Registered agent cost calculators + California
3 Best Registered Agents in California (2026): Cost Calculator
Result order: Formula: 41% cost, 27% coverage, three lesser terms. Details
Main figures
The California calculations
1. Mainstay Filing: best for companies that may expand
Leads the resultsMainstay Filing gives the best result in California: a steady $149 a year, whatever state is entered.
California Registered Agent.ai is $150 lower at year three, but the 27% coverage term still ranks this one first.
Inputs covered
- A real address in the state
- Up to three government mailings a year, scanned free
- Covers LLCs, corporations, LPs, LLPs and nonprofits
Adds up well
- Fifty-state reach
- Year 1 $149, year 2 $149
Adds up badly
- $50 a year above California Registered Agent.ai
- Covers the agent role only
2. California Registered Agent.ai: best for owners watching every dollar
In-state providerNext in the results, California Registered Agent.ai: agent service in one state for $99 a year.
Inputs covered
- A street address inside the state
- Served papers appear in your login
Adds up well
- A lower yearly price than Mainstay Filing
- Constant $99 per year
Adds up badly
- Expanding means finding a new agent
- Statement of Information stays on your list
3. CA Registered Agent.org: best for a local backup
In-state providerNext in the results, CA Registered Agent.org: agent service in one state for $99 a year.
The year-one and renewal inputs both equal California Registered Agent.ai's.
Inputs covered
- A street address inside the state
- Served papers appear in your login
Adds up well
- Constant $99 per year
- A lower yearly price than Mainstay Filing
Adds up badly
- Expanding means finding a new agent
- Statement of Information stays on your list
What each service adds up to
| Rank | Service | Result, year 1 | Result, year 2 | Result, year 3 | Result, year 5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mainstay Filing | $149 | $298 | $447 | $745 | Open Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 2 | California Registered Agent.ai | $99 | $198 | $297 | $495 | Open California Registered Agent.aiPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 3 | CA Registered Agent.org | $99 | $198 | $297 | $495 | Open CA Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
Cost calculator
California fee list
| Input | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Formation charge | $70 | leginfo.legislature.ca.gov {input read August 2026, shown in full} |
| Statement of Information | $20 every two years | sos.ca.gov {input read October 2026, shown in full} |
| Late report | $250 | sos.ca.gov {input read October 2026, shown in full} |
| State minimum tax | $800 per year | ftb.ca.gov {input read October 2026, shown in full} |
| State side, 3 years | $2,490 | Calculated from the inputs above |
Notes on the order
Weight 27%: filing work in the price. That term separated the top two.
California Registered Agent.ai costs less here, but reach across fifty states weighed more.
The California agent for service of process rule as the state states it (California Secretary of State)
Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
A California resident, or a corporation registered with the Secretary of State as a corporate agent under Corporations Code § 1505. A business cannot act as its own agent for service of process. Governing section: Cal. Corp. Code § 17701.13.
An individual agent's California street address goes on the public record. A registered corporate agent's address is already on file with the state and is not repeated in the company's filing.
Official text: leginfo.legislature.ca.gov {input read October 2026, shown in full}
State fees only
Owners who meet the address rule may serve for free, while the services above put a price of $99 to $149 a year on the convenience.
Quick answers
What does a California registered agent charge per year?
Plan on $99 to $149 a year.
What do three years of agent service cost?
Year one plus two renewals calculates to $297 to $447.
Is an agent for service of process a must for a California LLC?
Yes, it does. Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
Can the owner be the agent for service of process?
Yes, once both rules above are satisfied.
What does the state charge the LLC each year?
$20 every two years goes to the Statement of Information, with the state setting the deadline at last day of the LLC's registration-anniversary month, biennially. The minimum tax comes with it.
When does one service pass another in total cost?
They hold one order for ten years.
Which registered agent calculates best in California?
By the five-term formula the California order is Mainstay Filing, California Registered Agent.ai and CA Registered Agent.org, led by Mainstay Filing on filing work in the price.
Input sources
- California Secretary of State is entered from sos.ca.gov (August 2026).
- California Secretary of State is entered from bpd.cdn.sos.ca.gov (August 2026).
- California yearly filing: Statement of is entered from sos.ca.gov (October 2026).
- Cal is entered from leginfo.legislature.ca.gov (August 2026).
- California registered agent statute is entered from leginfo.legislature.ca.gov (October 2026).
- California other cost: Annual LLC is entered from ftb.ca.gov (October 2026).
- California other cost: Annual LLC is entered from ftb.ca.gov (October 2026).
- Input from Mainstay Filing: California service page (November 13, 2026)
- Input from California Registered Agent.ai: pricing page (November 13, 2026)
- Input from CA Registered Agent.org: pricing page (November 13, 2026)