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Registered Agent Services·State Rankings

Best Registered Agent Services in Delaware

Every Delaware LLC must appoint a registered agent with a physical street address in the state, available during normal business hours to accept service of process.

Updated June 2026·10 services compared
Daniel Wong
Written byDaniel Wong
Legal & Compliance Analyst
Privacy Protection
Compliance Alerts
Fast Doc Forwarding

10

Services Tested

120+

Research Hours

50

States Tested

Delaware does not list member or manager names on LLC formation documents, making it the most popular state for anonymous LLCs. But the Division of Corporations does publish your registered agent's name and address on its public database. Using a commercial RA keeps your personal address off that record and preserves the privacy advantage Delaware is known for.

Delaware Registered Agent Services: At a Glance

Service
NR logo
Northwest Registered Agent
Best Privacy
$125/yr
4.8
ZB logo
ZenBusiness
Best Platform
$99/yr
4.5
B logo
Bizee
Best Value
$119/yr
3.7
LZ logo
LegalZoom
Industry Giant
$249/yr
3.0

Full Reviews — Best Registered Agents in Delaware

Our Top Pick — Best Registered Agent in Delaware
#1
NR logo

Northwest Registered Agent

Best Privacy
$125annual fee
4.8
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Starts at $125/yr · No setup fees

Northwest Registered Agent is our top recommendation for privacy-minded founders. They shield your home address on public records and process legal mail the same day it arrives. The initial cost is slightly higher than free competitors, but the stable $125 renewal rate saves you money long-term. We highly recommend them if you want reliable compliance without the endless upsell pitches.

Pros

  • Same-day document scanning
  • Privacy by Default shields your address
  • Knowledgeable US-based Corporate Guides
  • Flat $125 annual fee with no surprise hikes
  • Includes 5 free digital mail forwards per year

Cons

  • Requires a $39 fee if bundling with LLC formation
  • Optional compliance add-on uses negative-option renewal
  • Customer support is only available during business hours

Best for: Founders valuing privacy, consistent pricing, and human support over rock-bottom initial costs.

Response Time

Response Time

All 50

States Covered

Mon–Fri

Support Hours

Read full review
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Starts at $125/yr · No setup fees

#2
ZB logo

ZenBusiness

Best Platform
$99annual fee
4.5
Get Started

Starts at $99/yr · No setup fees

ZenBusiness delivers a premium registered agent experience tailored perfectly for first-time founders. We love the modern dashboard and the rare inclusion of weekend customer support. The main drawback is the $199 annual renewal fee, which is pricier than some budget competitors. We highly recommend ZenBusiness if you value an easy-to-use digital portal and fast document delivery over securing the absolute lowest long-term price.

Pros

  • Same-day document scanning and fast client notifications
  • Clean, modern, and highly intuitive digital dashboard
  • Customer support available on weekends
  • Shields your personal home address from public records
  • Excellent user reviews across Trustpilot and app stores

Cons

  • Annual renewal rate increases to $199 after the first year
  • Cancellation requires contacting support via phone or chat
  • Frequent upsells for additional compliance and financial tools

Best for: First-time founders wanting a stress-free, all-in-one compliance dashboard

Response Time

Response Time

All 50

States Covered

Mon–Fri

Support Hours

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Get Started

Starts at $99/yr · No setup fees

#3
B logo

Bizee

Best Value
$119annual fee
3.7
Get Started

Starts at $119/yr · No setup fees

Bizee delivers a fast, modern registered agent dashboard at a competitive $119 per year. Same-day scanning ensures you never miss a critical legal notice. However, we found their customer support lacking and the cancellation process unnecessarily difficult. We only recommend Bizee if you are bundling it with their free LLC formation package.

Pros

  • Unbeatable $0 LLC formation package includes a free year of registered agent
  • Clean and intuitive online document dashboard
  • Same-day document scanning for rapid notification
  • Physical addresses available in all 50 states
  • Immediate text and email alerts for legal notices

Cons

  • Difficult cancellation process requires a phone call or chat session
  • F rating with the Better Business Bureau due to unresolved complaints
  • Aggressive upsells for compliance and virtual address services

Best for: Entrepreneurs seeking the absolute lowest cost to form an LLC ($0 + state fees)

Response Time

Response Time

All 50

States Covered

Mon–Fri

Support Hours

Read full review
Get Started

Starts at $119/yr · No setup fees

#4
LZ logo

LegalZoom

Industry Giant
$249annual fee
3.0
Get Started

Starts at $249/yr · No setup fees

LegalZoom delivers on the core promise of a registered agent by scanning documents the same day and offering a clean, unified dashboard. However, at $249 per year, it is one of the most expensive options on the market. The aggressive upsells and notoriously difficult cancellation process make it hard to recommend for bootstrapping founders. We suggest this service only if you already use LegalZoom for other legal services and prioritize platform consolidation over cost.

Pros

  • Same-day document scanning and immediate notifications
  • Highly trusted, publicly traded brand name
  • Includes a compliance calendar for state deadlines
  • Extensive customer support hours including weekends
  • Comes with $1 million in identity theft protection

Cons

  • Extremely high annual fee of $249
  • Cancellation process requires proof of new agent to stop billing
  • Constant upsells for bookkeeping and advisory services

Best for: Founders prioritizing brand name and platform consolidation over price

Response Time

Response Time

All 50

States Covered

Mon–Fri

Support Hours

Read full review
Get Started

Starts at $249/yr · No setup fees

Ready to protect your privacy?

We recommend Northwest Registered Agent for Delaware. Required by law.

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What Makes a Good Registered Agent for Delaware Businesses

Delaware publishes your registered agent's name and address on its online entity search. Since Delaware does not require member or manager names on the Certificate of Formation, your RA listing is the only public-facing address tied to your LLC. A commercial RA service keeps your personal information out of that record entirely.

There is no traditional annual report in Delaware. Instead, LLCs pay a $300 annual franchise tax due June 1 each year. Missing that deadline triggers a $200 late fee plus 1.5% monthly interest on the unpaid balance. After three consecutive years of non-payment, the state will administratively cancel your LLC.

Delaware is the most common state for out-of-state LLC formation. If you do not live in Delaware, you cannot serve as your own registered agent. A commercial RA with a real office in Wilmington or Dover is a requirement, not a convenience.

How to Choose a Registered Agent in Delaware

If you are forming a new Delaware LLC, a bundled RA deal can save money in year one. Bizee and ZenBusiness both include a free first year of RA service with their formation packages. But watch the renewal price. Bizee jumps to $119/yr and ZenBusiness to $199/yr after that first year.

If you already have a Delaware LLC and want to switch agents, Northwest Registered Agent at $125/yr is the strongest standalone option. They handle the Change of Agent filing with the Division of Corporations, and their same-day document scanning means you will not miss a franchise tax notice or legal filing. For businesses registered in multiple states, Harbor Compliance at $99/yr offers centralized compliance tracking across all your jurisdictions.

If you are still deciding on a formation service, check our guide to the best LLC formation services in Delaware to compare packages that include registered agent service.

Hidden RA Costs to Watch For in Delaware

  • Franchise tax late penalty - Missing the June 1 deadline costs a flat $200 fee plus 1.5% interest per month on the outstanding tax and penalty amount.
  • Free RA year renewal jump - ZenBusiness renews at $199/yr after the included first year, and Bizee renews at $119/yr. Northwest charges $125/yr from day one with no price increase at renewal.
  • Change of agent filing fee - Delaware charges no state fee to change your registered agent, but some RA services charge a $25-$50 processing fee on top of their annual rate.
  • Administrative cancellation - Three years of unpaid franchise tax results in your LLC being cancelled by the state. Reinstatement requires paying all back taxes, penalties, and interest.

Delaware Business Compliance Overview

Delaware LLCs owe a $300 annual franchise tax due June 1. A good registered agent service will send you reminders well before that deadline, helping you avoid the $200 late fee and monthly interest charges that start accruing immediately after June 1.

What to Do After Setting Up Your Registered Agent

  1. Confirm your registered agent appointment appears correctly on the Delaware Division of Corporations entity search at corp.delaware.gov.
  2. Apply for an EIN from the IRS (free, available online at irs.gov) so you can open a business bank account and file taxes.
  3. Open a dedicated business bank account to keep personal and LLC finances separate. Most banks require your Certificate of Formation and EIN.
  4. Set a calendar reminder for June 1 to pay your $300 annual franchise tax to the Division of Corporations. You can pay online through the state's portal.
  5. If you plan to do business in another state, file a foreign qualification in that state and consider adding RA service there as well.
  6. Enable compliance alerts in your registered agent dashboard so you receive immediate notification of any legal documents served on your LLC.

Frequently Asked Questions — Delaware Registered Agents

Does Delaware require a registered agent?

Yes. Under Title 6, Section 18-104 of the Delaware Code, every LLC must maintain a registered agent with a physical street address in Delaware. The agent must be available during normal business hours to accept service of process and official state correspondence.

Can I be my own registered agent in Delaware?

Only if you are a resident of Delaware with a physical street address in the state. You must be available at that address during all normal business hours to accept legal documents. If you live outside Delaware, which applies to the majority of Delaware LLC owners, you must use a commercial registered agent service.

How much does a registered agent cost in Delaware?

Commercial registered agent services for Delaware LLCs range from $99 to $299 per year. Harbor Compliance charges $99/yr, Bizee charges $119/yr, and Northwest Registered Agent charges $125/yr. LegalZoom is the most expensive at $249/yr.

Does Delaware publish my registered agent address publicly?

Yes. The Delaware Division of Corporations lists your registered agent's name and address on its free online entity search. Since Delaware does not require member or manager names on formation documents, the RA address is the only public record tied to your LLC. Using a commercial RA keeps your home address private.

About the Author

Daniel Wong

Legal & Compliance Analyst

Daniel grew up in the shadow of Silicon Valley but chose the legal route over engineering, working as a paralegal for a corporate law firm specializing in mergers and acquisitions. He realized that early-stage founders were constantly making catastrophic legal mistakes because they couldn't afford a $500/hour attorney, prompting his move to B2B media.

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