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Plain CharterLLC questions, short answers.

No legalese · Alabama

3 Best LLC Services in Alabama (2026), Plainly Answered

In Alabama for 2026, we would use Mainstay Filing ($199), Alabama Registered Agent.co ($199) and AL Registered Agent.org ($199), in that order. Count on $236 for the filing itself and $397 to $597 in service fees over three years.

By the Plain Charter editorial team ·

Plainly put

Cost to file
$236, at filing
Each year after
No report to file
Registered agent
Required by law
Who to hire
Mainstay Filing, Alabama Registered Agent.co then AL Registered Agent.org

Alabama: our picks

Ranked by how we choose: three-year cost first, then what the price covers.
1We'd start here

1. Mainstay Filing: best for a flat yearly price

$199 per year plus $236 to the state

Start with Mainstay Filing: one $199 yearly price covers the filing and the registered agent, and it applies for the EIN.

The extra $200 over three years, compared with Alabama Registered Agent.co, pays for coverage beyond Alabama.

The price covers

  • Your LLC filed with the state
  • Registered agent all year
  • EIN request filed
  • Official fee, no markup

Upsides

  • No extra charge for the EIN application
  • Year two costs $199
  • $199 a year covers filing and agent

What to weigh

  • A $100 yearly premium over Alabama Registered Agent.co
  • No report filing to include
Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2Alabama only

2. Alabama Registered Agent.co: best for a low three-year cost

Formation $199, agent renewal $99

Alabama Registered Agent.co comes second: you pay $199 in year one and $99 in each later year.

The price covers

  • Your LLC filed
  • Year-one agent

Upsides

  • Agent free for year one
  • Then $99 yearly
  • $199 to form

What to weigh

  • Charges $99 for the EIN application
Visit Alabama Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3Alabama only

3. AL Registered Agent.org: best for single-state companies

Formation $199, agent renewal $99

AL Registered Agent.org comes third: you pay $199 in year one and $99 in each later year.

It charges the same as Alabama Registered Agent.co; the order between them is a close call.

The price covers

  • Your LLC filed
  • Year-one agent

Upsides

  • Then $99 yearly
  • Agent free for year one
  • $199 to form

What to weigh

  • Charges $99 for the EIN application
Visit AL Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.

How the picks compare

#PickTo startYear two onThree-year totalYou get
1Mainstay Filing$199$199/yr$597Your LLC filed with the state; registered agent all year; EIN request filedVisit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2Alabama Registered Agent.co$199$99/yr$397Your LLC filed; Year-one agentVisit Alabama Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3AL Registered Agent.org$199$99/yr$397Your LLC filed; Year-one agentVisit AL Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Prices as published on November 12, 2026. The state's own fees are listed in the requirements below.

Common questions

What does an LLC cost to set up here?

$236 in state fees, and $199 more with a service.

Three years of state fees, from filing onward, come to $236. October 2026 · alison.legislature.state.al.us

What do I file, and where?

The LLC starts life when the Alabama Secretary of State accepts the Domestic Limited Liability Company Certificate of Formation.

October 2026 · alison.legislature.state.al.us

Must the LLC name a registered agent?

Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.

An Alabama resident, or a business entity formed in Alabama or registered to do business there. The agent keeps a business office at the registered office address.

October 2026 · alisondb.legislature.state.al.us

Are there yearly fees?

Report fees: none.

Can I do it without a service?

It is allowed. Do-it-yourself cost for three years: $236 in state fees.

A service adds $397 to $597 over three years for doing the filings.

Why these three?

Mainstay Filing leads on what the price takes off your plate, which weighs 30% in our order.

Three-year cost counts for 35% and what the price takes off your plate for 30%; the other three criteria are smaller.

It still wins on what the price covers, though by less than in states with a yearly report.

The criteria in full

The official requirements

RequirementWhat it isFrom
State filing fee$236October 2026 · alison.legislature.state.al.us
Registered agentRequired by lawOctober 2026 · alisondb.legislature.state.al.us
State fees, first three years$236Added up from the above
Filing fee, the reports in years two and three, then any minimum tax: that is the three-year line.

Other quick questions

Do they apply for the EIN?

EIN help costs $99 with Alabama Registered Agent.co or $99 with AL Registered Agent.org, and nothing extra with Mainstay Filing.

What is the three-year cost of each?

Mainstay Filing $597, Alabama Registered Agent.co $397 and AL Registered Agent.org $397, before state fees.

Are the fees official?

State fees from Alabama's official sources, cited next to each figure; service prices from each company's own pricing.

Do I have to use a service?

No. The state accepts filings from owners; a service saves time and handles the agent role.

What is due each year?

Report fees: none.

Which one should I hire in Alabama?

First Mainstay Filing, then Alabama Registered Agent.co and AL Registered Agent.org.

Cited sources

  1. Alabama formation fee: Filing fee, October 2026 (alison.legislature.state.al.us)
  2. Alabama formation fee: Filing fee, October 2026 (sos.alabama.gov)
  3. Alabama formation fee: Name reservation, October 2026 (sos.alabama.gov)
  4. Alabama formation fee: Name reservation, October 2026 (alison.legislature.state.al.us)
  5. Alabama registered agent statute, October 2026 (alisondb.legislature.state.al.us)
  6. Mainstay Filing Alabama service page (prices on November 12, 2026)
  7. Alabama Registered Agent.co pricing page (prices on November 12, 2026)
  8. AL Registered Agent.org pricing page (prices on November 12, 2026)