3 Best Registered Agents in California (2026), and What to Know First
Wondering about registered agents in California, for 2026 our order is Mainstay Filing ($149 a year), California Registered Agent.ai ($99 a year) and CA Registered Agent.org ($99 a year). An agent costs $99 to $149 in the first year and $297 to $447 across three years.
Answered by the Ask About LLC editorial team ·
The short answers
Do you have to name an agent?
Yes, the law says so
What the law calls it
Agent for service of process
What do agents charge?
$99 to $149 per year
Who to ask
Mainstay Filing, California Registered Agent.ai then CA Registered Agent.org
Who should you ask in California?
The order follows our five questions: three-year cost first, then how much the price covers.
1Ask this one first
1. Mainstay Filing: best for LLCs that may expand
Annual price $149, renewal price $149
Why Mainstay Filing at the top? A single account at $149 a year works in whichever state the LLC registers.
Is it the smallest bill? No: California Registered Agent.ai is $150 less over three years, but it works in California only.
What the price covers
An address in the state
Scans of three government letters a year, at no charge
Also handles corporations, LPs, LLPs and nonprofits
Good news
Flat $149 a year, no change at renewal
A single account works in any state
The catch
California Registered Agent.ai charges $50 less each year
Prices as of November 13, 2026. The state's own fees are in the checklist below.
Questions owners ask
Do I have to name an agent for service of process?
Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
The law behind it: Cal. Corp. Code § 17701.13. leginfo.legislature.ca.gov, read in October 2026 for this answer
Who qualifies as an agent?
A California resident, or a corporation registered with the Secretary of State as a corporate agent under Corporations Code § 1505. A business cannot act as its own agent for service of process.
A qualifying owner can serve at no cost.
What will I pay an agent each year?
$99 to $149 a year with the services we recommend, which works out to $297 to $447 over three years.
No state fee depends on which agent you name.
What does an agent do for the LLC?
The agent signs for lawsuits and state mail addressed to the LLC, using a street address in California.
A good agent tells you quickly when something arrives, which is worth asking about before you sign up. What is service of process?
What does the LLC owe the state each year?
The Statement of Information repeats every second year, at $20 each time. Due date, as the state puts it: last day of the LLC's registration-anniversary month, biennially. A yearly minimum tax comes on top.
On chores the price takes care of, worth 29%, Mainstay Filing comes out ahead.
We weigh five questions: what you pay over three years (33%), chores the price takes care of (29%), answers on the price page (14%), what happens at renewal (13%) and room to add states (11%).
California Registered Agent.ai is the smaller bill but serves California alone.
The last row is arithmetic, not a state figure: filing fee, plus the reports due in years two and three, plus a minimum tax where one applies. Open-ended costs stay out.
Questions people also ask
Is it allowed to name myself?
Often you can. If your address and status match what the state demands, nothing stands in the way.
What address does an agent need?
An individual agent's California street address goes on the public record. A registered corporate agent's address is already on file with the state and is not repeated in the company's filing.
What do the picks cost over three years?
Three-year totals: Mainstay Filing $447, California Registered Agent.ai $297, CA Registered Agent.org $297
Where do these numbers come from?
Official California sources back the state side, and posted company prices back the service side.
Do I have to use a service?
Not at all. The state takes filings from owners directly. A service just saves you time, and it can double as your agent.
Who should I ask first about a registered agent in California?
Mainstay Filing comes first: $149 a year follows the company into any new state. Next are California Registered Agent.ai and CA Registered Agent.org.
Where did we look this up?
Ask-about note for California Secretary of State: the state publishes it at sos.ca.gov, confirmed August 2026, so you can look it up yourself
Ask-about note for California Secretary of State: the state publishes it at bpd.cdn.sos.ca.gov, confirmed August 2026, so you can look it up yourself
Ask-about note for California yearly filing: Statement of: the state publishes it at sos.ca.gov, confirmed October 2026, so you can look it up yourself
Ask-about note for Cal: the state publishes it at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov, confirmed August 2026, so you can look it up yourself
Ask-about note for California registered agent statute: the state publishes it at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov, confirmed October 2026, so you can look it up yourself
Ask-about note for California other cost: Annual LLC: the state publishes it at ftb.ca.gov, confirmed October 2026, so you can look it up yourself
Ask-about note for California other cost: Annual LLC: the state publishes it at ftb.ca.gov, confirmed October 2026, so you can look it up yourself
Mainstay Filing California service page, read November 13, 2026
California Registered Agent.ai pricing page, read November 13, 2026
CA Registered Agent.org pricing page, read November 13, 2026