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Researched and written by the Launchwise Review editorial team
Launchwise Review

Rankings of registered agents, LLC formation and foreign registration services in all 50 states.

Launch guide · Rhode Island · registered agent

3 Best Registered Agents in Rhode Island (2026)

Researched and written by the Launchwise Review editorial team
For a 2026 launch in Rhode Island, Launchwise Review grades registered agents this way: Mainstay Filing ($149 a year), Rhode Island Registered Agent.co ($99 a year) and RI Registered Agent.org ($99 a year). Mainstay Filing earns the top grade here: the price stays $149 a year if you stay put or expand, and your first three government letters each year are scanned free.
1
Our top pick in Rhode Island

1. Mainstay Filing: best for all fifty states

$149 a year, flat

Our mark 9.6 out of 10

Top grade, Mainstay Filing: $149 a year, still $149 at renewal, and papers served on the company are scanned the same business day at no charge.

Launching a new company? The $199 yearly package also takes care of the Rhode Island filing and the annual report.

It runs $150 above Rhode Island Registered Agent.co across three years; the extra paperwork it handles is worth that to us.

In the price

  • A registered office street address in any state you need
  • No-cost scanning of served papers within the same business day
  • Your first three government letters each year, scanned free
  • Compliance reminders

Pros

  • $149 a year and it does not rise
  • Works for LLCs, corporations, LPs, LLPs and nonprofits
  • Your first three government letters each year are scanned free
  • Papers served on the company are scanned the same business day, free

Less good

  • The agent plan alone costs $50 a year more than Rhode Island Registered Agent.co
  • Report filing belongs to the formation package, not the agent plan
Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Read the Mainstay Filing launch review
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Best local option

2. Rhode Island Registered Agent.co: best for the smallest annual bill we rank here

$99 a year, flat

Our mark 9.3 out of 10

Next up is Rhode Island Registered Agent.co: a flat $99 a year, with scans of papers served on the company in your account.

Rhode Island Registered Agent.co puts its in-state street address on file as the company's registered office and scans served legal papers to you.

In the price

  • A state street address on file as the registered office
  • You get scans of served legal papers online

Pros

  • A lower yearly price than Mainstay Filing
  • LLC formation with year-one agent service included
  • You pay $99 a year, renewals included

Less good

  • You still file the Annual Report for a Limited Liability Company
  • Made for Rhode Island; other states need their own agent
Visit Rhode Island Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Read the Rhode Island Registered Agent.co launch review
3
Built for Rhode Island

3. RI Registered Agent.org: best for Rhode Island specialists

$99 a year, flat

Our mark 9.1 out of 10

Rounding out the list is RI Registered Agent.org: a flat $99 a year, with scans of papers served on the company in your account.

RI Registered Agent.org handles the registered office with a state street address and scans whatever is served there for you.

Rhode Island Registered Agent.co and RI Registered Agent.org post the same price and the same features, so you can choose either.

In the price

  • An in-state street address as the registered office
  • Served documents are scanned so you can read them online

Pros

  • Forms LLCs too, with a free first agent year
  • Beats Mainstay Filing on yearly cost
  • A $99 yearly plan with a steady renewal price

Less good

  • You still file the Annual Report for a Limited Liability Company
  • Made for Rhode Island; other states need their own agent
Visit RI Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Read the RI Registered Agent.org launch review

The 3 grades at a glance

Place Company Launch grade Per year At renewal Best fit Go
1 Mainstay Filing 9.6 $149 $149/yr An agent for every state you may enter Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2 Rhode Island Registered Agent.co 9.3 $99 $99/yr The lowest yearly price among the picks we rank here Visit Rhode Island Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3 RI Registered Agent.org 9.1 $99 $99/yr The lowest yearly price among the picks we rank here Visit RI Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Scores out of 10 are Launchwise Review's own editorial grades, set from the criteria on How we rank. Customers do not rate anything here.

Rhode Island registered agent cost in 2026: first year, renewals, three-year total

Company Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Three years, total Renewal price matches
Mainstay Filing $149 $149 $149 $447 Yes
Rhode Island Registered Agent.co $99 $99 $99 $297 Yes
RI Registered Agent.org $99 $99 $99 $297 Yes
Prices were copied from each company's own pages on November 12, 2026. Rhode Island's own fees do not change with your choice of agent.

What drove the grades

Two criteria weigh 26% each in these grades: cost to launch and stay and launch paperwork handled. Renewal behavior, state match and price transparency share 48%, and Rhode Island turned on launch paperwork handled.

Mainstay's plan covers more ground: papers served on the company are scanned the same business day at no charge, the price is the same in all fifty states, and three government letters a year are scanned free. Rhode Island Registered Agent.co costs less, and the grades are close.

Every criterion and weight is listed on How we rank.

Rhode Island resident agent rules, straight from Rhode Island Secretary of State

Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address. The address has to be a Rhode Island street address, not a P.O. box, where the agent is available during business hours. Law behind it: R.I. Gen. Laws § 7-16-11.

Rhode Island Annual Report for a Limited Liability Company: date and fee

Put the Annual Report for a Limited Liability Company on your Rhode Island calendar every year. Count on a $50 state charge, with the deadline at May 1. Miss it and $25 gets added. Your resident agent receives the state's notices about it.

Quick answers about Rhode Island registered agents

Do I have to line up a resident agent before launching a Rhode Island LLC?

Yes. Put a resident agent with a physical Rhode Island address on the paperwork, because the state will not accept an LLC without one.

What should I budget each year for a Rhode Island registered agent?

Expect $99 to $149 a year, and each company keeps its price at renewal.

Could I just serve as my own resident agent?

Often yes, if you meet the state's conditions. A Rhode Island resident, or a corporation, limited partnership or LLC formed in Rhode Island or authorized there.

When does the Rhode Island Annual Report for a Limited Liability Company come due?

Put May 1 on your calendar. The state asks $50, and a late filing adds $25.

Which registered agents are graded on this page?

Mainstay Filing ($149 a year), Rhode Island Registered Agent.co ($99 a year) and RI Registered Agent.org ($99 a year), top grade first.

Which Rhode Island registered agent should a new company pick first?

Mainstay Filing, because one agent plan at $149 a year that works in every state, renewing at $149.

More from us

Sources and dates

  1. Rhode Island Department of State, Business Services Division, dated August 2026
  2. Rhode Island Department of State, Business Services Division, dated August 2026
  3. R.I. Gen. Laws § 7-16-5, dated August 2026
  4. Rhode Island formation fee: Filing fee, official source, dated October 2026
  5. Rhode Island formation fee: Filing fee, official source, dated October 2026
  6. Rhode Island registered agent statute, dated October 2026
  7. From Mainstay Filing: Rhode Island service page, copied November 12, 2026
  8. From Rhode Island Registered Agent.co: pricing and service pages, copied November 12, 2026
  9. From RI Registered Agent.org: pricing and service pages, copied November 12, 2026