Updated on April 22, 2024
A New York registered agent is a person or entity authorized to accept legal documents on behalf of a company. The agent must be available during regular business hours. Every entity registered to do business in New York must continuously maintain a registered agent.
Top Registered Agents (7)
| Company | Price ($) | Document Scanning | Agent Change Fee | Annual Renewal Fee | Mobile App? |
*ZenBusiness 4.7 out of 5 – 13,467 reviews | $99/year | Yes | $0 | $0 | iOS | Android |
| Incfile 4.7 out of 5 – 15,944 reviews | $119/year | Yes | $0 | $0 | – |
Harbor Compliance 4.0 out of 5 – 17 reviews | $99/year | Yes | $50 | $0 | – |
Northwest Registered Agent 3.5 out of 5 – 62 reviews | $125/year | 15/year | $0 | $0 | – |
| New York Registered Agent 3.2 out of 5 – 3 reviews | $49/year | Yes | $0 | $0 | – |
InCorp Services 2.2 out of 5 – 16 reviews | $129/year | Yes | $0 | $49 | iOS |
| CT Corporation 1.8 out of 5 – 16 reviews | $354/year | Yes | $0 | $0 | – |
*We collect affiliate fees from this company. Pricing is $99 for the first year and $199 for renewal.
Registered Agent Search
Step 1 – Visit the state’s Corporation and Business Entity Database.
Step 2 – Select “Search By Entity Name,” enter the entity name, select the entity status, and check the box next to the appropriate entity type. Click “Search the Database.”
Step 3 – Select the name of the appropriate entity from the list in the left-hand column.
Step 4 – Review information about the entity, including the name and address of its registered agent.
Who can be a Registered Agent?
Can I be a Registered Agent?
Yes, if you are an individual residing in New York or an entity eligible to transact business in New York.[2]
The most common way for a corporation to designate a registered agent is to include the agent’s details in documentation filed with the state to form the corporation. To register a corporation and select an agent in New York, select from the following list. Send the completed form and filing fee to the New York Department of State, Division of Corporations, One Commerce Plaza, 99 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12231.
- Corporation: Complete the Certificate of Incorporation with the Department of State. Corporations can also file online. The filing fee is $125.
- Limited Liability Company: Complete the Articles of Organization. This must be done online. The filing fee is $200.
- Limited Partnership: Complete the Certificate of Limited Partnership. The filing fee is $200.
Changing a Registered Agent
To change its registered agent, a corporation can file a Certificate of Change with the Secretary of State. In New York, there is a specific certificate for each type of entity. Select an option below, then complete the form and send it, along with payment for the filing fee, to the Division of Corporations, State Records and Uniform Commercial Code, One Commerce Plaza 99 Washington Ave. Albany, NY 12231-0001.
- Corporation: $30 filing fee
- Nonprofit: $20 filing fee
- LLC: $30 filing fee
- Foreign LLC: $30 filing fee
- Limited Partnership: $30 filing fee
- Foreign Limited Partnership: $30 filing fee
- Domestic or Foreign Limited Liability Partnership: Mail the Secretary of State a statement indicating the partnership’s name, the date of its registration, the changes being made, and confirmation that notice was mailed to the partnership at least 30 days prior. Include the name and address of the person to whom a filing receipt should be mailed. The filing fee is $5.[3]
Certificate of Change
Download: PDF
Resigning as a Registered Agent
A registered agent may resign by creating a signed Certificate of Resignation and mailing it to the Division of Corporations. The certificate should state that the agent resigned and include the date of the entity’s incorporation. It should also confirm that written notice has been sent to the business address of the corporation the agent represents.
To resign from a registered agent position at a limited liability company, complete and file a Certificate of Resignation of Registered Agent with the Department of State. The completed certificate, together with a filing fee of $20, should be forwarded to the New York Department of State, Division of Corporations, One Commerce Plaza, 99 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12231.
A resignation becomes effective 30 days after filing.[4]
Certificate of Resignation
Download: PDF