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Registered Agent in Michigan: requirements, cost & best options

Michigan uses its own vocabulary — a 'resident agent' and an 'Annual Statement' due February 15 for every LLC — and filings go to LARA, not a Secretary of State. Here's what that means for your LLC.

By Luis Cornado, Founder & Editor · Published June 24, 2026 · Updated July 26, 2026

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Michigan compliance, simplified

The exact Michigan rules, real costs, and the right registered-agent option for your LLC — checked against the official Michigan source.

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The Short Answer

  • Michigan calls it a resident agent, not a registered agent — and the annual filing an Annual Statement, not an annual report.
  • Every Michigan LLC keeps a resident agent — a Michigan-resident individual (or an entity with a Michigan office) at a physical Michigan registered office; you can be your own if you're a Michigan resident.
  • The deadline to know: the $25 Annual Statement is due February 15 every year — the same date for everyone, not your anniversary (an LLC formed after September 30 skips the next one).
  • Filings go to LARA, not a Secretary of State, through the new MiBusiness Registry Portal. Michigan's fees are low: $50 to form, $25/yr.
  • A service helps for privacy or if you're out of state.
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Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you sign up through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you — it never changes what we recommend or what you pay. See how we make money.

See Northwest for Michigan → $39 + state fee · registered agent free for year one · keeps your address private

boltQuick decision for Michigan

  • chevron_rightUse a professional resident agent if you work from home, travel, or run the LLC from outside Michigan — it keeps your street address off the public record and guarantees someone is there to accept a lawsuit.
  • chevron_rightBe your own resident agent if you're a Michigan resident with a street address staffed during business hours and you don't mind that address appearing on the public LARA record.
  • chevron_rightNorthwest fits if privacy and never missing the February 15 Annual Statement matter more to you than saving ~$125 a year.

Michigan Registered Agent & LLC Facts

Requirement / Metric Michigan Specifics
Registered agent required?Yes — every Michigan LLC & corporation
Governing statuteMCL 450.4207 (registered office and resident agent)
Physical Michigan address required?Yes — a Michigan registered office at a physical Michigan street address (the resident agent's address)
PO box allowed?No — a PO box can't be the registered office
Can you be your own agent?Yes, if you're a Michigan resident — Michigan's resident agent must be a Michigan-resident individual (or an entity with a Michigan office) at the registered office (MCL 450.4207)
LLC filing fee$50 (confirm current)
Annual reportAnnual Statement, $25, due February 15 every year — the same date for every Michigan LLC, not your formation anniversary. (An LLC formed after September 30 skips the very next February 15.) Filed with LARA; a $50 late penalty applies, and missing it for two straight years puts the LLC 'not in good standing.'
Franchise / annual taxNo franchise tax. Michigan has a flat 4.25% personal income tax (2026) that owners pay on pass-through profits; the 6% Corporate Income Tax applies only to entities taxed as C-corporations, not to a standard LLC.
Publication requirementNone
Change registered agent fee$5 — file a Certificate of Change of Registered Office and/or Resident Agent (Form CSCL/CD-520) with LARA, online or by mail.
Official sourceMichigan Division / Secretary of State

Fees and rules change — always confirm the current figures on the official Michigan source linked above before filing.

What Michigan requires from a registered agent

Like every state, Michigan requires every LLC to keep a registered agent at a physical Michigan street address (a PO box won't do), staffed during business hours to receive lawsuits and official state mail.

Can you be your own registered agent in Michigan?

Yes, if you're a Michigan resident — Michigan's resident agent must be a Michigan-resident individual (or an entity with a Michigan office) at the registered office (MCL 450.4207). The catch most pages skip: that address goes on Michigan's public record (scraped by data brokers if it's your home), and you must be available during business hours or risk missing a lawsuit — so home-based and remote owners usually use a service. Here's the full DIY trade-off.

thumb_upBeing your own agent — pros

  • addNo annual resident-agent fee — you keep the ~$100–$125/year a service would charge
  • addMichigan's fees are already low ($50 to form, $25/yr), so the DIY route is cheap here
  • addYou receive every Michigan state notice and legal document directly, with no middle layer

infoCons & risks

  • removeYour Michigan street address becomes part of the public LARA record — and home addresses get scraped by data brokers
  • removeA resident agent must be a Michigan resident present during business hours; a missed lawsuit can become a default judgment
  • removeYou alone have to catch the universal February 15 deadline — a $50 penalty and, after two years, loss of good standing

Using your Michigan home as your own resident-agent address puts it on the public, searchable LARA record and invites service of process at your door — sometimes in front of family or customers. For home-based Michigan founders, that exposure is the main reason to use a service.

Registered agent cost in Michigan

Forming an LLC in Michigan costs $50 up front, and a registered agent runs about $100–$150 a year on top — Northwest includes the first year free, then about $125. Full breakdown, including the DIY $0 route, in cheapest registered agent. To see Michigan's filing and annual fees beside all 50 states, use our LLC cost calculator.

Privacy & the public record in Michigan

The resident-agent address you give Michigan goes onto the public LARA record and is searchable by anyone — data brokers, marketers, and process servers included. Michigan requires a registered office at a physical street address (MCL 450.4207); a PO box can't be used. List your home and it becomes the address tied publicly to your business. The clean fix is a commercial resident agent: their Michigan street address appears on the record instead of yours, while your legal mail still reaches you.

Out-of-state & non-resident founders: Out-of-state and international founders can own a Michigan LLC, but an individual resident agent must be a Michigan resident at a Michigan registered office — which you usually can't provide yourself from another state or country. A commercial resident agent is effectively required there, and it also catches the universal February 15 Annual Statement you'd otherwise miss from afar.

Best registered agent for Michigan: Northwest

For a Michigan LLC specifically, Northwest supplies a Michigan street address that satisfies the resident-agent rule in MCL 450.4207, keeps your personal address off the public LARA record, and tracks the February 15 Annual Statement so you don't lose good standing.

  • doneFirst year free in Michigan when you form ($39 + state fee), then about $125/yr
  • donePrivacy by Default — their Michigan address on public filings instead of yours
  • doneUS-based support, no upsell funnel, all 50 states covered
Get Northwest for Michigan →

Honest caveat: Northwest is not the cheapest path, and Michigan is already inexpensive ($50 to form, $25/yr). If you're a Michigan resident comfortable being your own agent at a public address and you'll remember February 15, the DIY route costs little. Northwest mainly earns its ~$125/year on privacy and deadline-tracking.

Comparing options? See our Northwest review, Northwest vs LegalZoom, or the budget pick in Northwest vs Bizee.

Best Registered Agent Services in Michigan

We weigh providers on real first-year and renewal cost, privacy, upsell pressure, and support — the same way for every state. Here are the three we point Michigan founders to.

starEditor's Choice

Northwest

check_circleAvailable in Michigan
$125/year

First year free when you form, then a flat ~$125/year. Strong privacy and no upsell funnel.

  • doneRegistered agent free for year one
  • donePrivacy by Default® — their address, not yours
  • doneUS-based support, no upsells
Visit Northwest

Bizee

check_circleAvailable in Michigan
$119/year

Lowest upfront cost — $0 service fee, first RA year free. Best if you'll decline the checkout add-ons.

  • done$0 formation service fee
  • done1st year registered agent free
  • doneLifetime compliance alerts
Visit Bizee

ZenBusiness

check_circleAvailable in Michigan
$199/yr renewal

$99 intro first year

All-in-one platform with a compliance guarantee. We don't earn a commission from ZenBusiness — here's our honest comparison.

  • doneWorry-Free compliance guarantee
  • doneAll-in-one formation suite
  • doneHigher renewal than our top picks
Compare ZenBusiness

Pricing reflects each provider's advertised rates as of July 2026 and can change — confirm the current price on the provider's own site before you buy.

Compare your options in Michigan

Every realistic way to meet the Michigan registered-agent requirement — including doing it yourself.

Option Best for Pros Cons
Be your own resident agent Michigan residents with a staffed street address who want $0 cost
  • addNo annual fee
  • addMichigan's own fees are low anyway
  • addDirect receipt of all documents
  • removeAddress is public on LARA
  • removeMust be a Michigan resident present in business hours
  • removeYou track the Feb 15 Annual Statement yourself
Northwest Registered Agent Privacy-focused, home-based, or out-of-state Michigan owners
  • addTheir Michigan address on the record, not yours
  • addTracks the Feb 15 Annual Statement
  • addFirst year free with formation, ~$125/yr after
  • remove~$125/year after the first year
  • removeNot the absolute cheapest if you'd self-file anyway
Bizee or another formation service Owners who want the lowest upfront formation cost
  • add$0 formation service fee
  • addFirst agent year free
  • addCompliance reminders
  • removeHeavier checkout upsells
  • removeLess privacy focus than Northwest
  • remove~$119/yr after year one
Michigan attorney or CPA as agent Complex entities already paying a Michigan professional
  • addA professional already handling your filings
  • addCan advise on the Flow-Through Entity tax election
  • removeUsually the most expensive option
  • removeOverkill for a simple single-member LLC

Michigan's 'resident agent' and the February 15 Annual Statement

Michigan uses its own vocabulary, which trips up anyone searching the usual terms. It's a resident agent, not a registered agent, and the yearly filing is an Annual Statement, not an annual report — and it's all handled by LARA (the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs), not a Secretary of State (Michigan's SoS does driver's licenses and elections, not businesses). The Annual Statement is $25 and due February 15 every year — the same date for every LLC, regardless of when you formed; an LLC formed after September 30 is excused from the very next February 15. Miss it and there's a $50 penalty, and skipping it two years running drops your LLC to 'not in good standing.' One housekeeping note: in mid-2025 Michigan retired its old COFS system for the MiBusiness Registry Portal.

Michigan is genuinely a good fit for:

Michigan's Annual Statement: February 15, every LLC

Michigan speaks its own language — a resident agent (not registered agent) and an Annual Statement (not annual report) — filed with LARA, not a Secretary of State. And the deadline is the same date for everyone.

Michigan LLC Annual Statement cycle and the February 15 deadline The Michigan LLC compliance cycle. Form your LLC for $50 through LARA's MiBusiness Registry Portal and name a resident agent. Your first Annual Statement is due February 15 — but an LLC formed after September 30 skips the very next February 15, so its first statement is due the following year. After that you file by February 15 every year for $25, the same date for every Michigan LLC, not your formation anniversary. Miss it and there's a $50 late penalty; fail to file for two consecutive years and, after a 60-day notice, the LLC becomes not in good standing. Your Michigan LLC Form your LLC via LARA — $50 name a resident agent · MiBusiness Registry Portal (not a Secretary of State) First Annual Statement formed after Sept 30? you skip the very next February 15 Then file by February 15 — every year · $25 the same deadline for every Michigan LLC, not your anniversary Miss it → $50 penalty two years unfiled → after a 60-day notice, "not in good standing"
Michigan LLC cycle — form for $50 via LARA, then file the $25 Annual Statement by February 15 every year (the same date statewide). RegisteredAgentHub original.

Michigan-specific things to know

Get the vocabulary right first, because Michigan's is unusual. The role is a resident agent (not 'registered agent'); the company keeps a registered office at a physical Michigan address identical to the agent's; and the yearly filing is the Annual Statement. All of it runs through LARA — the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs — not a Secretary of State, via the MiBusiness Registry Portal that replaced the old COFS system in mid-2025.

The deadline is the thing to circle: the Annual Statement is $25, due February 15 every single year, and it's the same date for every Michigan LLC — Michigan does not tie it to your formation anniversary. The one wrinkle: an LLC formed after September 30 doesn't have to file on the February 15 right after forming, so its first statement is due the following year. Miss the deadline and Michigan adds a $50 late penalty; fail to file for two consecutive years and, after a 60-day notice, the LLC becomes 'not in good standing' — at which point its name is up for grabs and you must file a Certificate of Restoration ($50) plus the missed statements to fix it.

On the agent itself: an individual resident agent must be a Michigan resident at the registered office (a PO box won't do), and you change it with a $5 Certificate of Change (Form CSCL/CD-520). Michigan keeps the rest cheap and simple — $50 to form, no franchise tax, and a flat 4.25% personal income tax (2026) on pass-through profits; the 6% Corporate Income Tax only touches LLCs that elect C-corp treatment.

Looking up an existing registered agent in Michigan

Every Michigan company's registered agent is public record — you can find any LLC's or corporation's agent, with the registered office address, free through the state's official business search. Search by company name and the record shows the current agent on file.

The usual reasons to look one up: serving legal papers on a company, due diligence on a business you're about to deal with, or confirming your own record updated correctly after a change of agent (in Michigan, that filing is $5).

"Registered agent near me" in Michigan — explained

Searched "registered agent near me"? In Michigan it's not about being near you — your agent just needs a physical Michigan street address, staffed during business hours, on file with the Michigan filing office. That's why a national service like Northwest works no matter where in Michigan — or which state — you personally live.

How to change your registered agent in Michigan

To switch in Michigan, file the state's change-of-agent form ($5) and put the new agent on record before cancelling the old one — many services handle it. Full steps in how to change your registered agent.

How to start an LLC in Michigan

In short: choose your name, appoint a registered agent (the step above), file your formation document with Michigan ($50), and get a free EIN from the IRS. Then keep it compliant: Annual Statement, $25, due February 15 every year — the same date for every Michigan LLC, not your formation anniversary. (An LLC formed after September 30 skips the very next February 15.) Filed with LARA; a $50 late penalty applies, and missing it for two straight years puts the LLC 'not in good standing.'. No franchise tax. Michigan has a flat 4.25% personal income tax (2026) that owners pay on pass-through profits; the 6% Corporate Income Tax applies only to entities taxed as C-corporations, not to a standard LLC.. For the full walkthrough see our cheapest way to start an LLC guide.

Which path is right for you in Michigan?

verifiedUse Northwest if

  • doneYou work from home or want to keep your address off the public LARA record
  • doneYou're forming or operating the LLC from outside Michigan
  • doneYou'd rather not be the one tracking the February 15 Annual Statement

personBe your own agent if

  • checkYou're a Michigan resident with a street address staffed during business hours
  • checkYou're comfortable with that address appearing on the public record
  • checkYou're confident you'll file the Annual Statement by February 15 every year

compare_arrowsConsider other options if

  • checkYour only priority is the lowest upfront formation cost (a budget service like Bizee)
  • checkYou already pay a Michigan attorney or CPA who can serve as your resident agent
  • checkYou want to compare on price first — see our Northwest vs Bizee and Northwest vs ZenBusiness guides

Michigan Registered Agent FAQ

What is a resident agent in Michigan?expand_more
It's Michigan's name for what other states call a registered agent — the person or company at a physical Michigan address that receives legal and state documents for your LLC. Michigan's LLC Act uses 'resident agent,' and the yearly filing is an 'Annual Statement,' so don't be thrown by the different labels.
When is the Michigan Annual Statement due?expand_more
February 15 every year, and it's the same date for every Michigan LLC — not your formation anniversary. It costs $25. One exception: an LLC formed after September 30 doesn't have to file on the February 15 immediately after forming, so its first statement is due the following year.
Can I be my own resident agent in Michigan?expand_more
Yes, if you're a Michigan resident with a physical Michigan street address for the registered office (a PO box won't qualify). An individual agent must be a Michigan resident, so an out-of-state owner needs a Michigan-resident individual or a commercial resident-agent service.
How much does a Michigan LLC cost?expand_more
$50 to form and just $25 a year for the Annual Statement — among the lower-cost states. Add a resident-agent service (around $125/year) only if you use one, and there's no franchise tax.
What happens if I miss the February 15 deadline in Michigan?expand_more
Michigan adds a $50 late penalty. If you fail to file for two consecutive years, LARA sends a 60-day notice, and if it's still not cured the LLC becomes 'not in good standing' — its name opens up to others and you must file a Certificate of Restoration ($50) plus the missed statements to fix it.
Do I file with the Michigan Secretary of State?expand_more
No — Michigan business filings go through LARA (the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs), not the Secretary of State. As of mid-2025 you file through the new MiBusiness Registry Portal, which replaced the old COFS system.
How do I change my resident agent in Michigan?expand_more
File a Certificate of Change of Registered Office and/or Resident Agent (Form CSCL/CD-520) with LARA for $5, online or by mail. The registered office can't be a PO box.
Does a Michigan LLC pay franchise or income tax?expand_more
There's no franchise tax. Owners pay Michigan's flat 4.25% personal income tax (2026) on pass-through profits. The 6% Corporate Income Tax applies only to entities taxed as C-corporations, though an LLC may elect the optional Flow-Through Entity tax.

Official Michigan sources

Comparing states?

Founders weighing Michigan usually shortlist these too — or see every state's fees side by side.

Ohio →Indiana →Illinois →

Keep reading

Northwest Registered Agent: full review → Best registered agent service → Can I be my own registered agent? →

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This page is for general informational purposes and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Michigan fees and rules can change — confirm current details with the official Michigan source before filing.