LLC FormationOctober 22, 20268 min readBy Daniel Sato

Registered Agents Inc Review for Non-Resident LLC Owners

Our Registered Agents Inc review for non-US founders: what you get, what it costs, how it handles EINs and mail, and when Northwest is the better pick.

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Registered Agents Inc is a good fit for a non-resident LLC owner who wants a straightforward, low-hype registered agent with coverage in every state. It suits people who already know which state they want and need a dependable US address on the public record. Founders who want the lowest bundled first-year price and stronger privacy defaults usually do better with Northwest Registered Agent.

Bottom line

  • Registered Agents Inc is a solid, no-frills registered agent and formation service that works for owners living outside the US.
  • Northwest Registered Agent usually wins on bundled first-year value and privacy, which matters when you have no US home address to fall back on.
  • Either one covers the legal basics. The real differences are price structure, add-ons, and how the dashboard and mail handling fit how you work.

What is Registered Agents Inc?

Registered Agents Inc is a US company that serves as a registered agent and files LLC and corporation paperwork in all 50 states. It is based in Sheridan, Wyoming, and Wyoming is one of the most common states for non-resident LLCs.

A registered agent is a person or company with a physical address in your state of formation who accepts legal papers and official state mail for your business. Every US LLC must have one. You cannot be your own registered agent unless you have a physical address in that state, so non-residents nearly always hire a service. For the full explanation, read our guide on what a registered agent is.

Registered Agents Inc vs Northwest at a glance

Factor Registered Agents Inc Northwest Registered Agent
Pricing model Registered agent service billed yearly; formation fee plus state fee Low formation fee plus state fee, first year of registered agent included
Registered agent cost Starts around $125/year in most states Starts around $125/year after the first year
Best for Founders who want a plain service in a specific state Non-residents who want privacy and bundled first-year value
Privacy Uses its own address on filings where the state allows Uses its own address on filings by default (“privacy by default”)
Mail handling Scans state and legal mail to your online account Scans mail to your online account; business mail options available
Standout feature Coverage in every state with a long track record First year of registered agent included with formation
Weakest point Fewer bundled extras for overseas founders Add-ons such as an EIN for non-SSN owners cost extra

Prices change often, so check the current pricing page for each service before you pay. Compare Registered Agents Inc’s current plans or see Northwest’s formation package.

How much does Registered Agents Inc cost a non-resident?

Expect to pay a formation fee to Registered Agents Inc, the state filing fee, and a yearly registered agent fee that starts around $125. The state fee is usually the largest variable, and you pay it no matter which service you use.

State fees vary a lot. The Wyoming Secretary of State charges $100 to file Articles of Organization, plus an annual report fee with a $60 minimum. New Mexico has a low filing fee and no annual report for LLCs. Delaware charges LLCs a $300 annual franchise tax, on top of the formation fee.

These are the costs that come back every year:

  • Registered agent renewal (around $125/year at most services)
  • State annual report or franchise tax, depending on the state
  • Optional mail forwarding or a business address, if you add one

For a full breakdown, see our guide to US LLC annual costs.

Is Registered Agents Inc good for privacy?

Yes, within the limits of what each state allows. Registered Agents Inc lists its own address as your registered office, so your home address abroad does not appear on public filings. In states that require a manager or organizer name, though, someone’s name still ends up on the record.

Privacy matters more for non-residents than many people realize. If your formation documents list a home address overseas, banks, payment processors, and data brokers can find it. A registered agent that also acts as your organizer keeps more of your details off public records.

Northwest makes privacy its main selling point and applies it by default to its formation packages. If keeping your name and address off public records is a top priority, that default is worth a lot. See how Northwest handles privacy.

Can Registered Agents Inc help you get an EIN without an SSN?

An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is the federal tax ID the IRS issues to your LLC, and you need one to open a US bank account. Founders without a Social Security Number cannot use the IRS online application. Instead they file Form SS-4 by fax or mail, or pay a formation service to do it.

Registered agent services generally offer EIN filing as a paid add-on, and the cost and turnaround vary. Before you order, confirm that the service files for owners without an SSN, how much it charges, and whether it handles the IRS fax back-and-forth for you.

You can also do it yourself. Our guides to getting an EIN without an SSN and faxing Form SS-4 from abroad walk through each step.

How does Registered Agents Inc handle mail and compliance?

Registered Agents Inc scans service of process and official state mail and uploads it to your online account. It also sends reminders when annual reports are due. That is the core job, and it is the part that matters most when you live in a different time zone.

A missed lawsuit notice or annual report can lead to a default judgment or administrative dissolution. Fast, reliable scanning and clear due-date reminders are what you are paying for.

One point to remember: a registered agent address is not a general business address. Many banks and platforms want a separate US mailing address for your LLC. If you need one, read our guide to getting a US address for your LLC.

What are the drawbacks of Registered Agents Inc?

The main drawback for non-residents is that Registered Agents Inc offers fewer services built specifically for overseas founders than some all-in-one competitors. You still have to arrange your EIN, US bank account, and annual tax filings yourself or through paid add-ons.

This is not a flaw in the service. It is a matter of scope. Registered Agents Inc does the registered agent and filing work well. It is not a full back-office service for foreign founders, and that is not how it presents itself.

Its renewal pricing is also similar to most competitors, so its advantage is reliability and coverage rather than a low price.

Who should pick Registered Agents Inc?

Pick Registered Agents Inc if you have already chosen your state and want a reliable registered agent without a bundle of extras you will never use.

It is a good match if you:

  • Already have an EIN plan, a bank account plan, and a CPA lined up
  • Want to form in a specific state, including less common ones
  • Prefer a plain service with clear yearly billing
  • Plan to switch registered agents on an existing LLC and only need the agent service

Start with Registered Agents Inc if that describes your setup.

Who should pick Northwest Registered Agent?

Pick Northwest if you are forming your first US LLC from abroad and want the most value in year one, plus privacy by default.

It is a good match if you:

  • Want your first year of registered agent service bundled with formation
  • Care about keeping your personal details off public filings
  • Want a well-documented process you can follow from another country
  • Would like the option to add EIN filing in the same account

We cover the full process in our Northwest LLC setup walkthrough and our Northwest Registered Agent review.

Which state should you form in?

For most non-residents running an online business, Wyoming or New Mexico costs the least to set up and keep running. Delaware makes sense mainly if you plan to raise venture capital, and its $300 annual franchise tax for LLCs makes it more expensive to maintain.

Registered Agents Inc and Northwest both cover every state, so your choice of state does not limit your choice of agent. Our guide to the best state to form an LLC for non-residents compares the options in detail.

Taxes still apply after you form

Forming the LLC is the easy part. A foreign-owned single-member LLC must file Form 5472 with a pro forma Form 1120 every year, even if it earned no US income. The IRS penalty for missing it is steep.

Neither registered agent service files this form for you as part of the basic package. Plan for it from day one. Our guide to Form 5472 for foreign-owned LLCs explains what is involved.

This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Confirm your situation with a CPA or attorney before you file.

FAQ

Is Registered Agents Inc legit?

Yes. Registered Agents Inc is an established US registered agent and filing service that covers all 50 states. It is a sound choice for non-residents who need a dependable agent address and mail scanning.

Can a non-US resident use Registered Agents Inc?

Yes. You do not need US citizenship, a US address, or an SSN to hire a registered agent or form an LLC. You will need an EIN to open a bank account, which you can get through Form SS-4 or a paid add-on.

Is Registered Agents Inc cheaper than Northwest?

Usually not in the first year. Northwest bundles the first year of registered agent service with formation, which often makes it cheaper up front. Renewal costs are similar, so check both current pricing pages before you decide.

Can I switch to Registered Agents Inc from another agent?

Yes. You file a change of registered agent form with your state, and the new agent can often handle the filing for you. Most states charge a small fee for the change.

Our verdict

Registered Agents Inc does the core job well: a reliable US address, prompt mail scanning, and coverage in every state. If you already know your state and have the rest of your setup planned, it is a sound choice. Check Registered Agents Inc’s current pricing.

If this is your first US LLC and you want the best first-year value with privacy built in, start with Northwest instead. Form your LLC with Northwest Registered Agent and get your registered agent, privacy, and filing handled in one place.

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