A registered agent service helps businesses retain a line of communication with the Rhode Island Secretary of State, as well as law firms, government offices, other businesses, and customers. Long story short, it’ll make your life as a business owner much easier and make sure you don’t miss important documentation and notices. In this post, we’ll discuss the best-registered agents in Rhode Island, what they bring to the table, and why your business can benefit from a registered agent 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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island Registered Agent Service?
More than 1 million Americans and over 28,000 business owners call Rhode Island home. With new businesses joining the force yearly, the call for registered agents is rising.
Registered agents serve Rhode Island business owners by offering official mail receiving and management. A registered agent can be a person or business entity, as long as they have a civic mailing address in Rhode Island and are available during regular business hours.
Some business owners choose to be their own registered agent instead of hiring a registered agent service. This is allowed unless they use a P.O. Box as a mailing address. It also ties up valuable time and resources managing your own mail.
Check out some of the best Rhode Island registered agent services below:
1. Northwest Registered Agent
Best Overall Rhode Island Registered Agent Service ($125/year)
For Rhode Island business owners, there’s no better choice than Northwest Registered Agent. This company takes the cake overall for Rhode Island registered agent services, affordability, and extra features.
Northwest Registered Agent offers all the basic services of a standard registered agent service. They receive your mail, forward important documents, and upload all files for digital viewing. Anytime you receive mail, Northwest Registered Agent sends a notification.
At $125 annually, Northwest Registered Agent falls in the mid-range for agents in Rhode Island. For small business owners looking for a reliable, but affordable service, you can’t go wrong with Northwest Registered Agent.
Pros
- Privacy by Default®:: Receive top-tier proprietary privacy with Northwest Registered Agent’s Privacy by Default guarantee. No data is ever shared, leaked, or sold.
- Rhode Island business guide: Get yourself a local Rhode Island business guide for free with your registered agent subscription.
- 5 free forwards: Save money with 5 free forwards on physical mail.
- Free phone service: Sign up with Northwest and receive 60 days of free phone.
Cons
- Business fee: $100 plus state filing fees to start your LLC with Northwest Registered Agent. This isn’t over the top, but some agents offer the service free.
- Pay to Forward: After receiving your 5 free forwards, expect to pay $20/month for a forwarding package.
Pricing
Registered Agent Service ($125/year):
Northwest Registered Agent charges $125 annually, putting them in the middle of the national price range for an agent. With extra features and 24/7 online service, this is a good price for a registered agent service in Rhode Island.
Some other costs to consider include:
- $499 for trademarking services
- $9 per month for legal advice
- $20 per month for premium mail forwarding
2. Zen Business
Best Registered Agent in Rhode Island for Startups and Small Businesses ($0-$299/year)
New businesses in Rhode Island can benefit from Zen Business’ multitude of business services. On top of offering standard registered agent services, Zen goes above and beyond with:
- Web design
- EIN registration
- Business banking management
- Domain name registration
You also get access to an online customer profile to manage all uploaded mail. Choose the documents you want to be forwarded and store your correspondence long-term.
Zen Business has a 100% accuracy guarantee. No mail gets missed, and all collected data is stored safely.
Pros
- Three packages: Starter, pro, and premium packages give you an option for free to $299/year accounts.
- Web design and management: Free website building tools keep your site on brand and easy to find.
Cons
- Paid alerts: Zen Business has filing and compliance reminders, but they come at a cost.
- Expensive: The premium package at $299 per year is on the pricey side for a Rhode Island registered agent.
Pricing
Registered Agent Service ($0 to $299/year): In Rhode Island, businesses choose from three account types.
- Free: A free account with slow filing speeds.
- Pro: A pro account ($199/year) with faster speeds and an operating agreement.
- Premium: A premium account ($299/year) with the fastest speeds and free web design.
3. Harbor Compliance
Best Registered Agent in Rhode Island for Compliance Monitoring ($99/year)
Harbor Compliance puts a focus on business compliance in Rhode Island. This is a great team to have on your side as a new small business owner.
Every state and country has its own unique laws and regulations for businesses to follow. Compliance is the following of these laws. Harbor Compliance puts a focus on helping clients stay in line where official business mail and business filings are concerned.
Customers receive free registered agent service during their first year with Harbor Compliance. After this, you’re charged $99 per year. This gives you access to an online customer portal, mail forwarding services, and compliance reminders. From legal documents and government forms to letters from the Secretary of State, Harbor Compliance has got your back.
Pros
- Pre-fill forms for easy filing: Harbor Compliance makes filing easier with pre-filled forms, including all necessary resident agent info.
- Free alerts: Some registered agent companies charge extra for compliance alerts. Compliance Harbor includes alerts for free with your subscription.
Cons
- Zero dollars back: Harbor Compliance offers no refunds in the event of an unsatisfied customer.
- Filing fee charges: Reminders are free, but filing costs extra. Expect additional charges if you file through Harbor Compliance.
Pricing
Registered Agent Service ($99/year): At $99 annually, Harbor Compliance is another Rhode Island agent in the mid-price range. They’ll also knock off 5% to 10% if you sign a multi-year contract.
4. Inc Authority
Best Registered Agent in Rhode Island for Affordability ($99/year)
Inc Authority is another great Rhode Island registered agent service choice for new LLC startups. Pay nothing your first year and only $99 every year afterward. You can also count on Inc Authority to register your LLC if you’re starting from the ground up.
Inc Authority puts a strong focus on customer support. Its U.S.-based support team is available 7 days a week. You also have ongoing 24/7 access to your digital mail uploads, including legal documents and government files.
Don’t worry about anything embarrassing arriving at your place of business. Customers won’t spot anything your registered agent service receives.
Pros
- Quick uploads: Expect to see your documents uploaded to the customer portal within 24 hours.
- Support comes from home: Rhode Island business owners can count on loyal support from U.S.-based customer service.
Cons
- Must form an LLC: Business owners must form an LLC with Inc Authority to receive registered agent services.
- No reporting: There’s no option for compliance or filing reports.
Pricing
Registered Agent Service ($99/year): Inc Authority offers a reasonable price of $99 annually. Companies also get the first year free but must register their LLCs with the brand.
5. Legal Zoom
Best Registered Agent for DIY Entrepreneurs ($0 to $279/year)
Another registered agent service with a focus on Rhode Island legal support. Legal Zoom specializes in state law and compliance reporting. They offer slightly more competitive pricing than Rocket Lawyer with three unique packages at varying price points.
Choose from basic, pro, or premium registered agent services. Each package has additional features to offset the price.
Some of the add-ons you can select are:
- Compliance reports
- Tax notices
- Unlimited Cloud storage
- Intellectual property trademarking
Legal Zoom also offers a proprietary “Ask an Attorney” option.
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 Rhode Island state filing fees.
6. Rocket Lawyer
Best Rhode Island Registered Agent Service for Penalty-Free Mail Service ($149.99/year)
Rocket Lawyer puts emphasis on the legal side of its role as your registered agent service. The company focuses on compliance and state regulations relating to mail and filing laws. You can count on reports and alerts as necessary as Rocket Lawyer works to avoid any penalties.
Some of the correspondence Rocket Lawyer manages well include:
- Legal documents
- Government forms
- Letters from the Secretary of State
- Financial institution documents
Rocket Lawyer’s services are slightly higher than some others on our list. For $149.99 you get general registered agent services including mail sorting. No junk or spam mail for you. You also get a little extra attention where compliance and the law is concerned.
7. IncFile
Best Rhode Island Registered Agent Service For Multi-Lingual Support ($119/year)
Running a business in Rhode Island is simpler when everyone speaks the same language. For clients of Inc File, this becomes a possibility. The company offers bilingual, English, and Spanish-speaking customer service options.
Inc File provides all the benefits of a standard registered agent service along with bilingual support. All mail is shipped to a registered business address, sorted, uploaded, and forwarded as needed. Clients are notified when new documents are uploaded.
All online support is available 24/7, while live agent support is only available during business hours. Inc File also supports clients through long-term document storage and several business add-on features.
Pros
- English/Spanish support: Bilingual registered agent service.
- Add-ons: Get tax management services, a certificate of good standing, or foreign qualifications with Inc File.
Cons
- No weekend support: Bilingual customer support is only available Monday to Friday until 6 pm.
Pricing
Registered Agent Service ($119): Inc File is another top contender for price. $119 annually gives you access to all registered agent services. You also get free registered agent services your first year, if you form your LLC through Inc File.
8. InCorp
Best Registered Agent Services in Rhode Island For Custom Software ($87 to $129/year)
InCorp takes a tech advantage over other Rhode Island registered agents. They offer a proprietary software called EntityWatch®. Increased security and privacy allow InCorp to manage the most confidential of files with ease. They’re a top professional registered agent service for big companies.
The annual cost of InCorp services depends on your contract length. A standard annual contract is $129 per year. Multi-year contracts receive the discounted rate of $87 per year.
This is a great registered agent service for new or experienced Rhode Island businesses. They provide several useful features, including an IOS mobile app, advanced privacy control options, and specialized mail forwarding.
9. Rapid Registered Agent
Best Registered Agent Service in Rhode Island for Transparency ($100/year)
Rapid Registered Agent believes in full transparency with its clients. No indiscernible fine print, hidden fees, or red tape to muddle through. Instead, they guarantee open communication, enhanced privacy options, and a stable cost of $100 a year. Rapid is a professional registered agent service with the customer in mind.
Rapid Registered Agent has many of the same benefits as other services on our list. You can begin using its civic address for your business mail immediately. Access to an online customer profile also becomes available right away.
Documents are received, sorted, scanned and uploaded, and forwarded if necessary. Notifications let you know when mail arrives, so you never miss a beat.
10. Swyft Filings
Best Registered Agent in Rhode Island For Business Services ($199/year)
Swyft Filings takes the lead on business management service offerings. For $0 plus state fees, Swyft Filings will register your LLC and take care of all the paperwork.
Along with being your registered agent, the company also gives Rhode Islanders a chance to take advantage of:
- Business name change services
- Year-end filing
- Company amendment options
- Foriegn qualifications
All this and registered agent services such as mail sorting, uploading, and compliance alerts. Add-on services vary in price, but Rhode Island registered agent services are $99 annually.
11. Rhode Island Registered Agent
Best Registered Agent Service in Rhode Island For Affordability ($49/year)
New business owners in Rhode Island catch a financial break with Rhode Island Registered Agent. The local company operates out of Barrington, RI, offering Rhode Island registered agent services at only $49 per year.
At such a low rate, this registered agent service doesn’t offer all the bells and whistles of other Rhode Island registered agent services. What they do offer is reliability. Rhode Island Registered Agent promises consistency and transparency in all mail handling.
Customers receive immediate access to a registered agent mailing address and online customer portal. All mail is uploaded to the portal quickly, and alerts are sent to notify of new files. Anything requiring a signature or paper copy is forwarded for safekeeping.
12. CSC Global
Best Registered Agent Service in Rhode Island For International Mail Management ($299/year)
CBC Global is one of the higher-priced registered agents we recommend. The service offers a wide range of global options for businesses hoping to qualify internationally. Some highlights of the CSC advantage include:
- Same-day scanning
- SOC 2 audited processes
- Corporate filing services
- Email alerts
- Online compliance dashboard
- Business license application services
- UUC search and filing
- Proprietary CSC Navigator® technology
CSC Global has been in the global registered agent service industry for more than 120 years. Get access to all CSC services for $299 annually.
13. Resident Agent LLC
Best Registered Agent in Rhode Island for ($75/year)
The best reason to choose Resident Agent LLC for your Rhode Island business is its form library. Resident Agent LLC hosts a broad assortment of templates and pre-filled forms, ready with your registered agent information in place. Less paperwork for you.
Resident Agent LLC acts as a registered agent with a civic Rhode Island mailing address, and a 9 am to 5 pm customer service team. You have access to support Monday through Friday over the phone. Your online customer portal is available 24/7.
This is one of the more affordable Rhode Island registered agent services. Only $75 annually gets you all these registered agent services, plus long-term document storage.
What Is a Rhode Island Registered Agent?
A Rhode Island registered agent offers a permanent business mailing address. The address can’t be a P.O. Box, but a physical civic address.
A Rhode Island registered agent receives, scans, and uploads mail electronically. Some also provide physical mail forwarding fees. They act as a business address for all official correspondence, including:
- Legal documents
- Letters from the Secretary of State
- Government mail
- Customer and other business mail
A Rhode Island registered agent service must be available from 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday during regular business hours.
How Can a Rhode Island Registered Agent Help Your Business?
Rhode Island registered agents provide a variety of benefits to local business owners. Along with the peace of mind of knowing mail is being managed, you also get:
Alerts
Alerts for new mail, filing deadlines, and compliance reports keep you on top of business correspondence deadlines. A Rhode Island registered agent service provides constant updates in these areas.
Advanced Privacy
Having a registered agent service receive your mail means no customers or employees see any potentially embarrassing documents. If a lawsuit, parking ticket, or other sensitive document arrives, only you and your registered agent service know about it.
Many registered agent services also promise discretion and security in terms of data storage. No selling, sharing, or leaking information.
A Spam-Free Zone
Flyers, coupons, and other junk mail slip into business mailboxes across Rhode Island. Avoid junk mail with a registered agent. Registered agents filter out anything you don’t need and keep the rest.
Is a Registered Agent Legally Required in Rhode Island?
Yes. According to the Rhode Island Department of State, every business entity is required by law to have:
- A registered agent
- A registered office
If your agent changes, the Department of State must be notified in writing.
Rhode Island Registered Agent Q&A
Hopefully, this guide has shed some much-needed light on registered agents in Rhode Island. If you still have questions, check out this list of FAQs we receive.
How Much Does a Rhode Island Registered Agent Cost?
The price of a registered agent in Rhode Island fluctuates. Most range between $49 to $125, but can go as high as $299. Many also offer an option for a free first year of service. Others offer discounts for multi-year contracts.
Can I Be My Own Registered Agent in Rhode Island?
Technically yes, you can be your own registered agent. As long as you have a civic mailing address and are available between regular business hours. Many Rhode Island businesses choose not to be their own registered agent. It’s a lot of extra work to manage your own correspondence and compliance.
Can a Company in Rhode Island Change Its Registered Agent?
Absolutely. Simply file a Statement of Change of Agent form through the Rhode Island Secretary of State. You can also change your registered agent through many registered agent services in Rhode Island.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Rhode Island Registered Agent?
Most registered agent services get your online profile up and running within 24 hours. You can expect mail forwarding to begin within 1 to 2 weeks.
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 Rhode Island 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.