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Module 2 · California

How to Get a Registered Agent in California (2026): 6 Steps and the 3 Best Agents

Lesson answer for California in 2026: if you want help with a registered agent, use Mainstay Filing ($149 a year), CA Registered Agent.org ($99 a year) and California Registered Agent.ai ($99 a year), in that order. Below, 6 steps cover what the law asks and how to meet it.

The Founder Classroom teaching team ·

Key facts

Agent for service of process required
Yesleginfo.legislature.ca.gov (October 2026)
Our picks cost
$99 to $149 a yearPublished prices
Statement of Information
$20 every 2 yearssos.ca.gov (October 2026)
Minimum tax
$800ftb.ca.gov (October 2026)
Lesson steps
6In order

Lesson goals

  • The California agent rule
  • The eligibility and address rules
  • How to name or change the agent
  • Our agent picks

Teacher's pick

If you want help with the filing

Same five criteria in every state; see how we grade.
Top pick

1. Mainstay Filing: best for a single agent nationwide

$149 per year, same at renewal

For most new founders in California, Mainstay Filing: a flat $149 yearly price wherever the LLC is registered.

CA Registered Agent.org is $150 less across three years; covering more lesson steps outweighs the gap on our rubric.

What you get

  • A California street address on the record
  • Service of process scanned the same business day at no charge
  • Three government mailings a year scanned free
  • Covers LLCs, corporations, LPs, LLPs and nonprofits

What we like

  • One provider everywhere
  • $149 a year, same at renewal

Watch out for

  • $50 more per year than the local pick
  • Reports need the formation package
Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
One-state plan

2. CA Registered Agent.org: best for founders on a budget

$99 per year, same at renewal

CA Registered Agent.org is a solid second choice: a one-state plan at $99 a year that renews at $99.

What you get

  • California address for the registered office
  • Served papers scanned to your account

What we like

  • Smaller yearly bill than Mainstay Filing
  • $99 a year, same at renewal

Watch out for

  • California only; other states need their own agent
  • Statement of Information not included
Visit CA Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
One-state plan

3. California Registered Agent.ai: best for a second local choice

$99 per year, same at renewal

California Registered Agent.ai is a solid third choice: a one-state plan at $99 a year that renews at $99.

Its prices match CA Registered Agent.org, so either is a fine choice.

What you get

  • California address for the registered office
  • Served papers scanned to your account

What we like

  • Smaller yearly bill than Mainstay Filing
  • $99 a year, same at renewal

Watch out for

  • California only; other states need their own agent
  • Statement of Information not included
Visit California Registered Agent.aiPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.

Compare the picks

#ServiceAnnual priceRenewal priceThree-year total
1Mainstay Filing$149$149/yr$447Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2CA Registered Agent.org$99$99/yr$297Visit CA Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3California Registered Agent.ai$99$99/yr$297Visit California Registered Agent.aiPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Each company's listed price on November 12, 2026. California bills the same either way.

The steps

  1. Step 1: Start with the legal requirement

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

    Official source: leginfo.legislature.ca.gov (October 2026)

  2. Step 2: Find out who can do the job

    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. (Cal. Corp. Code § 17701.13)

  3. Step 3: Get the address right

    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.

    TipA service address keeps your home address private.

  4. Step 4: Pick who will be the agent

    You have two choices: act as the agent yourself, if you qualify, or pay $99 to $149 a year for one of our picks.

  5. Step 5: Name the agent in the filing

    A new LLC lists its agent in the Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1). Switching agents later is a separate change filing with the California Secretary of State.

    Official source: leginfo.legislature.ca.gov (August 2026)

  6. Step 6: Watch the yearly filing

    $20 every two years for the Statement of Information, due last day of the LLC's registration-anniversary month, biennially. Notices about it reach you through the agent for service of process. $800 a year minimum LLC tax to the Franchise Tax Board (Form FTB 3522), separate from the Statement of Information.

    Official source: sos.ca.gov (October 2026)

Agent and state costs

Cost itemPaid toAmount
A professional agentThe service$99 to $149 a year
Agent renewalThe service$99 to $149 a year
Statement of InformationState office$20 every two years
Minimum taxState office$800 a year
The state rows are official figures; the service row uses each company's published price. The three-year total leaves service fees out.

How we ranked the California picks

On lesson steps handled, which carries 35%, Mainstay Filing scored above CA Registered Agent.org.

Coverage put it ahead of CA Registered Agent.org.

California questions

Do I need an agent for service of process in California?

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

Can I be my own agent for service of process?

Yes. Steps 2 and 3 set out who qualifies and the address you need.

Can I change my agent for service of process later?

Yes. Step 5 covers the change filing with the California Secretary of State.

What does a registered agent cost in California?

$99 to $149 per year for the agents we picked.

What does the LLC pay the state each year?

The Statement of Information, $20 every two years, plus the yearly minimum tax.

Which registered agent would you choose?

Mainstay Filing: $149 a year with one provider for any state you add later. After it, CA Registered Agent.org and California Registered Agent.ai.

Keep learning

Lesson sources

  1. sos.ca.gov. California Secretary of State. Confirmed August 2026.
  2. bpd.cdn.sos.ca.gov. California Secretary of State. Confirmed August 2026.
  3. sos.ca.gov. California yearly filing: Statement of Information, official source. Confirmed October 2026.
  4. leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Cal. Confirmed August 2026.
  5. leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. California registered agent statute. Confirmed October 2026.
  6. ftb.ca.gov. California other cost: Annual LLC tax: amount and. Confirmed October 2026.
  7. ftb.ca.gov. California other cost: Annual LLC tax: amount and. Confirmed October 2026.
  8. Mainstay Filing California service page: prices as shown November 12, 2026
  9. CA Registered Agent.org pricing page: prices as shown November 12, 2026
  10. California Registered Agent.ai pricing page: prices as shown November 12, 2026