Updated 2026-04-30 · Verified against Rhode Island Department of State, Business Services Division
Rhode Island business law (R.I. Gen. Laws §7-16-11) 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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island Department of State, Business Services Division and become part of the public business record.
In practice, the registered agent designation sits within a wider compliance cycle: a $150 formation filing with the Rhode Island Department of State, Business Services Division, an annual report at $50 annually between February 1 and May 1, and a $20 Statement of Change whenever the agent changes. Rhode Island LLCs file the annual report during a fixed February-to-May window regardless of formation date.
| # | 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 |
Rhode Island-specific option: Rhode Island Registered Agent.co operates exclusively in Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island |
|---|---|
| P.O. box allowed | No |
| Business hours availability | Required during normal business hours |
| Resident requirement | Must be a Rhode Island resident OR a business entity authorized to do business in Rhode Island |
| Listed in public record | Yes — name and address are publicly searchable via Rhode Island Department of State, Business Services Division |
| Statute reference | R.I. Gen. Laws §7-16-11 |
| Filing Type | Fee | Renewal | Renewal Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| LLC formation (Articles of Organization) | $150 | annually between February 1 and May 1 | $50 |
| DBA / Fictitious Name | $50 | Every 5 years | $50 |
| Registered Agent change | $20 | — | — |
| Annual Report | $50 | annually between February 1 and May 1 | $50 |
Yes — if you are a Rhode Island resident with a physical street address and are available during business hours.
Yes. Rhode Island law requires every LLC to maintain a Rhode Island-based registered agent regardless of where the owner lives.
The Rhode Island Department of State, Business Services Division can administratively dissolve your business after approximately 60 days of non-compliance.
Yes — file a Statement of Change of Registered Agent with the Rhode Island Department of State, Business Services Division for $20.
$50–$150 per year for commercial services; free if you self-serve.
Yes. The agent's name and address are searchable via the Rhode Island Department of State, Business Services Division 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 Rhode Island registered agent requirements, not legal advice. Filing fees and procedures may change; verify current details with the Rhode Island Department of State, Business Services Division before filing. We may receive compensation from services listed in our comparisons; this does not influence our editorial selections.