What Is the Cost of a Registered Agent in Mississippi?
Planning for a registered agent in Mississippi requires separating two independent cost categories: state filing fees paid to the Mississippi Secretary of State when submitting entity documents and commercial service fees paid to a third-party registered agent provider if one is hired.
State filing fees are fixed amounts set by the Mississippi Legislature and codified in Title 79 of the Mississippi Code Annotated (Miss. Code Ann.). These fees are collected only when a document is submitted, such as when forming a new entity or filing a statement of change to update an agent. Mississippi does not impose any recurring annual state fee solely for maintaining a registered agent. The Secretary of State confirms on its Business FAQs page that “filing fees for business documents are set in statute by the Mississippi legislature.”
Commercial service fees are the annual charges collected by professional registered agent companies that accept service of process, forward legal documents, and maintain a physical Mississippi address on the entity’s behalf. These fees typically range from $49 to $300 per year, depending on the provider and service tier. An entity that designates a qualifying individual — such as an owner, officer, or employee with a Mississippi street address — as its own agent pays no commercial service fee.
Mississippi law does not require an entity to use a commercial service. Under the Mississippi Registered Agents Act (Miss. Code Ann.) § 79-35-5, any individual or domestic or foreign entity with a physical address in the state may serve as a noncommercial registered agent, provided the agent has consented to the appointment.
Mississippi State Filing Fees for Registered Agent Appointments
The registered agent designation in Mississippi is outlined in the entity’s formation document — the articles of incorporation for a corporation, the certificate of formation for an LLC, or the certificate of limited partnership for an LP. No separate state fee is charged exclusively for designating the registered agent at formation; the agent appointment is included in the single formation filing fee paid to the Secretary of State.
The following table lists the formation filing fee by entity type. Each fee includes the registered agent designation.
| Entity Type | Form | Filing Fee |
| Domestic For-Profit Corporation | Articles of Incorporation | $50 |
| Domestic Nonprofit Corporation | Articles of Incorporation | $50 |
| Domestic LLC | Certificate of Formation | $50 |
| Domestic Limited Partnership | Certificate of Limited Partnership | $50 |
| Domestic LLP | Statement of Qualification | $250 |
| Foreign For-Profit Corporation | Application for Certificate of Authority | $500 |
| Foreign Nonprofit Corporation | Application for Certificate of Authority | $100 |
| Foreign LLC | Application for Registration | $250 |
| Foreign Limited Partnership | Application for Registration | $250 |
Corporation formation fees are established by the Mississippi Business Corporation Act, Miss. Code Ann. § 79-4-1.22. LLC fees are set by the Mississippi Limited Liability Company Act, Miss. Code Ann. § 79-29-1203. Nonprofit corporation fees follow the Mississippi Nonprofit Corporation Act, Miss. Code Ann. § 79-11-109. Limited partnership fees are set by the Mississippi Uniform Limited Partnership Act, Miss. Code Ann. § 79-14-1301. All of these fee statutes are codified in Title 79 of the Mississippi Code and are available through the official Mississippi Code portal maintained by LexisNexis on behalf of the state.
All formation documents must be filed through the Secretary of State’s online filing portal. Payments are accepted by credit card (American Express, Visa, MasterCard, Discover), e-check, or ACH account. A small convenience fee applies to credit card transactions — typically under $5 for most filings.
Note: Miss. Code Ann. § 79-4-1.22(d) authorizes the Secretary of State to charge up to an additional $25 when a filing is not submitted through the prescribed online form.
State Filing Fee to Change a Registered Agent
When a Mississippi entity changes its registered agent or updates the agent’s address after formation, the filing is governed by the Mississippi Registered Agents Act rather than by the individual entity-type statutes. The entity files a statement of change through the Secretary of State’s online filing portal, and the fee is $10 per entity regardless of entity type.
The following table lists the state filing fee for every registered-agent-related action recognized under Miss. Code Ann. § 79-35-3.
| Action | Form | Filing Fee |
| Change of registered agent by entity | Statement of Change | $10 per entity (max $1,000) |
| Change of name or address by noncommercial registered agent | Statement of Change | $10 per entity (max $1,000) |
| Change of name, address, or type by commercial registered agent | Statement of Change | $10 per entity (max $1,000) |
| Resignation of registered agent | Statement of Resignation | No fee |
| Statement of nonacceptance | Statement of Nonacceptance | No fee |
| Commercial registered agent listing | Commercial Registered Agent Listing Statement | $100 |
| Commercial registered agent termination | Commercial Registered Agent Termination Statement | $50 |
The $100 listing fee and $50 termination fee for commercial registered agents are confirmed on the Secretary of State’s Registered Agents page, which provides a detailed explanation of both commercial and noncommercial agent categories. The $1,000 cap on statement-of-change fees benefits commercial agents that represent large numbers of entities and need to file a single statement of change applying to multiple represented entities simultaneously.
A registered agent that resigns must certify that written notice was sent to each represented entity at least 30 days before the resignation filing. Under Miss. Code Ann. § 79-35-11, the resignation takes effect on the 31st day after filing or upon the appointment of a replacement agent, whichever occurs first.
What Is Included in a Registered Agent Service Fee?
The annual fee paid to a commercial registered agent provider typically covers the following core services, though specific inclusions vary by provider and pricing tier.
Core services (generally included at all price levels):
- A physical street address in Mississippi to serve as the entity’s registered office on file with the Secretary of State.
- 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 an online account.
- Email notification alerts when a document is received on behalf of the entity.
Additional services (included by some providers or at higher tiers):
- Compliance reminders for annual report deadlines and other filing requirements.
- Use of the registered agent’s address on formation documents to keep the owner’s personal address off the public record.
- Mail forwarding for general business correspondence beyond legal and government documents.
- Pre-populated state forms accessible within the online account.
What is NOT included in a standard registered agent service fee:
- State filing fees (formation fees, statement-of-change fees, etc.) — these are paid separately 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 Mississippi Business
When forming a new business entity in Mississippi, the registered agent is designated within the formation document itself. The Secretary of State does not charge a separate line-item fee for the registered agent at formation — the designation is part of the same document submitted with the formation filing fee. The total state cost at formation is therefore the formation filing fee alone.
| Entity Type | State Formation Fee | Commercial RA (Year 1) | Total Year 1 Cost |
| Domestic For-Profit Corporation | $50 | $0–$300 | $50–$350 |
| Domestic Nonprofit Corporation | $50 | $0–$300 | $50–$350 |
| Domestic LLC | $50 | $0–$300 | $50–$350 |
| Domestic Limited Partnership | $50 | $0–$300 | $50–$350 |
| Domestic LLP | $250 | $0–$300 | $250–$550 |
| Foreign For-Profit Corporation | $500 | $0–$300 | $500–$800 |
| Foreign Nonprofit Corporation | $100 | $0–$300 | $100–$400 |
| Foreign LLC | $250 | $0–$300 | $250–$550 |
| Foreign Limited Partnership | $250 | $0–$300 | $250–$550 |
The $0 figure in the Commercial RA column reflects entities where an individual Mississippi resident serves as the entity’s own registered agent, eliminating the commercial service fee entirely. Miss. Code Ann. § 79-35-5 permits any individual or domestic or foreign entity with a physical Mississippi address to serve as a noncommercial registered agent with the entity’s consent.
Many commercial registered agent services offer the first year of service as part of a formation package. Before purchasing, confirm whether the quoted price includes the state filing fee, the registered agent service fee for year one, and the renewal price for subsequent years. Some providers advertise low introductory rates but charge significantly higher renewal fees beginning in year two.
All formation filings are submitted and paid through the Secretary of State’s online filing portal, where accepted payment methods include credit card, e-check, and ACH.
Note: Mississippi’s foreign LLC annual report carries a $250 fee under Miss. Code Ann. § 79-29-1203, making the total recurring cost for a foreign LLC substantially higher than for a domestic LLC, which pays no annual report fee. Annual report deadlines and requirements are published on the Secretary of State’s website.
Cost of Serving as Your Own Registered Agent in Mississippi
Under the Mississippi Registered Agents Act, any individual with a physical street address in Mississippi may serve as a noncommercial registered agent for an entity. A corporation or LLC may also designate another entity as its agent, provided that entity maintains a Mississippi address. The Secretary of State’s Registered Agents page explains that noncommercial agents “will not be listed on the Secretary of State’s website” and that the appointing entity “must obtain that agent’s permission prior to listing the agent on any forms.”
Cost of self-designation:
- Commercial service fee: $0.
- State filing fee at formation: Included in the standard formation fee. No additional charge.
- State filing fee to update address: A statement of change must be filed at $10 per entity.
Tradeoffs of self-designation:
| Factor | Self as Registered Agent | Commercial Service |
| Annual cost | $0 | $49–$300 per year |
| Privacy | Personal name and address on public record | Provider’s address shields the owner’s information |
| Business hours availability | Must be available at the registered address during normal business hours | The provider guarantees availability |
| Service of process delivery | Delivered to the individual personally | Received by professional staff, scanned, and forwarded |
| Address updates | Must file a $10 statement of change with the Secretary of State. | The provider handles changes internally at no additional cost |
| Compliance monitoring | Self-managed; no automated reminders | The provider typically sends annual reports and deadline reminders |
| Eligibility requirement | Must be an individual or entity with a physical Mississippi address | Provider maintains a qualified Mississippi office |
Frequently Asked Questions About Registered Agent Costs in Mississippi
Is there a fee to designate a registered agent when forming a Mississippi LLC or corporation?
There is no separate state fee for designating a registered agent at formation. The agent’s name and address are included within the certificate of formation (for an LLC) or articles of incorporation (for a corporation), and the designation is covered by the standard formation filing fee—$50 for both entity types under Miss. Code Ann. § 79-29-1203 and Miss. Code Ann. § 79-4-1.22, respectively. Formation filings are submitted through the online filing portal.
How much does it cost to change a registered agent in Mississippi?
The filing fee to change a registered agent is $10 per entity, regardless of entity type. The fee applies equally to for-profit corporations, LLCs, nonprofit corporations, limited partnerships, and LLPs under Miss. Code Ann. § 79-35-3. According to the Secretary of State’s Business FAQs page, registered agent changes are handled as an amendment through the online filing system. Payment is accepted by credit card (with a small convenience fee), e-check, or ACH account.
Can I designate myself as a registered agent to avoid the annual service fee?
Yes, provided the individual has a physical street address in Mississippi and consents to the appointment. The Secretary of State’s Registered Agents page states that any individual, corporation, or LLC may serve as a noncommercial registered agent if the agent has a physical address in Mississippi. The tradeoff is that the individual’s name and home address become part of the public record, and the individual must be available during normal business hours to accept service of process.
What is the annual cost of Northwest Registered Agent in Mississippi?
Northwest Registered Agent charges $125 per year for Mississippi registered agent service. The fee includes a physical Mississippi street address listed as the entity’s registered office, same-day document scanning and forwarding, a business mailing address, mail scanning, a domain name, and compliance reminders. The price does not increase at renewal.
Does the registered agent service fee include the state filing fee?
No. The commercial service fee and the state filing fee are entirely separate charges paid to different parties. The annual service fee is paid to the registered agent provider to maintain the registered office and forward documents. State filing fees — such as the $50 formation fee for an LLC or the $10 statement-of-change fee — are paid directly to the Mississippi Secretary of State at the time each filing is submitted through the online filing portal.
Is there a fee to file the consent of registered agent form?
Mississippi does not require a separate consent-of-agent form to be filed with the Secretary of State. Under Miss. Code Ann. § 79-35-5(b), the filing of a registered agent designation is itself “an affirmation by the represented entity” that the agent has been notified and has consented to serve. The consent is retained between the entity and the agent rather than submitted as a standalone state filing, so no separate consent filing fee applies.
Is there a fee for the registered agent to resign?
There is no state filing fee for a statement of resignation under Miss. Code Ann. § 79-35-3. The resigning agent must certify that written notice was sent to the represented entity at least 30 days before filing. The resignation takes effect on the 31st day after filing or upon the appointment of a replacement agent, whichever comes first. The same statute also provides that a statement of nonacceptance — filed when a commercial registered agent declines a new appointment — carries no filing fee.
How does the cost compare for a nonprofit corporation versus a for-profit corporation?
Domestic nonprofit and for-profit corporations in Mississippi share the same $50 formation fee, but their ongoing costs diverge. The following table compares the state filing fees for each transaction.
| Transaction | For-Profit Corporation | Nonprofit Corporation |
| Articles of Incorporation | $50 | $50 |
| Foreign Certificate of Authority | $500 | $100 |
| Change of Registered Agent | $10 | $10 |
| Resignation of Registered Agent | No fee | No fee |
| Annual Report | $25 | No fee |
The most significant difference is the annual report: for-profit corporations pay $25 each year by April 15, whereas nonprofit corporations file at no charge by May 15. Both deadlines are published on the Secretary of State’s Annual Reports page. Commercial registered agent service fees do not differ based on the entity’s nonprofit or for-profit status.
Are there any hidden fees associated with registered agent services?
State filing fees in Mississippi are fixed by statute and are not subject to hidden surcharges. The Secretary of State’s Business FAQs page confirms that payment can be made by credit card, e-check, or ACH, with a small convenience fee on credit card transactions. On the commercial service side, common pricing traps include low introductory rates that increase sharply at renewal, per-document scanning surcharges, upsells for compliance features that other providers include at the base price, and separate charges for forwarding mail beyond legal documents.
Does the cost change if I move my business to a new address in Mississippi?
The cost impact depends on which address changes and the type of registered agent the entity uses.
- Entity’s principal office address only: If the entity’s business address changes but the registered agent and registered office remain the same, no agent-related filing is needed. The address update is reported on the entity’s next annual report.
- Noncommercial registered agent’s address changing: The agent must file a statement of change at $10 per represented entity under Miss. Code Ann. § 79-35-9.
- Replacing the registered agent entirely: The entity files a statement of change at $10 through the online filing system.
- Using a commercial registered agent service: If the provider’s Mississippi office address changes, the provider files the update with the Secretary of State on behalf of all represented entities at no additional cost to the entity.