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Module 2 · Hawaii

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

Lesson answer for Hawaii in 2026: if you want help with a registered agent, use Mainstay Filing ($149 a year), Hawaii Registered Agent.co ($99 a year) and HI Registered Agent.org ($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

Mandatory
YesOfficial: capitol.hawaii.gov, October 2026
Agent price
$99 to $149 a yearFrom each company's own pricing
Recurring report
$12.50 a yearOfficial: files.hawaii.gov, October 2026
Steps in this lesson
6From start to finish

You will learn

  • What the law says
  • The address and eligibility rules
  • Naming the agent with the state
  • The agents we recommend

Teacher's pick

Who we'd use in Hawaii

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

1. Mainstay Filing: best for LLCs that may grow into other states

$149/year (renewal $149)

Our pick for Hawaii is Mainstay Filing: a flat $149 yearly price wherever the LLC is registered.

You pay $150 more over three years than with Hawaii Registered Agent.co, for less paperwork on your side.

What you get

  • A Hawaii 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

  • Same price in all fifty states
  • $149 yearly, no increase

Watch out for

  • Costs $50 more each year
  • No report filing on this plan
Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Hawaii focus

2. Hawaii Registered Agent.co: best for a low yearly agent price

$99/year (renewal $99)

Hawaii Registered Agent.co ranks second: a one-state plan at $99 a year that renews at $99.

What you get

  • In-state office address
  • Scans of served papers

What we like

  • Under Mainstay Filing on price
  • Flat $99/year

Watch out for

  • Hawaii only; other states need their own agent
  • Domestic Limited Liability Company Annual Report is up to you
Visit Hawaii Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Hawaii focus

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

$99/year (renewal $99)

HI Registered Agent.org ranks third: a one-state plan at $99 a year that renews at $99.

It costs the same as Hawaii Registered Agent.co.

What you get

  • In-state office address
  • Scans of served papers

What we like

  • Flat $99/year
  • Under Mainstay Filing on price

Watch out for

  • Hawaii only; other states need their own agent
  • Domestic Limited Liability Company Annual Report is up to you
Visit HI Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.

Our Hawaii picks compared

#ServiceAnnual priceRenewal priceThree-year total
1Mainstay Filing$149$149/yr$447Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2Hawaii Registered Agent.co$99$99/yr$297Visit Hawaii Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3HI Registered Agent.org$99$99/yr$297Visit HI Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Prices from each company's own site, read November 12, 2026. Hawaii bills the same either way.

The steps

  1. Step 1: Know the Hawaii rule

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

    Official source: Official: capitol.hawaii.gov, October 2026

  2. Step 2: Know who is allowed to act

    A Hawaii resident, or a business entity formed in Hawaii or authorized to do business there. The LLC cannot be its own agent. Law: Haw. Rev. Stat. § 428-107.

  3. Step 3: Get the address right

    The address has to be a place of business with a street address in Hawaii. P.O. boxes are not accepted.

    TipA service gives you a Hawaii street address, so your home address stays off the filing.

  4. Step 4: Do it yourself or hire an 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: List the agent with the state

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

    Official source: Official: cca.hawaii.gov, October 2026

  6. Step 6: Keep the agent current

    Keep the Domestic Limited Liability Company Annual Report on time ($12.50, last day of the quarter in which the LLC was organized), and the agent record stays accurate.

    Official source: Official: files.hawaii.gov, October 2026

What you will pay

ItemPayeeAmount
Hiring an agentThe service$99 to $149 a year
From year twoThe service$99 to $149 a year
Report to the statePaid to the state$12.50 every year
State amounts come from Hawaii'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.

How we ranked the Hawaii picks

The grade turned on lesson steps handled (35%), where Mainstay Filing came out ahead of Hawaii Registered Agent.co.

Fifty-state coverage outscored Hawaii Registered Agent.co on our rubric.

Hawaii questions

Do I need a registered agent in Hawaii?

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

Can I be my own registered agent?

Yes, if you meet the rules in steps 2 and 3 of this lesson.

Can I change my registered agent later?

Yes, with a change filing at the Hawaii Secretary of State (step 5).

What does a registered agent cost in Hawaii?

From $99 to $149 a year on this page.

What does the LLC pay the state each year?

The Domestic Limited Liability Company Annual Report, $12.50 every year.

Which registered agent would you choose?

Mainstay Filing, Hawaii Registered Agent.co and HI Registered Agent.org, ranked in that order.

Next up

Where these facts come from

  1. cca.hawaii.gov. Hawaii DCCA Business Registration Division release of July. Confirmed October 2026.
  2. files.hawaii.gov. Hawaii yearly filing: Annual report: fee, official source. Confirmed October 2026.
  3. cca.hawaii.gov. Hawaii formation fee: Filing fee, official source. Confirmed October 2026.
  4. cca.hawaii.gov. Hawaii formation fee: Filing fee, official source. Confirmed October 2026.
  5. capitol.hawaii.gov. Hawaii registered agent statute. Confirmed October 2026.
  6. Prices from Mainstay Filing's Hawaii service page, November 12, 2026
  7. Prices from Hawaii Registered Agent.co's pricing page, November 12, 2026
  8. Prices from HI Registered Agent.org's pricing page, November 12, 2026