WEBVTT 00:00:00.222 --> 00:00:06.542 The 5 best registered agents in New Jersey in 2026 are Mainstay Filing, Northwest 00:00:06.586 --> 00:00:11.902 Registered Agent, Registered Agent NJ.org, Bizee, and 00:00:11.982 --> 00:00:14.542 New Jersey Registered Agent.co. 00:00:14.542 --> 00:00:17.582 You're listening to The Business Formation Podcast. 00:00:17.646 --> 00:00:20.062 What should a New Jersey founder keep in mind? 00:00:20.062 --> 00:00:26.862 That the state wants an agent and an office both, and a change of agent is a $25 00:00:26.902 --> 00:00:29.422 statement that takes effect the moment it's filed. 00:00:32.115 --> 00:00:33.422 So which one is which? 00:00:33.422 --> 00:00:38.702 Under the New Jersey LLC Act, a company designates and continuously maintains an 00:00:38.771 --> 00:00:43.502 office in the state, which doesn't have to be where it does business, and an agent 00:00:43.542 --> 00:00:45.102 for service of process. 00:00:45.102 --> 00:00:46.702 Who can be the agent? 00:00:46.702 --> 00:00:52.062 An individual who lives in New Jersey, or another person with authority to transact 00:00:52.115 --> 00:00:57.422 business here. For a corporation, the Division of Revenue says it must be registered 00:00:57.482 --> 00:00:59.742 and in good standing with the State Treasurer. 00:00:59.922 --> 00:01:04.062 You enter one agent only, and no age is mentioned. 00:01:04.062 --> 00:01:05.582 Any trouble with the address? 00:01:05.582 --> 00:01:08.222 It has to be a New Jersey street address. 00:01:08.382 --> 00:01:12.382 A PO box is allowed only if the street address is listed as well. 00:01:12.382 --> 00:01:14.462 Does the agent sign something? 00:01:14.462 --> 00:01:19.742 No. The statute has no consent filing, and the state's form has no signature line 00:01:19.782 --> 00:01:24.462 for the agent. Any authorized representative can sign the LLC's filing. 00:01:24.894 --> 00:01:26.941 That's easier than some states. 00:01:26.941 --> 00:01:29.022 It is. Now the five. 00:01:29.022 --> 00:01:32.942 Quick introduction first: I'm Maya, here with Dan. 00:01:32.942 --> 00:01:35.262 Thanks, Maya. Number one. 00:01:37.474 --> 00:01:38.594 Where do we begin? 00:01:38.594 --> 00:01:44.994 Mainstay Filing: $149 a year, and still $149 when it 00:01:45.047 --> 00:01:45.634 renews. 00:01:45.634 --> 00:01:47.074 What do I get? 00:01:47.074 --> 00:01:50.434 Its New Jersey address is on the public record in place of yours. 00:01:50.541 --> 00:01:55.474 Court papers served on your company are scanned and uploaded the same business day, 00:01:55.527 --> 00:01:59.554 no fee, and the first three government mailings a year are scanned free. 00:01:59.554 --> 00:02:01.634 What about the switch? 00:02:01.634 --> 00:02:04.034 Mainstay files the change of agent for you. 00:02:04.134 --> 00:02:07.554 The $25 state fee goes through at cost. 00:02:07.554 --> 00:02:08.914 And the trade-off? 00:02:08.914 --> 00:02:12.914 The two companies at $99 are $50 a year cheaper. 00:02:13.074 --> 00:02:17.474 Mainstay's pitch is the stable price and the filing done for you. 00:02:18.274 --> 00:02:19.234 Second place? 00:02:19.234 --> 00:02:23.314 Northwest Registered Agent at $125 a year. 00:02:23.454 --> 00:02:28.354 Its page says that hasn't changed in 20 years, and up to 10 pieces of regular 00:02:28.398 --> 00:02:30.674 business mail are scanned free each year. 00:02:30.674 --> 00:02:32.594 Where's the catch? 00:02:32.594 --> 00:02:38.034 Sign-up automatically enrolls you in its annual report service, at $100 plus state 00:02:38.098 --> 00:02:40.594 fees per filing, unless you cancel. 00:02:40.694 --> 00:02:43.714 Its page says you can add or cancel any time. 00:02:43.714 --> 00:02:47.074 New Jersey's report is $75, so that matters. 00:02:47.074 --> 00:02:53.234 It does. With the service on, one filing is $100 of service plus the 00:02:53.284 --> 00:03:00.194 $75 state fee, which is $175, on top of the $125 for the 00:03:00.261 --> 00:03:04.754 agent. Cancel, and the report is just your $75. 00:03:05.466 --> 00:03:06.506 Number three. 00:03:06.506 --> 00:03:11.946 Registered Agent NJ.org, $99 a year, the same at renewal. 00:03:12.086 --> 00:03:16.986 The office address on file, same-day scanning of court papers and alerts ahead of 00:03:17.050 --> 00:03:17.946 deadlines. 00:03:17.946 --> 00:03:19.386 To change over? 00:03:19.386 --> 00:03:23.706 Their fee is zero, and New Jersey charges $25. 00:03:23.826 --> 00:03:28.266 The catch is the familiar one: annual report filing is separate. 00:03:28.266 --> 00:03:29.866 Three years of that? 00:03:29.866 --> 00:03:35.066 $297, compared with $447 at Mainstay. 00:03:35.818 --> 00:03:37.337 Four. 00:03:37.337 --> 00:03:44.138 Bizee, formerly Incfile. The agent is free for year one with a formation package, 00:03:44.186 --> 00:03:47.739 then $149 a year, with automatic renewal. 00:03:49.131 --> 00:03:51.978 And if I formed the LLC last year? 00:03:51.978 --> 00:03:55.579 Then you don't get the free year, since it's tied to a formation order. 00:03:55.799 --> 00:03:58.779 You'd start at $149. 00:03:59.570 --> 00:04:00.130 And the fifth? 00:04:00.130 --> 00:04:04.450 New Jersey Registered Agent.co, at $99 flat. 00:04:04.663 --> 00:04:09.490 It lists the office address on your filings, same-day scanning of legal mail and 00:04:09.546 --> 00:04:11.170 reminders for state deadlines. 00:04:11.170 --> 00:04:11.970 Same catch? 00:04:11.970 --> 00:04:15.970 The same one. Annual report filing costs extra. 00:04:17.355 --> 00:04:19.035 What are the state's own costs? 00:04:19.035 --> 00:04:24.395 The Certificate of Formation is $100 since July 1, 2026. 00:04:24.495 --> 00:04:29.436 The annual report is $75, filed online in your anniversary month. 00:04:29.436 --> 00:04:31.115 What if I forget? 00:04:31.115 --> 00:04:36.475 Two consecutive missed years can move a New Jersey LLC to the inactive list. 00:04:36.555 --> 00:04:41.035 The state says liability isn't affected, but the name becomes available to someone 00:04:41.131 --> 00:04:41.515 else. 00:04:41.515 --> 00:04:43.435 And how will the state reach me? 00:04:43.435 --> 00:04:48.795 DORES says it sends a reminder to your registered agent 60 days before the report is 00:04:48.895 --> 00:04:53.915 due. When you form online, you're asked for an email address to receive those agent 00:04:53.978 --> 00:04:54.875 notifications. 00:04:54.875 --> 00:04:57.515 Give me the yearly totals with Mainstay. 00:04:57.515 --> 00:05:03.595 Year one is the $100 formation plus $149, which is 00:05:03.695 --> 00:05:10.555 $249. After that, the $75 report plus $149 00:05:10.688 --> 00:05:13.035 is $224. 00:05:13.778 --> 00:05:15.538 Show me how the change works. 00:05:15.538 --> 00:05:18.658 It's a statement of change under section 15 of the Act. 00:05:18.772 --> 00:05:24.258 Online, you go to the Division of Revenue's annual reports and change services and 00:05:24.315 --> 00:05:27.218 choose to change the registered agent or office. 00:05:27.431 --> 00:05:32.018 On paper, it's the Business Entity Amendment form, section G. 00:05:32.018 --> 00:05:33.538 What does it cost? 00:05:33.538 --> 00:05:38.258 $25 per filing for LLCs. Effective when filed. 00:05:38.258 --> 00:05:40.738 Do I need to amend my certificate? 00:05:40.738 --> 00:05:45.538 No. The statute says filing the statement counts as an amendment of the certificate 00:05:45.565 --> 00:05:49.138 of formation, and the company doesn't have to take any further action. 00:05:50.075 --> 00:05:51.955 And if the agent quits on me? 00:05:51.955 --> 00:05:56.115 It files a statement of resignation, and the state mails a copy to your registered 00:05:56.184 --> 00:05:59.715 office, or your principal office if that's on record and different. 00:05:59.715 --> 00:06:00.995 When does it end? 00:06:00.995 --> 00:06:06.355 On the earlier of the 31st day after the filing, or when a new agent is designated. 00:06:06.515 --> 00:06:11.715 The fee is $25, plus $10 for each additional LLC affected. 00:06:11.715 --> 00:06:14.035 Is there an older form floating around? 00:06:14.035 --> 00:06:20.275 The state still posts form L-123, which says 30 days and certified mail to the 00:06:20.339 --> 00:06:25.555 last-known member or manager. It refers to the repealed act, so I'd follow the 00:06:25.615 --> 00:06:27.155 statute's 31 days. 00:06:28.835 --> 00:06:30.915 What if nobody's there to accept papers? 00:06:30.915 --> 00:06:33.635 The Division of Revenue becomes your agent for service. 00:06:33.795 --> 00:06:38.355 Papers are delivered to it in duplicate and it forwards them to your registered or 00:06:38.403 --> 00:06:39.555 principal office. 00:06:39.555 --> 00:06:41.475 When does service count? 00:06:41.475 --> 00:06:46.195 At the earliest of receipt, the date on the return receipt, or five days after it's 00:06:46.241 --> 00:06:50.595 mailed to the right address. So the clock may run before you've opened the envelope. 00:06:51.327 --> 00:06:53.087 Let me ask the basic question. 00:06:53.151 --> 00:06:55.487 What is the agent for, legally? 00:06:55.487 --> 00:07:01.087 Under the statute, the agent is the company's agent for service of any process, 00:07:01.156 --> 00:07:05.887 notice or demand that the law requires or permits to be served on it. 00:07:06.047 --> 00:07:08.287 That's the whole job description. 00:07:08.287 --> 00:07:09.807 And the office? 00:07:09.807 --> 00:07:14.287 The registered office is the street and mailing address on the certificate, along 00:07:14.319 --> 00:07:16.927 with the name of the initial agent at that office. 00:07:17.039 --> 00:07:22.447 Your formation filing also records the main business or principal address, which is 00:07:22.527 --> 00:07:24.047 a different line. 00:07:24.047 --> 00:07:26.127 So I could run the business from anywhere. 00:07:26.127 --> 00:07:29.967 As long as the office on file is a New Jersey street address. 00:07:30.100 --> 00:07:32.127 It doesn't need to be where you work. 00:07:32.654 --> 00:07:35.247 Which is why a lot of out-of-state owners hire one. 00:07:35.247 --> 00:07:39.087 Right, and why the change is so lightweight when you move. 00:07:40.236 --> 00:07:42.476 Last question: how do I choose? 00:07:42.476 --> 00:07:47.756 Check whether the price repeats, whether the state's $25 change gets filed for you, 00:07:47.796 --> 00:07:51.357 and whether the company adds services that New Jersey doesn't require of you. 00:07:51.357 --> 00:07:52.157 And the winner? 00:07:52.157 --> 00:07:58.157 Mainstay Filing. Our pick for New Jersey, at $149 a year. 00:08:00.134 --> 00:08:02.213 One more run-through? 00:08:02.213 --> 00:08:08.174 One, Mainstay Filing: $149 a year, same at renewal. 00:08:08.324 --> 00:08:14.934 Two, Northwest: $125, with the report enrollment to cancel. 00:08:15.054 --> 00:08:21.054 Three, Registered Agent NJ.org: $99 flat. 00:08:21.206 --> 00:08:27.974 Four, Bizee: free the first year with a formation order, then $149. 00:08:28.278 --> 00:08:34.614 Five, New Jersey Registered Agent.co: $99 flat. 00:08:34.614 --> 00:08:36.854 The links are in the show notes. 00:08:37.037 --> 00:08:40.534 Thanks for listening to The Business Formation Podcast.