Kept simple · California
3 Best Registered Agents in California (2026) and What California Requires
The short version
- Required?
- Yes, it is required
- Title in law
- Agent for service of process
- Typical price
- $99 to $149 a year
- Ranked first
- Mainstay Filing, California Registered Agent.ai then CA Registered Agent.org
Ranked in California
The order follows five checks. Three-year cost comes first, then what the price covers. See method.1. Mainstay Filing: best for one price in every state
Annual price $149, renewal price $149
Mainstay Filing ranks first in California. $149 annually buys the same agent service in all fifty states.
California Registered Agent.ai costs $150 less over three years. It works only in California.
Includes
- An in-state street address
- Free scans of three government mailings a year
- For LLCs, corporations, LPs, LLPs and nonprofits
Good
- Usable wherever you register
- $149 a year, flat at renewal
Against
- The yearly bill is $50 higher
- You still file reports
2. California Registered Agent.ai: best for an LLC that stays put
Annual price $99, renewal price $99
California Registered Agent.ai takes second place because it puts a street address on file in California for $99 a year.
Includes
- A local address
- Legal papers scanned online
Good
- Just $99 a year
- A lower yearly bill than the national pick
Against
- Single-state coverage
- Leaves the Statement of Information on your desk
3. CA Registered Agent.org: best for keeping it local
Annual price $99, renewal price $99
CA Registered Agent.org takes third place because it puts a street address on file in California for $99 a year.
It charges what California Registered Agent.ai charges.
Includes
- A local address
- Legal papers scanned online
Good
- Just $99 a year
- A lower yearly bill than the national pick
Against
- Single-state coverage
- Leaves the Statement of Information on your desk
Side by side
| # | Company | Start | Renewal | Three years | Covers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mainstay Filing | $149 | $149/yr | $447 | An in-state street address; free scans of three government mailings a year; For LLCs, corporations, LPs, LLPs and nonprofits | View Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 2 | California Registered Agent.ai | $99 | $99/yr | $297 | A local address; legal papers scanned online | View California Registered Agent.aiPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 3 | CA Registered Agent.org | $99 | $99/yr | $297 | A local address; legal papers scanned online | View CA Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
The facts
Is an agent for service of process required?
Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
Law: Cal. Corp. Code § 17701.13. from leginfo.legislature.ca.gov, October 2026, kept short
Who qualifies?
A California resident, or a corporation registered with the Secretary of State as a corporate agent under Corporations Code § 1505. A business cannot act as its own agent for service of process.
If you qualify, you can be your own agent at no cost.
What does an agent cost?
$99 to $149 a year, or $297 to $447 for three.
State fees do not change with your choice of agent.
What does an agent do?
It receives lawsuits and official state mail for the LLC at an address in California.
If papers arrive and nobody accepts them, a case can proceed without the LLC. What is service of process?
What else is due each year?
Pay $20 every other year for the Statement of Information. The state puts the date at last day of the LLC's registration-anniversary month, biennially. Budget for the minimum tax too.
from sos.ca.gov, October 2026, kept short
Why this order?
Mainstay Filing scores best on work included, which is 27% of the score.
Five checks: three-year cost (38%), work included (27%), readable pricing (13%), renewal steadiness (11%) and state coverage (11%).
California Registered Agent.ai is the smaller bill. It serves California alone.
California: registered agents
| Requirement | Detail | Confirm |
|---|---|---|
| LLC filing fee | $70 | from leginfo.legislature.ca.gov, August 2026, kept short |
| Agent for service of process | Yes, it is required | from leginfo.legislature.ca.gov, October 2026, kept short |
| Statement of Information | $20 every two years | from sos.ca.gov, October 2026, kept short |
| Yearly minimum tax | $800 a year | from ftb.ca.gov, October 2026, kept short |
| State fees, three years | $2,490 | Sum of the rows above |
Questions
May I name myself?
Yes, if you meet the state's rules on who may serve and on the address.
Which addresses count?
An individual agent's California street address goes on the public record. A registered corporate agent's address is already on file with the state and is not repeated in the company's filing.
What do the picks cost over three years?
Across three years: Mainstay Filing at $447, California Registered Agent.ai at $297, CA Registered Agent.org at $297
Are the fees official?
Official California sources for the state side. Published prices for the service side.
Does the law require one?
Not required. The state takes filings from owners.
Which ranks first in California?
Mainstay Filing, because there is one rate, $149 a year, wherever the LLC registers. Then California Registered Agent.ai and CA Registered Agent.org.
Sources
- Entry for California Secretary of State: read at sos.ca.gov, dated August 2026, kept short on purpose
- Entry for California Secretary of State: read at bpd.cdn.sos.ca.gov, dated August 2026, kept short on purpose
- Entry for California yearly filing: Statement of: read at sos.ca.gov, dated October 2026, kept short on purpose
- Entry for Cal: read at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov, dated August 2026, kept short on purpose
- Entry for California registered agent statute: read at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov, dated October 2026, kept short on purpose
- Entry for California other cost: Annual LLC: read at ftb.ca.gov, dated October 2026, kept short on purpose
- Entry for California other cost: Annual LLC: read at ftb.ca.gov, dated October 2026, kept short on purpose
- Mainstay Filing California service page, read November 13, 2026
- California Registered Agent.ai pricing page, read November 13, 2026
- CA Registered Agent.org pricing page, read November 13, 2026