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Biz Formation Academy

A plain textbook on LLC paperwork, one state per chapter.

Chapter 2 · Delaware

Delaware Registered Agent Chapter (2026): 6 Sections and the 3 Best Agents

For appointing a registered agent in Delaware in 2026, this chapter recommends DE Registered Agent.org ($99 a year), Delaware Registered Agent.ai ($99 a year) and Mainstay Filing ($149 a year), ranked from first to last. 6 sections: the legal rule, eligibility, the address requirement and the filing that names the agent.
Written by the Biz Formation Academy editorial board

Chapter summary

The requirement Yes See delcode.delaware.gov; page last consulted October 2026
Service prices $99 to $149 a year From company pricing pages
Annual LLC Tax $400 a year See legis.delaware.gov; page last consulted October 2026
Section count 6 First to last

After this chapter you will understand

  • Why Delaware requires an agent on file
  • Who may serve and from which address
  • Naming the agent in a filing
  • Who to consider as agent

Delaware: the ranked services

The order rests on five weighted criteria described under how we grade, with three-year cost and paperwork completed on top.

1. DE Registered Agent.org: best for owners watching costs

Top recommendation
$99 a year, $99 at renewal

First place goes to DE Registered Agent.org; a plan for one state: $99 a year, renewing at $99.

Over three years it costs less than Mainstay Filing, and three-year cost counts for 34% of the ranking.

Price covers

  • A physical address in Delaware
  • Scans of documents served on the LLC

Advantages

  • $99 per year
  • Less per year than Mainstay Filing

Limitations

  • Delaware only, so each additional state means one more agent
  • Annual LLC Tax is excluded from the price
Visit DE Registered Agent.org Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

2. Delaware Registered Agent.ai: best for a local alternative

Local option
$99 a year, $99 at renewal

Entry number 2 is Delaware Registered Agent.ai, where a plan for one state: $99 a year, renewing at $99.

Its prices equal DE Registered Agent.org's, so either serves.

Price covers

  • A physical address in Delaware
  • Scans of documents served on the LLC

Advantages

  • $99 per year
  • Less per year than Mainstay Filing

Limitations

  • Delaware only, so each additional state means one more agent
  • Annual LLC Tax is excluded from the price
Visit Delaware Registered Agent.ai Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

3. Mainstay Filing: best for a nationwide agent at one price

Any state
$149 a year, $149 at renewal

Third place is held by Mainstay Filing, since $149 yearly is the agent price in all fifty states.

Across three years it trails DE Registered Agent.org by $150.

Price covers

  • An office address inside the state
  • Any papers served on the company get scanned for you at no cost
  • Three government mailings a year are scanned at no cost to you
  • Also serves nonprofits, corporations, LPs and LLPs

Advantages

  • The same provider anywhere
  • A flat $149 annually

Limitations

  • Higher by $50 a year
  • Reports remain the owner's job
Visit Mainstay Filing Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

All prices in one table

#ServiceAnnual priceRenewal priceThree-year total
1 DE Registered Agent.org $99$99/yr$297 Visit DE Registered Agent.org Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2 Delaware Registered Agent.ai $99$99/yr$297 Visit Delaware Registered Agent.ai Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3 Mainstay Filing $149$149/yr$447 Visit Mainstay Filing Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

Company prices as listed on November 13, 2026. State fees do not depend on the agent chosen.

How a Delaware agent is set up

  1. Section 1

    Read the Delaware requirement

    Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.

    Reference: See delcode.delaware.gov; page last consulted October 2026

  2. Section 2

    Who qualifies as an agent

    The LLC itself, a Delaware resident, or a business entity formed in Delaware or authorized to do business there. Authority: 6 Del. C. § 18-104.

  3. Section 3

    The registered office requirement

    The address has to be a registered office in Delaware. An entity agent keeps a business office there that is generally open; an individual agent has to be generally present there. A virtual office or mail-forwarding service alone does not qualify.

    Every recommended service supplies the in-state address.

  4. Section 4

    Self-service compared with a professional agent

    If you qualify, you may name yourself. A professional from the list costs $99 to $149 annually.

  5. Section 5

    Name the agent in the filing

    For a newly formed Delaware LLC, the Certificate of Formation of a Limited Liability Company identifies the agent. A switch afterward is filed on its own with the Delaware Secretary of State.

    Reference: See delcode.delaware.gov; page last consulted October 2026

  6. Section 6

    Watch for changes

    Budget for the Annual LLC Tax: $400 every year, due annual alternative-entity tax due on or before June 1. Official mail on the subject goes to the registered agent.

    Reference: See legis.delaware.gov; page last consulted October 2026

The price list

Line itemPayeePrice
Registered agent service Your chosen service$99 to $149 a year
Each later year Your chosen service$99 to $149 a year
Annual LLC Tax Government$400 every year

Rows for the state rely on Delaware's published fee schedules (listed in the bibliography below), and each service row uses that company's own price. For three years the state row adds the filing, the report in year two, the report in year three and any minimum tax.

How the ranking came out

finished ahead of on tuition over three years, which counts for 34%.

By year three DE Registered Agent.org has cost $297, a saving of $150 next to Mainstay Filing.

Delaware review questions

Does Delaware require an LLC to have a registered agent?

Yes. Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.

Can I be my own registered agent?

Often. Apply the two tests in sections 2 and 3.

Can I change my registered agent later?

Yes; the Delaware Secretary of State accepts change filings, and section 5 lists what to send.

What does a registered agent cost in Delaware?

Across the ranked agents the yearly price is $99 to $149.

What does the LLC pay the state each year?

Owners submit the Annual LLC Tax and pay $400 every year.

Which registered agent would you choose?

Choose DE Registered Agent.org: $99 a year provides a Delaware agent with an in-state office. Next are Delaware Registered Agent.ai and Mainstay Filing.

Next chapter

Bibliography and primary texts

  1. Footnote for Delaware yearly filing: Recurring obligation, official source: see corp.delaware.gov (October 2026).
  2. Footnote for Delaware yearly filing: Recurring obligation, official source: see corp.delaware.gov (October 2026).
  3. Footnote for Delaware yearly filing: HB 400, official source: see legis.delaware.gov (October 2026).
  4. Footnote for Delaware report due date: see delcode.delaware.gov (August 2026).
  5. Footnote for 6 Del: see delcode.delaware.gov (August 2026).
  6. Footnote for Delaware registered agent statute: see delcode.delaware.gov (October 2026).
  7. pricing page (DE Registered Agent.org), as it stood on November 13, 2026
  8. pricing page (Delaware Registered Agent.ai), as it stood on November 13, 2026
  9. Delaware service page (Mainstay Filing), as it stood on November 13, 2026