Best Michigan Registered Agent Services of 2025

Compare Companies to Find the Best Registered Agent Service in Michigan

Rocket Lawyer

Rocket Lawyer is a legal services platform that also offers registered agent services as part of its suite of tools. While not the cheapest option, it may appeal to users who want bundled legal help. If you find value in their legal services plan, Rocket Lawyer is an intriguing choice for registered agent services in Michigan. If you don’t need its subscription service, you can probably find a more suitable alternative.

Pros

✔ Includes access to legal documents and attorney consultations
✔ 30-day money-back guarantee
✔ Discount of 50% with legal plan subscription

Cons

✘ Registered agent service is basic and lacks advanced features
✘ Higher ongoing costs unless you’re on a subscription
✘ Not a core focus of their platform — limited functionality compared to standalone services

Bizee (Incfile)

Bizee, formerly known as Incfile, has been a popular choice for business formation and compliance services in Michigan since 2004. With over 1 million businesses served, Bizee is best known for its basic LLC formation package (only pay Michigan state fees), which includes one year of registered agent service.

Pros

✔ Free 1st year with LLC formation
✔ $119/year after the first free year
✔ Good value for basic compliance needs

Cons

✘ Registered agent service must be manually renewed
✘ Customer support is slower and less detailed than top competitors
✘ No refund policy on services once submitted

LegalZoom

LegalZoom is a household name in online legal services, with over 3 million businesses served. Its registered agent service is backed by brand trust and comes with useful compliance tools. While its registered agent service comes at a higher price, the added perks and company reputation may justify the cost for some Michigan business owners.

Pros

✔ Compliance calendar and deadline reminders included
✔ 60-day money-back guarantee
✔ Large support team with extended hours

Cons

✘ $249/year pricing is one of the highest on this list
✘ No first-year discount or bundling options
✘ Less value for cost compared to smaller, more focused competitors

Northwest Registered Agent

Northwest Registered Agent has been offering registered agent services since 1998 and is known for being a solid choice in Michigan. Northwest Registered Agent now has thousands of registered agent service subscribers across the country.

Pros

✔ $125/year pricing
✔ Scans all mail, not just government documents

Cons

✘ Not the cheapest option for LLC formation
✘ Limited refund policy
✘ No online compliance dashboard or automation tools

If you want to receive personalized registered agent service at reasonable price points, Northwest Registered Agent might be worth a look. However, keep in mind that Northwest charges at least $39 to form an LLC, so there are many cheaper options for that service in Michigan.

What is a Michigan resident agent?

Every business entity in the state of Michigan is required to have a resident agent. In fact, you won’t be allowed to finish the formation process for your company until you designate your resident agent.

The most important aspect of this role is receiving document deliveries from the state government and process servers, then alerting your business of the delivery before forwarding the documents to you. The role of the resident agent is so important because it establishes a point of contact for your business with the state and others so that they have a reliable place to get in touch with an official representative of your company at any time.

Unlike some states, Michigan does not maintain a comprehensive (or even partial) list of resident agents serving local businesses. You’ll have to do your own research to find the right one for your business. That’s where this guide comes in.

What does Michigan law say about resident agents?

Each state has its own rules and regulations surrounding resident agents. For the most part, these laws are fairly similar, but it’s always worth taking a look to see what Michigan requires.

In Michigan, we’ll need to take a look at the Michigan Business Corporations Act, which says:

• Every entity that files with the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (both domestic and foreign) must appoint a resident agent.
• The agent must be an individual resident of Michigan or a business entity with the authority to operate in the state.
• An agent must be continuously maintained.

All of the companies we discussed above meet these regulations and are options for Michigan resident agent service. When you’ve made your choice, you can indicate your resident agent’s name and address on your Articles of Organization.

What about small, Michigan-only resident agent services?

As you’ve probably noticed, the resident agent services we’ve listed here serve businesses across the country. But if you Google “Michigan Resident Agent,” you’ll probably see results for local services, too. These can be local entrepreneurs with a knack for clerical tasks, offices dedicated to serving businesses in their counties, or statewide companies.

On one hand, using a local service can have its advantages. Some will be cheaper than nationwide firms (but not always). And each state has its own nuances for business compliance requirements, Michigan included. A resident agent service that services Michigan alone may have detailed knowledge about those requirements. Granted, most national services do an excellent job of understanding local requirements. But they might not give you the same “homegrown Michigan” feeling as a local agent service.

That said, national businesses like ZenBusiness give you streamlined solutions. Let’s say you’re using a local Michigan-only resident agent service, but it’s time to add locations in Ohio. You could search for an additional agent that services Ohio businesses. But that’s going to require a lot of additional paperwork, including new receipts, new automatic payments, more emails…you get the idea. But if you’re using a national service, you can cut down the “new” paperwork and focus on what really matters: growing your business.

Ultimately, the choice is up to you, and there’s no “wrong” answer. The most important thing is that you appoint one so you can run a compliant Michigan business.

TLDR: Best Resident Agents in Michigan

The role of a Michigan resident agent is critical to your company’s compliance and legal standing. This position requires dealing with seemingly simple tasks, yet if they’re handled incorrectly, they could cost you a considerable amount of money in fines and could even potentially see the state dissolve your business.

While you can always change your resident agent down the line, we think it’s essential to pick the right resident agent for your business starting at the formation phase. You should also keep an eye on your compliance standing to ensure nothing goes awry along the way.

With ZenBusiness, you can purchase reliable resident agent service at an affordable rate, leaving this role in the hands of experts while you focus on growing your business.