Registered Agent Services in Texas
Texas explicitly bans your own LLC from serving as its own registered agent — a rule that trips up more first-time filers here than in almost any other state. Texas calls this role a "registered agent."
Texas's requirement, in plain terms
An individual Texas resident who has consented in writing, or an organization other than the entity itself. Texas explicitly excludes the entity from serving as its own agent — the same posture as California, different from Delaware. An individual owner can still serve personally, just not through the LLC itself.
Changing your registered agent costs $15 for most entities ($5 for nonprofits and cooperative associations) via Form 401.
The written-consent requirement (since 2010) means whoever you name as agent has to have actually agreed to it in writing — worth knowing if you're tempted to just list a friend or family member without asking first.
Our picks for Texas
Since Texas requires a genuinely separate agent (not the entity itself), a commercial service resolves the question cleanly rather than needing to line up a consenting individual. Northwest and Registered Agents Inc are both solid, well-reviewed choices for Texas filers.
The default pick. Flat pricing, real support, privacy built in. If you're not sure who to choose, choose this one.
Worth the premium specifically because annual report filing is included — run the math against paying for RA + a separate annual-report service elsewhere before assuming it's expensive.
All 9 providers vs. Texas's rules
| Provider | RA-only /yr | Formation | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northwest | $125/yr | $39 + state fee | Best overall | Review |
| Registered Agents Inc | $200/yr | Not sold as a separate low-cost tier | Best if you want annual report filing bundled in | Review |
| Harbor Compliance | $99/yr intro, renews at $149/yr | $99 service fee + state fee | Best for a dedicated account-manager feel | Review |
| Bizee | $119–$149/yr | $0 + state fee (Silver plan) | Best reviewed at scale | Review |
| MyCompanyWorks | $119/yr | $79 + state fee | Cheapest formation package, but check the reviews yourself first | Review |
| ZenBusiness | $199/yr (varies by plan) | $0 + state fees (Starter plan) | Recognizable brand — but read the fine print | Review |
| LegalZoom | $249/yr | $0 + state filing fee (Basic package) | Brand recognition only — not our pick | Review |
| doola | $297/yr | $297/yr + state fees (Starter plan) | Best for non-US founders without a US SSN | Review |
| InCorp | $129/yr | $99 service fee + state fee + $18 shipping | A safe, unremarkable backup pick | Review |
Texas questions
Can my Texas LLC be its own registered agent?
No. Texas law explicitly excludes the entity itself. You need a separate individual or a different organization to serve — an owner can serve personally, but not through the LLC.