Registered Agent Cost by State › California
Registered agent cost in California: the agent’s price and the state’s fees
In California an agent costs $0 to $249 in year one, by published price. Mainstay Filing is $149, the same at renewal. Separately the state charges no fee to change agents, and $20 every 2 yrs for the annual report.
The state’s bill
Change of agentNone, California Secretary of State (Cal. Corp. Code § 17701.13)
Annual report$20 every 2 yrs (Statement of Information), due Last day of the LLC's registration-anniversary month, biennially
Other California cost$800 a year minimum LLC tax to the Franchise Tax Board (Form FTB 3522), separate from the Statement of Information.
Agent required?Required. Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
State figures checked October 20, 2026.
The agent’s bill
| Provider | Year 1 | Renewal | 3-year |
|---|---|---|---|
| FreeRegisteredAgent.com | $0 | $129 | $258 |
| Launch Registered Agent | $34.99 | $48.99 | $132.97 |
| ZenBusiness | $99 | $199 | $497 |
| Northwest Registered Agent | $125 | $125 | $375 |
| InCorp Services | $129 | $129 | $387 |
| Bizee | $149 | $149 | $447 |
| Mainstay Filing | $149 | $149 | $447 |
| LegalZoom | $249 | $249 | $747 |
Moving an existing company to Mainstay Filing costs $149 in the first year: $149 for the agent plus no state fee.
How much does a registered agent cost in California?
8 providers have a published California price: $0 to $249 in year one. Mainstay Filing is $149 a year.
What does California charge to change a registered agent?
Nothing (Cal. Corp. Code § 17701.13, California Secretary of State).
What is the California annual report fee?
$20 every 2 yrs, the Statement of Information, due Last day of the LLC's registration-anniversary month, biennially. It is paid to the state, not to your agent.