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LLC SchoolhousePlain LLC lessons, one state at a time.

Class 2 · New York

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

If you want help finding a registered agent in New York during 2026, our graded list reads New York Registered Agent.ai ($99 a year), Mainstay Filing ($149 a year) and NY Registered Agent.org ($99 a year). 6 short steps lead from the legal rule to keeping the agent up to date.

Taught by the LLC Schoolhouse editors

The short version

Do you need one?This state has its own ruleClass notes: nysenate.gov (October 2026)
Price of our picks$99 to $149 a yearAs published
Biennial statement$9 every 2 yearsClass notes: dos.ny.gov (October 2026)
How many steps6In order

By the end you will know

  • Why New York wants an agent on file
  • Who may act as agent
  • How to name or change the agent
  • How the graded agents compare

If you would like help with the filing

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

1. New York Registered Agent.ai: best for founders on a budget

Year one $99, renewal $99

We would start a new founder with New York Registered Agent.ai: $99 a year with no jump at renewal, for an LLC that stays in New York.

On three-year cost it beats Mainstay Filing, which is a big part of our grading.

What the price covers

  • A New York street address
  • Legal papers scanned online

Marks in its favor

  • A smaller yearly bill than Mainstay Filing
  • $99 a year with no increase

Where it loses points

  • A one-state service
  • It does not file the biennial statement
Upkeep included

2. Mainstay Filing: best for a single agent nationwide

Year one $149, renewal $149

For number 2 we picked Mainstay Filing: an agent at $149 a year who can come along when the company adds a state.

That $150 three-year gap to New York Registered Agent.ai settles where it lands.

What the price covers

  • A street address for the office
  • 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

  • A flat $149 per year
  • The same price in all fifty states

Where it loses points

  • More expensive by $50 a year
  • Report filing needs the formation package
New York focus

3. NY Registered Agent.org: best for staying put in New York

Year one $99, renewal $99

Taking third place is NY Registered Agent.org, where $99 a year with no jump at renewal, for an LLC that stays in New York.

It costs exactly what New York Registered Agent.ai does.

What the price covers

  • A New York street address
  • Legal papers scanned online

Marks in its favor

  • A smaller yearly bill than Mainstay Filing
  • $99 a year with no increase

Where it loses points

  • A one-state service
  • It does not file the biennial statement

Prices in one table

#ServiceAnnual priceRenewal priceThree-year total
1New York Registered Agent.ai$99$99/yr$297Visit New York 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.
3NY Registered Agent.org$99$99/yr$297Visit NY Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Posted prices, read November 13, 2026. The state charges the same whichever agent you name.

The New York agent, in order

  1. Step
    1

    Begin with the legal requirement

    The Secretary of State is the agent for service of process for every New York LLC; naming a registered agent is optional.

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

  2. Step
    2

    See who is allowed to act

    If one is designated: a person who lives in New York or has a business address there, an LLC formed or authorized in New York, or a corporation formed or authorized in New York. (N.Y. LLC Law §§ 301 and 302)

  3. Step
    3

    Learn the address requirement

    New York has no registered-office requirement. The Secretary of State is the agent for service of process for every New York LLC and mails a copy of any papers served to the address the company has on file. A designated registered agent's street address goes on the filing.

    The agent's address, not your home, appears in the record when you hire a service.

  4. Step
    4

    Pick who will take the role

    Qualified owners may act as their own agent. Otherwise our graded picks charge $99 to $149 per year.

  5. Step
    5

    Record the agent with the state

    The Articles of Organization (Form DOS-1336-f) asks for the agent's name and address, and the New York Secretary of State also accepts change filings for LLCs that switch agents.

    Where this comes from: Class notes: dos.ny.gov (October 2026)

  6. Step
    6

    Look after it year by year

    Your agent for service of process receives the state's mail about the biennial statement, a filing that is $9 every two years and due during the calendar month in which the Articles of Organization were filed, every 2 years.

    Where this comes from: Class notes: dos.ny.gov (October 2026)

New York agent costs

WhatPaid toCost
Registered agent serviceThe provider$99 to $149 a year
Renewing the agentThe provider$99 to $149 a year
Biennial statementState office$9 every two years
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.

Why this order

edged ahead of on tuition over three years, which counts for 32%.

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

Questions students ask

Will my New York LLC need an agent for service of process?

The Secretary of State is the agent for service of process for every New York LLC; naming a registered agent is optional.

Can I be my own agent for service of process?

Read step 1 for the rule itself. Naming an agent is up to you, and steps 2 and 3 apply if you do.

Can I change my agent for service of process later?

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

What does a registered agent cost in New York?

Our picks charge $99 to $149 a year.

What does the LLC pay the state each year?

The recurring state cost is the biennial statement at $9 every two years.

Which registered agent would you choose?

New York Registered Agent.ai first, then Mainstay Filing and NY Registered Agent.org; New York Registered Agent.ai leads on tuition over three years.

Up next

Class references

  1. New York Department of State, Division of Corporations is covered in the official page at dos.ny.gov; our notes follow it as of August 2026.
  2. New York Department of State, Division of Corporations is covered in the official page at filing.dos.ny.gov; our notes follow it as of August 2026.
  3. New York report due date is covered in the official page at nysenate.gov; our notes follow it as of August 2026.
  4. NY Limited Liability Company Law § 203 is covered in the official page at nysenate.gov; our notes follow it as of August 2026.
  5. New York formation fee: Filing fee, official source is covered in the official page at dos.ny.gov; our notes follow it as of October 2026.
  6. New York registered agent statute is covered in the official page at nysenate.gov; our notes follow it as of October 2026.
  7. New York Registered Agent.ai pricing page: opened and read on November 13, 2026
  8. Mainstay Filing New York service page: opened and read on November 13, 2026
  9. NY Registered Agent.org pricing page: opened and read on November 13, 2026