Unlike most states, New York offers free registered agent services provided by the Secretary of State. Private RAs are left to convince businesses that their services are superior to the Secretary of State’s.

The primary difference between the Secretary of State and a good private RA is speed. The Secretary of State’s office notifies you of service of process by mail. A private RA may offer more immediate notification methods, such as phone or email. Other services may include electronic record keeping and customer support.

A private RA is not necessarily more or less reliable than the Secretary of State. Knowing that the state is taking responsibility for handling your important mail is potentially comforting. However, state offices can be bureaucratic and slow to react, especially if you need any personalized service.

If you value the added responsiveness of a private RA and can find someone reliable, a private agent may be worth the added cost. Otherwise, entrepreneurs in New York should consider using the Secretary of State as their registered agent.