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Formation Facts

What the state wants, and what it costs.

Registered agent guide · Kentucky

Kentucky Registered Agent Requirements and Fees (2026): the Rules and the 3 Best Agents

For anyone naming a registered agent in Kentucky this year, 2026, we would go with Kentucky Registered Agent.co ($99 a year), KY Registered Agent.org ($99 a year) and Mainstay Filing ($149 a year), in that order. Every LLC in Kentucky has to have a registered agent. The state collects $190 a year, 42nd of 50.
Briefing by the Formation Facts team

The Kentucky basics

42nd

in the one-year state fee comparison

The lowest total gets rank 1. Go to the national comparison

  • Registered agent required

    Yes

    apps.legislature.ky.gov, as confirmed in October 2026

  • Annual report

    $15 / yr

    Deadline, as the state states it: on or before June 30. sos.ky.gov, as confirmed in August 2026

  • Tax owed every year

    $175

    revenue.ky.gov, as confirmed in October 2026

  • What the state collects in 1 year

    $190

    A single year of state fees

Kentucky: the services we would choose

Every criterion and weight is on the method page.

Ranked first

1. Kentucky Registered Agent.co: best for companies that only work in Kentucky

$99 for the first year, and the same after that

Why Kentucky Registered Agent.co is first: a plan for Kentucky companies only: $99 a year, then $99.

It costs less than Mainstay Filing over three years, and cost counts for 33% of the score.

What your money gets you

  • A physical address in Kentucky
  • Online copies of whatever is served

What works

  • $99 annually
  • A lower yearly price than Mainstay Filing

What to weigh

  • A different state needs a different agent
  • What you pay for does not include the annual report
Visit Kentucky Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.

One state

2. KY Registered Agent.org: best for another option in Kentucky

$99 for the first year, and the same after that

In second place we put KY Registered Agent.org. A plan for Kentucky companies only: $99 a year, then $99.

You pay the same here as at Kentucky Registered Agent.co.

What your money gets you

  • A physical address in Kentucky
  • Online copies of whatever is served

What works

  • $99 annually
  • A lower yearly price than Mainstay Filing

What to weigh

  • A different state needs a different agent
  • What you pay for does not include the annual report
Visit KY Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.

All-in-one

3. Mainstay Filing: best for an agent you can keep in any state

$149 for the first year, and the same after that

Last on the list is Mainstay Filing, because you pay $149 a year in every state, and the price stays the same at renewal.

A $150 gap to Kentucky Registered Agent.co over three years is what keeps it out of first place.

What your money gets you

  • A registered office in Kentucky, with the address supplied
  • Scans anything served on the company the same business day and does not charge for it
  • Scans your first three government letters each year at no cost
  • Also works for nonprofits, corporations, LPs and LLPs

What works

  • Works in every state
  • Price $149, renewal $149

What to weigh

  • Kentucky Registered Agent.co charges $50 less every year
  • An agent-only plan, so you file the reports
Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.

3 services, one table

RankWhoYou pay per yearRenewal priceTheir fees across 3 years
1Kentucky Registered Agent.co$99$99/yr$297Visit Kentucky Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2KY Registered Agent.org$99$99/yr$297Visit KY Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3Mainstay Filing$149$149/yr$447Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
These are the prices each company showed on November 13, 2026. The state charges the same no matter which agent you choose.

Upkeep calculator

This adds agent fees to the state's recurring charges (the annual report from year 2) and the minimum tax. Formation fees are not included.
Your total over 3 years with Kentucky Registered Agent.co is $852 ($555 state, $297 service).

How Kentucky compares with the states near it in the ranking

RankStateYearly state fees
40thFlorida$138.75
41stArkansas$150
42ndKentucky$190
43rdNorth Carolina$200
44thMaryland$300
To see the rest of the states, go to Registered agent rules by state.

What Kentucky requires of your registered agent

Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address. The address has to be a physical registered office in Kentucky that matches the agent's business address. A P.O. box is not enough.

The state will accept: A Kentucky resident, or an entity qualified to do business in Kentucky, whose business address is the registered office. The agent signs or files a written acceptance. The law is KRS 14A.4-010.

The state fees that come back

Count on $15 every year for the annual report, on or before June 30. The state sends its mail to the address of your registered agent. Limited Liability Entity Tax: a $175 minimum each year to the Department of Revenue.

Our reasoning

Kentucky Registered Agent.co pulled ahead of KY Registered Agent.org on price over three years, which is weighted 33%.

Kentucky Registered Agent.co charges $297 in fees over three years, which is $150 under Mainstay Filing.

Your Kentucky questions answered

Do I have to name a registered agent for my Kentucky LLC?

Yes. Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.

Who is allowed to be a registered agent for my Kentucky LLC?

A Kentucky resident, or an entity qualified to do business in Kentucky, whose business address is the registered office. The agent signs or files a written acceptance.

What will registered agent service cost me each year in Kentucky?

Agents ranked here bill $99 to $149 annually.

Which state fees will I pay every year?

You will pay $190 a year on our yearly measure, which is the annual report ($15 every year), plus the minimum tax.

Which registered agents does this page rank?

Kentucky Registered Agent.co ($99 a year), KY Registered Agent.org ($99 a year) and Mainstay Filing ($149 a year), from strongest to weakest.

Which registered agent should I choose?

Start with Kentucky Registered Agent.co: $99 a year buys an agent with a registered office inside the state. Then look at KY Registered Agent.org and Mainstay Filing.

Keep reading

Where this briefing comes from

  1. Behind the Kentucky Secretary of State section is sos.ky.gov, a page we reread in August 2026 before publishing.
  2. Behind the Kentucky Secretary of State section is sos.ky.gov, a page we reread in August 2026 before publishing.
  3. Behind the Kentucky report due date section is apps.legislature.ky.gov, a page we reread in August 2026 before publishing.
  4. Behind the KRS 275.025 section is apps.legislature.ky.gov, a page we reread in August 2026 before publishing.
  5. Behind the Kentucky formation fee: Filing fee, official source section is sos.ky.gov, a page we reread in October 2026 before publishing.
  6. Behind the Kentucky registered agent statute section is apps.legislature.ky.gov, a page we reread in October 2026 before publishing.
  7. Behind the Kentucky other cost: Limited Liability Entity Tax, official section is revenue.ky.gov, a page we reread in October 2026 before publishing.
  8. Behind the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations section is dos.fl.gov, a page we reread in August 2026 before publishing.
  9. Behind the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations section is dos.fl.gov, a page we reread in August 2026 before publishing.
  10. Behind the Florida yearly filing: Annual report: fee, official source section is flsenate.gov, a page we reread in October 2026 before publishing.
  11. Behind the Arkansas yearly filing: Franchise tax report: what and section is sos.arkansas.gov, a page we reread in October 2026 before publishing.
  12. Behind the Arkansas yearly filing: Franchise tax: amount and filing section is sos.arkansas.gov, a page we reread in October 2026 before publishing.
  13. Behind the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State section is sosnc.gov, a page we reread in August 2026 before publishing.
  14. Behind the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State section is sosnc.gov, a page we reread in August 2026 before publishing.
  15. Behind the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation section is dat.maryland.gov, a page we reread in August 2026 before publishing.
  16. Behind the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation section is dat.maryland.gov, a page we reread in August 2026 before publishing.
  17. You can see pricing page for Kentucky Registered Agent.co on its own website, which we looked at on November 13, 2026
  18. You can see pricing page for KY Registered Agent.org on its own website, which we looked at on November 13, 2026
  19. You can see Kentucky service page for Mainstay Filing on its own website, which we looked at on November 13, 2026