In Massachusetts, LLCs, corporations, and nonprofit organizations are required to appoint and maintain a registered agent in the Commonwealth. The best registered agents in Massachusetts act as an official point of contact for your business and are responsible for accepting important correspondence like service of process.
You can appoint yourself or someone else as long as they are an adult with a physical address; however, it requires the person on file to be available during regular business hours so legal mail can be received.
We have researched, interviewed, and scoured the web, reading hundreds of reviews for a wide range of registered agent services to create this overview and make it easy for you to choose the ideal registered agent for your business. I have used some of these registered agent providers for my own businesses and strongly recommend that other business owners hire a professional to handle this essential service.
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 Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts?
1. Northwest Registered Agent
Best Overall Registered Agent in Massachusetts ($125/year)
Northwest Registered Agent’s competitive prices, great customer service, and convenient online business portal make it a solid choice for Massachusetts businesses. As your appointed registered agent, their office will go on file with the state to keep your personal address off public records. They take on the responsibility of being available during standard business hours to receive service of process for your business. You will get convenient notifications when legal documents are accepted and get access to scanned copies through your online portal.
You can count on Northwest Registered Agent to protect your privacy; they will never sell your data. Additional service benefits include free legal and state mail forwarding, same-day document scanning, annual report compliance reminders, and pre-filled forms with your corporate data for easy filing. Northwest Registered Agent can also help your form your LLC for $29, and that price includes your first year of registered agent services free.
Pros
- Superior Customer Service: Personable phone and email support with a record of 20+ years of customer happiness.
- Cheap LLC Formation Service: You can hire them to form your LLC for $29, which includes the first year of registered agent services for free.
- Same-day Notifications: Service of process and important mail is scanned and sent to you as soon as they are received.
Cons
- Not the Cheapest: Other companies offer lower prices for similar services.
- Additional Service Fees: You will be charged $20 for premium mail forwarding if you need more than five non-legal mail documents scanned and forwarded per year.
- Pricey Add-Ons: They have attorney trademark services for an additional $499 and services that can be considered pricey if you opt to use them.
Pricing
Registered Agent Service ($125/year): Rely on quick notifications, convenient online document access, annual reports, compliance reminders, and quality customer service from Northwest Registered Agent.
2. ZenBusiness
Best Registered Agent in Massachusetts for Startups and Small Businesses ($199/year)
ZenBusiness provides convenient business solutions for established companies and start-ups. This is a great choice for new businesses as they offer the first year of registered agent services free when you use their LLC or Corporation formation service.
ZenBusiness makes your job simple. They put their address on file to receive all your legal business mail, scan it, and make it available to you online. They also send you notifications when new mail is received, compliance alerts, and annual reporting reminders to ensure you stay in good standing with the state.
They have a wide range of other business services, such as tax and accounting services, funding, bookkeeping, and comprehensive reporting, all in one place. ZenBusiness is known for providing great customer service. They have a 4.3 out of 5-star rating on the Better Business Bureau website. Get protection, support, organization, and hassle-free service when you hire ZenBusiness.
Pros
- Low Starter Price: Gets your business established and provides your first year of registered agent services for $49.
- Reliable Support: Top-tier customer care team offers you valuable resources to help your business.
Cons
- Compliance Alerts Not Included: Their basic registered agent annual service fee is $199 and does not include compliance reminders. Compliance alerts cost an additional $50.
- Add-On Expenses: Other services are pricey, such as annual reporting, which costs an additional $100 + state fees.
Pricing
Registered Agent Service ($199/year): ZenBusiness can act as the hub for all your business needs, protecting your privacy and keeping you organized and up to date on service of process.
3. Harbor Compliance
Best Registered Agent in Massachusetts for Compliance Monitoring ($99/year)
Get essential registered agent services for $99 annually and never miss an important legal mail delivery. Harbor Compliance can take care of your business mail, scan your important documents, and notify you about reporting and filing dates to keep your business up-to-date and compliant. When you sign up for their services, you will receive their physical address to put on record with the state, adding a layer of protection between you and your business.
You can rely on them to be available during regular business hours, so you don’t have to be. They will be the point of contact for all your service of process documents and send you alerts when new mail arrives. They make all your legal mail digitally available via an online portal for convenient access and will send you reminders about compliance requirements and annual reporting deadlines. Get support when you need to file reports and peace of mind with same-day notifications and digital copies of your important documents.
Pros
- Affordable: Competitive prices for quality registered agent service.
- No Hidden Fees: Pay the same annual price with no hidden fees or increases.
Cons
- Customer Service: Some reviews state that the customer service process is not great.
- No Refund Policy: If you are unsatisfied or cancel services, they will not issue you a refund.
Pricing
Registered Agent Service ($99/year): Get reliable service with a Harbor Compliance registered agent. Have all your important documents accessible to you online, get alerts when new mail is received, and stay on top of state compliance.
4. Inc Authority
Best Registered Agent in Massachusetts for Affordability ($99/year)
Inc Authority has great registered agent services, and they offer free filing for LLC and Corporation formations. You will need to set up your business through Incfile for their registered agent service. When you sign up for their Entry package, they will prepare your entity formation documents, submit them to the state and appoint their local office as the point of contact for your business. This means they will take responsibility for accepting your service of process and relaying important information to you.
Your registered agent can always be reached during normal business hours. When legal mail is received, they will notify you and send you a scanned copy. You can also access all your business mail and filing information in your client portal. Inc Authority delivers convenient business service and peace of mind at a low price. They also have several package options, including the free Entry deal, Starter, and customized packages for growing businesses.
Pros
- First Year Free: Start your business and get the first year of registered agent services for free.
- Affordable: Low-cost option to maintain compliance.
Cons
- Must Form an LLC: Registered agent services are only available if you file your businesses through them.
- Business Packages Can Be Costly: Their business packages can cost as much as $300 a year.
Pricing
Registered Agent Service (Free first year, then $99/year): Take care of your business formation and registered agent filings for free, all in one place. Then pay $99 a year to renew the service to stay on top of compliance.
5. LegalZoom
Best Registered Agent for DIY Entrepreneurs ($299/year)
LegalZoom has a lot to offer your business, including registered agent services and an industry-leading reputation. Their prices are a little higher than some of their competitors, but you can rely on compliance and convenience. They will go on record with the state as your registered agent to receive all legal correspondence and official documents on behalf of your business. They are always open during business hours to ensure you never miss an important notice.
When important mail arrives, they will notify you immediately. They separate your junk mail and scan all your important official mail, making it available to you via an online portal. Get compliance alerts about tax and annual report deadlines and provide identity theft protection and business credit monitoring. LegalZoom also has a Business Advisory Plan option which includes attorney services for an additional monthly cost.Â
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 Massachusetts state filing fees.
6. Rocket Lawyer
Best Risk-Free Registered Agent Option in Massachusetts ($149.99/year)
Rocket Lawyer registered agent services help keep your business compliant and provide you with convenient access to all your legal documents online. They go on file as the point of contact for your business to receive mail and legal documents for you. Their office is always open during standard business hours, so you never miss a service of process. When they receive official mail, they will scan a copy of the documents, upload it to your online portal and email you.
Rocket Lawyer demonstrates its commitment to its customers with a satisfaction guarantee policy or your money back. They also have a premium member plan that gets you 25% off registered agent services plus access to an attorney for legal consultations. Sign-up and get a 7-day free trial to explore their other services for free.
7. Incfile
Best Registered Agent Customer Support & Services ($119/year)
Incfile provides a low-cost solution for Massachusetts business startups and registered agent services. Since 2004, they have served over 800,000 entrepreneurs, setting business owners up for success. Incfile also offers a free business formation service which includes your first year of registered agent services free.
When you sign up, they will give you all the information you need to appoint them as your registered agent with the state. Their address will go on file for official and legal correspondence for your business. Their office is always open during business hours to ensure your official mail can always be accepted. When legal mail is received, they scan and upload your documents to your dashboard and send you email notifications.
Your registered agent will also keep you updated on compliance and annual reporting reminders. Incfile has additional help resources and tools available to you, such as their business library full of free downloadable learning guides. Get support for your business as it grows with Incfile.
Pros
- First Year Free: Incfile will file your business documents and provide the first year of registered agent service all for free.
- Affordability: Low-cost annual registered agent services.
- 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):Â Incfile delivers convenience and value at a low cost compared to other registered agent services. Their free business formation + first year of registered agent services is hard to beat.
8. InCorp
Quality Registered Agent Service provider in Massachusetts ($129/year)
InCorp has dependable registered agent services to help your Massachusetts business stay up to date on compliance. Since 1998, InCorp has been supporting businesses of all sizes to ensure their legal documents are handled with safety and care in a timely manner. InCorp registered agents will provide your business with an official address where your service of process can safely be received. This relieves you of the responsibility of being present during business hours and keeps you in good standing with the state.
They send you notifications when important mail comes in, and they set you up with a business portal where you can access and store your important legal documents and keep track of compliance calendar alerts. A trusted company, InCorp is dedicated to protecting your personal data and providing reliable service. Discounts apply when you order a few years of registered agent services at a time.
9. SunDoc Filings
Standard Registered Agent Service in Massachusetts ($159/year)
SunDoc is another registered agent service that also offers start-to-finish business formation services. Their registered agent price is reasonable, and they offer filing and annual reporting services at a fair rate if you ever need quick, convenient help. As your point of contact, their physical address will go on record, keeping your information private and giving you freedom and flexibility.
Your registered agent accepts service of process and legal correspondence on behalf of the business. They provide you with an online account where you can access your service of process history and business documents on file. They will scan official mail, send you an email, and forward your legal mail to your attorney on file. SunDoc also has automatic alerts to help you keep track of filing deadlines.
10. Swyft Filings
Best Registered Agent in Massachusetts For Quick Communications ($149/year)
Swyft Filings can be a big help to your Massachusetts business. They have business formation services starting at $49 and premium registered agent services. Their local office and registered agent will go on file as the point of contact to receive your mail and legal documents. Their office is always open during business hours, so you never miss a service of process.
You can count on fast notifications and same-day scanning for your business documents. They will also upload scanned copies of all legal mail to an online account so you can have convenient access. Annual reporting services are not included in the registered agent plan, but they are available for $99 to help you stay on top of compliance. Browse their online learning center for helpful articles, state guides, and information about taxes and finance.
11. CSC Global
Best Registered Agent in Massachusetts for Global Business Connections ($299/year)
CSC Global is a good choice for businesses in Massachusetts that also do business globally. Their basic registered agent service is above the average price point; however, if you ever need legal and global financial assistance, then CSC Global has resources that can help. As your registered agent, you can trust them to be available during regular business hours and accept legal mail, and relay important information to you promptly.
CSC Global has an easy-to-use platform to manage all your registered agent services, data, compliance events, and service of process all in one secure place. They will scan your official mail and send you same-day notifications when legal mail is received. You can also count on them to send you compliance notices and state filing deadlines. Data security is a pillar of their company, and all your legal documents are kept secure in their world-class hosting facilities.
12. Massachusetts Registered Agent LLC
Local Registered Agent Service in Massachusetts ($49/year)
Massachusetts Registered Agent Service can cover the basics and function as the point of contact to ensure your business can receive legal mail during normal business hours. This is the cheapest registered agent service I have come across, and they have no hidden fees.
They are a reliable point of contact with agents on staff at their local office to process your incoming mail. They will receive service of process on your behalf and send you same-day notifications. They also scan and upload your documents to your online account immediately.
Massachusetts Registered Agent Service will save your information so it can be pre-populated in any form you need. They have fast filing solutions and will start your service as soon as you sign up. This is a great budget choice if you just need basic registered agent services and are not looking for extra service add-ons.
13. Resident Agent LLC
Basic Massachusetts Registered Agent Services ($75/year)
Resident Agent LLC is a low-cost, no-frills registered agent service. They will provide you with the pre-filled forms you need to file with the state and appoint them as your registered agent.
You will receive instant access to your online account when you sign up, where you can track your business filing status and view all incoming legal mail.
When service of process notices are received, your registered agent will notify you and make a scanned copy available to you from your online account. You don’t have to worry about checking for updates; they will email you. Compliance alerts and report reminders are also included in their service to help you stay on top of state requirements. Resident Agent LLC is a cheap option, but they don’t have much more to offer or the proven track record and security measures that other agent services provide.
What Is a Massachusetts Registered Agent?
A Massachusetts registered agent is a legal resident of Massachusetts with a physical address open during normal business hours that is appointed to accept service of process and legal mail on behalf of a company.
How Can a Massachusetts Registered Agent Help Your Business?
A Massachusetts registered agent can take care of essential compliance requirements for a business to ensure their legal mail can be received, and they stay in good standing with the state.
- Local Office: A registered agent’s physical address will go on file with the state for receiving legal mail on behalf of your business, keeping your address private.
- Privacy: If your company is sued, your registered agent will accept the service of process for you, saving you any embarrassment of this happening in front of your customers or employees. They can help keep your legal matters private.
- Convenience: Your registered agent will scan your important documents so you can access them online, and they will relay notices or alerts pertaining to your business.
- Compliance: Appointing a Massachusetts registered agent ensures your business can be reached during standard US business hours, Monday-Friday, 9-5, all year round, a requirement with the state of Massachusetts.
Is a Registered Agent Legally Required in Massachusetts?
All businesses in Massachusetts are required to appoint and maintain a registered agent in the Commonwealth.
Massachusetts Registered Agent Q&A
How Much Does a Massachusetts Registered Agent Cost?
A commercial registered agent service can cost between $40 and $300 per year and can save you time, money, and stress in the long run. Some services even offer the first year of registered agent service for free if you form your business with them.
Can I Be My Own Registered Agent in Massachusetts?
You can designate yourself as the registered agent for your business as long as you are an adult with a physical address in Massachusetts and you commit to being available during regular business hours at the address you provide.
Can a Company in Massachusetts Change Its Registered Agent?
A corporation may change its registered agent by filing a statement of change of registered agent. The registered agent’s written consent must be included.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Massachusetts Registered Agent?
Appoint a Massachusetts registered agent online within minutes and file the necessary state documents online. State processing times may vary.
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 Massachusetts 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.