Choosing the right registered agent is immensely important in helping your business stay compliant with every deadline throughout the year, protect your privacy, and provide help in filing documents. If you’re thinking of opening a business in Illinois or expanding your existing business in this state, our article on the best Illinois registered agent services will help you find the right pick for your business.
If you’re short on time, you can check out a brief summary of our top three registered agent recommendations in the table below.
Every recommendation has an overview of the features included in the registered agent package, information about the pricing, and a list of all the other services available. At the end of our article, you’ll find a section where we go over all the steps required for registering a business in Illinois, as well as an FAQ section.
Best Illinois Registered Agent Services
| Registered Agent Service | Cost | Office Locations |
|---|---|---|
| Northwest | $125 a year | Springfield |
| ZenBusiness | $199 a year | Not stated |
| IncFile | $119 a year/ first year free with incorporation | Not stated |
| Registered Agent Net | $75 a year | Not stated |
| Harbor Compliance | $99 a year | Springfield |
| CSC Global | $381 a year | Springfield |
| Illinois Registered Office LLC | $49 a year | Not stated |
| Registered Agent Solutions Inc. | $175 a year | Springfield |
| InCorp | $129 a year | Springfield |
| LegalZoom | $299 a year | Not stated |
Before continuing with our article, let’s establish the role of a registered agent is.
What Is a Registered Agent?
A registered agent is an individual or a company whose job is to keep you compliant with all the laws and regulations of your state and receive your correspondence on your behalf.
What Are the Benefits of Getting a Registered Agent?
There are various benefits to appointing a registered agent.
For starters, registered agents allow for more privacy. You won’t need to share your home address in public; instead, you can use your registered agent’s physical address.
Registered agents can protect you from awkward encounters with your customers and clients. If you’re to personally receive a lawsuit or a claim, you risk getting served in front of your customers. Registered agents allow for that to be done in a private manner.
Last but not least, registered agents help you be more at ease since you won’t have to worry about missing any deadlines or getting fined.
Does Illinois Require a Registered Agent?
First things first, let’s start by answering the question of whether or not getting a registered agent is a requirement in Illinois.
Both domestic and foreign businesses are required to appoint and maintain a registered agent. There are no limitations in terms of who you can choose – the registered agent can be both a domestic and a foreign entity. If you want, you can appoint yourself as your own registered agent, but you need to be wary of all the potential drawbacks, such as a lack of privacy.
1. Northwest
Northwest is one of the most popular choices for a registered agent service in the United States. Throughout the years, it’s helped thousands of customers maintain compliance, all the while remaining relatively affordable. A subscription to Northwest grants you access to benefits such as:
- Free mail forwarding
- Pre-filled state forms
- Same-day document scans
- Compliance reminders
- Online document storage
You can access all the abovementioned features for only $125 a year.
One of the things Northwest is best known for is their amazing customer support, also known as Corporate Guides. It’s comprised of a group of experts who are ready to help you at all times, with anything registered agent-related.
Just like all the other reputable registered agents, Northwest promise never to sell your data to third parties, so your information will always remain safe in their hands.
In addition, they also help you stay on top of any deadlines you may have with the help of their compliance tracking calendar which is free of charge for a year to anyone who uses their registered agent services.
Apart from offering registered agent services, you can also hire Northwest for:
- LLC formation
- Mail forwarding
- Annual report reminders
- Phone service
- Foreign qualification
- Virtual office
- Payment processing
- Trademark service
- Annual report filings
Their Illinois office is located in Springfield.
2. ZenBusiness
Another prominent name in the world of registered agents is ZenBusiness. Known for being ranked as #1 on sites such as Forbes and Investopedia, ZenBusiness offers an appealing array of perks, such as:
- Email notifications
- State notices monitoring
- Access to a personalized dashboard
- Mail forwarding
- Fast turnaround
Your documents will be scanned and uploaded to your dashboard so you can access them at any point.
Their registered agent service are slightly more expensive than Northwest and cost $199 a year.
Another aspect we love about ZenBusiness is how dedicated they are to helping struggling entrepreneurs – a portion of their earnings is donated to their 5K Grant program which helps entrepreneurs in need start and run their businesses.
Customers really appreciate their user-friendly interface and helpful customer support team.
In addition to offering registered agent services, you can also hire them for:
- EIN Number
- LLC formation
- Incorporation
- Taxes and accounting
- Formation services
- Domain name and website
- Operating agreement
- Business license reports
- Annual reports
- Business advice
- Worry-free compliance
- Banking and finances
3. IncFile
Our third recommendation for a registered agent service is IncFile. They’ve helped over 800,000 businesses and they provide all the tools you could need to stay compliant. For only $119 a year, you can access benefits such as:
- Document scans
- Automatic mail forwarding
- Access to a personalized dashboard
- Personalized notifications
- Compliance reminders
Additionally, you get your first year of registered agent service for free if you use their formation package.
Apart from offering an excellent registered agent service, they also offer:
- Tax consultations
- Trademarking
- Amendment
- Virtual address
- Company dissolution
- EIN Number
- Business licenses and permits
- Foreign qualification
- Certificate of good standing
4. Registered Agent LLC
Registered Agent LLC is an amazing A+ rated registered agent service that provides a nationwide service, so they are a great option for businesses that plan on expanding. The features you can unlock with their registered agent package include:
- Online account
- Pre-filled state forms
- Immediate notifications
- Compliance reminders
- Annual report reminders to stay on track of deadlines
Their registered agent services cost only $75 a year, making them quite affordable for businesses on a tight budget. What’s more, their price remains the same every year and they offer a satisfaction guarantee.
5. Harbor Compliance
Another excellent option for a United States registered agent is Harbor Compliance. Their Illinois fee is only $99 a year and it grants you access to many benefits like:
- Same-day documents
- Annual report reminders
- Pre-filled and pre-signed state forms
- Personalized notifications
If you use their registered agent services across multiple states, you can take advantage of their multi-year discount and save up to 10%.
One of their strong suits is their fast processing speed – you’ll always get access to your documents as swiftly as possible.
Their Illinois office is located in Springfield.
Their other services include:
- LLC formation
- Incorporation
- Amendments
- Annual reports
- Business licensing
6. CSC Global
If you don’t mind going for a slightly more expensive registered agent service, then CSC Global is perfect for you. It contains all the tools required to keep you compliant, such as CSC Navigator – their online compliance dashboard that will help you stay on top of all your important deadlines. Other features you will get access to include:
- Mail alerts
- Electronic delivery of SOP
- Annual report reminders
- Same-day document scanning
A year of registered agent services with CSC Global will cost you $381. Their Illinois office is located in Springfield.
In addition to registered agent services, you can also use their other services:
- Corporate filings
- Business licenses
- Annual reports
- Entity management
- UCC
7. Illinois Registered Office LLC
Another amazing option for anyone looking to hire an affordable registered agent service is Illinois Registered Office LLC. Their yearly fee is only $49, yet they come with all the tools required for you to stay compliant, such as:
- Same-day document scans and delivery
- Year-round compliance monitoring
- Access to an online account
- Filing guides
- Pre-filled filings
- Annual report reminders
- Tax notifications
In addition to all the abovementioned perks, they promise to never give you any forwarding or hidden fees. The rate will remain consistent and you won’t have to worry about encountering any upsells.
Other services offered by Illinois Registered Office LLC include:
- Expedited filings
- Virtual office
- Incorporation
- LLC formation
Their Illinois office is located in Springfield.
8. Registered Agent Solutions Inc.
Registered Agent Solutions Inc. is a wonderful option for larger businesses that plan on expanding nationwide. Costing $175 a year, it grants you access to the following perks:
- Online application tools
- Added privacy
- Fast processing
- Custom notifications
They’re known for their outstanding customer service, so don’t hesitate to reach out to them if you need guidance at any point. Their Illinois office is located in Springfield.
Other than registered agent services, Registered Agent Solutions Inc. also excel at:
- Trademarking
- Entity management
- Business registrations
- Name registrations
- Reporting
- Annual reports
- Dissolutions
- Tax clearance
- Certificate of good standing
- Foreign qualifications
9. InCorp
InCorp is a nationwide registered agent service that has over 250,000 worldwide clients. For only $129 a year, you can enjoy the following benefits:
- Compliance reminders
- Filing status information
- Legal notifications
- Email forwarding
You can also enjoy unlimited access to their Entity management system which will help you stay compliant year-round.
The best part is – if you use their multi-year discount, you can enjoy their registered agent services for as low as $87 a year!
Their Illinois office is located in Springfield.
On top of registered agent services, InCorp offer the following services:
- Foreign qualification
- Entity formation
- Entity dissolution
- Certificate of good standing
- Copyright and trademark
- Articles of amendment
- Apostille service
- UCC search
10. Legal Zoom
If you have a larger business, or you think you’ll benefit from expert legal services, then Legal Zoom is the way to go. While their services are slightly more expensive ($299), they come with a plethora of benefits such as:
- Email alerts
- Annual report reminders
- Unlimited cloud storage
Thanks to the complimentary access to their Compliance Calendar, you will stay on top of all your deadlines without any problem.
In addition, they offer to handle all your paperwork if you’re in the process of switching registered agents.
Their other services include:
- Taxation
- Business registration
- Foreign qualification
- Power of attorney
- Licensing
How to Register a Business in Illinois
Find a Name for Your Business
One of the first steps to opening a business is choosing what to name it. Every state has different regulations in terms of what your name can and can’t contain. In every state, you’re required to choose a name that’s available and not taken by any other business. To help you in this regard, you can do a name search online.
If you’re starting an LLC, you have to use the phrase “limited liability company” or some of its abbreviations, such as LLC.
If you’re starting a corporation, the name has to contain “corporation”, “incorporated”, “limited” or any abbreviation of the above.
There are certain words that are off limits, typically those that imply an association with a government agency such as FBI or State Department.
Choose the Right Business Structure
Now that you have a name for your business, it’s time to choose a business structure.
There are four main types of business structures in Illinois:
- Sole proprietorship
- Partnership
- LLC (Limited Liability Company)
- Corporation
The main difference between a sole proprietorship/partnership and an LLC/corporation is that the latter provide limited liability to their members, which means that in case of a lawsuit or a claim, the personal assets of the members will remain protected. With that said, sole proprietorships and partnerships are much easier and cheaper to from, making them a great starting point for those who are starting with a lower budget.
File Articles of Organization
If you decide to start an LLC in Illinois, you need to file articles of organization with the state. In short, articles of organization is a document that entails basic information regarding your business, such as its name, location, and the name of the owners.
This document is imperative to separate your LLC from its owners. You can file articles of organization online on the Government of Illinois website.
File Articles of Incorporation
If, on the other hand, you decided to start a corporation in Illinois, you will need to file articles of incorporation with the state. Articles of incorporation is a document that has a similar purpose to articles of organization – it’s essential for the incorporation process of your business and for separating the owners from the business.
The application process is also conducted online and the application fee is $150.
Get an EIN (Employee Identification Number)
If you want to hire employees for your business, or if you want your business to be taxed separately from you, then you’ll also need to apply for an EIN.
An EIN is like a Social Security Number for your business. It’s issued by the IRS and the entire application is online, free of charge.
In addition to getting an EIN for taxation purposes, many business owners choose to obtain one because it makes it easier to open a bank account in certain states.
Obtain Business Licenses and Permits
Last but not least, you’ll need to ensure that you have all the necessary licenses and permits for your business to function legally. Licenses and permits are given on three different levels: federal, local, and state.
Luckily, there is an easy way to check what kind of licenses and permits you’ll need – by doing a business license search. This will show you all the documents you’ll need depending on what industry you’re in.
Many states require businesses to have a general business license, but Illinois is not one of them. However, you’ll need to obtain a Certificate of Registration/License, also known as a seller’s permit, if you intend on selling goods or services in the state.
FAQs
How Much Does It Cost to Register a Business in Illinois?
The filing fee for LLCs and corporations in Illinois is $150, whereas the cost of the franchise tax is around $25.
Where Can I Do an Illinois Entity Search?
You can do an Illinois entity search on the United States Patent and Trademark Office website.
How Much Is a Registered Agent in Illinois?
The price of getting a registered agent in Illinois varies depending on what kind of service you go for. The good news is – there is a registered agent service for any budget. You can get one for as little as $49 a year, like Illinois Registered Office LLC, or you could hire a service that will cost you a couple of hundred dollars a year if you have the budget for it.
Final Thoughts
We hope you enjoyed our article on the best Illinois registered agent services and that at least one service has caught your eye.
If you don’t have any specific preferences, we recommend opting for one of our top three recommendations: Northwest, IncFile, and ZenBusiness. If you want to hire a registered agent service that is both affordable and efficient, our top recommendation is Illinois Registered Office LLC.