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LLC SchoolhousePlain LLC lessons, one state at a time.

Lesson 2 · Kentucky

Registered Agent in Kentucky (2026): a 6-Step Lesson and the 3 Best Agents

KY Registered Agent.org ($99 a year), Mainstay Filing ($149 a year) and Kentucky Registered Agent.co ($99 a year) earned the top three grades for finding a registered agent in Kentucky in 2026, in that order. 6 short steps lead from the legal rule to keeping the agent up to date.

Taught by the LLC Schoolhouse editors

The short version

Required by lawYesapps.legislature.ky.gov confirms it, as of October 2026
Agent price range$99 to $149 a yearPosted prices
Annual report$15 a yearsos.ky.gov confirms it, as of August 2026
Minimum tax each year$175revenue.ky.gov confirms it, as of October 2026
Number of steps6One at a time

You will be able to

  • Why Kentucky wants an agent on file
  • Who qualifies and the address rule
  • How to put the agent on record
  • Our graded agent picks

Kentucky: the services that earned a grade

Five weighted criteria from how we grade set the order, and three-year cost and steps handled count most.
Top of the class

1. KY Registered Agent.org: best for Kentucky-only LLCs

$99 a year, renewing at $99

KY Registered Agent.org earns the highest mark because $99 yearly, with scans of any served papers posted to your online account.

Mainstay Filing costs more over three years, and that hands this service the top spot.

What the price covers

  • A Kentucky street address
  • Scans of served papers

Marks in its favor

  • $99 yearly
  • Costs less each year than Mainstay Filing

Where it loses points

  • Another state means another agent
  • Annual report is not included
Works in every state

2. Mainstay Filing: best for founders planning to expand

$149 a year, renewing at $149

Mainstay Filing lands in second place, and the reason is clear: an agent at $149 a year who can come along when the company adds a state.

That $150 three-year gap to KY Registered Agent.org settles where it lands.

What the price covers

  • A Kentucky street address for the record
  • A same-business-day scan of each served paper comes at no charge
  • Government mail scanned free, three pieces a year
  • Also works for nonprofits, corporations, LPs and LLPs

Marks in its favor

  • $149 a year, the same at renewal
  • Works in every state

Where it loses points

  • More expensive by $50 a year
  • An agent-only plan, so it does not file reports
Kentucky specialist

3. Kentucky Registered Agent.co: best for another Kentucky choice

$99 a year, renewing at $99

Next on the report card comes Kentucky Registered Agent.co, graded third: $99 yearly, with scans of any served papers posted to your online account.

KY Registered Agent.org and this service charge the same.

What the price covers

  • A Kentucky street address
  • Scans of served papers

Marks in its favor

  • Costs less each year than Mainstay Filing
  • $99 yearly

Where it loses points

  • Another state means another agent
  • Annual report is not included

The 3 graded picks compared

#ServiceAnnual priceRenewal priceThree-year total
1KY Registered Agent.org$99$99/yr$297Visit KY Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2Mainstay Filing$149$149/yr$447Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3Kentucky Registered Agent.co$99$99/yr$297Visit Kentucky Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Company prices as posted on November 13, 2026. Kentucky bills the same either way.

The steps

  1. Step
    1

    Find out what Kentucky asks of an agent

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

    Where this comes from: apps.legislature.ky.gov confirms it, as of October 2026

  2. Step
    2

    See who is allowed to act

    A Kentucky resident, or an entity qualified to do business in Kentucky, whose business address is the registered office. The agent signs or files a written acceptance. (KRS 14A.4-010)

  3. Step
    3

    Get the address right

    The address has to be a physical registered office in Kentucky that matches the agent's business address. A P.O. box is not enough.

    A service gives you a Kentucky street address, which keeps your home address off the filing.

  4. Step
    4

    Decide: serve yourself or hire someone

    You may serve if you qualify. A professional agent from our list costs $99 to $149 a year.

  5. Step
    5

    Record the agent with the state

    A new LLC names its agent in the Articles of Organization - Profit Limited Liability Company (Form KLC) sent to the Kentucky Secretary of State. An existing LLC that wants a different agent files a change with that same office.

    Where this comes from: sos.ky.gov confirms it, as of October 2026

  6. Step
    6

    Keep the agent information current

    The annual report costs $15 every year and is due on or before June 30; any notices about it reach you through the registered agent. Limited Liability Entity Tax: a $175 minimum each year to the Department of Revenue.

    Where this comes from: sos.ky.gov confirms it, as of August 2026

Agent and state costs

ItemGoes toPrice
The agentThe service$99 to $149 a year
RenewalThe service$99 to $149 a year
Annual reportTo the state$15 every year
Minimum tax each yearTo the state$175 a year
The three-year state figure is the filing, the reports due in years two and three and any yearly minimum tax; service fees are separate.

How the grade worked out

What settled it was tuition over three years, worth 32% of the grade.

Paying KY Registered Agent.org for three years adds up to $297, which is $150 below the Mainstay Filing total.

Short answers

Will my Kentucky LLC need a registered agent?

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

Can I be my own registered agent?

Often you can. Check yourself against the two rules in steps 2 and 3 of the lesson.

Can I change my registered agent later?

Yes. Switching means a change filing with the Kentucky Secretary of State (see step 5).

What does a registered agent cost in Kentucky?

Our picks charge $99 to $149 a year.

What does the LLC pay the state each year?

The recurring state cost is the annual report at $15 every year, and the minimum tax.

Which registered agent would you choose?

KY Registered Agent.org: a plan built for one state, $99 a year, renewing at $99. Then come Mainstay Filing and Kentucky Registered Agent.co.

More lessons

Class references

  1. Kentucky Secretary of State is covered in the official page at sos.ky.gov; our notes follow it as of August 2026.
  2. Kentucky Secretary of State is covered in the official page at sos.ky.gov; our notes follow it as of August 2026.
  3. Kentucky report due date is covered in the official page at apps.legislature.ky.gov; our notes follow it as of August 2026.
  4. KRS 275.025 is covered in the official page at apps.legislature.ky.gov; our notes follow it as of August 2026.
  5. Kentucky formation fee: Filing fee, official source is covered in the official page at sos.ky.gov; our notes follow it as of October 2026.
  6. Kentucky registered agent statute is covered in the official page at apps.legislature.ky.gov; our notes follow it as of October 2026.
  7. Kentucky other cost: Limited Liability Entity Tax, official is covered in the official page at revenue.ky.gov; our notes follow it as of October 2026.
  8. KY Registered Agent.org pricing page: opened and read on November 13, 2026
  9. Mainstay Filing Kentucky service page: opened and read on November 13, 2026
  10. Kentucky Registered Agent.co pricing page: opened and read on November 13, 2026