Updated 2026-04-30 · Verified against North Dakota Secretary of State
North Dakota business law (N.D.C.C. §10-32.1-25) requires every domestic and foreign entity to appoint a registered agent at the time of formation and to keep that designation current. An acceptable registered agent in North Dakota maintains a physical street address within the state and is available during regular business hours; post office boxes do not satisfy the statute. The agent’s name and street address are filed with the North Dakota Secretary of State and become part of the public business record.
In practice, the registered agent designation sits within a wider compliance cycle: a $135 formation filing with the North Dakota Secretary of State, an annual report at $50 annually by November 15, and a $10 Statement of Change whenever the agent changes. North Dakota uses the FirstStop online portal for all business filings, with paper alternatives rarely needed.
| # | Service | Price/yr | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northwest Registered Agent | $125 | privacy-focused customers |
| 2 | ZenBusiness | $199 | new businesses bundling formation |
| 3 | LegalZoom | $249 | customers wanting brand-name support |
| 4 | Mainstay Filing | $99 | balanced value |
North Dakota-specific option: North Dakota Registered Agent.co operates exclusively in North Dakota and specializes in same-state filings. Best for businesses that want a state-focused provider with local-only operations.
| Physical address required | Yes — must be a street address in North Dakota |
|---|---|
| P.O. box allowed | No |
| Business hours availability | Required during normal business hours |
| Resident requirement | Must be a North Dakota resident OR a business entity authorized to do business in North Dakota |
| Listed in public record | Yes — name and address are publicly searchable via North Dakota Secretary of State |
| Statute reference | N.D.C.C. §10-32.1-25 |
| Filing Type | Fee | Renewal | Renewal Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| LLC formation (Articles of Organization) | $135 | annually by November 15 | $50 |
| DBA / Fictitious Name | $25 | Every 5 years | $25 |
| Registered Agent change | $10 | — | — |
| Annual Report | $50 | annually by November 15 | $50 |
Yes — if you are a North Dakota resident with a physical street address and are available during business hours.
Yes. North Dakota law requires every LLC to maintain a North Dakota-based registered agent regardless of where the owner lives.
The North Dakota Secretary of State can administratively dissolve your business after approximately 60 days of non-compliance.
Yes — file a Statement of Change of Registered Agent with the North Dakota Secretary of State for $10.
$50–$150 per year for commercial services; free if you self-serve.
Yes. The agent's name and address are searchable via the North Dakota Secretary of State business records.
Same-day with most commercial services; same-business-day filing if submitted online before the daily cutoff.
This page provides general information about North Dakota registered agent requirements, not legal advice. Filing fees and procedures may change; verify current details with the North Dakota Secretary of State before filing. We may receive compensation from services listed in our comparisons; this does not influence our editorial selections.