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Biz Formation Academy

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

Unit 2 · Kentucky

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

The recommended reading for appointing a registered agent in Kentucky in 2026 is KY Registered Agent.org ($99 a year), Mainstay Filing ($149 a year) and Kentucky Registered Agent.co ($99 a year), in that order. After 6 sections the registered agent question is settled for Kentucky.
Written by the Biz Formation Academy editorial board

Read first

Must one be named? Yes See apps.legislature.ky.gov; page last consulted October 2026
Price of recommended services $99 to $149 a year As each company lists them
Annual report $15 a year See sos.ky.gov; page last consulted August 2026
State minimum tax $175 See revenue.ky.gov; page last consulted October 2026
Chapter sections 6 Each one explained

Learning objectives

  • Why Kentucky requires an agent on file
  • The address and eligibility rules
  • How to name or replace the agent
  • The agents ranked highest

Kentucky: 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. KY Registered Agent.org: best for LLCs based only in Kentucky

Best overall
$99 per year (renewal $99)

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

Mainstay Filing costs more across three years, so this service takes first place.

Price covers

  • An office address within the state
  • Served documents appear online

Advantages

  • $99 each year with no increase
  • Priced below Mainstay Filing

Limitations

  • Kentucky only, so each additional state means one more agent
  • Filing the annual report is not part of its service
Visit KY Registered Agent.org Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

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

Upkeep included
$149 per year (renewal $149)

Second place is held by Mainstay Filing, since a single yearly charge of $149 follows the company if it registers in a second state.

Three years cost $150 above KY Registered Agent.org, and cost counts for 34% of the ranking.

Price covers

  • A physical street address in 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

  • Available in all fifty states
  • $149 a year, unchanged at renewal

Limitations

  • Higher by $50 a year
  • An agent-only plan with no report filing
Visit Mainstay Filing Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

3. Kentucky Registered Agent.co: best for a second Kentucky option

Kentucky specialist
$99 per year (renewal $99)

Third place is held by Kentucky Registered Agent.co, since a plan for one state: $99 a year, renewing at $99.

On price, it matches KY Registered Agent.org.

Price covers

  • An office address within the state
  • Served documents appear online

Advantages

  • $99 each year with no increase
  • Priced below Mainstay Filing

Limitations

  • Kentucky only, so each additional state means one more agent
  • Filing the annual report is not part of its service
Visit Kentucky Registered Agent.co Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

The Kentucky rankings compared

#ServiceAnnual priceRenewal priceThree-year total
1 KY Registered Agent.org $99$99/yr$297 Visit KY Registered Agent.org Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2 Mainstay Filing $149$149/yr$447 Visit Mainstay Filing Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3 Kentucky Registered Agent.co $99$99/yr$297 Visit Kentucky Registered Agent.co 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 Kentucky agent is set up

  1. Section 1

    The Kentucky rule stated

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

    Reference: See apps.legislature.ky.gov; page last consulted October 2026

  2. Section 2

    Determine who may serve

    A Kentucky resident, or an entity qualified to do business in Kentucky, whose business address is the registered office. The agent signs or files a written acceptance. Source of the rule: KRS 14A.4-010.

  3. Section 3

    Choose a qualifying office address

    The address has to be a physical registered office in Kentucky that matches the agent's business address. A P.O. box is not enough.

    A hired service lists its own Kentucky street address in place of yours.

  4. Section 4

    Acting personally or hiring

    An owner who meets the tests above may serve; hiring one of the recommended agents costs $99 to $149 a year.

  5. Section 5

    Record the agent with the state

    A new LLC names its agent on the Articles of Organization - Profit Limited Liability Company (Form KLC), delivered to the Kentucky Secretary of State. Replacing the agent later requires an amendment filed with the same office.

    Reference: See sos.ky.gov; page last consulted October 2026

  6. Section 6

    Keep the agent record accurate

    Kentucky keeps the agent's details current through the annual report ($15, every year, due on or before June 30); mail about it arrives at the registered agent. Limited Liability Entity Tax: a $175 minimum each year to the Department of Revenue.

    Reference: See sos.ky.gov; page last consulted August 2026

The price list

SectionGoes toTotal
Registered agent service Service$99 to $149 a year
Renewing the agent Service$99 to $149 a year
Annual report The state$15 every year
Yearly minimum tax The state$175 a year

Rows for the state rely on Kentucky'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.

Why KY Registered Agent.org is first

Tuition over three years accounts for 34% of the ranking, and led on it in Kentucky.

Years one through three at KY Registered Agent.org come out at $297, which leaves $150 in the owner's pocket compared with Mainstay Filing.

What readers ask

Does Kentucky law call for a registered agent?

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

Can I be my own registered agent?

Yes, when both the eligibility rule and the address rule in sections 2 and 3 are satisfied.

Can I change my registered agent later?

Yes. A replacement requires a change filing at the Kentucky Secretary of State (section 5).

What does a registered agent cost in Kentucky?

The listed agents run $99 to $149 per year.

What does the LLC pay the state each year?

The annual report is the recurring cost: $15, every year, plus a yearly minimum tax.

Which registered agent would you choose?

KY Registered Agent.org, because $99 a year provides a Kentucky agent with an in-state office. After it come Mainstay Filing and Kentucky Registered Agent.co.

Further reading

Bibliography and primary texts

  1. Cited for Kentucky Secretary of State: sos.ky.gov, edition of August 2026.
  2. Cited for Kentucky Secretary of State: sos.ky.gov, edition of August 2026.
  3. Cited for Kentucky report due date: apps.legislature.ky.gov, edition of August 2026.
  4. Cited for KRS 275.025: apps.legislature.ky.gov, edition of August 2026.
  5. Cited for Kentucky formation fee: Filing fee, official source: sos.ky.gov, edition of October 2026.
  6. Cited for Kentucky registered agent statute: apps.legislature.ky.gov, edition of October 2026.
  7. Cited for Kentucky other cost: Limited Liability Entity Tax, official: revenue.ky.gov, edition of October 2026.
  8. November 13, 2026: KY Registered Agent.org's pricing page was consulted for the price tables
  9. November 13, 2026: Mainstay Filing's Kentucky service page was consulted for the price tables
  10. November 13, 2026: Kentucky Registered Agent.co's pricing page was consulted for the price tables