If you’re starting a business in New Jersey or expanding your business in this state, you’ll need to appoint a registered agent.
To help you find the right registered agent for your business, we’ve created a guide on the best New Jersey registered agent services. If, however, you don’t have the time to read through all of our eleven recommendations, our summary table below includes the features of our top three picks.
Best New Jersey Registered Agent Services
| Registered Agent Service | Cost | New Jersey Office Location |
|---|---|---|
| IncFile | $119 a year/ first year free with incorporation | Not stated |
| ZenBusiness | $199 a year | Not stated |
| Northwest | $125 a year | Marlton |
| New Jersey Registered Agent | $49 a year | Marlton |
| Harbor Compliance | $99 a year | Marlton |
| InCorp | $129 a year | Trenton |
| LegalZoom | $299 a year | Not stated |
| CSC Global | $381 a year | Ewing |
| Registered Agent Net | $89 a year | Not stated |
| MyCompanyWorks | $99 a year | Not stated |
| Registered Agent LLC | $75 a year | Not stated |
In addition to providing individual recommendations, we’ll also go over the steps required to register a business and answer your most pressing questions in our FAQ section at the end.
With that out of the way, let’s start by defining what a registered agent is.
What Is a Registered Agent?
A registered agent can be either an individual or a company that accepts all official correspondence on behalf of a business. Their role is to forward that correspondence to the business owner in a timely manner. Some registered agent services come with additional perks, like annual report reminders.
Does New Jersey Require a Registered Agent?
Yes, the state of New Jersey requires businesses to appoint a registered agent during the formation process.
Benefits of Hiring a Registered Agent Service
Here is what you can expect from a registered agent service:
- An extra layer of privacy between you and your business
- More flexibility in terms of travelling and working hours
- Constant compliance with the state
- Your business will be seen as more reputable
- You can easily expand your business in other states
Now, it’s time to get into our individual recommendations.
1. IncFile
IncFile does an incredible job of providing quality service at a reasonable price. They’ve served more than 800,000 customers, so you know you’ll be in good hands. You’ll get access to the following perks:
- Receiving your personal correspondence on your personal dashboard
- Automatic mail forwarding
- Tailored email and text notifications
Another reason to opt for IncFile is its user-friendly interface.
Their registered agent services cost $119 a year and there are no hidden fees or unwanted contracts. And if you use their formation services, you’ll a free year of registered agent services.
In addition to the registered agent and formation services, they also offer the following services:
- Tax consultations
- Trademarking
- Certificate of good standing
- Amendment
- Foreign qualification
- Business licenses and permits
- EIN Number
- Virtual address
2. ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness is one of the most well-known services on our list. It’s rated as #1 on sites like Forbes and Investopedia, which corroborates its excellence. Throughout the years, they’ve helped over 300,000 businesses by providing tools such as:
- Access to a personalized dashboard
- Email notifications
- Mail forwarding
- Fast turnaround
- Document scanning
One of our favourite aspects of ZenBusiness is how dedicated they are to help the entrepreneurial community – with their $5K Grant Program, they support business owners who don’t have the funds to start and run their businesses.
Customers also love their customer support team, which is a useful feature in a registered agent service.
Their yearly fee is $199. They also offer the option of upgrading your service to include additional perks, such as two free filing changes a year and annual support alerts.
Their other services include:
- LLC formation
- Incorporation
- Annual reports
- Taxes and accounting
- Operating agreement
- Business license reports
- Banking and finances
- Domain name and website
- Worry-free compliance
- EIN Number
3. Northwest
Northwest has mastered all essentials required to keep a business compliant. Their registered agent service is among the most popular across the United States and it includes:
- Pre-filled state forms
- Mail forwarding
- Document storage
- Compliance alerts
- Annual report reminders
- Scanned documents
One of the best advantages of choosing this service is the outstanding customer support that will be at your disposal. Their Corporate Guides, a dedicated team of experts in the field, provide support and guidance throughout your business journey.
Moreover, during your first year, you’ll be given access to a free compliance calendar which will help you keep track of all your important deadlines.
With their Privacy by Default practice, you can rest assured knowing all your personal information is safe.
Even with all these benefits, their pricing is more than reasonable – a year of registered agent services with Northwest will only cost you $125. Plus, if you choose them as your registered agent for more than four states, your fee will be reduced to $100.
Their New Jersey office is located in Marlton.
Northwest also offer the following services:
- Annual report filings
- Payment processing
- Trademarking
- Phone service
- Foreign qualification
- Virtual office
- Mail forwarding
4. New Jersey Registered Agent
If you’re looking for a New Jersey registered agent service that will cost you around $50 a year, look no further than New Jersey Registered Agent. This reliable yet affordable registered agent service offers the following perks:
- Annual report reminders
- Email notifications
- Access to pre-filled state forms
- Online document storage
Their pricing is extremely affordable, making them a great option for new businesses and those with a tight budget.
While affordable, their pricing is also transparent, so you’ll never have to worry about additional fees or unplanned costs.
Their New Jersey office is located in Marlon.
In addition to registered agent services, they also offer:
- LLC formation
- Incorporation
- Filing services
5. Harbor Compliance
Another affordable service we highly recommend that comes with a plethora of features is Harbor Compliance. They’ve helped over 35,000 customers and their experience helps them give you the best tools for an affordable price, which include:
- Same-day electronic delivery of your documents
- Pre-filled state forms
- Customizable notifications
- Annual report reminders
Harbor Compliance is known for its fast processing speed, so you can rest assured knowing you’ll never miss a due date and risk being fined as a result.
Customers appreciate the user-friendly nature of their website, as well as their knowledgeable customer support team.
A year of registered agent services with Harbor Compliance will only cost you $99, and you can get an additional 10% discount if you use their services for multiple years.
Their New Jersey office is located in Marlton.
On top of offering registered agent services, you can also hire them for:
- Amendments
- Business licenses
- LLC formation
- Incorporation
- Registration
6. InCorp
InCorp is one of the best New Jersey registered agent services to hire if you’re looking to get a multi-year deal. While their normal yearly fee is $129, their multi-year discount allows you to pay only $87 a year. Their registered agent service offer includes:
- Access to their Entity Management System
- Annual report filings
- Legal notifications
- Mail forwarding
Thanks to their EntityWatch technology, you’ll always get updates regarding the status of your filings and your business will remain protected from identity theft.
Their New Jersey office is located in Trenton.
Here are all the other services offered by InCorp:
- LLC formation
- Incorporation
- Foreign qualification
- Trademarking
- Copyright
- EIN Number
- DBA Filing
- Apostille service
- UCC search
- Articles of amendment
7. LegalZoom
LegalZoom is one of the most popular names in the business industry in the United States. Offering a myriad of legal services, they’re an excellent option for larger businesses where remaining within a budget isn’t an issue. While their pricing is slightly higher than the other recommendations on our list, their registered agent services come with many benefits, like:
- Access to their Compliance Calendar
- Unlimited cloud storage
- Mail alerts
- Annual report reminders
- $1M in identity theft protection
Moreover, their Compliance Calendar will help you keep track of all your important due dates and prevent you from being fined.
Another compelling reason to opt for LegalZoom is their offer to change your current registered agent for free and cover any fees in the process.
Their yearly fee is $299. However, if you purchase their business formation package, the first year will cost you only $249.
In addition to offering legal services, they’re also a good match for larger businesses because of their expert IP protection and trademark registration.
Their other services include:
- Incorporation
- Power of attorney
- Taxation
- Foreign qualification
- Annual reports
- EIN Number
- Business formation
- Trademarking
- Business registration
- Residential lease
- Copyright
8. CSC Global
CSC Global do a great job at providing data protection and useful compliance tools. Their registered agent package includes the following perks:
- Access to a personalized online dashboard
- Annual compliance reminders
- Access to SOC-2 facilities
- Same-day document scans
- Electronic delivery of documents
Their high level of data security is enabled by their innovative SOC-2 technology, so you’ll never have to worry about any third parties getting involved.
Their New Jersey office is located in Ewing.
You can also hire CSC Global for:
- UCC
- Entity management
- Legal management
- Corporate filings
- Digital brand services
- Real estate and e-recording
9. Registered Agent Net
If you’re looking for a quality registered agent service that’ll provide all the basics and cost you less than $100 annually, check out Registered Agent Net. This yearly fee covers benefits like:
- Access to their Compliance Calendar and Compliance Entity Manager
- Same-day document delivery
- Two-year price guarantee
Moreover, every customer will get access to their Compliance Entity Manager – a tool that helps you keep track of all your business information and annual report reminders. And ahead of any due date, Registered Agent Net will send you an email so you don’t miss any renewals.
A year with Registered Agent Net will cost you $89.
10. MyCompanyWorks
Meet all state requirements and deadlines with the help of MyCompanyWorks’ registered agent service. For only $99 a year, you can get access to:
- Access to The Startup Wizard
- Same-day processing
- Free E-delivery
- Compliance monitoring
- Access to an online dashboard
- Online order tracking
In case you’re not satisfied with their service, they offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Their other services include:
- LLC formation
- Incorporation
- Business licenses
- File a DBA
- Company dissolution
- Virtual office
- Annual reports
11. Registered Agent LLC
Registered Agent LLC is a great option if you’re looking for a nationwide and affordable New Jersey registered agent service. This A++ rated service helps you ensure compliance by providing you with the following tools:
- Annual reports
- Immediate notifications
- Compliance reminders
- Pre-filled state forms
- Access to an online account
A year of registered agent services with Registered Agent LLC will cost you $75.
Despite the low fee, their pricing remains transparent and the same each year. In addition, they offer satisfaction-guarantee for their clients, so you’ll get a refund if you’re not happy with their services.
How do I Register a Business in New Jersey?
Here are all the steps required for registering a business in New Jersey.
Choose a Business Name
There are several things you need to take into account when naming your business.
The first one is that your business name must be unique and different from the names of existing businesses in New Jersey. To help you with this step, you can do an online business entity search on the New Jersey Secretary of State website.
In addition, you need to include a word that indicates the type of business structure you’re going for. You can either use the whole name (“Corporation” or “Limited Liability Company”), or one of their abbreviations.
If you want, you can reserve your name for 120 days to ensure that it’s still available while you’re gathering the documents.
Choose a Business Structure
Choosing a business structure is necessary for continuing the steps of the registration process. There are four main types of business structures in New Jersey:
- Sole proprietorship
- Partnership
- LLC
- Corporation
The main advantage of corporations and LLCs is that they provide limited liability for the owners. In other words, the owners aren’t legally responsible for any debt or claim and their assets can remain protected at all times.
On the other hand, these business entities also require a bigger starting budget and come with more obligations to the state, so consider these factors when you’re making a decision.
Complete Online Business Formation Filings
If you’re starting an LLC or a corporation, you’ll need to apply for a certificate of formation on the New Jersey Division of Revenue & Enterprise Services website.
The filing fee for both LLCs and corporations is $125.
Get an Employee Identification Number
A crucial step for anyone who wants to hire employees for their business or have their business taxed separately from them is to apply for an EIN.
The application for an EIN, regardless of the state you’re in, is conducted on the IRS website. It’s free of charge and only takes seconds to complete.
Getting an EIN can be useful even if it’s not required for your business – it has many benefits, like making it easier to open a business bank account.
Obtain Necessary Licenses and Permits
Most businesses need at least one license or permit to operate legally.
All businesses in New Jersey must register to receive a New Jersey Business Registration Certificate.
If your business involves selling goods, you’ll need to apply for a sales tax.
Keep in mind that some licenses, like the New Jersey Business Registration Certificate, don’t have to be renewed on a yearly basis, while others might require renewal.
Some licenses are issued on a county/city level. You can search all licenses and permits issued by New Jersey on the New Jersey Licensing and Certification Guide.
FAQs
Where Can I Do a New Jersey Business Entity Search?
You can do a New Jersey business entity search on the New Jersey Secretary of State website.
How Much Does It Cost to Register a Business in New Jersey?
The cost of registering a business in New Jersey is $125.
Final Thoughts
We hope you found our article on the best New Jersey registered agent services helpful.
Our top three recommendations are IncFile, ZenBusiness, and Northwest. Each of these registered agent services will give you the tools you need to remain compliant with the New Jersey state throughout the year.
For start-ups and business owners who are on a tight budget, we offered some more affordable recommendations that’ll cost you less than $100 a year. These registered agent services are Registered Agent LLC, New Jersey Registered Agent, and Registered Agent Net.
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