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

Class 2 · Rhode Island

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

Graded for 2026, the best help with getting a registered agent in Rhode Island comes from Mainstay Filing ($149 a year), RI Registered Agent.org ($99 a year) and Rhode Island Registered Agent.co ($99 a year), in that order. 6 assignments cover the rule, who is eligible, the address test and the filing.

Taught by the Formation Class faculty

Read this first

Is a resident agent required?YesLook at webserver.rilegislature.gov for yourself; we read it in October 2026
Agent price range$99 to $149 a yearPosted prices
Recurring report$50 a yearLook at sos.ri.gov for yourself; we read it in August 2026
State minimum tax$400Look at tax.ri.gov for yourself; we read it in October 2026
Assignments6From first to last

Class goals

  • What Rhode Island requires of a resident agent
  • The address and eligibility rules
  • How an agent gets on record
  • Who we would hire as agent

The Rhode Island honor roll

The teacher's five criteria are on how we grade, and they decide the order.
Highest grade

1. Mainstay Filing: best for LLCs that may add other states

$149 a year, $149 at renewal

The class favorite is Mainstay Filing, because an agent fee of $149 a year that holds across all fifty states.

Next to RI Registered Agent.org the three-year premium is $150, which the 34% weight on homework done outweighs.

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 a year, same at renewal
  • Good in every state

Weak spots

  • RI Registered Agent.org is $50 a year lower
  • Reports stay on your plate
One-state plan

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

$99 a year, $99 at renewal

Our second pick, RI Registered Agent.org: a street address inside the state for the registered office, at $99 a year.

Covered by the tuition

  • A registered office address
  • Served documents appear online

Strengths

  • $99 per year
  • Under Mainstay Filing on price

Weak spots

  • Rhode Island only; each other state needs its own agent
  • Annual Report for a Limited Liability Company is left out of the price
One-state plan

3. Rhode Island Registered Agent.co: best for a local backup

$99 a year, $99 at renewal

Our third pick, Rhode Island Registered Agent.co: a street address inside the state for the registered office, at $99 a year.

It lists the same prices as RI Registered Agent.org.

Covered by the tuition

  • A registered office address
  • Served documents appear online

Strengths

  • $99 per year
  • Under Mainstay Filing on price

Weak spots

  • Rhode Island only; each other state needs its own agent
  • Annual Report for a Limited Liability Company is left out of the price

The services compared

#ServiceAnnual priceRenewal priceThree-year total
1Mainstay Filing$149$149/yr$447Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2RI Registered Agent.org$99$99/yr$297Visit RI Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3Rhode Island Registered Agent.co$99$99/yr$297Visit Rhode Island Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Company prices as listed on November 13, 2026. Rhode Island charges the same either way.

How a Rhode Island agent gets set up

  1. Assignment
    1

    What Rhode Island expects of an agent

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

    Textbook page: Look at webserver.rilegislature.gov for yourself; we read it in October 2026

  2. Assignment
    2

    Who counts as an agent

    A Rhode Island resident, or a corporation, limited partnership or LLC formed in Rhode Island or authorized there. See R.I. Gen. Laws § 7-16-11 for the text.

  3. Assignment
    3

    Use an office address that qualifies

    The address has to be a Rhode Island street address, not a P.O. box, where the agent is available during business hours.

    The public record shows the service's address, not yours.

  4. Assignment
    4

    Serve yourself or use a professional

    Hiring from the graded agents costs $99 to $149 a year; serving yourself is the option for those who qualify.

  5. Assignment
    5

    Name the agent in your filing

    Your filing with the Rhode Island Secretary of State is where the agent gets identified, and any change means a fresh filing at that office.

    Textbook page: Look at docs.sos.ri.gov for yourself; we read it in October 2026

  6. Assignment
    6

    Watch the details

    Notices from the state about the Annual Report for a Limited Liability Company go straight to your resident agent. You pay $50 every year, with the due date given as May 1. $400 a year minimum tax to the Division of Taxation (Form RI-1065), owed whether or not the LLC makes a profit.

    Textbook page: Look at sos.ri.gov for yourself; we read it in August 2026

What the agent costs in Rhode Island

What forPayeePrice
The agentThe service$99 to $149 a year
RenewalThe service$99 to $149 a year
Report sent to the stateState agency$50 every year
Minimum tax each yearState agency$400 a year
Here is how the three-year state row works: filing fee, plus the report in each of years two and three, plus any yearly minimum tax. Service fees get their own rows.

Why Mainstay Filing is first

What decided it was homework the price does, which carries 34% of the grade.

Covering all fifty states outweighed RI Registered Agent.org on our weights.

Short answers

Is having a resident agent the law in Rhode Island?

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

Can I be my own resident agent?

Often. Run the two tests in assignments 2 and 3.

Can I change my resident agent later?

Yes. A switch takes a change filing at the Rhode Island Secretary of State (assignment 5).

What does a registered agent cost in Rhode Island?

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

What does the LLC pay the state each year?

Mainly the Annual Report for a Limited Liability Company, $50 every year, plus the minimum tax.

Which registered agent would you choose?

The grade order is Mainstay Filing, RI Registered Agent.org and Rhode Island 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.

Next class

Textbook pages and extra reading

  1. Class notes on Rhode Island Department of State, Business Services Division come straight from docs.sos.ri.gov (reread August 2026).
  2. Class notes on Rhode Island Department of State, Business Services Division come straight from sos.ri.gov (reread August 2026).
  3. Class notes on R.I come straight from webserver.rilegislature.gov (reread August 2026).
  4. Class notes on Rhode Island formation fee: Filing fee, official source come straight from sos.ri.gov (reread October 2026).
  5. Class notes on Rhode Island formation fee: Filing fee, official source come straight from docs.sos.ri.gov (reread October 2026).
  6. Class notes on Rhode Island registered agent statute come straight from webserver.rilegislature.gov (reread October 2026).
  7. Class notes on Rhode Island other cost come straight from tax.ri.gov (reread October 2026).
  8. Rhode Island service page from Mainstay Filing as of November 13, 2026
  9. pricing page from RI Registered Agent.org as of November 13, 2026
  10. pricing page from Rhode Island Registered Agent.co as of November 13, 2026