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Biz Formation Academy

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

Chapter 2 · North Dakota

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

For appointing a registered agent in North Dakota in 2026, this chapter recommends Mainstay Filing ($149 a year), North Dakota Registered Agent.co ($99 a year) and ND Registered Agents.org ($99 a year), ranked from first to last. This chapter's 6 sections explain what North Dakota demands of a registered agent, who may serve, which address qualifies and how the appointment is recorded.
Written by the Biz Formation Academy editorial board

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Required by law Yes Source text at ndlegis.gov, October 2026
Yearly cost of the recommended agents $99 to $149 a year Published prices
Annual report $50 a year Source text at sos.nd.gov, August 2026
Number of sections 6 Each one explained

What this chapter teaches

  • The legal requirement
  • The address and eligibility rules
  • How to name or replace the agent
  • How the recommended agents compare

The North Dakota shortlist

Cost over three years comes first, then paperwork completed, second-year price, North Dakota fit and price clarity (grading page).

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

Top recommendation
Year one $149; renewal $149

This chapter recommends Mainstay Filing above the others, because $149 a year from one provider, for this state and any later one.

Set against North Dakota Registered Agent.co, the three-year premium is $150, which the 30% weight on paperwork covered outweighs.

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

  • One price in all fifty states
  • $149 each year with no increase

Limitations

  • $50 more annually than the local choice
  • An agent-only plan with no report filing
Visit Mainstay Filing Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

2. North Dakota Registered Agent.co: best for owners watching costs

Focused on North Dakota
Year one $99; renewal $99

The second recommendation, North Dakota Registered Agent.co: an office address inside the state at $99 per year.

Price covers

  • A North Dakota address for the registered office
  • Legal papers scanned and posted

Advantages

  • $99 each year with no increase
  • Less per year than Mainstay Filing

Limitations

  • No help in other states
  • The owner completes the annual report
Visit North Dakota Registered Agent.co Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

3. ND Registered Agents.org: best for another local choice

Focused on North Dakota
Year one $99; renewal $99

The third recommendation, ND Registered Agents.org: an office address inside the state at $99 per year.

On price, it matches North Dakota Registered Agent.co.

Price covers

  • A North Dakota address for the registered office
  • Legal papers scanned and posted

Advantages

  • $99 each year with no increase
  • Less per year than Mainstay Filing

Limitations

  • No help in other states
  • The owner completes the annual report
Visit ND Registered Agents.org Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

3 services, side by side

#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 North Dakota Registered Agent.co $99$99/yr$297 Visit North Dakota Registered Agent.co Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3 ND Registered Agents.org $99$99/yr$297 Visit ND Registered Agents.org 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 North Dakota registered agent, section by section

  1. Section 1

    Read the North Dakota requirement

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

    Reference: Source text at ndlegis.gov, October 2026

  2. Section 2

    Who qualifies as an agent

    A commercial registered agent listed with the Secretary of State, or a noncommercial agent: a North Dakota resident, or an entity registered with the Secretary of State that has a North Dakota business office. A business cannot serve as its own agent. Authority: N.D. Cent. Code § 10-01.1-05.

  3. Section 3

    Meet the address requirement

    The address has to be a complete physical address in North Dakota. P.O. boxes are not accepted.

    Using a service keeps a home address out of the public record.

  4. Section 4

    Acting personally or hiring

    Professional agents among the recommended services charge $99 to $149 a year; serving personally is available to those who qualify.

  5. Section 5

    Record the agent with the state

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

    Reference: Source text at sos.nd.gov, October 2026

  6. Section 6

    Update the record when facts change

    Budget for the annual report: $50 every year, due November 15. Official mail on the subject goes to the registered agent.

    Reference: Source text at sos.nd.gov, August 2026

The cost of this chapter

EntryGoes toPrice
Registered agent service Service$99 to $149 a year
Renewal Service$99 to $149 a year
Annual report State agency$50 every year

The filing fee, two later reports and any minimum tax make up the state's three-year total; the bibliography shows where each figure came from.

Why the list is in this order

On chapters the price completes (30% of the ranking) came first, with next.

An agent that can follow the LLC into any state ranked above North Dakota Registered Agent.co's lower price.

What readers ask

Must every North Dakota LLC keep 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, if the eligibility and address tests in sections 2 and 3 are met.

Can I change my registered agent later?

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

What does a registered agent cost in North Dakota?

Budget $99 to $149 annually for an agent from the list.

What does the LLC pay the state each year?

The yearly item is the annual report, priced at $50.

Which registered agent would you choose?

Mainstay Filing ranks first and North Dakota Registered Agent.co and ND Registered Agents.org follow; Mainstay Filing leads on chapters the price completes.

Related chapters

Bibliography and primary texts

  1. Primary text behind North Dakota Secretary of State, Business Division: sos.nd.gov, accessed August 2026.
  2. Primary text behind North Dakota Secretary of State, Business Division: sos.nd.gov, accessed August 2026.
  3. Primary text behind North Dakota report due date: ndlegis.gov, accessed August 2026.
  4. Primary text behind North Dakota formation fee: Filing fee, official source: sos.nd.gov, accessed October 2026.
  5. Primary text behind North Dakota registered agent statute: ndlegis.gov, accessed October 2026.
  6. Prices quoted from the North Dakota service page at Mainstay Filing on November 13, 2026
  7. Prices quoted from the pricing page at North Dakota Registered Agent.co on November 13, 2026
  8. Prices quoted from the pricing page at ND Registered Agents.org on November 13, 2026