If you are starting a business in Michigan, you will need to appoint a registered agent at the time you file your articles of organization with the Licensing and Regulatory Affairs agency of Michigan.
A Michigan Registered Agent is the person or company who agrees to accept legal mail and notices on behalf of your business. Hiring a commercial registered agent service has many benefits for your business overall, and most importantly, a registered agent makes sure your legal mail can always be received during normal business hours.
This guide will walk you through who the best registered agent is in Michigan, how they can help, what they offer, and what each of these services costs.
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 Michigan 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 Michigan?
1. Northwest Registered Agent
Best Overall Registered Agent in Michigan ($125/year)
Northwest Registered Agent is voted as one of the best registered agent services in the US.
They have serviced over 3 million businesses across all 50 states. They are there to give you flexibility and help you keep your business in good standing with the state. That means they will go on record as the point of contact for your business to accept all service of process for you.
You can rely on your Northwest Registered Agent to be available during normal business hours to ensure all your legal mail is received and important messages are relayed to you. They will notify you when important mail comes and set you up with an online account where you can view all your scanned mail. Northwest Registered Agent has convenient features such as pre-filled forms for fast filing and annual report reminders. They also offer free mail forwarding for up to five documents per year.
Pros
- Excellent Customer Care: Rich history of happy customers, and they offer corporate guides to help you find answers.
- LLC Formation Package Deal: You can get your LLC formed and your first year of registered agent service, all for $225. Bulk service discounts apply for business services across 10 or more states.
- Streamlined Service: Get new mail notifications as soon as it’s received and view a copy from your online account.
Cons
- Not the Cheapest: Other companies offer lower prices for similar services.
- Additional Fees: Some fees apply if you need additional services, such as $20 for unlimited mail forwarding and annual reporting fees.
- Costly Upsells: They have some legal services available; however, they may be costly and not required.
Pricing
Registered Agent Service ($125/year): Northwest Registered Agent will keep you up to date on legal mail and state compliance with a user-friendly platform to monitor for legal document storage.
2. ZenBusinessÂ
Best Registered Agent in Michigan for Startups and Small Businesses ($199/year)
ZenBusiness is a preferred registered agent provider and an all-around great place for any new business to get help with essential tasks. They rank 4.3 out of 5 stars on the Better Business Bureau website. They offer a low-cost business formation package that includes a free year of registered agent service. They also provide various business management services, such as tax filing, accounting, funding, bookkeeping, and comprehensive reporting.
Sign up with ZenBusiness for registered agent services, and they will walk you through the process to make them your point of contact. You can relax knowing they will always be open during normal business hours to receive service of process, so you don’t have to. When they receive important mail, they scan the documents and notify you so you can view and print what you need and never miss important legal mail. They also have an automated system to send you reminders about annual reporting.
Pros
- Business Formation Deal: Get your business formation filing done for $49 + state fees, plus the first year of registered agent services free.
- Good Customer Reviews: They have a good reputation for providing quality service, plus they have a free library full of business tips.
Cons
- Compliance and Reporting Fees: Compliance alerts are an extra $50 annually, and reporting service is another $100 + state fees.
- Unnecessary Upsells: They charge $99 for an EIN number, and you can get that free through the IRS.
Pricing
Registered Agent Service ($199/year): Save time and automate your business with ZenBusiness registered agent service. They will organize your legal mail, send you notifications, and offer filing support, to keep you up to date on legal filings.
3. Harbor Compliance
Best Registered Agent in Michigan for Compliance Monitoring ($99/year)
Harbor Compliance provides quality registered agent services at a competitive price. You can sign up for their registered agent service online and appoint them as your registered agent when you file your formation documents with the state. They make your job easy by providing you with state-required pre-filled forms for fast filing.
As your official registered agent, they go on record as the point of contact to receive service of process on behalf of your business. Their Michigan headquarters will be open during normal business hours to ensure your legal mail can be received and processed. When mail arrives for you, they notify you and scan your documents, making them available to you instantly. You can also have your legal mail forwarded to your attorney. Harbor Compliance keeps you up to date with its convenient business management software, protects your privacy, and allows you to be flexible, so you don’t have to be responsible for legal mail deliveries and keeps your business in good standing with the state.
Pros
- Competitive Service Fee: Covers all registered agent service essentials at a competitive rate.
- No Hidden Fees: Pay the same fee annually, with no surprises or price changes.
Cons
- Annual Reporting Service Fee: Annual report reminders are free; however, filing service costs an additional $175
- No Refund Policy: No refund if you decide to change service providers.
Pricing
Registered Agent Service ($99/year): Stay up to date on legal notices with same-day mail alerts and keep your business in good standing with the state with their convenient business management software.
4. Inc Authority
Best Registered Agent in Michigan for Affordability ($99/year)
Launch your business with Inc Authority. They offer an incredible free service for startups. They will help you file your formation documents and provide you with a year of registered agent service for $0. If you appoint Inc Authority as your registered agent, their local Michigan address will go on file, and they will receive your legal mail and notify you when mail arrives. Their service also includes document scanning, online mail storage, and same-day email notifications, so you can stay current on mail and legal notices. Keep all your important documents and view your legal mail from one place with their convenient online platform.
Inc Authority has more to offer with their business packages; however, their basic entry package has what you need to get started, including checking your business name, filing entity formation documents to the state, a free year of registered agent service, digital document storage, customer support, tax consultation, and business funding support and credit analysis.
Pros
- Free Business Formation: Get your LLC formed and the first year of registered agent service all for free with Inc Authority.
- Great Annual Rate: You will be billed $99 annually for registered agent service, which includes complimentary compliance notifications.
Cons
- Exclusively for Start-ups: Registered agent services are only offered to businesses that file their formation papers through them.
- No Annual Reporting: They do not provide an annual reporting service.
Pricing
Registered Agent Service (Free first year, then $99/year): Inc Authority is a hassle-free solution for new businesses to form their LLC and get a year of registered agent service all for free. It only costs $99 to maintain registered agent service year- to year.
5. LegalZoom
Best Registered Agent for DIY Entrepreneurs ($299/year)
LegalZoom is another platform with a host of business solutions. They have quality registered agent service, but their prices are a bit higher than most competitors. You can also get help with business formation, annual report filing, tax services, business licenses, legal help, trademark services, and more through LegalZoom.
Sign up for their basic registered agent service, and their physical address will be your business’s point of contact for all service of process and legal mail deliveries. When they receive your business mail, they will upload a copy to your online portal and send you a notification.
You can view and print your legal documents and find state compliance alerts on your online account. Their registered agent service plan also includes identity theft protection and business credit monitoring. If you need their legal resources, their Business Advisory Plan could be a valuable resource for your business.
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 Michigan state filing fees.
6. Rocket Lawyer
Best Risk-Free Registered Agent Option in Michigan ($149.99/year)
Rocket Lawyer can provide essential registered agent services for small to large businesses.
Your registered agent makes your job easier by being a reliable point of contact. Their office will always be open during normal business hours to accept official government documents on your behalf. Rocket Lawyer will help out with some of the administrative tasks, like separating important mail from junk mail, sending you new mail notices, compliance alerts, and annual reporting reminders so you stay in good standing with the state.
You will get email notifications when new mail is delivered and be able to view a scanned copy from your online dashboard. Get a 25% discount on their registered agent service when you sign up for a premium member plan. Upon signing up, they add on a 7-day free trial to explore their other services and a money-back guarantee if you are not satisfied.
7. Incfile
Best Registered Agent Customer Support & Services ($119/year)
Incfile is another popular service offered at a competitive rate. They have a free business formation package that includes the first year of registered agent services at no charge. That’s right; they help businesses get established for free and help you maintain compliance along the way. Appoint them as your registered agent, and you can take advantage of their convenient service for sending and receiving alerts pertaining to new legal mail, state compliance, and annual reporting.
As your designated point of contact, you can rely on Incfile registered agents to always be available during normal business hours. Their local office goes on file with the state, adding an extra layer of protection to you. If you were sued, they would receive the papers and discreetly notify you so you could keep your legal matters private. When they receive mail on your behalf, they notify you and upload it to your account for 24/7 access. You can also find free learning guides and business management articles on their webpage.
Pros
- Free Formation Package: Get free business formation service and your first year of registered agent care at no cost.
- Low-Cost Renewal Price: After your first year of free service, you will pay an annual rate of $119.
- 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): Incfile’s free business formation offer is hard to beat. Their registered agent service helps you stay on top of mail and keeps you organized and compliant at a low annual cost.
8. InCorp
Quality Registered Agent Service Provider in Michigan ($129/year)
InCorp is another commercial registered agent service available to businesses in all 50 states.
Sign up for service on their website, and get the information you need for your formation paperwork, or change your registered agent with the state. As your point of contact, InCorp registered agents will be available during normal business hours to receive mail on your behalf.
Their online entity management system keeps track of all your business filings, official mail, and reporting deadlines to keep you in good standing with the state. When you get official mail, they notify you and forward your important documents. You can also order additional services online, such as business licensing, annual report filing, trademarks, and amendments.
They also have discounts for multi-state business services and for those who pay upfront for a few years of service at a time.
9. SunDoc Filings
Standard Registered Agent Service in Michigan ($159/year)
SunDoc Filings’ registered agent service makes business mail management simple. When you sign up for service, they will provide you with a secure address to put on file with the state. Their main job is to be available during normal business hours to receive legal mail on behalf of your business. They will accept official mail for you, scan it, upload it to your online account and notify you. SunDoc Filings will also send you email alerts for annual reporting and state filing deadlines, so you stay up to date on compliance.
If your business were to be sued, they would be the one to receive service of process and let you know via email, so you can handle your legal matters discreetly. They also make all your service of process available to you online for convenient access and recording.
10. Swyft Filings
Best Registered Agent in Michigan for Quick Communications ($149/year)
Swyft Filings can help you with your business from start to finish. You can get business formation service, sign up for reliable registered agent service, and annual report filing service all at a competitive price. For registered agent service, they will go on record with the state to accept service of process on behalf of your business. Their local Michigan office will always be open during standard business hours to ensure legal mail can always be delivered, so your business stays compliant.
When they receive official mail, they upload the documents to your online account and send you an email notification, so you stay informed. They can also help you keep track of deadlines for annual reporting. Sign on to the platform to view your mail history and access their free online learning center full of business resources, state guides, and tax and finance information.
11. CSC Global
Best Registered Agent in Michigan for Global Business Connections ($299/year)
CSC Global is one of the more expensive registered agent services compared to the others listed here. They provide a premium service that caters to large businesses operating in multiple states and internationally. They do offer a variety of business management services, including legal and global financial assistance.
If you just need basic registered agent service, you can appoint them to accept service of process for you and send you new mail alerts. As your business representative, they will be available during normal business hours to receive official mail and scan your documents, so you have access to your legal mail through your online portal. You can manage your annual reports, corporate filings, service of process (SOP), litigation, deals, business licenses, and contracts, all from your online account.
12. Resident Agent LLC
Local Registered Agent Service in Michigan ($97/year)
You can get basic registered agent services for a low cost with Michigan Resident Agent LLC. Their Michigan office will go on file with the state to receive official mail for your business. This adds more protection around you and your business, keeping your schedule flexible and your legal matters discreet. Your registered agent will be available during standard business hours, ensuring mail can be accepted to keep you in good standing with the state.
When you get important mail, they will send you an email and scan and make copies available to you online. Michigan Resident Agent LLC also includes compliance and annual report reminders as a part of their standard registered agent service, helping you stay current and up to date on state requirements. If you want other business services, you will need to go elsewhere, as they do not have annual reporting, legal, or tax services.
13. Michigan Registered Agent
Low-Cost Michigan Registered Agent Services ($49/year)
The lowest cost Michigan Registered Agent service we found is Michigan Registered Agent, for only $49 a year. Save money and time, and receive service instantly upon signing up online. They also offer expedited 1-day business formation packages for LLCs and incorporations.
Your registered agent will function as your point of contact to accept service of process for your business and keep you up to date on your compliance needs. Their office will always be open during standard business hours to ensure legal mail can always be accepted, keeping you in good standing with the state. When mail comes in, they scan it, upload a copy to your online account, and notify you to ensure important correspondence is received. You can also get complimentary reminders when you need to file your annual report. Their service is basic, but it handles all the essentials.
What Is a Michigan Registered Agent?
A Michigan Registered Agent is a person or company who is appointed to represent your business for receiving service of process and legal mail deliveries. They will be available at a physical address during standard business hours to accept documents and notify you, so you stay on top of legal requirements and deadlines.
How Can a Michigan Registered Agent Help Your Business?
A Michigan registered agent can help you stay compliant and up to date on legal correspondence to stay in good standing with the state.
Keep Your Business in Good Standing: Your registered agent will be available during standard business hours to accept service of process on behalf of your business. This means you do not need to be available at a physical office for official mail deliveries. This safeguards your business, ensuring legal mail can be received, and keeps your business in good standing with the state.
Privacy and Protection: Your registered agent’s address will go on record with the state as the point of contact for your business mail. This keeps your personal address private and gives you a layer of protection if you were sued so you can handle the matter confidentially.
Digital Document Storage: A commercial registered agent will scan and upload your official mail to make it available to you through your online account. This makes it easy to keep your service of process records organized.
Is a Registered Agent Legally Required in Michigan?
Michigan businesses must appoint a registered agent upon filing Articles of Organization and keep an active registered agent on file to stay compliant. You can hire a commercial service to handle this essential job and keep you up to date on legal mail or appoint yourself or a colleague who is a Michigan resident.
Michigan Registered Agent Q&A
How Much Does a Michigan Registered Agent Cost?
Hiring a registered agent service can cost as low as $49 and up to $300 annually for premium service.
Can I Be My Own Registered Agent in Michigan?
You can appoint yourself to be the registered agent for your Michigan business; however, it limits your flexibility and requires you to be available at the physical location on file for accepting service of process.
Can a Company in Michigan Change Its Registered Agent?
You can change your registered agent or address of the registered office at any time by submitting a Certificate of Change form CSCL/CD-520.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Michigan Registered Agent?
Signing up for a registered agent is a fast process that can be done online within minutes. You will need to submit your agent’s information upon the formation of your business or submit a notice of change form. Processing times with the state 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 Michigan 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.