Featured Partners
1
ZenBusiness
$0 + State Fees
Varies By State & Package
2
Tailor Brands
$0 + state fee
Varies by State & Package
3
Northwest Registered Agent
$39 + State Fees
Varies By State & Package
Best New Hampshire Registered Agent Services of 2025
Forbes Advisor Ratings
What Is a Registered Agent?
A registered agent is a person or entity that is designated to serve as a legal representative on behalf of a business. Agents are responsible for receiving important legal documents and court notices and are required to have a physical address in the state where these documents and notices are received.
It is important for the registered agent to be available at the registered office during regular business hours. State law requires that an LLC or corporation maintain a registered agent within the state at all times in order to remain in good standing. Failure to maintain a registered agent may result in administrative suspension or dissolution of the business.
If privacy is a concern, many businesses choose to utilize commercial registered agent services.
This protects the business’s personal information from becoming publicly available. These service providers are specifically designed to handle legal documents and state notices while ensuring the confidentiality of the business’s details.
New Hampshire Registered Agent Requirements
In the state of New Hampshire, a registered agent must be an individual, LLC, corporation located in the state of New Hampshire. You can also use a manager or employee of your company, as long as they are located within the state and have a physical address. Registered agents must also be available at all times during normal business hours. There are companies that offer registered agent services for a fee, and a list of such companies can be found in this article or on the New Hampshire Secretary of State’s website.
If there is a need to change the registered agent or their address, a Form 10 Statement of Change of Registered Office or Registered Agent or Both must be completed and filed with the Secretary of State. This filing requires a $15 fee. The filing can also be done online through the Secretary of State’s website. Take note, if you decide to hire a registered agent service, some providers will do this for you on your behalf, free of charge.
For any further inquiries regarding registered agent requirements in New Hampshire, you can contact the Information Line at (603) 271-3246.
Featured Partners
1
ZenBusiness
$0 + State Fees
Varies By State & Package
2
Tailor Brands
$0 + state fee
Varies by State & Package
3
Northwest Registered Agent
$39 + State Fees
Varies By State & Package
How to Choose a New Hampshire Registered Agent Service
When selecting a registered agent service for your business, there are several key considerations to keep in mind:
- Cost: Registered agent services typically range from $99 to $300 per year. It’s a good idea to consider the services each provider offers in relation to its pricing. Some providers may include additional services such as business formation assistance, compliance support and legal advice, all of which can affect the overall cost. Some providers also include the first year of registered agent services for free with business formation. Overall, the price will depend on your specific needs and additional add-ons.
- Privacy: It’s important that registered agent services prioritize the confidentiality and privacy of your business’s sensitive information. Look for a service provider that offers a private business address and has secure systems for document handling and storage. Remember, the registered agent service is the entity that will be served in the event of a lawsuit, so it is important to choose a service that can effectively protect your privacy.
- Availability: It is important to verify that the registered agent service is available during regular business hours and has a reliable system for receiving and forwarding crucial documents to you in a timely manner. Many providers include helpful features such as same-day electronic document delivery, mail forwarding and an online dashboard for secure document storage and retrieval. Additionally, consider providers that proactively send reminders for important filing deadlines and offer responsive customer support.
- Compliance expertise: When choosing a registered agent service, it’s important to make sure it has expertise in the legal requirements and compliance regulations specific to your state. Verify that the registered agent service possesses the necessary knowledge and experience to handle these regulations accurately and efficiently.
These standout factors can help you make an informed decision when choosing a registered agent service, as a registered agent service should meet your business’s needs and provide you with the necessary support for legal compliance and document management.
Methodology
In a recent evaluation conducted by Forbes Advisor, 15 registered agent services in New Hampshire underwent a comprehensive assessment to determine the best registered agent services for 2024. The evaluation considered several factors, including multistate support, same-day document delivery, user experience (UX), reputation, customer support and pricing. The goal was to highlight reliable, cost-effective and user-friendly services. Each criterion was assigned a weighted score, and the registered agent providers with the highest scores were added to the final list.
Pricing: We conducted thorough research on the cost of registered agent service providers, with a focus on transparency and affordability. Service providers that openly displayed their pricing plans on the website received higher scores. Additionally, companies that offered free registered agent services for the first year with their business formation services were also taken into consideration. Pricing and affordability accounted for 20% of the overall score.
Service and support: We evaluated the range of support provided by each registered agent provider. We noted whether they offered phone support, live chat, 24/7 customer care and access to online knowledge base resources. The quality of service and customer support accounted for 15% of the total score.
General features: We also noted the general features offered by each registered agent service provider. Some general features included the ability to handle multiple states, provide same-day document delivery, offer business formation filing services and user-friendly features. These aspects accounted for 30% of the overall evaluation score.
Mobile app: We noticed some registered agent service providers offered a mobile app. In this case, providers that offered a mobile app for both Android and Apple platforms received higher ratings in this category, as it indicates added convenience and accessibility for customers. This contributed to 5% of the total score.
Customer reviews: We collected ratings and feedback from various platforms such as Trustpilot, G2, Capterra and BBB. This helped us evaluate the registered agents’ reputation through customer satisfaction and user experience. This component accounted for 10% of the methodology score. Each registered agent service provider received a score based on its customer reviews, ranging from 0 (lowest) to 5 (highest), allowing us to determine the level of customer satisfaction.
Expert score: The expert score was determined by considering a few essential factors, such as standout features, value for money, ease of use and popularity among the public. We also considered security features, additional services offered, satisfaction guarantee and providers that are known for exceptional customer support. The expert score accounted for 20% of the overall rating.
State Registered Agent Services Guides
Belle Wong, J.D., Jeff White, Katherine Haan and Natalie Cusson also contributed to this article.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much does a registered agent cost in New Hampshire?
The cost of a registered agent in New Hampshire can vary. If you choose to serve as your own registered agent, there is no cost involved. However, if you decide to hire a service provider like the ones mentioned in this article, registered agent fees can range from $99 to $249 per year, depending on your business needs and requirements. Some service providers also offer free registered agent services for the first year with business formation services.
How do I find a registered agent in New Hampshire?
You can start by looking online to find the best registered agent for your business. You will notice that most business formation providers offer registered agent services as well. In addition, you can check the New Hampshire Secretary of State’s website to access a roster of authorized registered agent providers. You may also seek advice or ask for referrals from fellow business owners and seasoned professionals. In conclusion, you may also refer to our article on the best registered agent services of 2024.
Can I be my own registered agent for my LLC in New Hampshire?
Yes. As long as you are located at the registered agent address within the state, you are eligible to be listed as the registered agent for the business.
