The best registered agent for international founders in 2026 is Globalfy, because on plans from Remote up the agent comes with what it can’t handle on its own: the compliance calendar, the state renewal and Form 5472 with the pro-forma 1120, with human support in English, Spanish and Portuguese.
Every U.S. state requires an LLC or corporation to have a registered agent with a local physical address. The agent receives and scans your mail, but it doesn’t file any return for you. For a foreign-owned single-member LLC, a late Form 5472 costs a $25,000 penalty from the IRS.
This registered agent comparison covers ten services. For each one, you see what’s included, what it costs from the second year on and which founder profile it fits. The article is published by Globalfy, which appears first; the other nine were evaluated on the prices and terms each company publishes on its site.
Key takeaways (TL;DR)
- Best overall registered agent for international founders: Globalfy. On plans from Remote up ($998 per year), the registered agent comes with the compliance calendar, the state renewal filed by the team and Form 5472 with the pro-forma 1120, with support in English, Spanish and Portuguese.
- Why you need one: every state requires an agent with a local physical address to receive service of process and official notices. Missing one of those notices can cost the company its good standing or lead to a default judgment.
- Who it’s for: non-resident founders in SaaS, e-commerce, digital products, consulting and startups who have formed, or will form, an LLC or C Corp without living in the U.S.
- How to choose: compare the price from the second year on, what happens after the mail arrives and whether non-resident obligations are in the same package.
- Price range: Globalfy has four annual plans: Starter ($588, with company formation, the U.S. business address and the registered agent), Remote ($998), Essential ($1,308) and Scale (from $5,028), all with the registered agent. From Remote up, the agent comes with the compliance calendar, the state renewal and Form 5472. In the market, a stand-alone agent ranges from $99 in the first year (Harbor Compliance and ZenBusiness) to $299 per year (Firstbase), always with state fees separate.
Best registered agent services in 2026: overview
| Company | Best for | Main strengths | Includes Form 5472? | What the annual price covers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Globalfy | Non-residents who want the agent and annual obligations on the same plan | Account executive, support in English, Spanish and Portuguese, mail in the dashboard next to the compliance calendar | Yes, from Remote | Remote, $998/year: agent, address, calendar, state renewal and 5472 with the pro-forma 1120 (Starter, $588, already includes formation, address and registered agent) |
| Northwest Registered Agent | Founders who only want the agent, at a fixed price and with privacy | Its own address on public records, in-house scanning, discount from five states up | No | $125/year: agent only |
| Stripe Atlas | Startups raising with a Delaware C Corp | Formation with the state fee included, EIN, stock issuance and 83(b) | No | $500 once (formation and 1st year of agent); then $100/year for the agent only |
| doola | Founders who want the agent and address in one annual subscription | Formation in every state, EIN without an SSN, agent and address on the entry plan | Only on Tax and Compliance ($1,999/year) | Starter, $297/year + fees: formation, agent and address |
| Firstbase | Founders who build their services item by item | Agent with annual report filing and deadline reminders | Sold separately | $299/year per state: agent and annual report |
| Clemta | Small operations in Delaware or Wyoming | Agent, address and financial tools on the entry plan | Only on Pro ($1,068/year) | Essentials, $349/year + fees: agent and address with three scans a year |
| Harbor Compliance | Companies registered in several states | Phone alert on service of process, multi-state deadline software | No | $99 in year 1, then $159/year: agent and deadline software |
| Bizee | The lowest possible spend in the first year | Instant SMS and email alerts, service of process sent by FedEx | No | 1st year free with formation; stand-alone $149/year: agent only |
| ZenBusiness | U.S. residents forming their first company | Guided dashboard, email notifications, expedited shipping of urgent notices | No | $99 in year 1 (forming with them), then $199/year: agent only |
| LegalZoom | Founders who already use LegalZoom for other legal services | Compliance reminders, cloud document storage | No | $249/year: agent and compliance reminders |
Prices checked on official pages and independent reviews. State fees are never included unless noted.
What is a registered agent?
A registered agent is the person or company named in the state registration to receive, on your company’s behalf, service of process and official state mail. It needs a physical address in the state of registration and has to be available during business hours, every business day.
In practice, the agent receives three types of documents: the summons that opens a lawsuit (service of process), state notices about the annual report and franchise tax, and subpoenas or court orders related to the company. IRS letters usually go to the mailing address on the tax record, which is why the agent and the business address work best with the same provider.
The market splits into three groups. There are stand-alone agent specialists, such as Northwest and Harbor Compliance. There are formation services aimed at U.S. residents, such as Bizee, ZenBusiness and LegalZoom, which include the first year and charge for renewal. And there are services for non-residents, such as Stripe Atlas, doola, Firstbase, Clemta and Globalfy, where the agent comes inside a plan or is sold as a separate subscription.
Why do you need a registered agent?
Because the law requires it, and because you can’t fill that role while living outside the U.S. Without a physical address in the state, a founder in Mexico, Spain or Portugal has no way to meet a process server during business hours in Cheyenne or Wilmington.
The consequences of having no agent, or an agent that doesn’t pass on the document in time, are concrete. The company can lose its good standing, which blocks the Certificate of Good Standing that banks and payment processors ask for. An unanswered lawsuit can turn into a default judgment, without you knowing there was a case.
For a non-resident, the bigger risk usually comes after the letter arrives. The agent receives and scans, but doesn’t explain what the document asks for or meet the deadline for you. And non-resident federal obligations run in parallel: under the official IRS instructions for Form 5472, the penalty for not filing Form 5472 is $25,000 per form, with another $25,000 for each 30 days the failure continues more than 90 days after notice.
The useful question, then, includes what happens to the mail and who takes care of the rest of the company’s calendar.
Who needs a registered agent?
Remote SaaS founder
You sell subscriptions to customers in several countries and need a U.S. entity to get paid in dollars and build credibility with your payment processor. Your tolerance for bureaucratic risk is low, because fixing a tax problem in a country where you don’t live is expensive. Many founders say the decision comes when Stripe restricts payouts to their local company.
For this profile, the agent makes sense inside a plan that also tracks Form 5472 and the annual renewal, since a single-member LLC has those obligations even with no U.S. revenue.
International e-commerce seller
Amazon FBA, Shopify or dropshipping. The U.S. company exists to meet marketplace and processor requirements and avoid account suspensions. A missed state notice can knock out your good standing right when Amazon asks for updated documents.
If you hold inventory or have customers inside the U.S., sales tax and a resale certificate come in, and any provider’s entry plan is no longer enough.
Digital product creator
Founders who sell courses and digital products through online platforms often form an LLC to get paid in dollars. What matters here is simplicity and trust.
You want someone who explains, in plain language, what each piece of mail means before any deadline passes.
Consultant or freelancer
A professional who serves U.S. clients and wants a formal U.S. presence, a bank account and simple invoicing. Often a digital nomad with no fixed address.
For this profile, speed and predictable cost matter more than any advanced feature. An agent with a business address and scanned mail solves most of the address problem.
Startup that will raise investment
U.S. funds usually ask for a Delaware C Corp, with shares issued and the 83(b) election filed on time. In that case, the agent almost always comes with formation.
The question becomes who handles the bookkeeping and returns after formation, and how much it costs to keep Delaware, where a C Corp pays franchise tax and files an annual report every year.
Investor with a holding structure
An LLC used as an investment vehicle has little activity, but needs an agent like any other. With U.S.-source income, the federal return is also more complete.
This profile doesn’t fit Globalfy’s Remote plan; the right plan is Essential ($1,308 per year), which includes the broader returns.
Registered agent for founders outside the U.S.: what to watch
For founders who live outside the U.S., the registered agent plays the same role as for anyone else, but the tax context at home changes the weight of the annual obligations. Most countries tax their residents on worldwide income, and some have specific rules for companies abroad controlled by residents.
That’s why your local accountant and Globalfy should work together from year one; this content is informational and doesn’t replace tax advice.
Another practical point is the bank. Globalfy provides assistance opening an account with its three banking partners, Mercury, Lili and Revolut, and approval is always the financial institution’s decision. The full list of what you need is in our guide to forming an LLC as a foreigner.
Best registered agent for international founders: review
For founders looking for the best registered agent as a foreigner, the ten services below split by what happens after the document arrives. Some only receive and scan; others put the agent inside a plan that also handles state and federal obligations.
Each review covers an overview, ideal profile, strengths, pros and cons, price and verdict.
1. Globalfy
Overview
Globalfy was founded in 2015 in Orlando, Florida, to help non-resident founders form and run an LLC or C Corp in the U.S. without traveling there. It has served more than 10,000 founders in over 100 countries. The registered agent and the business address with mail scanned into the dashboard are included on every plan, from $588 per year. From Remote up, the plan adds the compliance calendar, the account executive, the state annual renewal and federal filings.
The difference shows up after the notice arrives. The mail goes into the dashboard, the deadline is already on the compliance calendar and an account executive explains, in English, Spanish or Portuguese, what needs to be done. The annual renewal (Annual Report or Franchise Tax) is filed by the team, with the state fee charged separately.
Best for
- Founders from any country who want the agent, address and annual obligations with a single provider
- Owners of an LLC formed on their own or with another service who want to switch without forming a new company
- Founders who prefer to talk to a person when a notice arrives from the state or the IRS
- Single-member LLCs run fully remotely (Remote plan) and LLCs with more members or a U.S. presence (Essential plan)
Why we stand out
The registered agent is part of a compliance plan. On Remote, the same plan includes Form 5472 with the pro-forma 1120 for a single-member LLC; on Essential, it includes the broader returns (1040NR with Schedule C, 1120, 1065, K-1 and 5472) for multi-member LLCs and corporations.
Support is human, with a named account executive, in three languages. The rating is 4.9/5 on Trustpilot, from more than 700 reviews, and the company has been operating for more than 11 years.
Plans from Remote up include banking assistance with Mercury, Lili and Revolut and a free Fynance AI bookkeeping license (valued at $360). More than $200,000 in partner credits, from companies such as OpenAI, Google and Stripe, already cover a good part of the annual plan when you use those services.
Pros
- Registered agent, compliance calendar and federal filings on the same plan, from Remote up
- Named account executive, with human support in English, Spanish and Portuguese
- Mail scanned into the dashboard, in the same place as the deadlines
- Switching, with the agent and address updated with the state and the IRS, included from Remote up; you only pay the state fee
- Banking assistance with three partners: Mercury, Lili and Revolut
Points to consider
- Starter covers formation, the address and the registered agent; the state renewal and federal filings start on Remote
- Globalfy works with Wyoming, Delaware, Florida, Texas, New Mexico and Nevada, the most popular states for non-residents, each with its own benefits
- If you only need the agent and already have a U.S. accountant, a stand-alone service may be enough
Price
Annual plans by business profile: Starter ($588, formation, the U.S. business address and the registered agent), Remote ($998, single member, fully remote), Essential ($1,308, more members or a U.S. presence) and Scale (from $5,028, with monthly bookkeeping). The registered agent is on every plan. Remote doesn’t cover LLCs with more than one member, a physical presence in the U.S., sales of physical products in the U.S. (e-commerce) or U.S.-source investment income. Founders who provide remote services to U.S. clients stay on Remote.
State fees are paid separately. In Wyoming, for example, Remote costs $1,101.75 in the first year ($998 + the $103.75 formation fee) and $1,060.25 from the second year on ($998 + the $62.25 Annual Report), already with the agent, renewal and 5472.
Final verdict
For a non-resident founder, Globalfy is the most complete choice on this list: the agent receives the document, the calendar shows the deadline, the team files the renewal and someone explains everything to you in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
If you have questions about the state, the number of members or the plan, talking to a specialist before you buy avoids paying for a plan that doesn’t fit.
2. Northwest Registered Agent
Overview
Northwest is a U.S. company founded in 1998 that specializes in registered agent services and state filings. It became known for putting its own address on public records and for a strong privacy policy.
The service costs $125 per year at a fixed price, and the company says it hasn’t raised that price in 20 years. Documents are scanned by its local team, without outsourcing.
Best for
- Founders who already have a U.S. accountant handling Form 5472
- Companies registered in five or more states, which pay $100 per state
- Founders who want their own name and address off public records
Why they stand out
It’s one of the most solid options for a predictable price: the stand-alone service has a fixed price, with no first-year discount that doubles at renewal. The free first year only applies to founders who form the company with Northwest.
The package includes a domain, a website, business email and a phone line, and phone support is handled by people.
Pros
- Fixed price of $125 per year, with no promotion that changes at renewal
- Discount for companies registered in several states
- Scanning done by its own team
- Phone support with people
Cons
- Doesn’t prepare Form 5472 or the pro-forma 1120
- Support in English
- EIN without an SSN and bank account opening aren’t the focus of the product
- Free scanning of regular business mail limited to 10 items a year
Price
$125 per year per state, or $100 per state from five states up.
Founders who form the company with Northwest pay $39 plus the state fee and get the first year of agent at no cost.
Final verdict
It’s one of the safest choices if your main criterion is privacy at a stable price and the tax side is already handled by an accountant.
For a founder opening a first LLC from abroad, it covers a small part of the annual calendar.
3. Stripe Atlas
Overview
Stripe Atlas is Stripe’s company formation product for startups. For a one-time $500 fee, it forms a C Corp or LLC in Delaware, with the state fee, the EIN, founder stock issuance, the 83(b) election and the first year of registered agent.
Legal documents are built with the law firm Cooley LLP. From the second year on, the agent renews automatically at $100 per year.
Best for
- Startups that will raise from U.S. funds
- Teams with several founders who need to issue shares and file the 83(b) on time
- Companies that already use Stripe and will take advantage of the $2,500 in credits
Why they stand out
It’s one of the best-known options for founders on the venture capital path, with a closed price that already includes the Delaware fee.
Renewing the agent at $100 per year is among the cheapest on this list.
Pros
- Single price with the state fee and the first year of agent
- Automatic stock issuance and 83(b)
- Agent renewal at $100 per year
Cons
- Delaware only
- Doesn’t do bookkeeping or prepare Form 5472 and the 1120
- Delaware franchise tax and annual report are up to you
- Self-service support, with no account executive
Price
$500 once, with the Delaware fee and the first year of agent.
From the second year on, $100 per year for the agent, plus the Delaware annual taxes charged by the state.
Final verdict
Recommended if your next step is a funding round and you want the standard U.S. funds expect.
For service, e-commerce or digital product LLCs with no fundraising in sight, it handles formation and leaves the rest of the year open.
4. doola
Overview
doola focuses on international founders and forms LLCs and C Corps in every state. The entry plan includes formation, the EIN without an SSN, the operating agreement, a business address and the registered agent.
The model is an annual subscription: to keep the agent and the address, the plan has to be renewed every year. If you cancel the subscription, the company needs to appoint another agent with the state.
Best for
- Non-residents who want the agent and address in one subscription
- Founders who need to form in a state outside the shortest lists
- Companies that plan to add bookkeeping with the same provider later
Why they stand out
It’s one of the best-known options among international founders and has the widest state coverage on this list.
The entry plan bundles the agent and address in an annual price that’s simple to compare.
Pros
- Agent and address included on the entry plan
- Formation in every state
- Plans with bookkeeping and returns for founders who grow
Cons
- The price jump from Starter to the plan with tax returns is large
- Form 5472 isn’t on the entry plan
- Site and materials mainly in English
- State fees never included
Price
Starter at $297 per year plus state fees, with the agent included.
The Tax and Compliance plan, with federal returns, is listed at $1,999 per year, with lower promotional prices at times.
Final verdict
It makes sense if you need a state outside the most common ones or want the agent and address in a lean subscription.
For founders who want to discuss the tax side with a named account executive, the self-service model is the weak point.
5. Firstbase
Overview
Firstbase forms companies in Delaware and Wyoming with a modular structure: you pay once for formation and subscribe to each service separately.
The registered agent is a separate product, Firstbase Agent, which includes annual report filing and deadline reminders. The business address requires a mailroom plan.
Best for
- Founders who already know exactly which services they’ll use
- Founders who want to pay little at formation and decide the rest later
- Companies with bookkeeping handled elsewhere
Why they stand out
The item-by-item model is transparent for founders who like to control every line of the budget.
The agent already includes annual report filing, which not every stand-alone service does.
Pros
- State fee included in the formation price
- Agent with annual report filing
- Flexibility to buy only what you need
Cons
- Agent at $299 per year per state, the most expensive on this list
- Business address requires a mailroom from $315 per year (or $35 per month)
- Working out the second-year cost means adding up several subscriptions
- Support in English
Price
Formation at $399 once, with the state fee.
Agent at $299 per year per state and mailroom from $315 per year (or $35 per month), charged separately.
Final verdict
A good option for experienced founders who want to build their own structure.
For a first U.S. company, the modular model hands back the decisions you wanted to delegate.
6. Clemta
Overview
Clemta has teams in the U.S., the U.K. and Turkey and forms LLCs and C Corps in Delaware and Wyoming. The entry plan brings together formation, the EIN, the registered agent, a business address and financial tools.
The entry plan’s address scans three pieces of mail a year. Federal returns and the state filing come on the Pro plan.
Best for
- Small operations that want the agent and invoicing in the same tool
- Founders who will form in Delaware or Wyoming
- Founders who prefer to pay monthly
Why they stand out
The entry plan is one of the most affordable among services for non-residents.
Pro already includes the federal return and the state filing, which many competitors charge for separately.
Pros
- Agent and address on the entry plan
- Federal return and state filing on Pro
- Built-in invoicing tools
Cons
- Only three mail scans a year on the entry plan
- Two states promoted: Delaware and Wyoming
- Doesn’t state which languages its support team works in
- State fees charged separately
Price
Essentials at $349 per year and Pro at $1,068 per year, plus state fees.
Confirm the current prices on Clemta’s pricing page before you sign up.
Final verdict
It works for lean founders forming in Delaware or Wyoming who receive little mail.
For founders who expect frequent notices from the state and the IRS, the scanning limit weighs.
7. Harbor Compliance
Overview
Harbor Compliance sells registered agent services focused on tracking deadlines across several states, through its Entity Manager software.
When service of process arrives, the client is notified by phone, and the document is delivered the same day. The company reports SOC 2 Type II certification for stored documents.
Best for
- Companies registered in several states
- Teams that want a single deadline dashboard
- Founders who want a phone alert, not just email
Why they stand out
It’s one of the most complete options for companies operating in several states that need to track deadlines in all of them.
The phone alert on service of process reduces the risk of an urgent document sitting in the dashboard.
Pros
- Phone alert and same-day delivery
- Annual report reminders and prefilled state forms
- Unlimited document storage
Cons
- Renewal goes up from $99 to $159 per year
- Doesn’t handle non-resident federal returns
- Support in English
- For a single-state company, much of the software goes unused
Price
$99 in the first year for new customers.
From the second year on, $159 per year.
Final verdict
Recommended for companies already operating in several states with an accountant for the federal side.
For a foreign founder with an LLC in a single state, the product’s edge barely shows.
8. Bizee
Overview
Bizee, formerly Incfile, includes the first year of registered agent in its formation packages. Outside formation, the stand-alone service has its own annual price.
Its strongest point is notification: instant SMS and email when a document arrives, and service of process sent by FedEx with tracking.
Best for
- Founders who want the lowest possible spend in the first year
- U.S. residents who handle taxes elsewhere
- Founders who prioritize fast alerts
Why they stand out
It’s one of the cheapest ways to have an agent in the first year.
The SMS alert arrives before you think to open the dashboard.
Pros
- First year of agent included with formation
- Instant SMS and email alerts
- Service of process sent by FedEx with tracking
Cons
- Stand-alone at $149 per year
- No tax support for non-residents
- EIN without an SSN isn’t the product’s standard path
- Site in English
Price
First year included in the formation packages.
Stand-alone service at $149 per year, according to the company’s page.
Final verdict
Recommended if you live in the U.S. and handle the rest on your own.
For non-residents, it solves the smallest part of the problem at the lowest price.
9. ZenBusiness
Overview
ZenBusiness is a U.S. company formation service with a guided dashboard. The registered agent is 50% off in the first year for founders who form their LLC with them.
Documents are scanned into the dashboard, with email notification, and urgent legal notices are also sent by expedited mail.
Best for
- U.S. residents forming their first company
- Founders who want a simple dashboard with state deadlines
- Low-complexity domestic businesses
Why they stand out
It’s one of the friendliest experiences among low-cost services for the U.S. market.
Expedited shipping of urgent notices is an extra layer of care beyond email.
Pros
- 50% off the first year with formation
- Guided dashboard and email notifications
- Expedited shipping of urgent notices
Cons
- Renewal doubles to $199 per year
- Flow designed for founders with an SSN and a U.S. address
- No support for a foreign owner’s federal obligations
- Support in English
Price
$99 in the first year, plus state fees, for founders who form their LLC with ZenBusiness.
From the second year on, $199 per year.
Final verdict
A good choice for founders who live in the U.S.
For a non-resident, the low first-year price hides the obligations the service doesn’t cover.
10. LegalZoom
Overview
LegalZoom is one of the oldest names in online legal services in the U.S., with a catalog that runs from company formation to trademarks, contracts and attorney consultations.
Its registered agent includes cloud scanning, alerts when official mail arrives and annual report reminders through a compliance calendar.
Best for
- Companies with recurring legal needs in the U.S.
- Founders who already use LegalZoom for trademarks or contracts
- Businesses that already have a U.S. accountant
Why they stand out
It’s one of the most recognized brands in the sector, with a legal range few competitors have.
When you switch your agent to LegalZoom, the company prepares the documents and covers the state change fees.
Pros
- Compliance reminders, on top of mail alerts
- Unlimited cloud storage
- Agent change with documents and state fees covered
Cons
- One of the highest prices on this list
- Automatic renewal
- Product built for entrepreneurs with an SSN and a U.S. address
- Support in English
Price
$249 per year, with automatic renewal.
Formation services and compliance subscriptions are charged separately.
Final verdict
Choose LegalZoom if you need a broad legal provider in the U.S. and already have someone handling your non-resident tax situation.
As a registered agent for international founders, it costs more and covers less than you’ll need over the year.
How to choose the best registered agent for international founders
Six criteria separate the options on this list in practice. Almost all of them only show up after formation, which is where comparing on entry price misleads.
Use them as a list of questions before you sign up for any service, including Globalfy.
1. Work out the price from the second year on
First-year promotions are common. ZenBusiness charges $99 and renews at $199; Harbor Compliance goes from $99 to $159; Bizee includes the first year and charges $149 after.
Add up the agent and everything your LLC needs in year two, for the same scope. A cheap agent plus an accountant for Form 5472 can cost more than a plan that already includes both.
With the agent and the non-resident federal return in the same package, the math changes. Globalfy’s Remote costs $998 per year, doola’s Tax and Compliance is listed at $1,999 and Clemta’s Pro costs $1,068, all with state fees separate.
Add the partner credits as well. At Globalfy, Stripe fee waivers on the next $20,000 processed (up to $500), $1,000 in OpenAI API credits, $1,000 in Google Ads after spending $1,500 and the Fynance license ($360) already cover a good part of the annual plan, if you use those services.
2. Ask what happens after the letter arrives
Scanning and notifying are the minimum. The difference is who reads the document, explains what it asks for and acts within the deadline.
Ask whether the mail goes into a dashboard linked to a compliance calendar and whether there’s a person responsible for your account. At Globalfy, from Remote up, the notice, the deadline and the account executive are in the same place.
3. Check whether non-resident obligations are in the package
Ask by name: are Form 5472 and the pro-forma 1120 included? And the 1040NR, if there’s more than one member?
That’s the biggest financial risk for a foreign-owned LLC, and no stand-alone agent on this list handles it. To understand the role of the agent itself, see our guide on what a registered agent is and how it works.
4. Check what support you get on tax questions
While the question is how to form the company, self-service and documentation work. When the question becomes how the LLC’s U.S. returns feed into your filing at home, you need a person who knows your company.
Many founders say they switched providers because of slow, robotic answers or a different person every time. Confirm whether support is human and whether it covers the tax side too.
5. Check how much it costs to keep the chosen state
The agent is one part of the annual cost; the state fee is another. The annual renewal ranges from $0 in New Mexico, which doesn’t require an LLC annual report, to $62.25 in Wyoming and $400 in Delaware.
For an LLC, a service that only forms in Delaware sells, along with formation, the most expensive maintenance among the six states. Our guide to the best state to form an LLC compares the options.
6. Plan the switch without leaving the company without an agent
If you already have an LLC, changing the agent is done through a state form, without forming a new company. The most common mistake is canceling the old agent before the new one is registered.
At Globalfy, the service to switch your company to Globalfy updates the agent and address with the state and the IRS, included from Remote up.
Registered agent comparison: everything you need to know
| Category | Key points |
|---|---|
| Top 3 | Globalfy for non-residents who want the agent and annual obligations on the same plan; Northwest for founders who only want the agent at a fixed price; Stripe Atlas for startups that will raise in Delaware |
| Who it’s for | Non-resident founders with a U.S. LLC or C Corp: SaaS, e-commerce, digital products, consulting, startups and holding companies |
| Use cases | Receiving service of process and state notices, keeping good standing, proving an address to banks and processors, switching providers without forming a new company |
| How to choose | Price from the second year on, what happens after the letter arrives, non-resident obligations in the package, tax support and the cost of keeping the state |
| Mistakes to avoid | Comparing only the first-year price, assuming the agent handles Form 5472, canceling the old agent before the new one and choosing Delaware with no fundraising plans |
| Starting price | Stand-alone agent from $99 in the first year; at Globalfy, the registered agent is included on every plan, from Starter ($588 per year), with state fees separate |
Keep your LLC in good standing with Globalfy
If what brought you here was the suspicion that the agent is only the first piece, you’re right. From Remote up, Globalfy brings together the registered agent, the address with mail in the dashboard, the compliance calendar, the state renewal and Form 5472 with the pro-forma 1120, with an account executive who supports you in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
More than 10,000 founders in over 100 countries and a 4.9/5 rating on Trustpilot, from more than 700 reviews. If your LLC is single-member and fully remote, Remote ($998 per year) covers the agent and federal obligations; with more members or a U.S. presence, the plan is Essential ($1,308 per year).
Compare Globalfy plans and pricing or talk to Sales to confirm the right plan and state before you pay any fee.
Frequently asked questions about registered agents
What is the best registered agent for international founders in 2026?
The best registered agent for international founders in 2026 is Globalfy, for founders who want the agent together with the company’s annual obligations. On plans from Remote up ($998 per year), the registered agent comes with an address with scanned mail, the compliance calendar, the state renewal and Form 5472 with the pro-forma 1120, with human support in English, Spanish and Portuguese. If you only need the agent and already have a U.S. accountant, Northwest Registered Agent charges a fixed $125 per year. For startups that will raise investment with a Delaware C Corp, Stripe Atlas includes the first year and charges $100 per year after.
What should I consider when choosing the right registered agent?
When choosing the right registered agent, consider the price from the second year on, what happens after mail arrives and whether non-resident obligations are in the same package. First-year promotions are common: ZenBusiness charges $99 in the first year and $199 after, and Harbor Compliance goes from $99 to $159. Also check the cost of keeping the chosen state, which ranges from $0 per year in New Mexico to $400 per year for an LLC in Delaware. Finally, ask what support you’ll get when the notice comes from the IRS or the state.
How is Globalfy different from similar alternatives?
Globalfy is different because it puts the registered agent inside an annual compliance plan, instead of selling it as a stand-alone service. From Remote up, the same plan includes the compliance calendar, an account executive, the state annual renewal, non-resident federal returns and banking assistance with Mercury, Lili and Revolut. Support is handled by people, in English, Spanish and Portuguese. Globalfy has more than 11 years of operation, more than 10,000 founders in over 100 countries and a 4.9/5 rating on Trustpilot from more than 700 reviews.
How do I get started with Globalfy?
To get started with Globalfy, you choose the plan for your business profile and send the company information through the online form, without traveling to the U.S. To form the company, your passport is enough and no U.S. visa is needed. Formation takes about a month, and the team follows the EIN application until the number is issued. If you still have questions about the state or the plan, talk to a specialist before you pay any fee.
Is it easy to switch my registered agent to Globalfy?
Switching your registered agent to Globalfy is simple and doesn’t require forming a new LLC. The switch service files the change with the state and updates the agent and address with the state and the IRS; on plans from Remote up, those updates are included and you only pay the state fee. The main precaution is not to cancel the old agent before the new one is registered, so the company is never without an agent in between. The team checks for open obligations before completing the switch.
Why pay for a plan if a stand-alone registered agent costs $125?
Paying for a plan instead of a $125 stand-alone registered agent makes sense because a stand-alone agent handles receiving documents, but doesn’t prepare Form 5472, file the state renewal or explain what the mail asks for. For a foreign-owned single-member LLC, the IRS charges a $25,000 penalty per Form 5472 not filed on time, according to the form’s official instructions. On the Remote plan ($998 per year), the agent, the compliance calendar, the renewal and the 5472 with the pro-forma 1120 are on the same plan, and partner credits, such as up to $500 in Stripe fees and $1,000 in OpenAI credits, already cover a good part of the annual plan for founders who use those services. If you already pay a U.S. accountant for those returns, a stand-alone service may make more sense.
Can I be my own registered agent while living outside the U.S.?
No, you can’t be your own registered agent while living outside the U.S., because states require a physical address in the company’s state, available during business hours to receive documents. A P.O. box doesn’t qualify for this role. That’s why non-resident founders hire a professional service, which puts its own address on the state record. A member who lives in the state could take on the role, but their address would then appear on the public record.
Does a registered agent need to support me in Spanish or Portuguese?
A registered agent doesn’t need, by law, to support you in Spanish or Portuguese, but the support model matters when the mail brings a state or IRS deadline. Many founders handle formation in English without difficulty and get stuck when the question turns to taxes. Globalfy offers human support in English, Spanish and Portuguese, with a named account executive. Before you sign up for any service, confirm what support you’ll get when the question is about taxes.