As a team of entrepreneur, we’ve used some of the registered agents below personally and they are well worth the small annual fee. We’ve spent over 20+ hours researching and comparing services to provide you with this comprehensive guide to help you find the best registered agents in Ohio for your business needs.
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 Ohio 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.
If you are starting a business in Ohio, you are required to appoint a registered agent, also known as a statutory agent, when filing your business formation documents with the Secretary of State. Your registered agent must consent to be the point of contact for receiving all legal and compliance documents pertaining to your business. They are obligated to be available at the physical location on file during normal business hours to ensure your business can receive service of process.
For this reason, most businesses hire a commercial registered agent because they guarantee your mail will be received and recorded, keeping your business compliant. Not having a reliable registered agent, you risk missing a legal mail delivery, filing deadlines, and having confidential information end up in the wrong hands.
What Is the Best Registered Agent Service in Ohio?
1. Northwest Registered Agent
Best Overall Registered Agent in Ohio ($125/year)
Northwest Registered Agent is known for quality and compliant service. You can appoint them to be the point of contact for your business, and they will ensure your important mail will be received and securely handled, recorded, and passed onto you on the same day. Hiring them as your agent keeps your personal address private and gives you flexibility. They notify you and provide you with a copy of all important mail, so you don’t have to be available during normal business hours.
Northwest Registered Agent has superior customer service, affordable services, and they hold a high standard of privacy by default – your data will never be sold. You will get an online portal where you can manage your mail and view upcoming filing deadlines. You can rely on same-day notifications, mail forwarding, annual report and compliance reminders, and get pre-filled forms with your business information for easy filing. Northwest Registered Agent also has a full start-up service, including business formation and registered agent services.
Pros
- Superior Customer Service: Personable support with a record of 20+ years of customer happiness.
- Business Formation Package for Start ups: Get your filings taken care of and get your registered agent service, all for $225.
- Same-day mail updates: Important documents are scanned upon arrival and available to you online.
Cons
- Not the cheapest: Other companies offer lower prices for similar services.
- Additional expenses: You will be charged additional fees if you need more than 5 normal business mail documents scanned yearly.
- Other add-on services can be expensive: While not required, they offer other add-on services that can be considered pricey if you opt to use them.
Pricing
Registered Agent Service ($125/year): Keep your business on track with same-day mail alerts, privacy protection, compliance reminders, and online access to your service of process history.
Additional add-on services:
$20 for premium mail forwarding
$499 for attorney trademark services
2. ZenBusiness
Best Registered Agent in Ohio for Startups and Small Businesses ($199/year)
If you are starting a business, partnering with ZenBusiness is a great choice. They have a convenient, low-cost business formation service that gives you the first year of registered agent service for free. As your point of contact, ZenBusiness will be available during normal business hours to receive your service of process and notify you about important documents or legal matters that require your attention.
You will have access to an online portal where you can find your scanned documents and annual reporting deadlines to keep you in good standing with the State Secretary of Ohio. In addition, they have many other business services available to order, such as tax and accounting services, funding, bookkeeping, and comprehensive reporting, all in one place. ZenBusiness also has reliable customer support, and their reviews on the Better Business Bureau average 4.3 out of 5 stars.
Pros
- Convenient Business Formation: Gets your business established for $49 and get your first year of registered agent service for free.
- Reliable Customer Support: They have great customer service and provide valuable resources to help your business.
Cons
- Compliance Alerts Not Included: To receive compliance alerts for state filing and reporting timelines, they charge an additional $50.
- Add-on Expenses: Other services are pricey, such as their reporting service, which costs an additional $100 + state fees.
Pricing
Registered Agent Service ($199/year): ZenBusiness can act as the hub for all your business needs, keeping you organized and compliant with online access to your service of process.
Additional add-on services:
$49 first year starter package: Form your LLC + registered agent services & compliance support
$199/yearly for pro package
$299/yearly for premium package
3. Harbor Compliance
Best Registered Agent in Ohio for Compliance Monitoring ($99/year)
Harbor compliance has quality registered agent services for a great price. Their service makes it easy to stay flexible and compliant by functioning as your point of contact, and keeping your personal address off of the public record. They will take on the responsibility of being available during normal business hours to receive important mail and legal documents on behalf of your business. You won’t need to check in; they will send you a notification and a scanned copy when official mail is received and make sure you never miss an important delivery.
Harbor compliance registered agent service includes local document scanning, same-day electronic delivery, and compliance alerts about annual report filing. Your registered agent will also notify you about reporting and filing dates to keep your business in good standing with the state of Ohio.
Pros
- Affordable: Competitive prices for quality registered agent services.
- No hidden fees: They are clear about their service costs, and you won’t be surprised by hidden fees.
Cons
- Customer service: Some reviews indicate their customer support team was not very reliable.
- No Refund Policy: No refunds for unsatisfied customers; some of their competitors offer a satisfaction guarantee or your money back.
Pricing
Registered Agent Service ($99/year): Harbor Compliance registered agent services set you up to stay on top of your official mail, legal correspondence, and compliance alerts with notifications and an online account.
4. Inc Authority
Best Registered Agent in Ohio for Affordability ($99/year)
Inc Authority is a full service solution for business start-ups. However, you will need to form your business through them to use their registered agent service. They will form your business for free and give you your first year of registered agent service for free. All you have to do is pay the Ohio state filing fees, and they will prepare your entity formation documents and submit them to the state.
As your appointed registered agent, Inc Authority will help you stay on top of your important mail and compliance, ensuring you can be reached during normal business hours. They will send you same-day notifications and send you digital copies of your mail and make sure you have access to your service of process from your client portal. They also have additional business services such as comprehensive reporting and have several packages, including Entry, Starter, and customized packages for growing businesses that need help staying organized.
Pros
- First Year Free: Free Registered Agent Service for the first year when you form your business.
- Affordable: Low-cost annual rate to maintain service and stay compliant.
Cons
- Must Form an LLC: Registered agent services are only available if you form your businesses through them.
- Business Formation can be Costly: Their business packages are about average pricing at more than $300 a year for access to more resources.
Pricing
Registered Agent Service (Free first year, then $99/year): Inc Authority is for new businesses; they provide free business formation and will keep you up to date on service of process and compliance requirements for only $99 a year.
5. LegalZoom
Best Registered Agent for DIY Entrepreneurs ($299/year)
LegalZoom has a great reputation for quality service and helping businesses with various administrative tasks. Their service is more expensive than most of their competitors, but they have a lot of add-on services, making it easy to customize your service plan. They also offer a business advisory plan that includes attorney services for an additional monthly cost.
When you select them as your registered agent, their secure address will go on file with the state to accept service of process on behalf of your business. They will be available during normal business hours to keep you compliant and ensures you never miss any important mail deliveries.
They will separate your important documents from your junk mail and notify you when official mail is received. You will find all your service of process securely stored in your online account which includes unlimited cloud storage. They will send you compliance alerts about tax and annual report deadlines and provide identity theft protection and business credit monitoring.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 Ohio state filing fees.
6. Rocket Lawyer
Best Risk-Free Registered Agent Option in Ohio ($149.99/year)
Rocket Lawyer registered agent services will support your business by providing you convenient access to all your legal documents online. As your point of contact, they will be available during standard business hours to receive official mail and service of process. When mail is received, they will scan and upload a copy to your online portal and email you so you never miss an important alert.
Rocket Lawyer will also help you keep track of annual reporting with compliance reminders.
You can count on great service with their satisfaction guarantee policy. If you are unsatisfied with your service at any time, they promise a full refund. They also give new customers a 7-day free trial to explore all their service offerings for free. Rocket Lawyer is dedicated to helping businesses succeed with their premium member plan that gets you 25% off registered agent services plus access to attorneys for legal support.
7. Incfile
Best Registered Agent Customer Support & Services ($119/year)
Since 2004, Incfile has helped new businesses in Ohio get their formation documents filed and provide them with reliable registered agent services. They have helped over 800,000 entrepreneurs, providing a low-cost solution to keep businesses compliant and organized.
Incfile’s free business formation + first year of registered agent services is hard to beat.
When you appoint Incfile as your registered agent, their physical address will go on record as your point of contact for receiving official and legal correspondence on behalf of your business. When important documents arrive, they will notify you by text or email and scan your documents to make them accessible in your dashboard. Your registered agents will also help you keep track of compliance requirements, so you stay in good standing with the state. Incfile has additional resources, such as their online library full of free downloadable learning guides to help your business as you grow.
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): Incfile provides a valuable service to new businesses for free, for business formation filings and keeping track of service of process and compliance through an online account.
8. Incorp
Quality Registered Agent Service provider in Ohio ($129/year)
InCorp is a dependable registered agent and business service provider. Since 1998, they have served many businesses and can help with business formation, maintaining a registered agent, reporting services, to various legal filings. Appointing a reliable registered agent is key to operating a compliant Ohio business.
Upon signing up, Incorp will provide you with their contact info and an official address where your mail can be safely received. This relieves you of the responsibility of needing to be present during business hours and keeps your personal address private. When mail is received, they will notify you and send you a scanned copy. You will also have an online account where you can access and store your important legal documents and keep track of compliance calendar alerts. InCorp does have discounts if you sign up for a few years of registered agent services at a time.
9. SunDoc Filings
Standard Registered Agent Service in Ohio ($159/year)
SunDoc Filings have standard registered agent services to protect your privacy and keep you compliant. Appointing them as your Ohio registered agent means their address will go on record for accepting service of process for you. They will be responsible for notifying you when mail arrives and scanning and uploading your documents to your online account.
You can count on them to be available during normal business hours to receive your mail, and send you annual reports and compliance filing reminders. They will also forward documents to you or your attorney on file upon request. Enjoy convenient email alerts, same-day reminders, and get access to customized reporting tools and service of process history from your online account. They also have annual report filing services and start-to-finish business formation services.
10. Swyft Filings
Best Registered Agent in Ohio For Quick Communications ($149/year)
Swyft Filings registered agent service can help you stay organized and keep your business compliant. They have business formation services, quality registered agents, and annual reporting services for a competitive price. If you start your business with them, they will file your formation documents for $49. Appointing them as your registered agent gives you flexibility, as they will be available during business hours to receive your mail and legal documents.
You can rely on fast notifications as soon as mail is received. They will also upload your important legal mail to your online account so you never get caught off guard or miss a deadline. Reporting services are not included in their registered agent service but are offered for $99 to help you maintain compliance. They have great customer service that can be reached by phone or live chat if you have questions. On their website, they have a learning center with helpful articles, state guides, and information about taxes and finance.
11. CSC Global
Best Registered Agent in Ohio For Global Business Connections ($299/year)
CSC Global is a business support company that offers solutions for businesses in the US that do business locally and globally. They offer standard registered agent services, global financial assistance, and business licensing solutions. They help you manage your business with intuitive technology that organizes your business data and compliance alerts and keeps track of service of process, all in one secure place. Data security is a pillar of their company, and all your business data will be securely stored in their world-class hosting facilities. Their prices are higher than some of their competitors, but it may be worth it if you want to use their other services.
As your registered agent, they will accept your service of process, send you notifications, scan your documents, and store your important mail in your online account. If an urgent document needs your attention, their electronic delivery methods, online tracking, and proof of delivery ensure information is received and handled in a timely manner. You can also rely on compliance reminders and state filing deadlines to stay in good standing with the state of Ohio.
12. Ohio Registered Agent Service
Local Registered Agent Service in Ohio ($49/year)
Ohio Registered Agent Service is a hassle-free service that can take care of your basic needs for an incredibly low price. If you want to keep it simple, you can appoint them as your point of contact, and they will receive your business mail and relay information to you. This is a great budget choice if you just need basic registered agent services and nothing extra.
They maintain normal business hours to ensure your service of process can be accepted, and you maintain compliance. You will get timely updates when legal documents come in, and you can view all your important documents from your online dashboard. They also can send you compliance reminders when it’s time for annual reporting. Ohio Registered Agent Service operates on transparency, there are no hidden fees, and they will let you know the filing fees at the state level. You can count on reliable, personable service to run your business with ease and flexibility.
13. Resident Agent LLC
Basic Ohio Registered Agent Services ($75/year)
Registered Agent LLC can cover your basic needs. They are clear about what services they provide and what they don’t. To appoint them as your registered agent, you can sign up online and then record their information when you file your formation documents with the state. Their physical address will go on record, and they will accept your service of process, keeping your address private and giving you the flexibility to review your legal mail wherever you are.
Resident Agent LLC will upload your legal documents into your online account immediately and send you a notification, so you don’t need to worry about checking for updates. They keep you on track by sending you compliance calendar alerts, report reminders, and state status notices so you can stay on top of your business needs. Resident Agent LLC is a cheap option, but they don’t have the great track record and privacy measures that other registered agent services provide.
What Is an Ohio Registered Agent?
An Ohio registered agent is also called a statutory agent. They are appointed to be the point of contact for a business and are authorized to accept official mail and legal correspondence to keep the business compliant.
How Can an Ohio Registered Agent Help Your Business?
Hiring a professional Ohio registered agent service can provide you flexibility by accepting your legal mail and keeping you on track with compliance. They maintain normal business hours, so you don’t have to.
- Secure Address: A registered agent service will provide you with a secure address, keeping your personal address off the public record.
- Privacy: Your registered agent makes sure your legal mail and sensitive information is securely handled. They protect your privacy in the event that your business is sued, providing an extra layer of protection and saving you any embarrassment of this happening in front of your customers or employees.
- Peace of Mind: Your agent will always be available to accept and sign official documents during standard US business hours, Monday-Friday, 9-5, all year round.
- Convenience: All your service of process and legal mail gets scanned and uploaded to an online account as soon as it’s received. You can rely on convenient access to your legal documents online anywhere, anytime.
- Compliance: Appointing an Ohio registered agent ensures your business can be reached during normal business hours, keeping you compliant. They may also send your annual report filing reminders to ensure you file on time to stay in good standing with the state of Ohio.
Is a Registered Agent Legally Required in Ohio?
The Secretary of State in Ohio states that every business is required to appoint an Ohio registered agent, except public utility businesses. You will need to appoint a registered agent at the time of formation and keep an active agent on file.
Ohio Registered Agent Q&A
How Much Does an Ohio Registered Agent Cost?
Hiring a third-party Ohio registered agent service, like the ones listed above, can cost you as little as $49 a year and can go up to $300 annually. Some service providers offer formation deals and will offer you the first year of registered agent service for free.
Can I Be My Own Registered Agent In Ohio?
Some business owners choose to be their own registered agent, and you can do that as long as you are a resident of the state of Ohio and are willing to be present to receive important legal documents at that physical address you put on file.
Can a Company in Ohio Change Its Registered Agent?
You can change your registered agent at any time and appoint a new one by filing Form 521.
How Long Does it Take to Get an Ohio Registered Agent?
Appointing a registered agent is a simple process and can be done online in a few minutes. After you designate your agent, you will need to put them on file when you form your business or update the information you have on record with the Ohio Secretary of State.
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 Ohio 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.