3 Top Business Formation Companies

Before you pay a business formation service

Formation services prepare and submit the paperwork to set up a company, and many offer a registered agent address and annual filing reminders. In many places you can also register directly with the official company registry. Compare both routes so you know what the service fee is buying.

• Separate fees: the government filing fee is usually charged on top of the service fee. Ask for both figures.
• Add-ons: packages often include extras such as operating agreements, tax ID applications or compliance alerts. Check which ones you actually need.
• Registered agent: find out how mail and legal notices are forwarded, how fast, and what the yearly fee is after the first year.
• Privacy: ask whose address appears on public filings.

Common problems and how to avoid them

Automatic renewals for registered agent or compliance services, and slow filings during busy periods, are common complaints. Note the renewal date and how to cancel. Ask for copies of everything filed for you.

New business owners also receive official-looking letters from private companies offering to file annual reports or certificates for a fee. Check the sender against your registry's own website before paying.

On CandorRated, company pages show who runs each website, how long its domain has existed, the contact details we found and reviews from other owners. You can filter by country, since formation rules differ.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a formation service to start a company?

Often not. Many registries accept filings directly from owners. A service can save time if you are unsure of the steps.

What does a registered agent do?

It receives legal and official documents on the company's behalf at a set address.