How to Find the Best Registered Agent in New York

You can choose to appoint yourself, or an outside registered agent service, rather than the state of New York to accept legal notices and important documents that include:

• Articles of Organization – formation documents for limited liability company (LLC)
• Certificate of Incorporation – filed by corporations upon formation in New York
• Biennial statement fee – due every two years before the end of the anniversary month
• Certificate of Status – proof of good standing in New York
• Corporation tax – due to the New York Department of Taxation and Finance

You can appoint yourself for no charge if you’re at least 18 and have a physical address in New York, as well as:

• Spouse
• Employee
• Family member
• Friend

The state fee for filing the Articles of Organization in New York is $200.

The New York Department of State Division of Corporations does offer expedited business filing services for an additional cost.

• 24-hour – $25
• Same day – $75
• 2-hour – $150

You will complete the appropriate certificate of change and submit it by mail or in-person to the New York Department of State.

• Corporation
• LLC
• Foreign LLC
• Nonprofit
• LP

The New York Department of State takes seven business days to process a change in registered agents.

The certificate of resignation of registered agent will ask you to provide information.

• Company name
• Date of formation
• Resignation statement
• Confirm a copy was sent to the company
• Date
• Signature

The New York Department of State does charge for withdrawing consent to act as a statutory agent – $20 for LLCs, $60 for corporations, and $10 for LLPs.

• It reduces publication costs

The publication requirement cost in New York City is approximately $1500 or more if your registered business address is in the city.

If you use a registered agent address outside of New York City, you’re cutting your formation costs quite a bit.

• You’re shielding your asset protection

The biennial statement fee is due every two years. You risk losing good standing and liability protection in New York if you miss the due date.

Appointing an outside statutory agent helps you remain compliant by sending you reminders about annual reports and filing the proper paperwork.

• You keep your personal address out of the New York public record

A small business owner puts personal street addresses at risk of becoming public record when appointing themselves as their own registered agent.

In New York, anyone can search the New York Corporation and Business Entity Database by:

When you appoint a registered agent service, you can use the agent’s address as the business address on your registration to keep your personal address out of the public record.

• You’re provided peace of mind

Process servers in New York can serve legal documents at your office without alerting you first.

Professional registered agents accept service of process and other sensitive documents away from customers so that you maintain your good reputation.

• Your work schedule stays flexible

According to New York state law, a statutory agent must be available during regular business hours, Monday through Friday,

By appointing an outside registered agent service, you can come and go from the office without the responsibility of the required availability.

• 24-hour access to the Certificate of Status

Banks require that you submit proof that you’re in good standing with the state of New York.

The Certificate of Status is proof of your good standing with the New York Department of State.

The best-registered agent services provide business owners with access to an easy-to-use online account that allows constant access to the Certificate of Status and other formation documents when needed.

• LLC expansion is highly accessible

Expanding an LLC out-of-state requires appointing a registered agent before you begin the formation.

Electing to have a registered agent already gives you instant access to foreign LLC formation services.