Every Delaware LLC and corporation must keep a registered agent with a business office in Delaware that is open during normal business hours to accept service of process. Most Delaware companies are owned by people who live elsewhere, so in practice they hire a commercial agent. Switching agents costs $50 in state fees for an LLC (a Change of Agent Only Amendment) or a corporation, according to the Division of Corporations fee schedule revised August 1, 2026.
Our recommendation for most Delaware entities is Mainstay Filing at $149 a year. Below are the legal requirements, the full set of fees, and what happens if your agent resigns.
Updated October 2026.
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Best Registered Agents in Delaware (2026)
Comparing services for registered agent service in Delaware? Start with this ranked shortlist; details for each pick follow the table.
| Rank | Provider | Best for | Price | What’s included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mainstay Filing | Registered agent service with a flat renewal price | $149/year (renews at $149) | Registered agent service in all 50 states; switching from another agent included (state change fee at cost) |
| 2 | DE Registered Agent.org | Delaware registered agent service only | $99/year | $99 per year, flat; in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online |
| 3 | Delaware Registered Agent.ai | Delaware registered agent service only | $99/year | in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online |
1. Mainstay Filing
Mainstay Filing is our top pick in Delaware. It costs $149/year (renews at $149) and covers registered agent service in all 50 states; switching from another agent included (state change fee at cost). The price stays the same every year, with no add-on menu.
2. DE Registered Agent.org
DE Registered Agent.org is a Delaware registered agent service at $99/year. It provides $99 per year, flat; in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online. It’s a fit if you only need a registered agent rather than full formation help.
3. Delaware Registered Agent.ai
Delaware Registered Agent.ai is a Delaware registered agent service at $99/year. It provides in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online. It’s a fit if you only need a registered agent rather than full formation help.
Delaware registered agent snapshot
| Item | Delaware (as of October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Who can serve (LLC) | The LLC itself, a Delaware resident individual, or a domestic or authorized foreign entity, each with a Delaware business office |
| Office requirement | Delaware street address, open (or the agent generally present) during normal business hours |
| Change of Agent Only Amendment (LLC) | $50 (fee schedule, rev. Aug. 1, 2026) |
| Change of Agent/Office (corporation) | $50 |
| Optional expedite | $100 (24-hour) or $200 (same day) per filing |
| LLC Certificate of Formation | $110 |
| LLC annual tax | $400, due on or before June 1 (Division of Corporations) |
| Name reservation | $75 for 120 days |
What a Delaware registered agent is responsible for
The registered agent receives service of process, meaning lawsuits and other legal papers, on behalf of the company. It is also the channel the state and courts rely on to reach a Delaware entity whose owners may be anywhere in the world.
The Division of Corporations warns entities to be suspicious of unsolicited mail or email that does not come directly from the State or from the entity’s Delaware registered agent. A dependable agent is your filter for what is genuine. The Division also publishes a list of registered agents that meet its listing standards, while noting that registered agents are not regulated by the State and that choosing one is the consumer’s responsibility.
Delaware registered agent requirements under state law
For LLCs, the rules are in 6 Del. C. § 18-104. Each LLC must maintain a Delaware registered office and a registered agent whose business office is identical to that registered office. The agent may be:
- The LLC itself.
- An individual resident in Delaware.
- A domestic entity: another Delaware LLC, corporation, partnership or statutory trust.
- A foreign entity such as a foreign corporation or LLC, authorized to do business in Delaware.
An entity serving as agent must keep a Delaware business office that is generally open during business hours to accept service. An individual agent must be generally present at a designated Delaware location often enough to accept service. Under § 18-104(e), an agent may not operate solely through a virtual office or mail-forwarding service. Agents serving more than 50 entities, called commercial registered agents, face stricter rules, including having an officer, director or managing agent present at the office during normal business hours.
Corporations follow parallel rules under 8 Del. C. § 132, which the Division summarizes as maintaining a Delaware street address and office open during normal business hours. In every case, the agent must consent to the appointment before the filing is submitted.
Can you be your own registered agent in Delaware?
Technically yes. Delaware is unusual in letting an LLC name itself as its agent, and a Delaware resident can serve personally. Both options only work if there is a real Delaware office where someone is present to accept papers.
| Option | Works when | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| LLC names itself | The company has its own staffed office in Delaware | Most Delaware LLCs have no physical presence in the state |
| Owner acts as agent | The owner lives in Delaware and is reliably reachable | Home address becomes public; travel risks missed service |
| Commercial agent | Owners live outside Delaware or want privacy | Annual fee; compare renewal pricing |
For the typical out-of-state founder who chose Delaware for its corporate law, a commercial agent is the only practical choice.
How much does it cost to change a registered agent in Delaware?
The Division of Corporations charges $50 for a Change of Agent Only Amendment for a domestic or foreign LLC, and $50 for a corporation’s Change of Agent/Office, per its fee schedule revised August 1, 2026. Optional expedited service adds $100 for 24-hour handling or $200 for same day handling.
| Filing (LLC) | State fee |
|---|---|
| Change of Agent Only Amendment | $50 |
| Certificate of Amendment (other changes) | $220 |
| Resignation of agent with appointment of successor | $240 |
| Resignation of agent without appointment | $2 |
| Certified copy (optional) | $50 |
Keep the amendment limited to the agent change: a broader Certificate of Amendment costs $220 instead of $50.
How to change your Delaware registered agent
- Look up the entity in the Division’s entity search to confirm its exact name and file number.
- Choose a new agent and get its consent. The Division requires consent before the filing is submitted.
- Prepare the amendment. For an LLC, this is a Certificate of Amendment limited to the change of registered agent and office. Corporations file their own change of agent certificate; the Division posts its templates on the forms page.
- Submit it through the Document Filing and Certificate Request Service, or by mail to the Division of Corporations in Dover with a cover sheet.
- Pay $50, plus any expedite fee you choose.
- Confirm the change and close your account with the former agent.
Most commercial agents prepare and file this amendment for new clients, which avoids formatting rejections.
What if your Delaware registered agent resigns?
Under § 18-104(d), an agent can resign without naming a successor by filing a certificate stating it gave the LLC written notice at least 30 days beforehand. The resignation takes effect 30 days after filing. The LLC must then designate a new agent, and if it fails to do so within 30 days after the resignation certificate is filed, the LLC’s certificate of formation is canceled.
That is a harsh outcome for a missed letter, and it is a common way for dormant Delaware LLCs to disappear. Unpaid fees to a commercial agent are a frequent trigger, so keep your agent’s billing details current.
Keep your Delaware entity in good standing
Delaware LLCs, LPs and GPs pay an annual tax of $400 on or before June 1, according to the Division of Corporations. The amount was $300 for years; HB 400, enacted May 21, 2026, raised the flat tax to $400 starting with tax year 2026, and Delaware LLCs file no separate annual report. Missing the payment brings a $200 penalty plus 1.5% interest per month on tax and penalty. Corporations follow a separate franchise tax and annual report schedule.
For formation steps, see how to start an LLC in Delaware and how to start a business in Delaware. To check whether a name is free before reserving it for $75, read our Delaware business name search guide.
FAQs
How much does it cost to change a registered agent in Delaware?
The Delaware Division of Corporations charges $50 for an LLC’s Change of Agent Only Amendment and $50 for a corporation’s Change of Agent/Office, according to its fee schedule revised August 1, 2026. Optional expedited processing costs $100 for 24-hour or $200 for same day handling.
Can a Delaware LLC be its own registered agent?
Yes. Under 6 Del. C. § 18-104, an LLC may serve as its own registered agent, but its business office must be the registered office in Delaware and it must be generally open during business hours to accept service of process. Most Delaware LLCs with no local office use a commercial agent.
Do I need a Delaware registered agent if I live in another state?
Yes. Every Delaware LLC and corporation must maintain a registered agent with a Delaware office, no matter where the owners live. Because an out-of-state owner cannot be present at a Delaware address, nearly all such companies hire a commercial registered agent.
What happens if my Delaware registered agent resigns?
The agent must give the LLC written notice at least 30 days before filing its resignation, which takes effect 30 days after filing. If the LLC does not designate a new agent within 30 days after the resignation is filed, its certificate of formation is canceled under § 18-104(d).
What is the Delaware LLC annual tax in 2026?
Delaware LLCs, limited partnerships and general partnerships pay an annual tax of $400, due on or before June 1, according to the Division of Corporations. Late payment brings a $200 penalty plus interest of 1.5% per month on the tax and penalty.
Does Delaware regulate registered agent companies?
Only partly. The Division of Corporations lists agents that meet its listing standards, but its website states that registered agents are not regulated by the State of Delaware and that selecting one is the consumer’s responsibility. Commercial agents serving over 50 entities must meet extra statutory requirements.
What is the best registered agent in Delaware?
Our recommendation is Mainstay Filing at $149 per year, with renewal at the same price and the agent switch included. DE Registered Agent.org is an alternative at a flat $99 per year, providing a Delaware street address and online access to scanned documents.
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