Short answer: Resident Agent must have a physical Rhode Island street address and be available during business hours. Changing agents costs $20.
We've pulled these figures from the Secretary of State, Division of Business Services's own pages. If something's changed since our last check, the state's portal wins, so it's worth a quick look before you pay.
Who can serve as a Rhode Island registered agent
Resident Agent must have a physical Rhode Island street address and be available during business hours.
You can be your own agent in Rhode Island. The catch: your street address lands on the public record, and you need to be there during business hours to accept legal papers.
Paid registered agent services
| Service | Yearly price | What stands out |
|---|---|---|
| Northwest Registered Agent | $125 | Uses its address on your public filings by default; scans state and legal mail |
| Bizee | Free year 1 with formation, then $149 | Says it runs its own offices in all 50 states; sends service of process by tracked FedEx |
| ZenBusiness | $199 | Sold as an add-on, not included with formation |
| LegalZoom | $249 | Sold separately from its LLC packages |
Compare all four in our registered agent rankings, or read the Bizee vs Northwest comparison.
How Rhode Island compares
Rhode Island's fee to change registered agents is $20. That's the 21st highest of 45 jurisdictions we track. The national median is $20, right where Rhode Island sits.
| State | Fee | National rank (1 = highest) |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $20 | 21 of 45 |
| Connecticut | Varies | Not confirmed |
| Massachusetts | $25 | 13 of 45 |
| New York | $30 | 8 of 45 |
| Vermont | $35 | 6 of 45 |
| New Hampshire | $17 | 25 of 45 |
Rhode Island fees that apply here
| Filing | State fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization (Form 400) | $156 | $150 statutory paper fee plus an unavoidable $6 enhanced access fee for online filing. |
| Change of registered agent | $20 | Requires filing Form 642. |
| Articles of Dissolution (Form 404) | $50 |
Registered agent rules: Rhode Island questions
What are the registered agent requirements in Rhode Island?
Resident Agent must have a physical Rhode Island street address and be available during business hours.
Can I be my own registered agent in Rhode Island?
Yes, if you meet Rhode Island's requirements. Your address will appear on public filings, and you'll need to be available during business hours.
How much does it cost to change registered agents in Rhode Island?
The state charges $20. Requires filing Form 642.
Can a registered agent use a PO box in Rhode Island?
No. Registered agents need a physical street address in Rhode Island where legal papers can be delivered in person during business hours.
How much does a registered agent service cost in Rhode Island?
Commercial services typically charge a yearly fee. Northwest charges $125 a year and Bizee charges $149 a year after a free first year with formation, based on prices we checked. The state doesn't regulate these prices.
What happens if my Rhode Island LLC doesn't have a registered agent?
You can miss lawsuits and state notices, and the state can eventually move to revoke or dissolve the LLC. Continued delinquency leads to revocation of the LLC's standing.
Sources and verification
Last checked against official state sources on . States change fees with little notice, so confirm on the filing portal before you pay. How we verify.