Skip to content
LLC SchoolhousePlain LLC lessons, one state at a time.

Lesson 2 · Michigan

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

The graded picks for finding a registered agent in Michigan this year (2026) are Mainstay Filing ($149 a year), MI Registered Agent.org ($99 a year) and Michigan Registered Agent.co ($99 a year), best grade first. 6 short steps lead from the legal rule to keeping the agent up to date.

Taught by the LLC Schoolhouse editors

The short version

Resident agent requiredYesClass notes: legislature.mi.gov (October 2026)
Agent service$99 to $149 a yearTaken from each company's pricing
Annual statement$25 a yearClass notes: michigan.gov (August 2026)
How many steps6One at a time

Lesson goals

  • Why Michigan wants an agent on file
  • Who qualifies and the address rule
  • How to put the agent on record
  • Who we would hire as agent

Michigan: the services that earned a grade

Graded on our report card: three-year cost (32%), lesson steps handled (33%), renewal, fit with Michigan's steps and clear pricing.
Start here

1. Mainstay Filing: best for a single agent nationwide

$149 a year, renewing at $149

Mainstay Filing earns the highest mark because an agent at $149 a year who can come along when the company adds a state.

The three-year premium over MI Registered Agent.org is $150, and the 33% weight on steps handled covers it.

What the price covers

  • A Michigan 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

  • One provider everywhere
  • $149 a year

Where it loses points

  • $50 a year more than MI Registered Agent.org
  • Agent service and nothing else
One-state plan

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

$99 a year, renewing at $99

For number 2 we picked MI Registered Agent.org: a street address in Michigan for your registered office, at $99 a year.

What the price covers

  • A registered office address
  • Scans of served papers

Marks in its favor

  • $99 yearly
  • Under Mainstay Filing on price

Where it loses points

  • Michigan only; any other state needs its own agent
  • Annual statement is not included
One-state plan

3. Michigan Registered Agent.co: best for a local alternative

$99 a year, renewing at $99

For number 3 we picked Michigan Registered Agent.co: a street address in Michigan for your registered office, at $99 a year.

It posts the same prices as MI Registered Agent.org.

What the price covers

  • A registered office address
  • Scans of served papers

Marks in its favor

  • Under Mainstay Filing on price
  • $99 yearly

Where it loses points

  • Michigan only; any other state needs its own agent
  • Annual statement is not included

Our Michigan picks side by side

#ServiceAnnual priceRenewal priceThree-year total
1Mainstay Filing$149$149/yr$447Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2MI Registered Agent.org$99$99/yr$297Visit MI Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3Michigan Registered Agent.co$99$99/yr$297Visit Michigan Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Prices come from each company's own site, read November 13, 2026. Changing your agent leaves state fees alone.

The Michigan agent, in order

  1. Step
    1

    Find out what Michigan asks of an agent

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

    Where this comes from: Class notes: legislature.mi.gov (October 2026)

  2. Step
    2

    Confirm who may be the agent

    A Michigan resident, or a corporation or LLC formed in Michigan or authorized there, whose business office (or, for a person, residence) is the registered office. Authority: MCL 450.4207.

  3. Step
    3

    Learn the address requirement

    The address has to be a registered office in Michigan, which does not have to be the place of business. P.O. boxes are not accepted.

    Every pick on our list provides the Michigan office address.

  4. Step
    4

    Pick who will take the role

    If you meet the rules above you can name yourself; hiring one of our picks runs $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 (Form CSCL/CD-700) sent to the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). An existing LLC that wants a different agent files a change with that same office.

    Where this comes from: Class notes: legislature.mi.gov (September 2026)

  6. Step
    6

    Watch the recurring filing

    The annual statement costs $25 every year and is due February 15; any notices about it reach you through the resident agent.

    Where this comes from: Class notes: michigan.gov (August 2026)

The cost of this lesson

Cost itemPaid toTotal
The agentThe provider$99 to $149 a year
From year twoThe provider$99 to $149 a year
Annual statementPaid to the state$25 every year
State fees come from the official sources listed in the references. For three years we count the filing, two years of reports and the minimum tax where it applies.

How we graded the Michigan picks

won on homework the price handles (33% of the grade), with right behind.

An agent you can keep in any state outscored MI Registered Agent.org's lower price.

Short answers

Does Michigan require a resident agent?

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

Can I be my own resident agent?

Possibly. Work through steps 2 and 3 to see whether you meet both rules.

Can I change my resident agent later?

Yes. Switching means a change filing with the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) (see step 5).

What does a registered agent cost in Michigan?

Expect $99 to $149 a year.

What does the LLC pay the state each year?

It files the annual statement for $25 every year.

Which registered agent would you choose?

Mainstay Filing: a flat yearly price of $149 no matter which state the LLC is in. Then come MI Registered Agent.org and Michigan Registered Agent.co.

Up next

Class references

  1. Source for Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Corporations: michigan.gov, confirmed in August 2026, and the reason our figures match the official ones.
  2. Source for Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Corporations: michigan.gov, confirmed in August 2026, and the reason our figures match the official ones.
  3. Source for Michigan report due date: michigan.gov, confirmed in August 2026, and the reason our figures match the official ones.
  4. Source for MCL 450.4202: legislature.mi.gov, confirmed in August 2026, and the reason our figures match the official ones.
  5. Source for Michigan formation fee: Filing fee, official source: michigan.gov, confirmed in September 2026, and the reason our figures match the official ones.
  6. Source for Michigan formation fee: Filing fee, official source: legislature.mi.gov, confirmed in September 2026, and the reason our figures match the official ones.
  7. Source for Michigan registered agent statute: legislature.mi.gov, confirmed in October 2026, and the reason our figures match the official ones.
  8. Prices taken from the Michigan service page of Mainstay Filing on November 13, 2026
  9. Prices taken from the pricing page of MI Registered Agent.org on November 13, 2026
  10. Prices taken from the pricing page of Michigan Registered Agent.co on November 13, 2026