Registered agent ratings · California
3 Best Registered Agents in California (2026)
1. California Registered Agent.ai: best for the lowest yearly amount on this list
$99 a year, level on renewal
California Registered Agent.ai is rated first: $99 a year, flat, with online scans of legal papers served.
California Registered Agent.ai provides the registered office address inside the state and uploads scans of whatever is served there.
Over three years it sums lower than Mainstay Filing, and cost is one of our two heaviest criteria.
What you get
- A registered office with an in-state street address
- Served papers are scanned and placed in your online account
Pros
- Yearly amount under Mainstay Filing's
- Also forms LLCs and includes the first agent year
- A $99 plan that stays level
Trade-offs
- The Statement of Information remains your own filing
- California only; other states need another agent
2. Mainstay Filing: best for any state
$149 a year, level on renewal
Mainstay Filing is rated second: $149 for a plan that applies in every state, $149 on renewal.
Company not formed yet? Mainstay's $199-a-year package puts the California filing and the Statement of Information on one line.
California Registered Agent.ai is $150 cheaper on the three-year sum, and that lowers Mainstay Filing's cost rating.
What you get
- A street address in the state on the public record
- No-fee scans of service of process on the day it is received
- Free scans of the first three government mailings each year
- Compliance reminders
Pros
- Government mail scanned free, first three pieces a year
- Accepts LLCs, corporations, LPs, LLPs and nonprofits
- Same-business-day scans of service of process, no fee
- $149 a year, level on renewal
Trade-offs
- Agent alone is $50 a year above California Registered Agent.ai
- Filing the annual report requires the formation package
3. CA Registered Agent.org: best for businesses in California
$99 a year, level on renewal
CA Registered Agent.org is rated third: $99 a year, flat, with online scans of legal papers served.
CA Registered Agent.org supplies the state street address for the registered office and posts scans of served papers to your account.
California Registered Agent.ai and CA Registered Agent.org list identical amounts and plan features, so the ratings are close and either is a fair pick.
What you get
- A physical street address in the state
- Legal papers served on the company reach you as online scans
Pros
- Also forms LLCs and includes the first agent year
- $99 annually, no renewal increase
- A smaller yearly line than Mainstay Filing
Trade-offs
- The Statement of Information remains your own filing
- California only; other states need another agent
The 3 ratings summarized
| Line | Service | Rating | Yearly amount | Renewal amount | Best for | Open |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California Registered Agent.ai | 9.5 | $99 | $99/yr | The lowest yearly price we rank here | Visit California Registered Agent.aiPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 2 | Mainstay Filing | 9.0 | $149 | $149/yr | A single agent in any state | Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 3 | CA Registered Agent.org | 8.9 | $99 | $99/yr | The lowest yearly price we rank here | Visit CA Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
California registered agent amounts for 2026: year one, renewal and three-year sum
| Service | Year one | Year two | Year three | Three-year sum | Same amount on renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California Registered Agent.ai | $99 | $99 | $99 | $297 | Yes |
| Mainstay Filing | $149 | $149 | $149 | $447 | Yes |
| CA Registered Agent.org | $99 | $99 | $99 | $297 | Yes |
Reasoning behind the order
Cost over years one to three decided the order in California. Of the rating, 27% is cost over years one to three, 27% is inclusions per price and 46% is renewal price and terms, fit with state rules and price clarity.
California Registered Agent.ai sums to $297 across three years, $150 below Mainstay Filing. For a company that needs an agent in California only, fifty-state coverage adds little, so the lower yearly amount decided the rating.
Each criterion and its weight is listed on How we rank.
California agent for service of process requirements per California Secretary of State (official)
Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address. 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. Authority cited: Cal. Corp. Code § 17701.13.
The California Statement of Information: amount, date and agent
California LLCs owe the Statement of Information every two years, due last day of the LLC's registration-anniversary month, biennially. Amount: $20. Late filing adds $250. The state sends notices about it to your agent for service of process.
California registered agent: your questions
Does a California LLC need to appoint a agent for service of process?
It does. California treats a agent for service of process as a standing requirement, and the agent needs a street address within the state.
What is the yearly price of a registered agent in California?
Yearly amounts run $99 to $149, and each holds on renewal.
Is it permitted to be your own agent for service of process?
Yes, when the state's conditions are met. 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.
On what date is the California Statement of Information due?
Due last day of the LLC's registration-anniversary month, biennially. Fee: $20. Late penalty: $250.
Which registered agents are rated on this page?
California Registered Agent.ai ($99 a year), Mainstay Filing ($149 a year) and CA Registered Agent.org ($99 a year), highest rated first.
Which California registered agent has the best value rating?
California Registered Agent.ai, as $99 a year, level on renewal, the lowest yearly price on this list.
Source lines
- California Secretary of State (ledger date August 2026)
- California Secretary of State (ledger date August 2026)
- California yearly filing: Statement of Information, official source (ledger date October 2026)
- Cal. Corp. Code § 17702.01 (ledger date August 2026)
- California registered agent statute (ledger date October 2026)
- California Registered Agent.ai, pricing and service pages: amounts read November 12, 2026
- Mainstay Filing, California service page: amounts read November 12, 2026
- CA Registered Agent.org, pricing and service pages: amounts read November 12, 2026