Lesson 2 · Texas
Registered Agent in Texas (2026): a 6-Step Lesson and the 3 Best Agents
Quick facts
You will be able to
- What Texas requires of a registered agent
- The address and eligibility rules
- Getting the agent on file
- How the graded agents compare
If you would like help with the filing
1. TX Registered Agent.org: best for Texas-only LLCs
TX Registered Agent.org earns the highest mark because $99 a year with no jump at renewal, for an LLC that stays in Texas.
On three-year cost it beats Mainstay Filing, which is a big part of our grading.
What the price covers
- A physical Texas address
- Scans of served papers
Marks in its favor
- A smaller yearly bill than Mainstay Filing
- $99 a year with no increase
Where it loses points
- No help in other states
- You file the Public Information Report + Franchise Tax Report yourself
2. Mainstay Filing: best for a single agent nationwide
Taking second place is Mainstay Filing, where a flat yearly price of $149 no matter which state the LLC is in.
TX Registered Agent.org is $150 lower across three years, which keeps this one out of first.
What the price covers
- A Texas 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 yearly with no increase
- Covers all fifty states
Where it loses points
- Costs $50 more each year
- You still file the reports yourself
3. Texas Registered Agent.ai: best for a local alternative
Next on the report card comes Texas Registered Agent.ai, graded third: $99 a year with no jump at renewal, for an LLC that stays in Texas.
It costs exactly what TX Registered Agent.org does.
What the price covers
- A physical Texas address
- Scans of served papers
Marks in its favor
- $99 a year with no increase
- A smaller yearly bill than Mainstay Filing
Where it loses points
- No help in other states
- You file the Public Information Report + Franchise Tax Report yourself
The grades and prices at a glance
| # | Service | Annual price | Renewal price | Three-year total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | TX Registered Agent.org | $99 | $99/yr | $297 | Visit TX Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 2 | Mainstay Filing | $149 | $149/yr | $447 | Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 3 | Texas Registered Agent.ai | $99 | $99/yr | $297 | Visit Texas Registered Agent.aiPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
The lesson, step by step
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Step
1Understand the requirement
Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
Where this comes from: sos.texas.gov confirms it, as of October 2026
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Step
2Confirm who may be the agent
A Texas resident, including an owner, officer or employee, or an organization registered or authorized in Texas with a business office at the registered office. The company cannot be its own agent, and the agent has to consent. The statute is Tex. Bus. Orgs. Code § 5.201.
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Step
3Learn the address requirement
The address has to be a street address where papers can be handed to the agent during normal business hours. A mailbox service or answering service alone does not qualify.
The agent's address, not your home, appears in the record when you hire a service.
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Step
4Settle who will be the agent
If you meet the rules above you can name yourself; hiring one of our picks runs $99 to $149 a year.
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Step
5Record the agent with the state
For a new Texas LLC the agent goes on the Certificate of Formation (Form 205). To switch later, file the change with the Texas Secretary of State.
Where this comes from: sos.texas.gov confirms it, as of October 2026
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Step
6Watch the recurring filing
Texas sees your agent's details through the Public Information Report + Franchise Tax Report (no fee, every year, due May 15), and the state's letters about it go to your registered agent.
Where this comes from: comptroller.texas.gov confirms it, as of October 2026
The cost of this lesson
| What | Payee | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The agent | The provider | $99 to $149 a year |
| Agent renewal | The provider | $99 to $149 a year |
| Report to the state | To the state | No fee |
How the grade worked out
Tuition over three years carries 32% of the report card, and that is where pulled ahead in Texas.
Over years one to three, TX Registered Agent.org costs $297 and Mainstay Filing costs $150 more.
Texas questions
Does every LLC need a registered agent here?
Yes. Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
Can I be my own registered agent?
The answer is yes when you satisfy the eligibility and address rules laid out in steps 2 and 3.
Can I change my registered agent later?
Yes. Switching means a change filing with the Texas Secretary of State (see step 5).
What does a registered agent cost in Texas?
$99 to $149 a year among our graded agents.
What does the LLC pay the state each year?
The recurring state cost is the Public Information Report + Franchise Tax Report (no fee).
Which registered agent would you choose?
TX Registered Agent.org first, then Mainstay Filing and Texas Registered Agent.ai; TX Registered Agent.org leads on tuition over three years.
Class references
- Want to see Texas yearly filing: Annual report, official source for yourself? Open comptroller.texas.gov. We confirmed that page in October 2026 before writing the lesson.
- Want to see Texas report due date for yourself? Open statutes.capitol.texas.gov. We confirmed that page in August 2026 before writing the lesson.
- Want to see Tex for yourself? Open sos.texas.gov. We confirmed that page in August 2026 before writing the lesson.
- Want to see Texas registered agent statute for yourself? Open sos.texas.gov. We confirmed that page in October 2026 before writing the lesson.
- TX Registered Agent.org pricing page: opened and read on November 13, 2026
- Mainstay Filing Texas service page: opened and read on November 13, 2026
- Texas Registered Agent.ai pricing page: opened and read on November 13, 2026