Discover the Best Registered Agent Services in Virginia
*Disclosure: We earn commissions if you shop through the links below. Commissions do not affect our editors’ opinions or evaluations.
BY Reviano team, Feb 04, 2023
A registered agent is an individual or entity designated by an active company, such as an LLC, C Corp, or any other entity type, to accept service of process notices, government correspondence, and compliance-related documents on behalf of the company.
If you're looking for the best Virginia registered agents, we review the top 8 services you can try. We highlight their pros, cons, pricing, and whether the Virginia registered agent is a good fit for you.
What Is a Registered Agent?
A registered agent receives legal documents on your business's behalf after you must have registered it as an LLC or Corp. The registered agent's address will usually be listed in public records instead of yours. Whoever intends to file a lawsuit against your company can find the address and send the legal document to your registered agent.
You'll need to hire a registered agent when forming your Virginia LLC. Getting the right Virginia registered agent is important to ensure you receive legal documents on time, your privacy and personal information are secure, and your business assets are safe.
A Virginia registered agent will also make sure your company stays compliant with all its legal obligations to the Virginia State Corporate Commission.
8 Best Registered Agent Services in Virginia
Northwest Registered Agent is our top pick for the best registered agent services in Virginia because of their excellent customer service and incredible value for the price. Although not the cheapest in town, the pricing is relatively mid-range, and the value is worth every penny. Northwest Registered Agent offers virtual office addresses in all states, including Virginia. You can also use their mail forwarding service.
Pros
Cons
Conclusion:
Northwest Registered Agent will help register your LLC, C Corp, or non-profit for $39 + state filing fees. You'll get their registered agent service free for the first year, after which it renews at $128 annually. You can also choose which add-on you want, so you don't get to pay for features you don't need.
4.8/5
ZenBusiness is another great registered agent service you can use for your limited liability company in Virginia. We recommend them for their customer support, affordability, and the number of services they provide.
ZenBusiness's registered agent service starts at $99 (without LLC formation), which is one of the most affordable among its competitors. It renews at $199 after the first year.
Pros
Cons
Conclusion:
ZenBusiness registered agent service starts at $99 without LLC formation, but you can get it free for the first year if you choose an LLC formation package.
4.5/5
Since its inception, Incfile has formed over 250K business entities. The service is very much family with the business formation requirements in Virginia, so you can trust them to be your registered agent in this location.
Incfile will register your business for $0 + state fee. You get the first year of registered agent services for free, after which it becomes $119 per year.
Pros
Cons
Conclusion:
Incfile offers Virginia registered agent services, including a virtual mailing address and mail forwarding. The service is free for the first year and costs $119 per year thereafter. It's one of the few companies offering free LLC formation and registered agent services for the first year.
4.4/5
Inc Authority
Inc Authority is a big name in the business formation world and has proven itself to be one of the best registered agent services in Virginia. With a free LLC formation service + free registered agent service for the first year, it's a pretty great choice if budget is a priority.
But it's more than just pricing; Inc Authority offers many extra services in the free year, including business name checks and digital storage.
Pros
Cons
Conclusion:
Inc Authority becomes very pricey after the first year, costing $399-$799 yearly, depending on how many upsells you choose. So if you're attracted by the first-year $0 offer, don't forget to consider subsequent renewals.
4.4/5
LegalZoom
Legal Zoom is another popular registered agent in Virginia. Although it offers virtually the same services as the competitors, it costs more, $249 for the first year and $299 thereafter. But LegalZoom has considered the best premium registered agent service for a reason: the perks. It has one of the largest networks in the US and offers comprehensive legal services, so it can be your go-to service provider for both business and legal needs.
Pros
Cons
Conclusion:
LegalZoom is a great choice if you desire to deal with a Virginia registered agent with a vast reputation and experience in the industry. The LLC formation costs $79 + state fees, while the Virginia registered agent service starts at $299 yearly after the first year. There's no free service in the first year.
4/5
Harbor Compliance
Harbor Compliance is an LLC service provider specializing in compliance for highly regulated industries. They provide a rich database of government requirements so that their clients can stay up-to-date with regulations. This is particularly useful for limited liability companies that are just starting out.
We generally recommend Harbor Compliance for its responsive customer service.
Pros
Cons
Conclusion:
Harbor Compliance registered agent service costs a hefty $399. Unless you're in a highly regulated industry with strict compliance requirements, it might not offer great value.
4/5
Rocket Lawyer
We included Rocket Lawyer in our list of best Virginia registered agent services because of their excellence in dealing with sensitive information. The company also provides attorney consultation and other legal services whenever you need them.
Pros
Cons
Conclusion:
You get free LLC formation by paying Rocket Lawyer's $39.99 monthly membership fee. As a non-member, the service becomes very expensive, with LLC formation costing $99.9 + state fees and registered agent services costing $149.99 yearly.
4/5
BetterLegal
BetterLegal is another provider you should consider when looking for a registered agent service for your Virginia LLC.
In addition to registered agents, Better Legal also provides LLC formation services. Plus, they can help with business filing and annual reports. We recommend BetterLegal to business owners who need a company that can form their LLC on time, without hassle or delay.
Pros
Cons
Conclusion:
BetterLegal charges $90 per year for registered agent services, while business formation costs a hefty $299. It is a very affordable choice if you only use the company as a Virginia registered agent and not for business filing.
4/5
Best Virginia Registered Agent Service Overall
Northwest Registered Agent is the best overall registered agent in Virginia due to their excellent customer service, customer reviews, and pricing.
On carefully reviewing Northwest Registered Agent, we found that it offers an average number of services and features at a lower price than its top competitors like LegalZoom and Inc Authority.
Northwest will set up your Virginia LLC for only $39 + state fees and provide you with registered agent service free for the first year. You renew the Virginia registered agent service for $125 yearly.
What's more, Northwest operates in all 50 states, making it easy for you to expand your reach nationwide.
Benefits of Using a Virginia Registered Agent Service
Here are a few reasons you should hire a professional registered agent service
Conclusion:
Hiring the right registered agent in Virginia is crucial as it ensures your personal information, privacy, and legal assets are protected. We conducted our review using several criteria, including features, pricing, ease of use, customer support, and customer feedback.
Virginia Registered Agent Service FAQs
How to choose the best Virginia Registered Agent Service?
To choose the best Virginia registered agent service, consider the following:
The agent you choose (could be a family member, friend, or dedicated company) is listed on the business formation documents and mailed to the Virginia Secretary of State office.
Yes, it would be best to have a registered agent in Virginia. Without a registered agent’s name listed on your Articles of Organization, your company may have to pay state fees, penalties, etc.
Plus, the secretary of state will reject your business filing if your articles of incorporation don't contain your registered agent's information.
You may run a sole proprietorship without filing any legal documents with the Virginia state government. But if you intend to hire employees, you must register with the Virginia Tax and Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) or State Corporation Commission (SCC). Businesses formed in another state must register with the SCC before transacting business in Virginia.
When choosing a VA registered agent service, the first thing to consider is whether they operate in the state where you want to set up your business. Also, consider whether they have other services you will need, such as business entity filings and mail handling. You can find a registered agent online.
Any information you fill in your Articles of Organization will be publicly listed with the State Corporation Commission. This includes your personal address. So if you do not want your personal information to be on public record, you would have to hire a Virginia registered agent so that the registered agent's name and address will be used instead of yours.
Registered agent service providers in Virginia usually charge from $90 to $250 yearly. But Virginia Registered Agent Services offers theirs for only $49.
A virtual address is a physical street address, so it is acceptable when forming your LLC. Note that you must input only a physical address as your business address when filing your LLC so a virtual business address works.
No, you can't use a PO Box for your LLC in Virginia. Your registered agent's address must also be a street address in Virginia.
You can name yourself as your own registered agent as long as you meet the registered agent requirements, such as being a Virginia resident. However, if you name yourself as your own registered agent, your personal information will become a public record, including your home address.
You also may not be available to receive and respond to crucial legal mail on time. A registered agent can also help your business with compliance. Most businesses prefer to use a professional registered agent service because of the benefits.
There's no filing fee to change Virginia registered agents. Fill out a Statement of Change of Registered Office Address and/or Change of Registered Agent and submit it to the Virginia State Corporation Commission.
They all mean the same thing, as they perform the same duties. It all depends on the state and how they use the words. A registered agent may also be called a statutory agent.
The service of process is when someone gives you a legal notice. This notice tells you to take action, such as stop doing something or go to court. You must do what the notice says.