Registered Agent Fees

Registered Agent Fees › California

What California charges for a registered agent change (2026)

California charges no fee to file a change of registered agent. With Mainstay Filing, our best overall pick at $149 a year, switching costs $149 in year 1 and $149 after.

  • California rules checked October 20, 2026
  • Provider fees read October 2026

Every fee, in order

FeeAmountWho charges it
Change-of-agent filingNoneCalifornia Secretary of State
Yearly agent service, year 1$149Mainstay Filing
Yearly agent service, renewal$149Mainstay Filing
Setup feeNoneMainstay Filing
Best overall in California

Mainstay Filing

Our rating: 4.9 out of 5

$149 / year, same at renewal

  • Registered agent, all year
  • Mail and legal-document scanning and forwarding
  • Compliance reminders

Checked October 20, 2026.

7 other providers priced in California

Launch Registered Agent, Northwest Registered Agent, FreeRegisteredAgent.com, InCorp Services, ZenBusiness, Bizee and LegalZoom. Their yearly fees range from $0 to $249 in year 1, before the state’s fee.

California agent rules

Requirement
Required. A California resident, or a corporation registered with the Secretary of State as a corporate agent under Corporations Code § 1505. A business cannot act as its own agent for service of process.
Address
An individual agent's California street address goes on the public record. A registered corporate agent's address is already on file with the state and is not repeated in the company's filing.
Statute
Cal. Corp. Code § 17701.13

Questions

What does California charge to change registered agents?

Nothing, filed with the California Secretary of State (Cal. Corp. Code § 17701.13). That is among the 10 states with no fee.

What is the total cost to switch to Mainstay Filing in California?

$149 in year 1: the state’s no fee plus $149 for the first year of service, with the same $149 at renewal.

Can I be my own registered agent in California?

A California resident, or a corporation registered with the Secretary of State as a corporate agent under Corporations Code § 1505. A business cannot act as its own agent for service of process. An individual agent's California street address goes on the public record. A registered corporate agent's address is already on file with the state and is not repeated in the company's filing.

Sources