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Registered Agent Services·State Rankings

Best Registered Agent Services in Rhode Island

Rhode Island becomes your registered agent the moment yours cannot be found. The state takes over service of process. A plaintiff pays $15 to serve the state instead of you. You may never hear about it.

Updated July 30, 2026·8 services compared
Daniel Wong
Written byDaniel Wong
Legal & Compliance Analyst
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8

Services Tested

120+

Research Hours

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States Tested

So you are not buying an address. You are buying someone who can be found on a Tuesday. The state wants a Rhode Island street address with a person there in business hours. A P.O. box will not do. Nor will a mail service or a virtual address.

Rhode Island Registered Agent Services at a Glance

Service
NR logo
Northwest Registered Agent
Best Privacy
$125/yrPrice never goes up$100 per state per year at five or more states
4.8
Get Started →Read review
ZB logo
ZenBusiness
Best Platform
$99 first yearRenews at $199/yr after that$199/yr flat if bundled with LLC formation
4.5
Get Started →Read review
HC logo
Harbor Compliance
Best Multi State
$99 first yearRenews at $149/yr after that
3.4
Get Started →Read review
RL logo
Rocket Lawyer
Membership Required
$374/yrPrice never goes up$125 for the agent plus the $249 Plus membership it requires, the cheapest tier that qualifies
3.3
Get Started →Read review
LZ logo
LegalZoom
Industry Giant
$249/yrPrice never goes up
3.0
Get Started →Read review
B logo
Bizee
Free First Year
$149/yrPrice never goes upFree the first year if Bizee forms your LLC
3.0
Get Started →Read review
SF logo
Swyft Filings
Most Expensive
$596/yrPrice never goes upBilled $149 every quarter, per state and per entity, so $596 a year
2.9
Get Started →Read review
IA logo
Inc Authority
Best Free Start
$249/yrPrice never goes upOne year of service, priced above the $199 value the same page claims
2.6
Get Started →Read review

Full Reviews of the 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
Get Started

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 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.

Same-day

Response Time

All 50

States Covered

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

  • Immediate document scanning and upload to your dashboard
  • 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

Immediate upload

Response Time

All 50

States Covered

Read full review
Get Started

Starts at $99/yr · No setup fees

#3
HC logo

Harbor Compliance

Best Multi State
$99annual fee
3.4
Get Started

Starts at $99/yr · No setup fees

Harbor Compliance undercuts every national rival in year one at $99, and their multi-year plans keep that rate locked. Documents are delivered same day through the Entity Manager portal with unlimited storage, and service of process triggers a phone call, not just an email. The catch is the $149 renewal and a platform that is clearly built for compliance teams first, so solo founders who want something lighter may prefer Northwest's flat $125 with no year-two surprise.

Pros

  • $99 first year is the lowest introductory price among national providers
  • Same-day document delivery with a phone call when service of process arrives
  • Unlimited document storage in their Entity Manager portal
  • Multi-year plans lock the $99 rate, two years for $198 or three for $297
  • Covers all 50 states plus DC and Puerto Rico

Cons

  • Renewal jumps to $149 a year after the introductory rate ends
  • The platform is built for compliance departments, which can feel heavy for a single-state solo founder

Best for: Multi-state operators and compliance-heavy businesses that want the lowest locked-in national rate

Same day

Response Time

All 50

States Covered

Read full review
Get Started

Starts at $99/yr · No setup fees

#4
RL logo

Rocket Lawyer

Membership Required
$374annual fee
3.3
Get Started

Starts at $374/yr · No setup fees

Rocket Lawyer advertises its registered agent at $125, and that number is real but incomplete. The footnote on its own page says the service requires a Plus or Pro membership. Standard at $149 does not qualify, so the cheapest route is Plus at $249, and a founder who wants only a registered agent pays $374 in year one and every year after. If you already pay for Plus for the legal documents and attorney access, $125 on top is reasonable. If you do not, almost every other agent on this page is cheaper.

Pros

  • Backed by a large, well reviewed legal platform
  • Covers all 50 states
  • Bundles with attorney access and document tools you may already be paying for
  • The agent fee itself renews at the same $125

Cons

  • The $125 agent price requires a Rocket Lawyer Plus or Pro membership
  • Standard at $149 does not qualify, so the cheapest real path is Plus at $249, making the true floor $374 a year
  • The membership requirement is disclosed only in an asterisk footnote
  • The most expensive way to buy a registered agent on this page apart from Swyft Filings

Best for: Businesses that already pay for a Rocket Lawyer membership and want the agent bundled in

Same day

Response Time

All 50

States Covered

Read full review
Get Started

Starts at $374/yr · No setup fees

#5
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 promptly 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

  • Prompt document scanning with immediate email alerts
  • Highly trusted, publicly traded brand name
  • Includes a compliance calendar for state deadlines
  • Extensive customer support hours including weekends
  • Unlimited cloud storage for business documents

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

Same day

Response Time

All 50

States Covered

Read full review
Get Started

Starts at $249/yr · No setup fees

#6
B logo

Bizee

Free First Year
$149annual fee
3.0
Get Started

Starts at $149/yr · No setup fees

Bizee delivers a fast, modern registered agent dashboard at a competitive $149 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)

Same-day

Response Time

All 50

States Covered

Read full review
Get Started

Starts at $149/yr · No setup fees

#7
SF logo

Swyft Filings

Most Expensive
$596annual fee
2.9
Get Started

Starts at $596/yr · No setup fees

We do not recommend Swyft Filings for registered agent services. The company advertises a $149 fee, but this is charged quarterly, resulting in a staggering $596 annual cost. While their dashboard is clean and document scanning is fast, the service is ultimately outsourced to a third-party partner. Better alternatives offer superior in-house service for a fraction of the cost.

Pros

  • Fast same-day document scanning
  • Clean and intuitive online dashboard
  • Helpful customer support for initial setup
  • Standard privacy protection for your home address
  • Automated compliance reminders included

Cons

  • Exorbitant $596 true annual cost
  • Misleading $149 quarterly billing structure
  • Difficult cancellation requiring phone calls
  • Outsourced to a third-party partner

Best for: Business owners prioritizing filing speed over ongoing value

Same-day

Response Time

All 50

States Covered

Read full review
Get Started

Starts at $596/yr · No setup fees

#8
IA logo

Inc Authority

Best Free Start
$249annual fee
2.6
Get Started

Starts at $249/yr · No setup fees

Inc Authority bundles its registered agent service with a free LLC formation package, so you pay nothing for the first year. The catch is that they do not publish a renewal price anywhere on their site, and cancellation is phone only during business hours. We recommend this service only for founders who need the absolute lowest upfront cost and plan to switch agents before year two.

Pros

  • Free registered agent service for the first full year
  • Fast digital document scanning and immediate notifications
  • Online portal included at no extra cost
  • Covers all 50 states
  • Decades of industry experience since 1989

Cons

  • No renewal price published anywhere on their site, so year two is a number you only learn after you are already using them
  • Aggressive upsells during checkout and via phone calls
  • Cancellation requires a phone call during business hours

Best for: Budget-conscious founders who want a $0 setup and will switch agents later.

Digital delivery

Response Time

All 50

States Covered

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.

Get Started

What Makes a Good Registered Agent for Rhode Island Businesses

If your agent cannot be found, the state does not leave the seat empty. Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 7-16-11(e) the Secretary of State becomes your agent instead. That happens if no agent is on file, if the agent's authority is pulled, or if nobody can reach them. A plaintiff then pays the state $15 and service is done. Your deadline to answer starts at a state office, not in your inbox. Being reachable is the whole product.

Your agent's address is public. Anyone can search your LLC on the Department of State corporate database and read the agent's name and street address. That is why founders who would rather not publish a home address hire an agent.

Your agent can also quit. A resident agent resigns by filing with the Secretary of State. The resignation takes effect 30 days later. Thirty days is enough time to name a replacement. It only works if someone tells you.

How to Choose a Registered Agent in Rhode Island

Forming a new LLC? A bundled deal with a free first year can save real money. Read the renewal price before you take it. The bundle cuts year one, not year two. The table above shows what each service charges each year.

Already running a Rhode Island LLC and want to switch? The filing is Form 642, a change of resident agent, and the state charges $20. If your current agent just moves to a new Rhode Island address, that filing is free. Switching is cheap. Staying with an agent who missed a delivery is not.

Still choosing a formation service? Our guide to the best LLC formation services in Rhode Island compares packages that include an agent. For the national picture, see our best registered agent services rankings.

Hidden RA Costs to Watch For in Rhode Island

  • Renewal price jumps. A free first year resets to the standard rate in year two. The table above shows each renewal price.
  • Change of agent filing. Rhode Island charges $20 for Form 642. If your current agent only changes address, there is no fee.
  • Scanning limits. Some services scan legal mail only. Ordinary business mail costs extra. Check what is included before you compare prices.
  • The $400 annual charge. This is not an agent fee. The state collects it anyway, it is not pro-rated, and you owe it even at zero revenue.
Timeline of the Rhode Island LLC compliance year showing the annual report window opening February 1, the $400 annual charge due April 15, the annual report due May 1 with a $50 fee, and the $25 late penalty attaching May 31.
Rhode Island's two deadlines overlap. Sources, R.I. Gen. Laws § 7-16-66 for the report window and the $25 penalty, § 7-16-65(13) for the $50 report fee, and § 7-16-67 for the annual charge and its due date. Verified July 30, 2026.

Rhode Island Business Compliance Overview

Rhode Island runs two deadlines that overlap. That overlap is where founders get caught. The annual report is due between February 1 and May 1, and the fee is $50. The $25 penalty lands 30 days after that, so the real cliff is May 31. The $400 annual charge is due earlier. For a calendar year LLC that is not taxed as a corporation, that date is April 15. Miss it and the state adds $100. A good agent sends reminders for both. It is the dullest thing these services do and the most useful.

What to Do After Setting Up Your Registered Agent

  1. Check the agent on the state business database. Search your LLC name. The agent's name and street address should match what you paid for.
  2. Get a federal EIN from the IRS. It is free. You need it to open a business bank account or file Rhode Island returns.
  3. Open a business bank account. Keep personal and LLC money apart. Most banks want your Articles of Organization and your EIN.
  4. Put the annual report window in your calendar. February 1 to May 1, with a $50 fee. The $25 penalty lands after May 31.
  5. Register with the Rhode Island Division of Taxation through the Taxpayer Portal. Plan for the $400 annual charge, due April 15 for a calendar year LLC. It applies at zero revenue.
  6. Turn on alerts in your agent's dashboard. The report date, the tax date and any legal notice should all reach you.

Frequently Asked Questions About Rhode Island Registered Agents

Does Rhode Island require a registered agent?

Yes. Rhode Island law § 7-16-11 says every LLC in the state must keep a resident agent. That is the statute's name for the job the state's own forms call a registered agent. Same job, two names. The agent must be a Rhode Island resident or a company allowed to do business here. The address must be a Rhode Island street address with a person there in business hours.

Can I be my own registered agent in Rhode Island?

Yes, if you live in Rhode Island and have a street address here. You also have to be there in business hours to take legal papers. Two things it costs you. Your address goes on the public record. And you have to be home the day a process server knocks.

Can I use a virtual mailbox as my Rhode Island registered agent address?

No. The state says P.O. boxes, shipping and postal company addresses, and virtual business addresses are all not allowed. It has to be a Rhode Island street address with a person there in business hours. That is the gap a commercial agent fills.

How much does a registered agent cost in Rhode Island?

The state does not set the price. Providers do, and the table above shows what each one charges a year. What the state charges is fixed. It is $150 to form the LLC, $50 for the annual report, and $20 to change your agent later.

What happens if my Rhode Island registered agent resigns?

They file with the Secretary of State and the resignation takes effect 30 days later. Name a replacement inside that window. If you do not, § 7-16-11(e) makes the Secretary of State your agent. A plaintiff can then serve the state for $15 and you may never hear about it.

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

Yes, all of it. The state puts your Articles of Organization into a searchable business database. That includes the agent's name and street address. It is the main reason founders hire an agent instead of listing a 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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