What Is the Cost of a Registered Agent in North Dakota?
Budgeting for a registered agent in North Dakota means tracking two separate spending categories that flow to two different recipients. State filing fees go to the North Dakota Secretary of State each time the entity files a document — at formation, when switching agents, or when updating an address. Commercial service fees go to a private registered agent company for the ongoing work of receiving legal papers and government correspondence on the entity’s behalf. Confusing the two is one of the most common budgeting mistakes new business owners make, so this article treats them separately throughout.
On the state side, North Dakota keeps its registered-agent-related filing fees low and straightforward. There is no standalone state fee assessed just for designating a registered agent, and there is no recurring annual state charge for maintaining one. The only state fees an entity encounters are the formation filing fee (which includes the agent designation) and, if the agent changes later, a modest $10 change-of-agent fee published across the Secretary of State’s entity-type fee pages.
On the commercial side, professional registered agent companies in North Dakota typically charge between $100 and $300 per year, depending on the provider and service tier. That fee pays for a staffed North Dakota street address, document forwarding, and related compliance support. But hiring a commercial provider is not mandatory under the North Dakota Registered Agents Act (N.D.C.C.) ch. 10-01.1 permits any individual residing in the state, or any authorized domestic or foreign corporation or LLC to serve as a noncommercial registered agent at no cost.
North Dakota State Filing Fees for Registered Agent Appointments
The registered agent is named directly inside the entity’s formation document — the articles of incorporation for a corporation, articles of organization for an LLC, or certificate of limited partnership for an LP. North Dakota does not split out the agent designation as a separate line item, so the formation filing fee is the only state cost at the time of registration. No additional fee is assessed solely for appointing the agent.
The table below shows the formation filing fee for every entity type filed with the Secretary of State. Each fee covers the complete filing, including registered agent designation.
| Entity Type | Form | Filing Fee |
| Business Corporation (domestic) | Articles of Incorporation | $100 |
| Business Corporation (foreign) | Certificate of Authority Application | $145 |
| Professional Corporation (domestic) | Articles of Incorporation | $100 |
| Professional Corporation (foreign) | Certificate of Authority Application | $145 |
| LLC (domestic) | Articles of Organization | $135 |
| LLC (foreign) | Certificate of Authority Application | $135 |
| Professional LLC (domestic) | Articles of Organization | $135 |
| Professional LLC (foreign) | Certificate of Authority Application | $135 |
| Nonprofit Corporation (domestic) | Articles of Incorporation | $40 |
| Nonprofit Corporation (foreign) | Certificate of Authority Application | $50 |
| Nonprofit LLC (domestic) | Articles of Organization | $40 |
| Nonprofit LLC (foreign) | Certificate of Authority Application | $40 |
| Limited Partnership (domestic) | Certificate of Limited Partnership | $110 |
| Limited Partnership (foreign) | Certificate of Authority Application | $110 |
| LLP (domestic, up to 2 partners) | Statement of Qualification | $35 |
| LLP (foreign) | Statement of Foreign Qualification | $60 |
| LLLP (domestic) | Certificate of Limited Partnership | $110 |
| LLLP (foreign) | Certificate of Authority Application | $110 |
| PLLP (domestic, up to 2 partners) | Statement of Qualification | $35 |
| PLLP (foreign) | Statement of Foreign Qualification | $60 |
| Cooperative (domestic) | Articles of Association | $30 |
| Cooperative (foreign) | Certificate of Authority Application | $40 |
Corporation fees are verified on the corporation page, LLC fees on the LLC page, and partnership fees on the partnership page. Domestic nonprofit fees appear on the North Dakota nonprofit registration page, foreign nonprofit fees on the out-of-state nonprofit page, and cooperative fees on the cooperative page. All filings are submitted through the FirstStop Portal or by mail to 600 E. Boulevard Ave. Dept 108, Bismarck, ND 58505.
Note: Domestic LLP and PLLP formation fees start at $35 for up to two partners, with $3 charged for each additional partner. Every other entity type pays a flat fee regardless of the number of owners.
State Filing Fee to Change a Registered Agent
Replacing a registered agent — or updating the registered office address — after formation requires a statement of change filed with the Secretary of State. The fee is $10 across every entity type, whether the entity is a for-profit corporation, an LLC, a partnership, a nonprofit, or a cooperative. Under N.D.C.C. § 10-01.1-08, the filing may be signed by any authorized representative of the entity without approval from interest holders or governors, thereby making the process fast and inexpensive.
| Action | Form | Filing Fee |
| Change of registered agent and/or registered office (all for-profit entities) | Statement of Change | $10 |
| Change of registered agent and/or registered office (nonprofit corporation or nonprofit LLC) | Statement of Change | $10 |
| Change of registered office address by noncommercial registered agent (agent-initiated) | Statement of Change | $10 per entity |
| Resignation of registered agent | Statement of Resignation | No fee |
| Appointment of agent by nonfiling or nonqualified foreign entity | Statement Appointing Agent | $10 |
Resignation carries no state cost. As stated in N.D.C.C. § 10-01.1-03, the Secretary of State “may not collect a fee to file a statement of resignation.” A resignation becomes effective on the earlier of the thirty-first day after filing or the date the entity names a replacement agent. The resigning agent must send a written notice to the entity promptly after filing.
The for-profit and nonprofit change-of-agent fees are confirmed on the maintain registration page and the maintain a nonprofit page, respectively.
Note: When a noncommercial registered agent moves to a new street address for reasons other than rezoning or postal reassignment, a separate $10 statement of change must be filed for every entity that the agent represents. A commercial registered agent, by contrast, files a single statement that updates the address across all represented entities for one flat $10 fee, as shown on the registered agents page.
What Is Included in a Registered Agent Service Fee?
The annual commercial service fee covers the agent’s day-to-day responsibility of standing ready at a North Dakota address to accept legal and government documents for the entity. While the precise bundle varies from one provider to the next, most registered agent services in the state deliver a common set of core features at every price point.
Core services (generally included at all price levels):
- A physical street address in North Dakota is listed as the entity’s registered office on file with the Secretary of State, satisfying the requirement that the address be a genuine street location, not a P.O. Box.
- Receipt of service of process, legal notices, tax correspondence, and other official communications during normal business hours.
- Same-day or next-day scanning and uploading of received documents to the client’s secure online account.
- Email notification alerts when a document arrives on behalf of the entity.
Additional services (included by some providers or at higher tiers):
- Compliance reminders for annual report deadlines — helpful in North Dakota, where due dates vary by entity type from February 1 through November 15.
- Use of the registered agent’s address on formation documents keeps the owner’s home address off the public record.
- Mail forwarding for general business correspondence beyond legal and government documents.
- Pre-populated state forms available in the online account for common filings such as annual reports or amendments.
What is NOT included in a standard registered agent service fee:
- State filing fees, formation fees, change-of-agent fees, annual report fees, and similar charges remain separate obligations paid to the Secretary of State.
- Preparation or filing of annual reports or other periodic compliance documents, unless purchased as a separate add-on.
- Legal advice or representation.
- Expedited processing of state filings.
Registered Agent Cost When Forming a New North Dakota Business
At formation, the registered agent is named inside the articles of incorporation, articles of organization, or certificate of limited partnership — all part of the same document submitted with the formation filing fee. North Dakota does not charge a separate state fee for the agent appointment, so the total first-year cost is simply the formation fee plus whatever amount, if any, the entity pays a commercial agent for year one of service.
| Entity Type | State Formation Fee | Commercial RA (Year 1) | Total Year 1 Cost |
| Business Corporation (domestic) | $100 | $0–$300 | $100–$400 |
| Business Corporation (foreign) | $145 | $0–$300 | $145–$445 |
| LLC (domestic) | $135 | $0–$300 | $135–$435 |
| LLC (foreign) | $135 | $0–$300 | $135–$435 |
| Nonprofit Corporation (domestic) | $40 | $0–$300 | $40–$340 |
| Nonprofit Corporation (foreign) | $50 | $0–$300 | $50–$350 |
| Limited Partnership (domestic) | $110 | $0–$300 | $110–$410 |
| LLP (domestic, up to 2 partners) | $35 | $0–$300 | $35–$335 |
| Cooperative (domestic) | $30 | $0–$300 | $30–$330 |
The $0 end of the Commercial RA column applies when a North Dakota resident affiliated with the entity — an owner, officer, or governor — serves as the noncommercial registered agent. That option is expressly available under N.D.C.C. § 10-01.1-05 and eliminates the commercial fee.
Many commercial providers bundle the first year of registered agent service into a formation package. Before purchasing any bundle, confirm whether the quoted price includes the state filing fee, the first year of registered agent service, and the renewal rate for year two and beyond. Some providers lead with a $0 or $1 introductory rate that jumps above $200 at renewal — a cost that compounds annually for the life of the entity.
Formation fees can be verified on the Secretary of State’s LLC page and corporation page. Filings are submitted through the FirstStop Portal.
Cost of Serving as Your Own Registered Agent in North Dakota
North Dakota draws a clear line between the entity itself and the people behind it. Under N.D.C.C. § 10-01.1-02, a business may not serve as its own registered agent, but an individual affiliated with the business, such as an owner, member, director, or governor, may serve as a noncommercial agent provided that person resides in North Dakota. A domestic or foreign corporation or LLC authorized to transact business in the state and maintaining a North Dakota office may also serve.
Cost of self-designation:
- Commercial service fee: $0.
- State filing fee at formation: Included in the standard formation filing fee. No additional charge.
- State filing fee to update address: A statement of change must be filed at $10 per entity, as published on the registered agents page.
Serving as the entity’s own agent saves money every year, but it comes with practical obligations that a commercial provider handles silently in the background. The comparison below lays out the key tradeoffs.
| Factor | Self as Registered Agent | Commercial Service |
| Annual cost | $0 | $100–$300 per year |
| Privacy | A personal name and home address appear on the public record | The provider’s business address appears on the public record |
| Business hours availability | Must be personally available at the registered office during business hours to accept service of process | The provider maintains a staffed office during business hours |
| Service of process delivery | Papers delivered directly to the individual, potentially in front of clients, customers, or colleagues | The provider receives papers privately and forwards them digitally |
| Address updates | Must file a $10 statement of change with the Secretary of State whenever the address changes | The provider manages address continuity; no state filing is needed unless the provider itself relocates |
| Compliance monitoring | An individual must independently track annual report deadlines, which vary by entity type in North Dakota | Most providers include automated compliance reminders |
| Eligibility requirement | Must be an individual residing in North Dakota, or a domestic or foreign entity authorized to transact business in the state with a North Dakota office | The provider maintains its own listing and eligibility with the Secretary of State |
Frequently Asked Questions About Registered Agent Costs in North Dakota
Is there a fee to designate a registered agent when forming a North Dakota LLC or corporation?
No separate state fee is charged for the registered agent designation itself. The agent is named within the formation document, and the formation filing fee covers the entire submission — $135 for a domestic LLC, $100 for a domestic business corporation, and $40 for a domestic nonprofit corporation. These amounts are published on the Secretary of State’s LLC page and the nonprofit registration page. The only registered-agent cost at formation is the commercial service fee, if the entity chooses to hire one.
How much does it cost to change a registered agent in North Dakota?
Filing a statement of change costs $10, and this amount applies uniformly to every entity type — corporations, LLCs, partnerships, nonprofits, and cooperatives. The filing can be submitted through the FirstStop Portal or mailed to 600 E. Boulevard Ave., Dept. 108, Bismarck, ND 58505. The uniform $10 fee is confirmed on the maintain registration page.
Can I designate myself as a registered agent to avoid the annual service fee?
Yes, provided the individual resides in North Dakota and maintains a physical street address in the state where they can be reached during business hours. This eliminates the annual commercial service fee. The tradeoff is that the individual’s name and home address become part of the public record searchable through the FirstStop Portal, and a $10 statement of change must be filed each time the address changes.
What is the annual cost of Northwest Registered Agent in North Dakota?
Northwest Registered Agent charges $125 per year for registered agent service in North Dakota. That fee covers a physical North Dakota street address listed as the entity’s registered office, receipt and forwarding of service of process and official mail, document scanning with same-day email alerts, and use of the agent’s address on public filings for privacy. Pricing is published on Northwest’s registered agent page.
Does the registered agent service fee include the state filing fee?
No — these are entirely separate obligations paid to different parties. The commercial service fee goes to the registered agent provider for its annual services. State filing fees — such as the $10 change-of-agent fee or entity-type formation fees — are paid directly to the North Dakota Secretary of State. The amounts are listed on the entity-specific fee pages, such as the corporation page.
Is there a fee to file the consent of registered agent form?
North Dakota does not require a separate consent form to be filed with the Secretary of State. Instead, the act of designating an agent in the formation document serves as the entity’s affirmation that the agent has agreed to serve. As stated in N.D.C.C. § 10-01.1-05, “the appointment of a registered agent pursuant to subsection 1 is an affirmation by the represented entity that the agent has consented to serve as such.” The entity must obtain the agent’s approval before naming them, but no proof of consent is filed, and no fee applies.
Is there a fee for the registered agent to resign?
No fee is charged. Under N.D.C.C. § 10-01.1-03, the Secretary of State “may not collect a fee to file a statement of resignation.” The resignation takes effect on the thirty-first day after filing or, if sooner, when the entity appoints a replacement agent. The entity should take that thirty-one-day window seriously; failing to designate a new agent can result in non-good-standing status and, eventually, involuntary dissolution. The resignation process is described on the registered agents page.
How does the cost compare for a nonprofit corporation versus a for-profit corporation?
North Dakota charges noticeably lower formation and annual report fees for nonprofit corporations, but the registered-agent-related fees, change-of-agent fees, and resignation fees are identical.
| Transaction | For-Profit Corporation | Nonprofit Corporation |
| Certificate of formation (domestic) | $100 | $40 |
| Foreign entity registration | $145 | $50 |
| Change of registered agent | $10 | $10 |
| Resignation of registered agent | No fee | No fee |
| Annual report | $25 | $10 |
For-profit fees are on the corporation page, nonprofit formation fees on the nonprofit registration page, and the $10 nonprofit annual report fee on the maintain a nonprofit page. Commercial registered agent service fees do not differ by entity type — providers charge the same annual rate whether the client is a for-profit corporation or a nonprofit.
Are there any hidden fees associated with registered agent services?
State filing fees in North Dakota are fixed and publicly available, with no hidden surcharges. The risk of surprise costs sits entirely on the commercial service side. Renewal rate increases are the most common trap — a provider may advertise a low first-year rate and then double the price at renewal. Other potential surprises include per-document scanning fees for high-volume mail, charges for forwarding physical documents rather than scanned copies, and upsells for compliance services the owner assumed were included. Reviewing the provider’s complete pricing terms — especially the renewal rate — before signing up prevents most of these surprises.
Does the cost change if I move my business to a new address in North Dakota?
The answer depends on which address changes and whether the registered agent stays the same.
- Principal executive office address only: This can be updated at no charge through the entity’s annual report filing or by contacting the Secretary of State through the FirstStop Portal.
- Registered agent’s address changing (same agent, new location): A noncommercial agent must file a $10 statement of change for each entity represented. A commercial registered agent files a single change that updates the address for all represented entities for a flat $10, as detailed on the registered agents page.
- Replacing the registered agent entirely: The entity files a statement of change at $10, regardless of entity type.
- Using a commercial registered agent service: If the entity itself relocates but the commercial provider’s office stays put, the registered office address on file does not change, and no state filing or fee is triggered. The entity simply updates its own mailing or principal office address through its next annual report.