How much is the Firstbase registered agent, and is it included?
Quick answer
Firstbase's registered agent, sold as Agent Autopilot, costs $299 per year per state and is sold separately from the $399 formation package. Whether year one is bundled into the $399 is not clearly stated on their pricing page, so confirm at checkout whether you are paying for the agent now or on your first renewal.
Every US company is legally required to have a registered agent, so this is a necessary cost, not an optional upsell. Firstbase provides it as Agent Autopilot at $299 per year per state. If you form in one state, that is $299 per year; if you register in multiple states, it is $299 for each.
The part that trips people up is whether the first year of the agent is included in the $399 Start package. That is not confirmed on their pricing page, so do not assume either way. The transparent move is to check the order summary at checkout: it will show whether the agent is a line item you are paying now or a future renewal. Confirm at checkout so there is no surprise on your first annual bill.
How does $299 per year compare? It is on the higher side. Northwest charges about $125 per year (free the first year), and Stripe Atlas includes the first year then charges about $100 per year. Firstbase's agent is priced as a premium, managed service. If keeping the agent cost low matters more than convenience, you can switch to a cheaper registered agent provider later; you are not locked in.
This is right for you if you want everything handled in one place and value the mail-handling and compliance touch that comes with a managed agent. It is less ideal if you are cost-focused and comfortable managing a registered agent relationship yourself, in which case a cheaper provider does the same legal job.
To avoid renewal surprises: at checkout, confirm whether year one is included, screenshot the order summary, and calendar the renewal date minus 30 days. If you decide to move to a cheaper agent, arrange the switch before cancelling so your company is never without a registered agent, which is a legal requirement.
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