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Lesson 2 · Delaware

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

The short answer for a registered agent in Delaware this year (2026): Delaware Registered Agent.ai ($99 a year), Mainstay Filing ($149 a year) and DE Registered Agent.org ($99 a year), in that order. After the picks, 6 steps explain the registered agent rule in plain words.

The Founder Classroom teaching team ·

Key facts

Mandatory
YesPer delcode.delaware.gov, last confirmed October 2026
Agent service
$99 to $149 a yearCompany price pages
Annual LLC Tax
$400 a yearPer legis.delaware.gov, last confirmed October 2026
Lesson steps
6One at a time

What you will learn

  • What the law says
  • The eligibility and address rules
  • How to put the agent on record
  • How our agent picks compare

Teacher's pick

Who we'd use in Delaware

How we graded: five criteria, with three-year cost and steps handled counting most.
Best overall

1. Delaware Registered Agent.ai: best for one-state companies

$99/year (renewal $99)

Start with Delaware Registered Agent.ai: a Delaware street address for the registered office at $99 a year.

Cost settles it: over three years it is less than Mainstay Filing.

What you get

  • Registered office address
  • Served papers scanned to your account

What we like

  • $99 a year, no increase
  • Lower yearly cost than the national pick

Watch out for

  • Another state means another agent
  • You file the Annual LLC Tax
Visit Delaware Registered Agent.aiPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Any state

2. Mainstay Filing: best for one agent in every state

$149/year (renewal $149)

In second, Mainstay Filing: an agent at $149 a year that can follow the company into new states.

The $150 three-year gap against Delaware Registered Agent.ai decides its place.

What you get

  • Physical in-state address
  • 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

  • Follows you to any state
  • Flat $149/year

Watch out for

  • Delaware Registered Agent.ai is $50 a year less
  • No report filing on this plan
Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Delaware specialist

3. DE Registered Agent.org: best for a second local choice

$99/year (renewal $99)

DE Registered Agent.org is a solid third choice: a Delaware street address for the registered office at $99 a year.

It costs the same as Delaware Registered Agent.ai.

What you get

  • Registered office address
  • Served papers scanned to your account

What we like

  • Lower yearly cost than the national pick
  • $99 a year, no increase

Watch out for

  • Another state means another agent
  • You file the Annual LLC Tax
Visit DE Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.

Prices at a glance

#ServiceAnnual priceRenewal priceThree-year total
1Delaware Registered Agent.ai$99$99/yr$297Visit Delaware Registered Agent.aiPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2Mainstay Filing$149$149/yr$447Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3DE Registered Agent.org$99$99/yr$297Visit DE Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Published prices, read November 12, 2026. The state charges the same whichever agent you name.

Appointing a Delaware registered agent, step by step

  1. Step 1: Know the Delaware rule

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

    Official source: Per delcode.delaware.gov, last confirmed October 2026

  2. Step 2: Confirm who may be the agent

    The LLC itself, a Delaware resident, or a business entity formed in Delaware or authorized to do business there. Law: 6 Del. C. § 18-104.

  3. Step 3: Meet the address rule

    The address has to be a registered office in Delaware. An entity agent keeps a business office there that is generally open; an individual agent has to be generally present there. A virtual office or mail-forwarding service alone does not qualify.

    TipA service address keeps your home address private.

  4. Step 4: Choose between serving yourself and hiring one

    Serving yourself is allowed when you qualify; hiring one of our picks runs $99 to $149 yearly.

  5. Step 5: List the agent with the state

    A new LLC lists its agent in the Certificate of Formation of a Limited Liability Company. Switching agents later is a separate change filing with the Delaware Secretary of State.

    Official source: Per delcode.delaware.gov, last confirmed October 2026

  6. Step 6: Look after it each year

    Each year, the Annual LLC Tax confirms your details for $400, by annual alternative-entity tax due on or before June 1. Late filings cost $200.

    Official source: Per legis.delaware.gov, last confirmed October 2026

The cost of this lesson

WhatWho you payCost
Agent serviceThe service$99 to $149 a year
RenewalThe service$99 to $149 a year
Annual LLC TaxThe state$400 every year
State amounts come from Delaware's official schedules (see References). The three-year state line adds the filing, the reports due in years two and three and any yearly minimum tax.

Behind the ranking

On three-year cost, which carries 30%, Delaware Registered Agent.ai scored above Mainstay Filing.

The three-year bill with Delaware Registered Agent.ai is $297, and the gap to Mainstay Filing is $150.

Quick answers

Do I need a registered agent in Delaware?

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

Can I be my own registered agent?

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

Can I change my registered agent later?

You can switch at any time by filing the change with the Delaware Secretary of State.

What does a registered agent cost in Delaware?

$99 to $149 a year among our picks.

What does the LLC pay the state each year?

The Annual LLC Tax, $400 every year.

Which registered agent would you choose?

Delaware Registered Agent.ai first, then Mainstay Filing and DE Registered Agent.org; Delaware Registered Agent.ai leads on three-year cost.

More lessons

Reading list: official sources

  1. Delaware yearly filing: Recurring obligation, official source, published at corp.delaware.gov, as of October 2026
  2. Delaware yearly filing: Recurring obligation, official source, published at corp.delaware.gov, as of October 2026
  3. Delaware yearly filing: HB 400, official source, published at legis.delaware.gov, as of October 2026
  4. Delaware report due date, published at delcode.delaware.gov, as of August 2026
  5. 6 Del, published at delcode.delaware.gov, as of August 2026
  6. Delaware registered agent statute, published at delcode.delaware.gov, as of October 2026
  7. Delaware Registered Agent.ai, pricing page (read November 12, 2026)
  8. Mainstay Filing, Delaware service page (read November 12, 2026)
  9. DE Registered Agent.org, pricing page (read November 12, 2026)