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Registered Agent Services·State Rankings

Best Registered Agent Services in Rhode Island

Rhode Island requires every LLC to appoint a registered agent with a physical street address in the state. P.O. boxes do not qualify. Commercial RA services for Rhode Island typically cost between $99 and $249 per year.

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

Every address listed on your Rhode Island Articles of Organization becomes a publicly searchable record through the Secretary of State's database. If you use your home address as your registered agent address, anyone can look it up online. A commercial registered agent replaces your personal address with theirs on file, which is the simplest way to keep your home off the public record in Rhode Island.

Rhode Island Registered Agent Services: At a Glance

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

Full Reviews — Best Registered Agents in Rhode Island

Our Top Pick — Best Registered Agent in Rhode Island
#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
Get Started

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

Read full review
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 Rhode Island. Required by law.

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What Makes a Good Registered Agent for Rhode Island Businesses

Your registered agent address is published in Rhode Island's online business database. Anyone searching for your LLC on the Secretary of State's website can see the agent's name and street address. Using a commercial RA keeps your personal address out of that record.

Rhode Island's annual report window runs from February 1 through May 1. Miss that window and you face a $25 late fee. Continued failure to file can lead to revocation of your LLC's certificate of registration, which means your entity loses its legal standing in the state.

Rhode Island charges a $400 minimum annual business tax regardless of whether your LLC earned any income. Your registered agent does not pay this for you, but the best services send compliance reminders so you do not miss the Division of Taxation deadline and rack up penalties.

How to Choose a Registered Agent in Rhode Island

If you are forming a new Rhode Island LLC, a bundled deal (free first year of RA service with LLC formation) from Bizee or ZenBusiness can save you money upfront. But check the renewal price. Bizee jumps to $119/yr and ZenBusiness to $199/yr after year one. Northwest charges $125/yr from day one with no price surprises.

If you already have an active Rhode Island LLC and need to switch agents, you will file a Statement of Change with the Secretary of State. The filing itself is straightforward. Pick a standalone RA service with same-day document scanning so you never miss a legal notice, especially during the February-to-May annual report season.

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

Hidden RA Costs to Watch For in Rhode Island

  • Renewal Price Jumps - Bizee and ZenBusiness offer a free first year of RA service when bundled with LLC formation, but renew at $119/yr and $199/yr respectively.
  • State Change-of-Agent Filing - Switching your registered agent in Rhode Island requires filing an amendment or statement of change with the Secretary of State, which may cost an additional filing fee.
  • Document Scanning Fees - Some services charge extra to scan and forward physical mail beyond basic legal documents. Northwest includes same-day scanning at no extra cost.
  • $400 Minimum Tax - This is not an RA fee, but it catches many new Rhode Island LLC owners off guard. The state collects a $400 minimum business corporation tax annually regardless of revenue.

Rhode Island Business Compliance Overview

Rhode Island imposes a $400 minimum annual tax on business entities and requires an annual report filed between February 1 and May 1 with a $50 fee. A good registered agent service sends reminders for both deadlines so you avoid the $25 late fee and potential revocation of your LLC's registration.

What to Do After Setting Up Your Registered Agent

  1. Confirm your registered agent appears correctly on the Rhode Island Secretary of State's online database. Search your LLC name at sos.ri.gov to verify the agent's name and address are accurate.
  2. Apply for a federal EIN through the IRS website at no cost. You will need this before opening a business bank account or filing Rhode Island taxes.
  3. Open a dedicated business bank account to separate personal and LLC finances. Most banks require your Articles of Organization and EIN.
  4. Mark your calendar for Rhode Island's annual report window: February 1 through May 1 each year, with a $50 filing fee. Late filings incur a $25 penalty.
  5. Register with the Rhode Island Division of Taxation and prepare to pay the $400 minimum annual business tax. This applies even if your LLC has zero revenue.
  6. Set up compliance alerts through your registered agent's dashboard so you receive reminders for the annual report deadline, tax filings, and any legal notices forwarded to your agent.

Frequently Asked Questions — Rhode Island Registered Agents

Does Rhode Island require a registered agent?

Yes. Under Rhode Island General Laws § 7-16-9, every LLC formed or registered in the state must maintain a registered agent with a physical street address in Rhode Island. P.O. boxes are not accepted. If your LLC loses its registered agent and does not appoint a new one, the state can revoke your certificate of registration.

Can I be my own registered agent in Rhode Island?

Yes, as long as you are an individual resident of Rhode Island with a physical street address in the state. The downside is that your home address becomes part of the public record on the Secretary of State's website. You also need to be available at that address during business hours to accept legal documents.

How much does a registered agent cost in Rhode Island?

Commercial registered agent services for Rhode Island range from $99 to $249 per year. Harbor Compliance charges $99/yr, Northwest Registered Agent charges $125/yr, and LegalZoom charges $249/yr. Some services offer a free first year when bundled with LLC formation but renew at higher rates.

Does Rhode Island publish my registered agent's address online?

Yes. Rhode Island's Secretary of State publishes all information from your Articles of Organization in a publicly searchable online database, including the registered agent's name and street address. This is why many LLC owners use a commercial registered agent instead of listing a personal home address.

About the Author

Daniel Wong
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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