Are you on track to start a new business endeavor in New Jersey? There are a few steps to getting your business formed, and one thing you will need to consider is who to appoint as your registered agent. Below we have listed and reviewed the best registered agents in New Jersey. Hiring a registered agent is well worth the peace of mind and compliance coverage. We have spent over 15 hours researching and comparing various services to put together this guide and make it easy for you to select the right registered agent for your business.
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 New Jersey 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.
When forming a business, the State of New Jersey Department of the Treasury requires you to designate a registered agent. A registered agent will function as the point of contact for your business for receiving service of process documents or notices permitted by law to be served upon the corporation.
They will be available at a physical office during business hours to accept your legal mail to keep you compliant and ensure you don’t miss an important delivery. It is important that the person you appoint to this role understands the requirements. Not being available for a service of process delivery puts your business at risk for fines and penalties.
What Is the Best Registered Agent Service in New Jersey?
1. Northwest Registered Agent
Best Overall Registered Agent in New Jersey ($125/year)
Northwest Registered Agent is one of the leaders in providing premium registered agent services at a competitive price. They can help you get your business formed and maintain compliance with a reliable registered agent. When you appoint them, you will put their local office address and contact information on file with the state as the point of contact for your business. This ensures your business can always be reached during normal business hours for service of process documents and official mail deliveries.
Their service provides flexibility, so you don’t need to be available at an office during business hours, and your address will not have to go on public record. Your registered agent keeps you
organized with an online business management account where you can access all your official mail and scanned documents. When mail arrives, they send you same-day alerts and scan a copy of your important mail so you can view it from your account. You will also receive compliance and annual report reminders to ensure you are up to date with state requirements.
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.
- 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: They do not offer free business formation services, but some of their competitors do.
Pricing
Registered Agent Service ($125/year): Stay compliant by ensuring your service of process is accepted and sent to you, and get convenient notifications about filing requirements.
2. ZenBusiness
Best Registered Agent in New Jersey for Startups and Small Businesses ($199/year)
If you need some support running your business and keeping up with all the to-do’s, ZenBusiness has solutions for you. You can hire them to be your registered agent and more.
They have a full array of services for taxes and accounting, funding, bookkeeping, and comprehensive reporting, so you can get all your compliance needs met in one place.
When you appoint them as your registered agent, 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. As your point of contact, they will manage these requirements, such as receiving your mail, relaying important information to you, and sending you annual report reminder alerts. They will help keep you compliant and organized with an online account where you can find all your important mail and legal documents that they receive on your behalf. You can get your business formed through them for a small fee, and they will give you the first year of registered agent services free. Check out their customer review ratings (4.3 out of 5 stars) on the Better Business Bureau website.
Pros
- Business Formation Deal: Order their business formation package for only $49, and get one year of registered agent services for free.
- Convenient Customer Help: Call or email and get help right away from a local customer service agent.
Cons
- Reporting Service Fee: Pay an additional $100 for annual reporting and filing services.
- Excessive Fees: They charge a $99 EIN fee, which you can get for free through the IRS.
Pricing
Registered Agent Service ($199/year): ZenBusiness provides reliable registered agent services keeping businesses organized and compliant, with same-day notifications and an online account to access their scanned mail. They also offer premium business plan upgrades for additional service benefits.
3. Harbor Compliance
Best Registered Agent in New Jersey for Compliance Monitoring ($99/year)
Harbor Compliance makes it easy for business owners to keep track of their incoming mail and compliance requirements. Their registered agent service ensures your business can be reached during normal business hours so your important mail can always be accepted. You can count on incoming mail alerts, and you can view a copy of your official mail and documents from an online account. This makes it easy for you to keep track of mail and meet state compliance requirements without needing to make yourself physically available at your office or business during normal hours.
Your registered agent will also send you convenient reminders when it’s time to file annual reports or compliance documents. If you would like additional services, Harbor Compliance also has services for document filing, annual reporting, licensing for regulated industries, payroll tax registration, and more. Get started by signing up online, and they will walk you through the filing process to get set up. You can also find helpful resources in their information center and step-by-step compliance guides for the state of New Jersey.
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 can cover your compliance needs and manage your mail at a competitive price. You can count on them to be open during business hours to accept your mail and scan your important documents and keep you notified.
4. Inc Authority
Best Registered Agent in New Jersey for Affordability ($99/year)
Inc Authority has a free business formation service that includes one year of registered agent services, all for free. You do have to form your business with them in order to use their registered agent services, so if you have already formed your business, you can cross this option off your list. Inc Authority streamlines the process of getting your new business established while saving you money. You are responsible for paying the state filing fees, and they will take care of the rest hassle-free.
As your registered agent, they will cover the essential requirements such as maintaining regular business hours for compliance, receiving your official mail and scanning important documents, sending you updates and annual reporting reminders, and making all your documents and mail available to you through an online account. Your registered agent will ensure your important mail deliveries are never missed. As your business grows, they have business packages with additional services to help you along the way.
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): Get your business formed and your first year of registered agent services for free, then pay $99 each year to maintain service, meet compliance requirements, and stay organized.
5. LegalZoom
Best Registered Agent for DIY Entrepreneurs ($299/year)
LegalZoom is another business support service that offers registered agent services. With LegalZoom, you can get your business formed, order filing and reporting services, business licensing, tax documentation, and essential registered agent services. As your registered agent, they will list their public address on your formation documents that you file with the state to represent your business for receiving service of process.
They will 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. You can count on them to keep you on top of important mail, and they provide automated compliance calendar alerts for tax filing and annual reporting deadlines. If you need legal consultations in case of a lawsuit, you can upgrade to a business advisory plan.
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 New Jersey state filing fees.
6. Rocket Lawyer
Best Risk-Free Registered Agent Option in New Jersey ($149.99/year)
Rocket Lawyer can help your business stay on top of service of process and compliance requirements. Their registered agent service makes it easy for business owners to be flexible and stay on top of important filings and service of process. When you sign up for registered agent service, they give you a 7-day free trial, so you can access all their services. Their service also comes with a satisfaction guarantee, so if you are unhappy with their service, they will give you a refund.
As your registered agent, their local New Jersey office address will go on file as the point of contact and can be reached during normal business hours to accept official mail and keep you compliant. This provides a layer of protection and privacy, keeping your personal address off the public record. Your registered agent will send you email alerts when new mail is received for annual report filings, and you will have instant access to your mail records through your online portal.
7. Incfile
Best Registered Agent Customer Support & Services ($119/year)
Incfile has been a top choice for thousands of small to large businesses across the US. This is because they will take care of forming your business for free, making sure your documents are filed correctly, plus they will provide the first year of registered agent services for $0. This means all you do is pay the state fees, and the rest is free.
Appointing them as your registered agent provides you with the freedom and flexibility to operate your business on your terms while they ensure your service of process can be received and your business maintains compliance. Their physical address will go on record, and they will be open during normal business hours to accept legal mail deliveries. When important mail is received, they notify you right away and provide digital copies you can view from your online account. Get email notifications as soon as new mail comes in, so you don’t have to worry about missing important information and deadlines. They also have an online library of free learning guides full of business tips available to you. Call or message them on their website for account 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): Incfile makes it easy to keep track of your official mail form anywhere, with same-day alerts and an easy-to-use online account where you can access your service of process and compliance requirements.
8. InCorp
Quality Registered Agent Service provider in New Jersey ($129/year)
InCorp has business solutions to help entrepreneurs start to finish, from entity formation, reporting services, registered agents, and various legal filing services. You can sign up for registered agent service online and put their office address on file with the state as the point of contact for your business. This means they will take on the responsibility to be available during regular business hours to receive official mail and service of process and relay important information to you.
You won’t have to make your personal address public record or be available for legal mail; your agent will take care of these requirements, giving you protection and flexibility. When mail is accepted for you, they will scan and upload a copy to your online account and send you a notification. You will also get compliance alerts and filing deadline reminders, to stay in good standing with the state.
9. CSC Global
Best Registered Agent in New Jersey for Global Business Connections ($299/year)
CSC Global has business management solutions for local New Jersey businesses. 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.
As your registered agent service provider, they will maintain normal business hours so your business can always be reached and stay in good standing with the state. Their main responsibility is to make sure your official mail is received, and messages are relayed to you. They will accept, scan, and make your service of process documents available to you right away on your online account. They also provide automatic email reminders with the state’s annual report and compliance requirements and pre-filled PDF forms and eFiling links to save you time and guide you through the process. Their service is pricier than other services; however, if you need global financial assistance, business licensing, or legal support, they can help.
10. Swyft Filings
Best Registered Agent in New Jersey for Quick Communications ($149/year)
Swyft Filings has solutions to make it easy for you to manage your business mail and service of process conveniently and privately. This registered agent service is an affordable and secure option, with many other support services available for growing businesses. They will provide you with an online account where you can easily access all your important mail and service of process 24/7.
Their registered agents are available during normal business hours at the office on file so your business never misses mail deliveries or filing deadlines. Swyft Filings’ registered agents will scan and upload your official mail documents to your online account and send you a notification as soon as mail is received. They will also send you compliance notifications, and you can order reporting services for an additional $99. Get free state guides and tax and financial resources in their online learning center.
11. SunDoc Filings
Standard Registered Agent Service in New Jersey ($159/year)
SunDoc Filings gives you a secure address for receiving your legal mail and a reliable registered agent dedicated to your account. Your registered agent will go on file with the state for receiving service of process on behalf of your business. They will be available during standard business hours to ensure mail can be accepted and your business stays compliant. SunDoc Filings has a secure and easy-to-use online portal where you can view your service of process history and get customized reporting tools. They will also send you convenient email alerts when new mail arrives and compliance deadline reminders to stay in good standing with the state. You can also get help with business formation and document filing services to save you time and ensure you meet state compliance requirements.
12. New Jersey Registered Agent
Local Registered Agent Service in New Jersey ($49/year)
Hire a low-cost local New Jersey registered agent to make sure your business meets the basic requirements and can receive legal mail. New Jersey Registered Agent is a hassle-free service that will provide you with an address and will be available to receive your service of process during standard operating hours. They also provide you with an online account for document storage, where you can access your mail from anywhere.
New Jersey Registered Agent service has pre-populated forms with their address and information to make your filing process easier. Simply sign up for service and submit the documentation to the state, and they will start receiving mail for you. You can count on same-day alerts when new mail arrives and state filing deadline reminders. Their service is basic and will cover the essentials with no hidden fees or extra service add-ons.
13. New Jersey Resident Agent LLC
Basic New Jersey Registered Agent Services ($75/year)
New Jersey Resident Agent LLC is a simple service that can set you up with a reliable registered agent, a secure address, and an online account where you can find all your business mail. They only offer registered agent services and nothing more. You will get access to a compliance calendar, report reminders, state resources, state status notices, and receive same-day alerts when new mail comes in.
As your point of contact, they function as the communication point between the government and your business. This means all your service of process and official legal mail will be sent to them. Their office will always be open during normal business hours, so you won’t ever miss important mail. They help you stay compliant by keeping you up to date with mail and filings and being physically available during office hours at the address on file.
What Is a New Jersey Registered Agent?
A New Jersey registered agent is appointed to represent a business to receive official mail and service of process from the state.
How Can a New Jersey Registered Agent Help Your Business?
A professional New Jersey registered agent service will ensure your legal mail can be accepted and that you are notified right away. This helps you stay on top of deadlines and keeps your business compliant.
- Point of Contact: Your registered agent is the point of contact for your business and will accept official mail and service of process for you.
- Privacy: Your registered agent’s office address goes on file with the state, so you don’t have to use your personal address. In case of a lawsuit, your registered agent will accept the documents and let you know right away, so you can resolve your legal issues discreetly.
- Compliance: Hiring a New Jersey registered agent can help you meet compliance requirements by ensuring your business can be reached. They can also send you annual reporting reminders, so you stay on top of your state filings.
- Convenience: All your legal documents will be scanned and 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 New Jersey?
The state of New Jersey requires you to put your registered agent’s information on file at the time of forming your business. You will also need to maintain an active registered agent to stay compliant.
New Jersey Registered Agent Q&A
How Much Does a New Jersey Registered Agent Cost?
Hiring a professional registered agent service like the ones listed above will cost you anywhere from $49 to $300 annually. You will find that some commercial registered agent services offer the first year of service free if you form your business through them.
Can I Be My Own Registered Agent in New Jersey?
You can appoint yourself to be the registered agent for your business as long as you are a state resident and you have a physical address you can put on file for receiving legal mail.
You will also need to make yourself available at the address on file during normal business hours to stay compliant.
Can a Company in New Jersey Change Its Registered Agent?
You can change your New Jersey registered agent by completing a change form online and submitting it to the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services, along with a $25 filing fee.
How Long Does It Take to Get a New Jersey Registered Agent?
You can sign up for a commercial registered agent service online in a few minutes. Then you will need to record your registered agent’s information at the time of formation. Allow two business days for the state to confirm your submission and show an activated status.
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 New Jersey 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.