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Formation ClassClass is in session: LLC paperwork, state by state.

Session 2 · Michigan

Michigan Registered Agent Class (2026): 6 Assignments and the 3 Best Agents

Graded for 2026, the best help with getting a registered agent in Michigan comes from Mainstay Filing ($149 a year), MI Registered Agent.org ($99 a year) and Michigan Registered Agent.co ($99 a year), in that order. In 6 assignments you will learn what Michigan requires of a resident agent, who qualifies, which address counts and how the agent is put on record.

Taught by the Formation Class faculty

Need-to-know facts

Must you have one?Yeslegislature.mi.gov, last read in October 2026
Yearly cost of the graded agents$99 to $149 a yearPosted prices
Annual statement$25 a yearmichigan.gov, last read in August 2026
Class assignments6In order

By the end you will know

  • The Michigan agent rule
  • Eligibility and address rules
  • Recording the agent
  • Who we would hire as agent

Michigan: the graded services

Five weighted criteria set the order (see how we grade), and three-year tuition and homework done count most.
Highest grade

1. Mainstay Filing: best for owners planning to grow

$149 a year, $149 at renewal

We start with Mainstay Filing; an agent fee of $149 a year that holds across all fifty states.

Three years here run $150 higher than at MI Registered Agent.org, with more of the work done in return.

Covered by the tuition

  • A street address for the registered office
  • Scans of papers served on the company, free and on the same business day
  • Three government letters a year are scanned free
  • Also serves nonprofits, corporations, LPs and LLPs

Strengths

  • $149 per year
  • The same provider anywhere

Weak spots

  • MI Registered Agent.org is $50 a year lower
  • Report filing needs the formation package
Local choice

2. MI Registered Agent.org: best for owners based in the state

$99 a year, $99 at renewal

Our second pick, MI Registered Agent.org: $99 a year secures a Michigan agent with an office inside the state.

Covered by the tuition

  • A registered office address
  • Served papers are scanned into your account

Strengths

  • $99 per year
  • A smaller yearly bill than Mainstay Filing

Weak spots

  • Michigan only; each other state needs its own agent
  • Annual statement is homework it leaves to you
Local choice

3. Michigan Registered Agent.co: best for another local option

$99 a year, $99 at renewal

Our third pick, Michigan Registered Agent.co: $99 a year secures a Michigan agent with an office inside the state.

Its prices match MI Registered Agent.org's, so either works.

Covered by the tuition

  • A registered office address
  • Served papers are scanned into your account

Strengths

  • $99 per year
  • A smaller yearly bill than Mainstay Filing

Weak spots

  • Michigan only; each other state needs its own agent
  • Annual statement is homework it leaves to you

3 services, side by side

#ServiceAnnual priceRenewal priceThree-year total
1Mainstay Filing$149$149/yr$447Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2MI Registered Agent.org$99$99/yr$297Visit MI Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3Michigan Registered Agent.co$99$99/yr$297Visit Michigan Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Taken from each company's price page on November 13, 2026. State fees do not change with your choice of agent.

The Michigan agent, in order

  1. Assignment
    1

    Start with the rule

    Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.

    Textbook page: legislature.mi.gov, last read in October 2026

  2. Assignment
    2

    Who can take the role

    A Michigan resident, or a corporation or LLC formed in Michigan or authorized there, whose business office (or, for a person, residence) is the registered office. This is in MCL 450.4207.

  3. Assignment
    3

    The address rule

    The address has to be a registered office in Michigan, which does not have to be the place of business. P.O. boxes are not accepted.

    Each service in this class provides the in-state address.

  4. Assignment
    4

    Settle on the person or company

    If you pass the tests above, you can name yourself; hiring one of the graded agents costs $99 to $149 a year.

  5. Assignment
    5

    Record the appointment

    Your filing with the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) is where the agent gets identified, and any change means a fresh filing at that office.

    Textbook page: legislature.mi.gov, last read in September 2026

  6. Assignment
    6

    Watch the details

    Notices from the state about the annual statement go straight to your resident agent. You pay $25 every year, with the due date given as February 15.

    Textbook page: michigan.gov, last read in August 2026

What this class costs

EntryPayeeCost
The agentThe service company$99 to $149 a year
Every year afterThe service company$99 to $149 a year
Annual statementPaid to the state$25 every year
Rows for the state use Michigan's published fee schedules (see the textbook pages beneath the table), and each service row uses that company's own price. Over three years the state row adds the filing, the year-two report, the year-three report and any minimum tax.

Why the list runs this way

Homework the price does makes up 34% of the grade, and that is where got ahead in Michigan.

An agent that can follow your LLC into any state earned a higher grade than MI Registered Agent.org's lower price.

Short answers

Does Michigan require every LLC to have a resident agent?

Yes. Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.

Can I be my own resident agent?

An owner can serve if eligible; the tests are in assignments 2 and 3.

Can I change my resident agent later?

Yes. A switch takes a change filing at the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) (assignment 5).

What does a registered agent cost in Michigan?

The graded agents charge $99 to $149 a year.

What does the LLC pay the state each year?

The state bills $25 for the annual statement each time.

Which registered agent would you choose?

The grade order is Mainstay Filing, MI Registered Agent.org and Michigan Registered Agent.co, and Mainstay Filing is first since $149 a year, $149 at renewal, and the same plan is on offer in every other state.

Keep learning

Textbook pages and extra reading

  1. If you want proof of the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Corporations facts, michigan.gov is the page to read, and we last read it in August 2026.
  2. If you want proof of the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Corporations facts, michigan.gov is the page to read, and we last read it in August 2026.
  3. If you want proof of the Michigan report due date facts, michigan.gov is the page to read, and we last read it in August 2026.
  4. If you want proof of the MCL 450.4202 facts, legislature.mi.gov is the page to read, and we last read it in August 2026.
  5. If you want proof of the Michigan formation fee: Filing fee, official source facts, michigan.gov is the page to read, and we last read it in September 2026.
  6. If you want proof of the Michigan formation fee: Filing fee, official source facts, legislature.mi.gov is the page to read, and we last read it in September 2026.
  7. If you want proof of the Michigan registered agent statute facts, legislature.mi.gov is the page to read, and we last read it in October 2026.
  8. Pulled November 13, 2026: Michigan service page from Mainstay Filing
  9. Pulled November 13, 2026: pricing page from MI Registered Agent.org
  10. Pulled November 13, 2026: pricing page from Michigan Registered Agent.co