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Founder ClassroomLearn the LLC paperwork for your state.

Lesson 2 · New Jersey

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

The short answer for a registered agent in New Jersey this year (2026): Mainstay Filing ($149 a year), Registered Agent NJ.org ($99 a year) and New Jersey Registered Agent.co ($99 a year), in that order. Then come 6 steps, one rule at a time.

The Founder Classroom teaching team ·

Quick facts for this lesson

Required by law
YesAs listed on pub.njleg.gov in October 2026
Agent price
$99 to $149 a yearAs published
Annual report
$75 a yearAs listed on njportal.com in August 2026
Steps in this lesson
6Numbered below

In this lesson

  • Why New Jersey needs an agent on file
  • The eligibility and address rules
  • Getting the agent on file
  • Who we would hire as agent

Teacher's pick

The New Jersey services we recommend

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

1. Mainstay Filing: best for founders planning to expand

First year $149, renewal $149

Mainstay Filing gets the top grade here. Why: an agent at $149 a year that can follow the company into new states.

Over three years it costs $150 more than Registered Agent NJ.org, and our grading puts the extra steps it handles ahead of that.

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

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

Watch out for

  • Costs $50 more each year
  • Agent-only plan does not file reports
Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
In-state service

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

First year $99, renewal $99

Second place goes to Registered Agent NJ.org: $99 a year for a New Jersey agent with an in-state office.

What you get

  • In-state office address
  • Online copies of served documents

What we like

  • $99 yearly
  • Lower yearly cost than the national pick

Watch out for

  • No help in other states
  • Does not file the annual report
Visit Registered Agent NJ.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
In-state service

3. New Jersey Registered Agent.co: best for a New Jersey office address

First year $99, renewal $99

Third place goes to New Jersey Registered Agent.co: $99 a year for a New Jersey agent with an in-state office.

On price it ties with Registered Agent NJ.org.

What you get

  • In-state office address
  • Online copies of served documents

What we like

  • Lower yearly cost than the national pick
  • $99 yearly

Watch out for

  • No help in other states
  • Does not file the annual report
Visit New Jersey Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.

Side-by-side prices

#ServiceAnnual priceRenewal priceThree-year total
1Mainstay Filing$149$149/yr$447Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2Registered Agent NJ.org$99$99/yr$297Visit Registered Agent NJ.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3New Jersey Registered Agent.co$99$99/yr$297Visit New Jersey Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Company prices as published on November 12, 2026. State fees stay the same with any agent.

The New Jersey agent, in order

  1. Step 1: Learn what New Jersey requires

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

    Official source: As listed on pub.njleg.gov in October 2026

  2. Step 2: Check who can serve

    A New Jersey resident, or a business with authority to do business in New Jersey, such as a corporation registered and in good standing with the State Treasurer. The rule is in N.J.S.A. 42:2C-14.

  3. Step 3: Know the address requirement

    The address has to be a New Jersey street address. A P.O. box can be listed only together with the street address.

    TipEach pick supplies the in-state address for you.

  4. Step 4: Decide: yourself or a service

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

  5. Step 5: Put the agent on record

    A new LLC lists its agent in the Certificate of Formation. Switching agents later is a separate change filing with the New Jersey Secretary of State.

    Official source: As listed on pub.njleg.gov in October 2026

  6. Step 6: Watch the yearly filing

    Your registered agent receives the state's mail about the annual report, which costs $75 every year and is due last day of the LLC's anniversary month.

    Official source: As listed on njportal.com in August 2026

Agent and state costs

ItemPaid toCost
Hiring an agentThe service$99 to $149 a year
Each later yearThe service$99 to $149 a year
Annual reportThe state$75 every year
State amounts come from New Jersey'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.

Why this order

Lesson note: first place in New Jersey came down to lesson steps handled, worth 35% of the grade.

One agent for any state beat the one-state option.

Questions students ask

Do I need a registered agent in New Jersey?

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

Can I be my own registered agent?

If you meet the eligibility and address rules above, yes.

Can I change my registered agent later?

Yes. An existing LLC files the change with the New Jersey Secretary of State, as step 5 explains.

What does a registered agent cost in New Jersey?

Our picks charge $99 to $149 a year.

What does the LLC pay the state each year?

The annual report, $75 every year.

Which registered agent would you choose?

Mainstay Filing: a flat $149 yearly price wherever the LLC is registered. After it, Registered Agent NJ.org and New Jersey Registered Agent.co.

Related lessons

Official references

  1. New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services (njportal.com), confirmed August 2026
  2. New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services (njportal.com), confirmed August 2026
  3. New Jersey report due date (njleg.state.nj.us), confirmed August 2026
  4. New Jersey DORES, Getting Registered (nj.gov), confirmed October 2026
  5. New Jersey formation fee: Filing fee, official source (pub.njleg.gov), confirmed October 2026
  6. New Jersey registered agent statute (pub.njleg.gov), confirmed October 2026
  7. Mainstay Filing, New Jersey service page (read November 12, 2026)
  8. Registered Agent NJ.org, pricing page (read November 12, 2026)
  9. New Jersey Registered Agent.co, pricing page (read November 12, 2026)