Lesson 2 · North Dakota
Registered Agent in North Dakota (2026): a 6-Step Lesson and the 3 Best Agents
Before you begin
You will be able to
- The legal requirement
- Who may act as agent
- How to name or change the agent
- Our graded agent picks
The North Dakota services we recommend
1. Mainstay Filing: best for one agent for every state
First in the class in North Dakota is Mainstay Filing: $149 a year, renewing at $149, with the same plan working in every other state.
You pay $150 more than at ND Registered Agents.org over three years and do less of the paperwork yourself.
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
- Works in every state
- A flat $149 per year
Where it loses points
- Costs $50 more each year
- An agent-only plan, so it does not file reports
2. ND Registered Agents.org: best for North Dakota founders
ND Registered Agents.org is a sound second choice because $99 yearly, with scans of any served papers posted to your online account.
What the price covers
- A registered office address
- Served documents posted online
Marks in its favor
- Costs less each year than Mainstay Filing
- Annual price $99, renewal price $99
Where it loses points
- A one-state service
- No help with the annual report
3. North Dakota Registered Agent.co: best for a local alternative
North Dakota Registered Agent.co is a sound third choice because $99 yearly, with scans of any served papers posted to your online account.
It posts the same prices as ND Registered Agents.org.
What the price covers
- A registered office address
- Served documents posted online
Marks in its favor
- Annual price $99, renewal price $99
- Costs less each year than Mainstay Filing
Where it loses points
- A one-state service
- No help with the annual report
The 3 graded picks compared
| # | Service | Annual price | Renewal price | Three-year total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mainstay Filing | $149 | $149/yr | $447 | Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 2 | ND Registered Agents.org | $99 | $99/yr | $297 | Visit ND Registered Agents.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 3 | North Dakota Registered Agent.co | $99 | $99/yr | $297 | Visit North Dakota Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
Appointing a North Dakota registered agent, one step at a time
-
Step
1Learn what North Dakota requires
Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
Where this comes from: Look it up at ndlegis.gov; last checked October 2026
-
Step
2Confirm who may be the agent
A commercial registered agent listed with the Secretary of State, or a noncommercial agent: a North Dakota resident, or an entity registered with the Secretary of State that has a North Dakota business office. A business cannot serve as its own agent. You will find this in N.D. Cent. Code § 10-01.1-05.
-
Step
3Use an address that qualifies
The address has to be a complete physical address in North Dakota. P.O. boxes are not accepted.
A service gives you a North Dakota street address, which keeps your home address off the filing.
-
Step
4Settle who will be the agent
Qualified owners may act as their own agent. Otherwise our graded picks charge $99 to $149 per year.
-
Step
5Name the agent in the filing
Give the agent's details when you file with the North Dakota Secretary of State, and file again there if you change agents.
Where this comes from: Look it up at sos.nd.gov; last checked October 2026
-
Step
6Look after it year by year
The annual report costs $50 every year and is due November 15; any notices about it reach you through the registered agent.
Where this comes from: Look it up at sos.nd.gov; last checked August 2026
Agent and state costs
| What | Payee | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Registered agent service | Your service | $99 to $149 a year |
| Renewing the agent | Your service | $99 to $149 a year |
| Annual report | The state | $50 every year |
How we graded the North Dakota picks
Homework the price handles carries 33% of the report card, and that is where pulled ahead in North Dakota.
One agent for any state won out over the one-state option.
Common questions
Does North Dakota require a registered agent?
Yes. Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
Can I be my own registered agent?
Owners may serve if they qualify; the qualifying tests are in steps 2 and 3.
Can I change my registered agent later?
A change is allowed whenever you like, through the North Dakota Secretary of State, as described in step 5.
What does a registered agent cost in North Dakota?
From $99 to $149 a year on this page.
What does the LLC pay the state each year?
$50 every year for the annual report.
Which registered agent would you choose?
Mainstay Filing: an agent at $149 a year who can come along when the company adds a state. Then come ND Registered Agents.org and North Dakota Registered Agent.co.
Class references
- Source for North Dakota Secretary of State, Business Division: sos.nd.gov, confirmed in August 2026, and the reason our figures match the official ones.
- Source for North Dakota Secretary of State, Business Division: sos.nd.gov, confirmed in August 2026, and the reason our figures match the official ones.
- Source for North Dakota report due date: ndlegis.gov, confirmed in August 2026, and the reason our figures match the official ones.
- Source for North Dakota formation fee: Filing fee, official source: sos.nd.gov, confirmed in October 2026, and the reason our figures match the official ones.
- Source for North Dakota registered agent statute: ndlegis.gov, confirmed in October 2026, and the reason our figures match the official ones.
- Mainstay Filing, North Dakota service page, as it appeared on November 13, 2026
- ND Registered Agents.org, pricing page, as it appeared on November 13, 2026
- North Dakota Registered Agent.co, pricing page, as it appeared on November 13, 2026