Comparison of the top registered agent services for Massachusetts LLCs and corporations · Updated 2026-04-30
When evaluating registered agent services in Massachusetts, the practical decision factors are pricing, privacy protection, and dependable handling of legal mail. Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 156C §12 sets the ground rules — physical in-state address, available during business hours, no P.O. boxes — and the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth enforces them on the public record. Below, we rank the four registered agent services we evaluated for Massachusetts-based LLCs and corporations in 2026.
Northwest Registered Agent
Physical-address-only operations; mail forwarding; same-day filing.
ZenBusiness
Pairs RA with LLC formation packages.
LegalZoom
Largest brand; phone-based support; bundled legal services.
Mid-tier pricing with full feature parity; suitable for businesses focused on cost-efficiency.
Massachusetts-specific option: Massachusetts Registered Agent.co operates exclusively in Massachusetts and specializes in same-state filings. Best for businesses that want a state-focused provider with local-only operations.
| Filing | Cost | Renewal |
|---|---|---|
| LLC formation | $500 | annually on formation anniversary |
| Annual Report | $500 | annually on formation anniversary |
| DBA / Fictitious Name | $65 | Every 4 years |
| Change of Registered Agent | $25 | — |
Source: Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth · Statute reference Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 156C §12
For most Massachusetts LLCs, Northwest Registered Agent ranks first on privacy and Mainstay Filing offers the best value at $99/year. State-specific options like Massachusetts Registered Agent.co specialize in same-state filings.
Commercial services range $50–$250 per year. Mainstay Filing is $99/yr; Northwest is $125/yr; ZenBusiness is $199/yr; LegalZoom is $249/yr.
Yes. File a Statement of Change of Registered Agent with the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth for $25. Most commercial services handle the change paperwork for you.
National services like Mainstay Filing and Northwest operate across all 50 states with consistent pricing and online dashboards. State-specific providers (like Massachusetts Registered Agent.co) focus exclusively on one state and often handle same-state-only filings faster.
Yes — under Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 156C §12, every Massachusetts LLC must designate and maintain a registered agent with a physical street address in Massachusetts.
RA Ratings independently reviews registered agent services. We may earn a commission from sponsored links; this does not affect rankings or editorial selection. Verify all filing fees with the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth before submitting paperwork.