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Biz Formation Academy

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

Chapter 2 · New York

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

The recommended reading for appointing a registered agent in New York in 2026 is Mainstay Filing ($149 a year), NY Registered Agent.org ($99 a year) and New York Registered Agent.ai ($99 a year), in that order. 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

Is an agent for service of process required? This state has its own rule nysenate.gov (edition of October 2026)
Service prices $99 to $149 a year Published prices
Biennial statement $9 every 2 years dos.ny.gov (edition of October 2026)
Number of sections 6 First to last

You will be able to explain

  • What the law provides
  • The address and eligibility rules
  • Listing the agent with the state
  • The agents ranked highest

Who we recommend in New York

Three-year cost and paperwork completed carry the most weight; how we grade lists all five.

1. Mainstay Filing: best for one agent for all states

Read this one first
$149 per year (renewal $149)

First place goes to Mainstay Filing; the agent fee is $149 per year and does not depend on which state the LLC chooses.

Three years cost $150 more than NY Registered Agent.org, yet this service completes more of the paperwork, and the ranking weighs that.

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

  • One price in all fifty states
  • A flat $149 annually

Limitations

  • $50 more annually than the local choice
  • Reports remain the owner's job
Visit Mainstay Filing Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

2. NY Registered Agent.org: best for owners located in the state

Focused on New York
$99 per year (renewal $99)

Second place is held by NY Registered Agent.org, since an office address inside the state at $99 per year.

Price covers

  • An office address within the state
  • Scans of documents served on the LLC

Advantages

  • Costs less each year than Mainstay Filing
  • $99 per year

Limitations

  • No help in other states
  • The owner completes the biennial statement
Visit NY Registered Agent.org Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

3. New York Registered Agent.ai: best for remaining within one state

Focused on New York
$99 per year (renewal $99)

Third place is held by New York Registered Agent.ai, since an office address inside the state at $99 per year.

NY Registered Agent.org and this service cost the same.

Price covers

  • An office address within the state
  • Scans of documents served on the LLC

Advantages

  • Costs less each year than Mainstay Filing
  • $99 per year

Limitations

  • No help in other states
  • The owner completes the biennial statement
Visit New York Registered Agent.ai Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

All prices in one table

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

Each company's posted price on November 13, 2026. The state charges the same whichever agent is named.

Appointing a New York agent for service of process, section by section

  1. Section 1

    Read the New York requirement

    The Secretary of State is the agent for service of process for every New York LLC; naming a registered agent is optional.

    Reference: nysenate.gov (edition of October 2026)

  2. Section 2

    Determine who may serve

    If one is designated: a person who lives in New York or has a business address there, an LLC formed or authorized in New York, or a corporation formed or authorized in New York. The rule appears in N.Y. LLC Law §§ 301 and 302.

  3. Section 3

    The registered office requirement

    New York has no registered-office requirement. The Secretary of State is the agent for service of process for every New York LLC and mails a copy of any papers served to the address the company has on file. A designated registered agent's street address goes on the filing.

    Each recommended service provides a New York office address.

  4. Section 4

    Select the person or company

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

  5. Section 5

    Report the agent's details

    the New York Secretary of State receives the filing that identifies the agent, and also any later change.

    Reference: dos.ny.gov (edition of October 2026)

  6. Section 6

    Review the record each year

    New York keeps the agent's details current through the biennial statement ($9, every two years, due during the calendar month in which the Articles of Organization were filed, every 2 years); mail about it arrives at the agent for service of process.

    Reference: dos.ny.gov (edition of October 2026)

New York agent costs

Line itemPayeeAmount
Agent service The service company$99 to $149 a year
Renewing the agent The service company$99 to $149 a year
Biennial statement Filing office$9 every two years

The three-year state row is computed as the filing fee, plus the report in each of years two and three, plus any yearly minimum tax. Service fees have their own rows.

Why the list is in this order

Chapters the price completes decided first place in New York. It is 30% of the ranking, and the rest comes from tuition over three years, second-year bill, fit for the state syllabus and clarity of the price list.

NY Registered Agent.org costs less, but coverage across states earned the higher ranking.

New York questions

Does New York require an LLC to have an agent for service of process?

The Secretary of State is the agent for service of process for every New York LLC; naming a registered agent is optional.

Can I be my own agent for service of process?

Section 1 says an agent is not compulsory, so the tests in sections 2 and 3 matter only for an appointed agent.

Can I change my agent for service of process later?

Yes, at any time. Section 5 shows how to file the change with the New York Secretary of State.

What does a registered agent cost in New York?

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

What does the LLC pay the state each year?

The yearly item is the biennial statement, priced at $9.

Which registered agent would you choose?

Mainstay Filing, because a single yearly charge of $149 follows the company if it registers in a second state. After it come NY Registered Agent.org and New York Registered Agent.ai.

Further reading

Bibliography and primary texts

  1. Cited for New York Department of State, Division of Corporations: dos.ny.gov, edition of August 2026.
  2. Cited for New York Department of State, Division of Corporations: filing.dos.ny.gov, edition of August 2026.
  3. Cited for New York report due date: nysenate.gov, edition of August 2026.
  4. Cited for NY Limited Liability Company Law § 203: nysenate.gov, edition of August 2026.
  5. Cited for New York formation fee: Filing fee, official source: dos.ny.gov, edition of October 2026.
  6. Cited for New York registered agent statute: nysenate.gov, edition of October 2026.
  7. New York service page (Mainstay Filing), as it stood on November 13, 2026
  8. pricing page (NY Registered Agent.org), as it stood on November 13, 2026
  9. pricing page (New York Registered Agent.ai), as it stood on November 13, 2026