- Northwest Registered Agent: Best for Most Users
- Harbor Compliance: Best for Affordability
- BetterLegal: Best for Basic Coverage
- Bizee: Best for Ease of Use
- LegalZoom: Best for Trusted Support
- InCorp: Best for Comprehensive Services
- Sundoc Filings: Best for Experienced Support
- Rocket Lawyer: Best for Dependability
- Swyft Filings: Best for Cutting-Edge User Experiences
- ZenBusiness: Best for Entrepreneurs
Whether you already have or plan to set up a limited liability company (LLC) or corporation in Wisconsin, a registered agent is required by state law.
Companies use registered agents for many reasons, especially for ensuring they receive important documents. They provide a physical address in Wisconsin for service of process and other official correspondence. Registered agents might also oversee annual report deadlines and file reports on behalf of their clients.
Forbes Advisor researched different providers to see how they perform in terms of price, services offered and customer support, compiling this compilation of the best registered agent services in Wisconsin in 2024. Though it’s possible to find local registered agent service providers, most of them are law or accounting firms offering this as an add-on service. From our perspective, the national companies listed here excel in categories like price, features, mobile app and customer support.
The Best Wisconsin Registered Agent Services of 2024
Compare Top Registered Agent Services
Company | Forbes Advisor Rating | Registered Agent Fee | Multistate Support | LLC Filing Services | LEARN MORE | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Northwest Registered Agent | 4.9 | $125 per year | Yes | Yes | Learn More | On Northwest's Website | |||
Harbor Compliance | 4.7 | $99 per year | Yes | Yes | Learn More | On Harbor Compliance's Website | |||
BetterLegal | 4.3 | $90 per year | Yes | Yes | Learn More | On BetterLegal's Website | |||
Bizee | 4.2 | First year free, then $119 per year | No | Yes | Learn More | On Bizee's Website | |||
LegalZoom | 4.2 | $249 per year | No | Yes | Learn More | On LegalZoom's Website | |||
InCorp | 4.0 | $129 per year | Yes | Yes | Learn More | Read Forbes' Review | |||
SunDoc Filings | 4.0 | $159 per year | Yes | Yes | Learn More | Read Forbes' Review | |||
Rocket Lawyer | 4.0 | $249.99 per year | No | Yes | Learn More | On Rocket Lawyer's Website | |||
Swyft Filings | 3.9 | $149 per quarter | No | Yes | Learn More | On Swyft Filings' Website | |||
ZenBusiness | 3.9 | $99.99 for first year, then $199.99 per year | Yes | Yes | Learn More | On ZenBusiness' Website |
What Is a Registered Agent in Wisconsin?
A registered agent is a person or business that agrees to accept legal documents on behalf of your organization. To be a registered agent in Wisconsin, you have to have a physical address within the state and be present to sign during regular business hours.
Furthermore, these agents are required to create a limited liability company (LLC)—in fact, you’ll need a registered agent before you can complete the Articles of Organization from the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. Once you’ve designated your registered agent, you can file the document online, in person or by mail for a filing fee of $130.
Wisconsin Registered Agent Requirements
In Wisconsin, anyone over the age of 18 who is a resident of the state can be a registered agent for your business. On top of the age requirement, the registered agent must be available to sign during general business hours.
Keep in mind that in Wisconsin, your company must affirm that the registered agent you’ve appointed has consented to serve. Technically, you’re eligible to serve as your own registered agent in Wisconsin, but your organization can’t serve as its own registered agent.
For convenience and quality, many people choose a registered agent service instead of an individual agent.
How To Choose a Wisconsin Registered Agent Service
A registered agent is necessary if you want to operate an LLC in Wisconsin. While an attorney or CPA can be your registered agent, various people opt for professional registered agent services for their specialized focus and extra benefits.
Price
A registered agent service will usually charge a fee ranging from $90 to $596 that covers one year of service. Some registered agent services also offer discounts of up to 33% if you prepay for multiple years upfront. Extras such as mail forwarding and document scanning may come at an additional cost.
When looking for a registered agent service in Wisconsin, pay attention to the price of the service and any additional features or benefits that come with it. Is it all-inclusive? Does the price increase after the initial term, or will it renew at the same cost?
Reputation
When picking a registered agent service in Wisconsin, review online reviews and confirm if the company is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Ensure you’re working with a trusted company that manages your documents and correspondence with care.
Features and Benefits
In addition to meeting any Wisconsin requirements, a registered agent service should offer additional features and benefits that make doing business easier for you. Here are a few to look for.
- Online account access: A good registered agent service will give you 24/7 access to your account so you can view and download documents whenever you need them.
- Scanning and forwarding: Many registered agent services will scan and forward documents to you within one business day. This can be a huge time-saver, especially if you’re out of state.
- Online LLC formation: Some registered agent services will assist you form your LLC online. This can be a convenient way to get everything done in one place.
Methodology
To find the most reliable registered agent services, we performed an in-depth review of more than 15 providers in the industry and selected the 10 top options. We evaluated these services across six principal categories, using 17 different metrics in total. The criteria were prioritized to emphasize features that are vital for small businesses.
Here are the metrics we applied to judge the highest-ranking registered agent services:
Pricing
We considered both the startup and renewal fees for registered agent services, as well as whether or not there are any additional or unforeseen fees, such as unexpected add-ons. We also factored in any guarantees and extra inclusions. Pricing accounts for 20% of the final score.
General Features
Thirty percent of our review methodology examined how providers organize documents, notify the arrival of new correspondence and whether they inform you about important registration renewal deadlines and urgent documents.
Mobile App
As businesses operate from various locations, owners frequently rely on mobile technology to keep processes efficient. We evaluated the offering of a mobile app by the services, but this functionality only makes up 5% of the score because it does not enhance the main services provided by the agent.
Service and Support
In contrast to mobile accessibility, we’ve found that being able to contact live help at any time is a crucial part of a premium service. We studied the customer support provided by each service, rating them on the variety of contact methods, the accessibility of 24/7 support and the presence of a self-help knowledge base. These elements constitute 15% of a provider’s total score.
Ratings and Reviews
To learn more about how users worldwide perceive each provider, we examined third-party user reviews and ratings. We considered the average rating for each provider and the number of reviews they garnered. These ratings constitute 10% of the total score.
Expert Score
Relying on our direct experience, we assessed various metrics including user-friendliness, feature quality and popularity to determine the best services. This expert review accounts for the remaining 20% of the total rating.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I need a registered agent for a Wisconsin LLC?
In Wisconsin, your business is required to have a registered agent. A registered agent is someone who is responsible for receiving and forwarding important legal documents on behalf of your business. These documents may include service of process notices, tax forms and annual report notices.
Can I use myself as a registered agent in Wisconsin?
You can act as a registered agent for your business in Wisconsin, as long as you have a physical street address in the state. However, you should think carefully whether you want to do so.
Know that you’ll be tasked with receiving important legal documents on behalf of your business. If you’re often not present, you may not be well suited to this role. Second, you can be served with legal papers at your place of business, which may be embarrassing in front of employees and customers.
What should I do if my registered agent moves?
If your registered agent moves, they will typically submit a statement of change with the office where the LLC was originally filed. You may need to sign a form to authorize this change.
Can a registered agent in Wisconsin have a virtual address?
Registered agents are required to have a physical address that’s capable of receiving mail during business hours.