Registered agent price index · North Carolina
3 Best Registered Agents in North Carolina (2026): Price Index
Index basis: Rows follow our value index, led by three-year cost
Figures at a glance
North Carolina ledger, best value first
1. NC Registered Agent.org: best for owners who count every dollar
First lineNC Registered Agent.org takes line one of the North Carolina index: one state, $99 a year, $99 at renewal.
It beats Mainstay Filing on the three-year column, the largest weight in the index.
Line includes
- A local registered office
- Service of process, scanned and posted
Credits
- Undercuts Mainstay Filing per year
- Price $99, renewal $99
Debits
- Expanding means finding another agent
- The annual report is not covered
2. Mainstay Filing: best for a price that never changes by state
Covers the most itemsLine 2 goes to Mainstay Filing: the same $149 yearly price in all fifty states.
On three-year cost it sits $150 behind NC Registered Agent.org.
Line includes
- A physical address on public record
- Three government mailings a year, scanned at no cost
- Serves nonprofits, corporations, LPs and LLPs along with LLCs
Credits
- One price in all fifty states
- Price $149, renewal $149
Debits
- $50 more per year than the local line
- You still handle the reports
3. North Carolina Registered Agent.co: best for a nearby alternative
North Carolina focusNorth Carolina Registered Agent.co indexes third. The entries: one state, $99 a year, $99 at renewal.
It matches NC Registered Agent.org to the dollar.
Line includes
- A local registered office
- Service of process, scanned and posted
Credits
- Price $99, renewal $99
- Undercuts Mainstay Filing per year
Debits
- Expanding means finding another agent
- The annual report is not covered
Subtotals after 1, 2, 3 and 5 years
| Line | Provider | Total, year 1 | Total, year 2 | Total, year 3 | Total, year 5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NC Registered Agent.org | $99 | $198 | $297 | $495 | Visit NC Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 2 | Mainstay Filing | $149 | $298 | $447 | $745 | Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 3 | North Carolina Registered Agent.co | $99 | $198 | $297 | $495 | Visit North Carolina Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
Subtotal calculator
State fees, with citations
| Entry | Amount | Cited from |
|---|---|---|
| LLC formation fee | $125 | sosnc.gov (read October 2026) per the state |
| Annual report | $200 every year | sosnc.gov (read October 2026) per the state |
| Paid to the state by year 3 | $525 | Filing + reports + any tax |
Index notes
Weight 38%: three-year cost index. That column separated the top two lines.
On the three-year column NC Registered Agent.org sits at $297, which leaves a $150 gap to Mainstay Filing.
Official North Carolina registered agent requirements (North Carolina Secretary of State)
Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
A North Carolina resident, or a corporation, nonprofit or LLC on the North Carolina business registry other than the company itself. Rule: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 55D-30.
The address has to be a physical registered office in North Carolina. A P.O. box can be added only as a mailing address.
Source text: sosnc.gov (read October 2026) per the state
The state-fees-only line
Owners who meet the address rule can act as their own agent for free; services charge $99 to $149 yearly for the convenience.
Price questions
How much does a North Carolina registered agent charge each year?
Expect $99 to $149 a year.
What do three years of agent service cost?
Three years of service costs $297 to $447.
Does North Carolina require a registered agent for every LLC?
Yes. Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
May I serve as my own registered agent?
Yes, once both rules above are met.
What does the state collect from the LLC every year?
$200 each year for the annual report, payable April 15.
When does one line pass another in total cost?
The lines do not cross in the first ten years.
Which registered agent indexes best in North Carolina?
By our value index, the North Carolina lines run NC Registered Agent.org, Mainstay Filing and North Carolina Registered Agent.co. NC Registered Agent.org leads on three-year cost index.
Source lines
- North Carolina Department of the is backed by sosnc.gov, read August 2026.
- North Carolina Department of the is backed by sosnc.gov, read August 2026.
- North Carolina report due date is backed by ncleg.gov, read August 2026.
- N.C is backed by sosnc.gov, read August 2026.
- North Carolina formation fee: Filing is backed by sosnc.gov, read October 2026.
- North Carolina formation fee: Filing is backed by sosnc.gov, read October 2026.
- North Carolina registered agent statute is backed by sosnc.gov, read October 2026.
- Entry: NC Registered Agent.org pricing page, read November 13, 2026
- Entry: Mainstay Filing North Carolina service page, read November 13, 2026
- Entry: North Carolina Registered Agent.co pricing page, read November 13, 2026