EIN fee, which you can get for free from the IRS.
Pricing
Registered Agent Service ($199/year): ZenBusiness can cover your essential business needs, keep digital records of all your received legal mail and make sure you are up to date on service of process while providing a wonderful customer experience.
Service Package Upgrades:
$199/year for pro package
$299/year for premium package
3. Harbor Compliance
Best Registered Agent in Connecticut for Compliance Monitoring ($99/year)
Harbor Compliance registered agent service ensures your business is always able to be reached, maintains compliance, and your legal mail is available at your fingertips 24/7. Get your important mail electronically delivered to your inbox without needing to make yourself physically available at your office or business during normal hours. Have your registered agent send you convenient reminders when it’s time to file annual reports or compliance documents. Keep yourself freed up and organized while they take responsibility for handling these statutory requirements.
Harbor Compliance registered agent services are offered at a competitive price, plus they have additional services you can order for document filing, annual reporting, licensing for regulated industries, payroll tax registration, and more. Find helpful resources in their information center with step-by-step compliance guides for the state of Connecticut.
Pros
- Good Price: Great registered agent service at a competitive price.
- No Hidden Fees: They are clear about what their registered agent service includes and what it does not. No hidden fees.
Cons
- Customer Service: Some reports indicate that their customer service is not very strong.
- No Refund Policy: If you are not satisfied and wish to cancel your service, they will not give you a refund.
Pricing
Registered Agent Service ($99/year): Harbor Compliance has your basic compliance needs covered but may fall short in the customer service department. They will be a reliable point of contact, open during business hours, scan your important mail and send you notifications and compliance alerts.
4. Inc Authority
Best Registered Agent in Connecticut for Affordability ($99/year)
Inc Authority offers a great start-up deal for new businesses. If you want your business formation service to be hassle-free, they will hook you up with free LLC or Corporation filing services and provide one year of registered agent services, all for free. You just pay the state filing fees while they get your entity formed and guide you through the compliance process.
You do have to form your business with them in order to receive registered agent services, so if you have already formed your business, you can cross them off your list. They cover the essential registered agent duties such as scanning your received mail, sending you updates and annual reporting reminders, storing your documents in an online account for your personal records, and maintaining regular business hours for compliance. You can order additional services to help your growing business keep up with compliance.
Pros
- First Year Free: $0 Business formation package includes the first year of registered agent service for free.
- Low Cost: Save time and money with convenient and compliant service.
Cons
- Must Form an LLC: Registered agent services are only available for clients who form their businesses through them.
- Business Package Upgrades: Their business packages do offer you more support but cost upwards of $300 a year.
Pricing
Registered Agent Service (Free first year, then $99/year): Form your business and get a registered agent for the first year for free, then pay $99 per year for a local registered agent to handle your mail receiving, digital document storage, and compliance alerts.
5. LegalZoom
Best Registered Agent for DIY Entrepreneurs ($299/year)
Hire LegalZoom to handle your legal business mail and keep you up to date on annual report deadlines. LegalZoom is a great place for all your business start-up needs; they can register your business with the state and keep you organized and compliant with filing and reporting services, business licensing, tax documentation, and essential registered agent services.
When you order registered agent services, they will list their public address on the formation documents with the state to represent your business for receiving service of process.
You can count on your registered agent to be available 9-to-5 every workday to accept your legal mail, scan your files, upload them to your online account and notify you of any updates. They will also provide automated compliance calendar alerts for tax filing and annual reporting deadlines. Sign up for a business advisory plan for legal consultations if your business needs help with a lawsuit.
Pros
- Chat support
- Business document storage
- Tracking important deadlines
- Renewing licenses
- Compliance alerts
Cons
- Can be expensive for some startups
- Relatively weak free features
Pricing
The registered agent service provided by LegalZoom includes acceptance of business correspondence, along with reminders of tax and annual reporting requirements for $299/year. Although the service is more costly than others, the annual fee includes the cost of Connecticut state filing fees.
6. Rocket Lawyer
Best Risk-Free Registered Agent Option in Connecticut ($149.99/year)
Rocket Lawyer is a chosen registered agent provider by many entrepreneurs because of their comprehensive support, from convenient mail updates and compliance support to fast legal help when you need it. When you sign up, you get a 7-day free trial for access to all their services, plus a satisfaction guarantee, so you can get a refund if you decide to cancel.
A local Connecticut office address will be provided where your business can be reached during normal business hours to receive service of process and maintain compliance. Your files will be easily accessible through your online account so you can stay organized and informed about legal mail. Your registered agent will send you email alerts when new mail is received and when it is time to file an annual report.
Their service provides a layer of protection and privacy for your legal matters. They will let you know if you are being sued so you can handle the case discreetly. Get 25% off registered agent services and additional legal support with a premium member plan.
7. Incfile
Best Registered Agent Customer Support & Services ($119/year)
Incfile serves thousands of small to large businesses across the US and has a local service for Connecticut businesses. Start your business with their free formation service and get a registered agent for the first year for $0.Their services provide you with the freedom and flexibility to operate a compliant business and keep your costs down.
They provide you with a physical address, are open during normal business hours, and represent your business for service of process and legal mail deliveries. They take their responsibility seriously to relay information to you as soon as it is received, record service of process, and help your business maintain compliance.
When important mail is received, they notify you right away and provide digital copies you can view from your online account. Get email notifications so you know when you need to take action or respond to legal mail notices. You can also access a library of free learning guides available to you online and call them when you need quick support.
Pros
- First Year Free: Incfile will file your business documents and provide the first year of registered agent service all for free.
- Instant Savings: Free start-up costs and a low-cost annual renewal.
- Bilingual Customer Support: Incfile’s customer support team can help you in English and Spanish.
Cons
- Lack of 24/7 Support: Incfile’s customer support team is only available between 9AM and 6PM CST.
Pricing
Registered Agent Service (Free first year, then $119/year): A fair price for registered agent service requirements with an easy-to-use interface, convenient alerts, and compliance support.Â
8. InCorp
Quality Registered Agent Service provider in Connecticut ($129/year)
InCorp has business solutions to help you at every step, from entity formation, reporting services, registered agents, and various legal filings. A Connecticut registered agent will take on the responsibility of being available during regular business hours for receiving official mail and service of process and relaying information to you. They put their local office address on file with the state to be the point of contact for your business.
This means you don’t need to publicly list your address to receive service of process notices, protecting your privacy and providing you flexibility. They will scan and upload your received documents to your online account and send you compliance reminders and filing deadlines. With InCorp, you can count on convenient notifications, organization, and great customer service. Discounts apply if you need multi-state services.
9. CSC Global
Best Registered Agent in Connecticut for Global Business Connections ($299/year)
CSC Global offers Connecticut registered agent services for new business entities and established businesses looking to transfer registered agent services. Designate their team to manage your business mail for convenient support and maintain normal business hours so your business can always be reached and stay in good standing with the state. They will receive, scan, and electronically deliver your service of process documents to you and your designated contacts. Another service benefit is the automatic email reminders with the Secretary of State’s annual report and compliance deadlines and fillable PDF forms and eFiling links to save you time and guide you through the process.
Hiring CSC Global helps you stay flexible, protected, and organized with an online dashboard where you can locate your service of process history and order business services as needed. You may notice the price of their service is more costly than some, but it is worth it if you need quality management help with business licenses or legal support.
10. Swyft Filings
Best Registered Agent in Connecticut for Quick Communications ($149/year)
With Swyft Filings as your registered agent, you will have an organized and digitalized system with 24/7 access to your legal mail, never miss a filing deadline, keep up with compliance, and maintain your privacy. Swyft Filings registered agent service is an affordable and professional option with various business management services available for growing businesses in all 50 states.
Their local office will go on file as the point of contact for your business to receive service of process documents and be available during normal business hours to maintain state compliance. When official mail is received, they scan and upload your documents to your online account for convenient access. You will also get compliance notifications and can order reporting services for an additional $99. Find helpful resources online in the learning center, where they have free state guides and tax and finance information.
11. SunDoc Filings
Standard Registered Agent Service in Connecticut ($159/year)
SunDoc offers essential registered agent services, providing you with a secure address to put on file with the state for receiving legal and tax documents on behalf of your business. With SunDoc Filings, you have secure access to your business information, service of process history, and customized reporting tools through your online portal.
The job of your registered agent is to always be available during normal business hours to ensure your business can be reached for state compliance and legal mail deliveries. You will get convenient email alerts when new mail arrives and compliance deadline reminders to stay in good standing with the state. They will also forward legal documents to your attorney on file per your request. Order business formation and document filing services through them to save you time and ensure you meet state requirements.
12. Connecticut Registered Agent
Local Registered Agent Service in Connecticut ($49/year)
Hire a local Connecticut registered agent for a low cost to ensure your business maintains compliance and meets legal requirements. They will provide you with all the essential needs for your business to be able to receive legal mail during standard operating hours and an online account for secure document storage.
Connecticut Registered Agent service will provide you with all the necessary forms pre-populated with their address and information so that you can file with the Connecticut Secretary of State immediately. Get hassle-free service at a great price to ensure the basic necessities are met so you have flexibility and privacy.
View and print your legal documents from your online account and receive email notifications, updates when new mail arrives, and state filing deadline reminders. Their service gives you basic coverage with no hidden fees and no extra fluff.
13. Registered Agents Inc.
Basic Connecticut Registered Agent Services ($200/year)
Registered Agents Inc. provides quality and convenient registered agent services in Connecticut, as well as basic business formation services. Their registered agents accept service of process notices on behalf of the business acting as the communication point between the government and the business to which they’ve been appointed to serve.
Their main duty is to be physically available during office hours at the address on file, a requirement by the state, to receive notice of a lawsuit if your business were to be sued. In addition, they will receive annual reports, tax notifications, and other important mail from the state. When official mail is received, they upload it to your secure online account and send digital notifications right away so you can stay on top of important matters.
They have a personable customer service agent available to help you with your account during normal business hours.
What Is a Connecticut Registered Agent?
A Connecticut registered agent is a person or a third-party service designated to receive service of process notices and correspondence on behalf of the corporation or LLC.
How Can a Connecticut Registered Agent Help Your Business?
A Connecticut registered agent has an essential duty to operate as the point of contact for the business they represent. They are required to be available during business hours to receive service of process documents and relay messages to the business for compliance.
- Point of Contact: Your registered agent is the point of contact for your business to receive and sign for your legal mail.
- Privacy: Your registered agent’s office address will go on public record with the state, so you can keep yours private. If you are sued they will receive the documents and let you know so you can resolve your legal issues discreetly.
- Compliance: Hiring a Connecticut registered agent ensures your business can always be reached, and they will send you annual reporting reminders to ensure your business stays in good standing.
- Convenience: All your legal documents will be scanned and be digitally available to you online for 24/7 access, and you will receive a message when new mail arrives.
Is a Registered Agent Legally Required in Connecticut?
The state of Connecticut requires every business operating in the state to have a registered agent on file as their point of contact to be available during regular business hours to accept legal documentation if needed.
Connecticut Registered Agent Q&A
How Much Does a Connecticut Registered Agent Cost?
Commercial registered agent services in the state of Connecticut range from $49 to $300 annually. Some commercial services offer the first year of service for free when you form your business through them.
Can I Be My Own Registered Agent in Connecticut?
You can be the registered agent for your business. However, you must be an adult, a resident of Connecticut, have a street address, and commit to being available during normal business hours to meet state requirements.
Can a Company in Connecticut Change Its Registered Agent?
Yes, you can file a registered agent change form with the Connecticut Secretary of State and pay a $50 fee or submit an agent change when submitting your annual report. The new agent must accept and confirm service for the change to be effective.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Connecticut Registered Agent?
You can sign up for a commercial registered agent service online in a few minutes. Then you will need to submit the required documents to the secretary of state, which can take a couple of business days to be processed.
N.W. Registered Agent
Northwest Registered Agent is the best overall due to its numerous pros and a minimal number of cons. Perfect for all sorts of registered agent work.
ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness is the ideal choice if you're interested in starting and growing your business with all sorts of registered agent services right at your fingertips.
Harbor Compliance
Harbor Compliance is the best registered agent in Connecticut for monitoring compliance. All documents are processed the same day; perfect if you're in a rush.
Inc Authority
Inc Authority provides highly efficient registered agent services while being very affordable for all sorts of businesses and entrepreneurs.
LegalZoom
LegalZoom is an excellent choice for entrepreneurs who want to do all of their legal correspondence themselves with certain helpful features.