Registered Agent Compared › Iowa
Registered agents in Iowa, compared (2026)
Iowa requires every LLC to have a registered agent. Of the 6 providers with a published price here, Mainstay Filing is our best overall pick at $149 a year, flat. The state’s own fee to change agents is nothing.
- Iowa rules checked October 20, 2026
- Provider pages read October 2026
The Iowa line-up
| Provider | How it charges | What its page lists | Fine print |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mainstay Filing | Same price every year | Registered agent in any state, all year; Mail and legal-document scanning and forwarding; Compliance reminders and stored documents | $149 a year, same at renewal |
| Standard Filings | Same price every year | Not itemized on its page | Its page says $199/yr in any state. |
| Northwest Registered Agent | Same price every year | Its address on public filings; scans of state and legal mail; up to 5 pieces of other business mail scanned free a year; domain, website, email and phone line | Its page says the price has not gone up in 20 years. $100/yr per state for five or more states. |
| ZenBusiness | Introductory price, higher at renewal | Document receipt, scanning and upload to a dashboard; email notifications | $99 plus state fees for the first year, then $199/yr. |
| Bizee | Same price every year | Compliance notifications; its address on the public record | Standalone price. The first year is free when you form your company through Bizee. |
| LegalZoom | Same price every year | Alerts when mail arrives; documents scanned and uploaded; annual report reminders | Price for first-time agent customers. Auto-renews at the purchase rate; LegalZoom says the renewal rate is subject to change. |
Iowa agent rules
- Requirement
- Required. Any individual or business with a place of business in Iowa that has agreed to serve.
- Address
- The address has to be a place of business in Iowa. The registered office street address and the agent's business office have to match, and P.O. boxes are not accepted.
- Change-of-agent fee
- None
- Statute
- Iowa Code § 489.115
Questions
Which registered agents serve Iowa?
6 providers have a published price for Iowa, including Mainstay Filing (best overall): Mainstay Filing, Standard Filings, Northwest Registered Agent, ZenBusiness, Bizee and LegalZoom.
Do I need a registered agent in Iowa?
Yes. Any individual or business with a place of business in Iowa that has agreed to serve.
Where must the agent be located in Iowa?
The address has to be a place of business in Iowa. The registered office street address and the agent's business office have to match, and P.O. boxes are not accepted.
What does it cost to change agents in Iowa?
The state charges no fee to file the change (Iowa Code § 489.115).
Sources
- Iowa registered agent statute (Iowa Code § 489.115): www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/489.115.pdf, checked October 20, 2026
- Iowa Secretary of State: sos.iowa.gov/, checked October 20, 2026
- Provider registered agent pages (features and pricing model), checked October 20, 2026