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File your LLC paperwork with confidence.
A practical guide · New York

3 Best LLC Services in New York (2026): Where to Start

In New York for 2026, compare Mainstay Filing ($199), NY Registered Agent.org ($199) and New York Registered Agent.ai ($199), ranked best first. Every option pays the same $200 filing fee, and three years of service cost $397 to $597.
Written by the Simple Filing Guide editorial team

Four facts to know

Formation fee
$200, once, up front
Upkeep
$9 every 24 months
Agent for service of process
Special rule, see below
Our ranking
Mainstay Filing, NY Registered Agent.org then New York Registered Agent.ai

New York: the ranking

Prices come from each company's own page. Read how we rank for the method.

#1 First recommendation

1. Mainstay Filing: best for owners who want upkeep handled

$199 yearly ($399 at signup, state fee included)

Why Mainstay Filing first? Because $199 a year gets the formation, the agent for service of process and the biennial statement done.

The $200 gap to NY Registered Agent.org over three years pays for jobs you would otherwise do.

It takes care of each biennial statement, adding only the $9 the state sets.

Checklist: what is included
  • Articles prepared and filed
  • Registered agent all year
  • Biennial statement filed on time
  • EIN application submitted
  • Official fee at cost
What works
  • Price is fixed at $199 a year
  • Renewal price is $199
  • EIN application included in the price
Gaps
  • NY Registered Agent.org undercuts its renewal by $100
Start with Mainstay Filing Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.
#2 In-state option

2. NY Registered Agent.org: best for holding three-year cost down

Formation $199, agent renewal $99, state fee extra

Next, consider NY Registered Agent.org: forming costs $199, the agent is covered in year one, and then $99 a year.

Put the biennial statement on your own calendar.

Checklist: what is included
  • Formation handled
  • No agent charge in year one
What works
  • Then $99 annually
  • Starts at $199 over the state fee
  • Agent included for the first year
Gaps
  • Expect to do the biennial statement on your own
  • The EIN application costs $99 more
Start with NY Registered Agent.org Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.
#3 In-state option

3. New York Registered Agent.ai: best for another local choice

Formation $199, agent renewal $99, state fee extra

Next, consider New York Registered Agent.ai: forming costs $199, the agent is covered in year one, and then $99 a year.

Put the biennial statement on your own calendar.

Price for price it ties with NY Registered Agent.org.

Checklist: what is included
  • Formation handled
  • No agent charge in year one
What works
  • Then $99 annually
  • Agent included for the first year
  • Starts at $199 over the state fee
Gaps
  • Expect to do the biennial statement on your own
  • The EIN application costs $99 more
Start with New York Registered Agent.ai Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

Compare the picks

#CompanyYear-one costAt renewalTotal for 3 yearsWhat is covered
1 Mainstay Filing $199$199/yr$597articles prepared and filed; registered agent all year; biennial statement filed on time Start with Mainstay Filing Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2 NY Registered Agent.org $199$99/yr$397formation handled; no agent charge in year one Start with NY Registered Agent.org Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3 New York Registered Agent.ai $199$99/yr$397formation handled; no agent charge in year one Start with New York Registered Agent.ai Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

Prices as of November 13, 2026; the state's own fees are listed in the checklist below.

Work through these

How much should I budget to form an LLC here?

The state takes $200; if you hire a service in year one, add $199.

State fees for the first three years add up to $209. dos.ny.gov / October 2026 / confirmed

  • Publication: within 120 days, a notice runs for six weeks in two county newspapers (the papers set their own charges), then a Certificate of Publication is filed for $50.
  • Tax Department LLC fee (Form IT-204-LL): $25 a year for a single-member LLC with New York-source income; partnership LLCs pay more.

What starts the LLC?

One document does it: the Articles of Organization (Form DOS-1336-f), sent to the New York Secretary of State.

Check the law: NY Limited Liability Company Law § 203. dos.ny.gov / October 2026 / confirmed

Can the LLC go without an agent for service of process?

The Secretary of State is the agent for service of process for every New York LLC; naming a registered agent is optional.

If one is designated: a person who lives in New York or has a business address there, an LLC formed or authorized in New York, or a corporation formed or authorized in New York.

nysenate.gov / October 2026 / confirmed

What keeps the LLC in good standing?

Set aside $9 every other year for the biennial statement. Write down the state's date, during the calendar month in which the Articles of Organization were filed, every 2 years.

dos.ny.gov / October 2026 / confirmed

Can I file it myself instead of hiring a service?

A service is optional. State fees alone would run $209 across three years.

The $397 to $597 that services charge over three years pays for the paperwork and the agent role.

Why is the list in this order?

Mainstay Filing leads on filing jobs included, which carries 27% of our score.

Total for three years is worth 37% and filing jobs included 27%, with three smaller checks breaking ties.

The biennial statement is due every two years in New York, and only the first pick files it for you.

See the scoring

New York checklist, with sources

ItemWhat to knowOfficial source
State fee to form the LLC $200dos.ny.gov / October 2026 / confirmed
Agent for service of process Special rule, see belownysenate.gov / October 2026 / confirmed
Biennial statement $9 every two yearsdos.ny.gov / October 2026 / confirmed
State total, years one to three $209Rows above, added up

Every amount above links to its official source. The last row is our own total of the filing, two reports and any minimum tax, without variable costs like publication.

Related questions

What about the EIN?

With Mainstay Filing there is nothing extra. NY Registered Agent.org charges $99, New York Registered Agent.ai charges $99.

What is the three-year cost of each?

$597 for Mainstay Filing, $397 for NY Registered Agent.org, $397 for New York Registered Agent.ai, with state fees on top.

What are the numbers based on?

For state costs we use New York's published fee schedules and forms. For service costs we use each company's price page.

Do I have to use a service?

Nothing requires a service. Consider it a paid convenience.

Any yearly state fees?

Set aside $9 every other year for the biennial statement. Write down the state's date, during the calendar month in which the Articles of Organization were filed, every 2 years.

Who ranks first in New York?

Mainstay Filing is on top because the biennial statement sits inside the $199 annual price, alongside formation and the agent for service of process; NY Registered Agent.org and New York Registered Agent.ai follow.

Where each fact comes from

  1. New York Department of State [dos.ny.gov] last confirmed August 2026
  2. New York Department of State [filing.dos.ny.gov] last confirmed August 2026
  3. New York report due date [nysenate.gov] last confirmed August 2026
  4. NY Limited Liability Company Law [nysenate.gov] last confirmed August 2026
  5. New York formation fee: Filing [dos.ny.gov] last confirmed October 2026
  6. New York registered agent statute [nysenate.gov] last confirmed October 2026
  7. New York other cost: Publication [nysenate.gov] last confirmed October 2026
  8. New York other cost: Certificate [dos.ny.gov] last confirmed October 2026
  9. New York other cost: Tax [tax.ny.gov] last confirmed October 2026
  10. Prices read November 13, 2026 from the Mainstay Filing New York service page
  11. Prices read November 13, 2026 from the NY Registered Agent.org pricing page
  12. Prices read November 13, 2026 from the New York Registered Agent.ai pricing page