Northwest Registered Agent: Reviewing the Best Customer Service in the Industry
August 12, 2021 | By Matthew Dunn | LLC Service Reviews
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When an entrepreneur is first starting out, they are faced with many confusing decisions. The first decision being the type of business they will register with their state and federal authorities. The right fit for a lot of new companies is a limited liability corporation (LLC). Once that decision is made, the entrepreneur faces an almost overwhelming amount of paperwork. Fortunately, there is assistance available from business formation companies.
One of the top business formation services is Northwest Registered Agent. Established in 1998, this family-owned business has made a name for itself by providing exceptional customer service, protecting the privacy of their clients and, as they put it, doing business the right way. The following provides Northwest Registered Agent reviews of all aspects of the business.
In-Depth Look at Northwest
When you trust your business formation to Northwest, you are making a smart decision. Here we take an in-depth look at what makes them an exceptional choice.
Registered Agent Services
Every business under the jurisdiction of the United States is required to designate a registered agent to accept services of process on behalf of the business. This requirement is governed by state law. Registered agents are required to maintain a physical address in the state and remain available during normal business hours. Northwest maintains a physical presence in all 50 states.
Northwest take s the basic registered agent services to an elite level. In addition to accepting services of process, the company:
- Protects client privacy with their Privacy by Default® program
- Custom-built software
- Corporate Guides® to provide answers to all your questions
- Keeps you in compliance with state regulations with due date notifications
- Tools for maintaining your business
- State forms pre-filled for your convenience
- Digital mail forwarding
LLC Formation
When it comes to LLC formation, Northwest gives you the tools to file your business formation paperwork on your own with their DIY tool. They also offer services where they will do the work for you. You have full access to their talented business experts including accountants, advisors, attorneys, paralegals and entrepreneurs they call their Corporate Guides®. They also offer full-service LLC formation where Northwest takes care of all the details. Whichever path you choose, doing your LLC formation with the help of Northwest is to “do your business right.”
Ease of Use
The Northwest Registered Agent website is user-friendly. Options are clearly outlined on the landing page. This YouTube video demonstrates just how easy it is to get started with Northwest Registered Agent.
Customer Support
Customer support for Northwest is some of the best in the industry. Everyone in the customer support department has the business insight and experience to answer all your questions quickly and professionally.
Overall Value for the Money
Although their prices are higher than many others in the industry, their quality of service and support make them an outstanding value for the money.
Track Record
As shown in the reviews on the Better Business Bureau site and google reviews, Northwest is highly rated with their customers.
Northwest Registered Agent LLC Pricing
Northwest Regional Agents offer three options for your LLC formation. They offer a free DIY package, a full-service package, and a VIP option.
Do It Yourself (DIY) Option
If you open a free account with Northwest, you can have access to their DIY program. Their Corporate Guides® are standing by to answer any questions you may have. Using their DIY software, you prepare the documentation yourself and submit it to the state with your filing fee.
Full-Service LLC Formation Package
Northwest Registered Agent offers a full-service LLC formation package for $225 plus your state filing fee. This package includes:
- Name availability search
- LLC formation and maintenance
- Registered Agent services for one year
- Physical business address to use for correspondence
- Operating agreement template
- Digital mail forwarding
- Privacy by Default® program
- Online account for document access
- Corporate Guide® service
VIP Option
For LLC formation with the VIP option, you pay a monthly fee for the life of your subscription. Northwest Registered Agent covers your initial state filing fee for you and spreads the cost evenly through their monthly payments. The VIP monthly fee package includes everything in the full-service package as well as:
- EIN
- Banking resolution documentation
- Annual report filings
Other Available Services
In addition to the components of Northwest’s LLC formation packages, the following additional services are available:
Change of Registered Agent
If at any time, you need to make a change to your registered agent designation, Northwest Registered Agent will provide you with the necessary documentation to file the change with your state They will also advise you of any necessary filing fees associated with the change. When the documentation is prepared and finalized, Northwest will handle the filing with your state.
Annual Report Filing
It is a requirement in every state for every business to file an annual report each year. Northwest Registered Agent offers a convenient online system to help you prepare your annual report and file it in your state.
Multiple State Registration
Multiple state registration is also known in the industry as foreign qualification. If you need to file your LLC with more than one state, the Northwest Corporate Guides® can help you get that done.
BOC-3 Servicing
For those businesses with motor carrier requirements, Northwest will process your BOC-3 with the FMCSA. The BOC-3 is the registered agent designation for motor carriers, brokers and freight forwarders.
Non-US Resident Incorporation
There are no laws that restrict non-US residents from forming a business in the United States. As a matter of fact, the process is the same for citizens and non-citizens alike.
Bank Account Setup
Northwest will supply you with a banking resolution document. Resolution documentation designates which member(s) of your management team have access to the account.
Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Northwest can help you procure an employer identification number from the IRS. The EIN is essentially a social security number for the business. It enables you to pay taxes and hire employees.
S-Corp Election
Northwest does more than LLC formation. If you prefer the partnership qualities provided by an S-Corp designation, our Corporate Guides® can help you with an S-Corp election. The primary benefit of an S-Corp is that it is taxed more like a partnership than an LLC is.
Corporate Seal and Book
A leather-bound book to keep you organized, and a high-quality seal customized with your business name for embossing.
Business License Registration
Northwest can help you identify and register which business licenses you need for your business. Business licenses give you rights related to offering goods and services within your state. Some business licenses are highly specialized, such as those for doctors and lawyers. Some businesses do not require a specialized license at all. The regulations are different for every state.
Pros and Cons of Northwest Registered Agent
As one of the top business formation companies in the industry, there are a lot of pros to choosing Northwest for your business needs.
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DIY Option
The DIY option for LLC formation is a great option if your needs are simple or if you are on a tight budget. -
Corporate Guides®
Having professionals and specialists available for advice whenever you need your questions answered. Northwest’s team includes attorneys, accountants, paralegals, entrepreneurs and other business specialists. -
Formation of More than LLCs
Northwest can help you form an LLC, S-Corp, Non-profit or Corporation. They are not limited to just LLCs. -
VIP Option Monthly Payment Plan
The Northwest Registered Agent LLC VIP package is a great deal. With no state fees upfront and individualized pricing according to state, you can get exactly what you want at a more affordable payment plan. -
Privacy by Default® Program
Northwest takes the privacy of its customers very seriously. They will never sell your information to a third party. -
Legal Forms Library
Northwest has an extensive legal forms library where you can find state-specific information for your business formation as well as templates for operating agreements, corporate bylaws, corporate resolutions, articles of organization and articles of amendment to name a few.
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Limited Offering of Alternative Services
While their choices of alternative services are impressive, there are several that are not included, such as trademark registration. -
Package Pricing
The $225 price tag for the LLC formation package is a bit high in comparison to the competition. It also includes fewer features than many comparable alternative business formation services.
Visit Northwest Registered Agent
Should I Use Northwest Registered Agent?
Northwest is a great company to use for your business formation needs. If you are someone who values access to exceptional customer support, then they would be a good fit. Their focus on client privacy with their Privacy by Default® program guarantees that your information will never be sold.
Northwest does not believe in upsells, which means no surprises at checkout. They prefer to remain transparent in all their transactions. This family-owned business incorporates the same values they have practiced since they opened their doors in 1998.
If you are looking for trademarks and web domains, then this service is not a good fit for you. Also, if you are looking for a lower package price, many of the other business formation services might be a better fit.
Alternatives to Northwest Registered Agent
Our Northwest Registered Agent reviews would not be complete without addressing the competition. In the following paragraphs, we compare Northwest to ZenBusiness and IncFile. All three are considered tops in the business formation industry. We will look at pricing, services and more for each business.
ZenBusiness vs Northwest Registered Agent
Having only been in business since 2015, ZenBusiness is a relative newcomer to the business formation industry. Even though they have not been around for long, they are considered one of the top businesses in the industry. They have affordable packages and have already formed thousands of businesses intending to form one million within the next 5-years.
ZenBusiness and Northwest Registered Agent have the following things in common:
Exceptional Customer Service
When comparing ZenBusiness to Northwest Registered Agent, the first thing that stands out is that both companies are known for their exceptional customer service. Northwest has experts staffing their customer support department which gives them the edge in this area.
Registered Agent Services
Both ZenBusiness and Northwest offer free Registered Agent services as a part of their LLC formation packages. Subsequent years for ZenBusiness cost $119 while Northwest charges $125.
Turnaround Times
Both companies offer turnaround times that are based on the state they are filing the LLC with. While ZenBusiness offers expedited filing services with their top-tier packages, ultimately the turnaround times for these two companies are very close.
Resources
Both ZenBusiness and Northwest have an extensive library of resources for the new business owner. Northwest takes this a step further by making templates for any form a business could need easily accessible. ZenBusiness has a strong resource article index, and a few templates available to their customers.
Ease of Use
Clean lines, clear links and easy-to-find information are common to for websites for both ZenBusiness and Northwest Registered Agent. It is a tie as to which site is easier to navigate.
Trustworthy
Both ZenBusiness and Northwest Registered Agent are considered to be some of the most trustworthy companies in the industry. They both enjoy 4/5 ratings on TrustPilot.
Where they differ:
LLC Formation Packages
ZenBusiness offers three packages for LLC formation, with prices set at $49 plus state filing fees for their starter package, $199 plus state filing fees for their Pro package, and $299 plus state filing fees for their Premium package. They offer a number of attractive features in their packages. Northwest also has three options, but they are quite different. They have a free DIY option, a package option that is $225 plus state fee with some great features, but not as extensive as those offered by ZenBusiness. Northwest’s other package option covers the state fee upfront, and the client pays a monthly fee. There are only a few more services in their monthly option than their package.
Additional Services
While Northwest offers most of the essential additional services, ZenBusiness offers a greater number of them.
If Zenbusiness sounds like it might be a good fit for your business, visit ZenBusiness today for more information.
IncFile vs Northwest Registered Agent
IncFile is also one of the top businesses in the industry. They opened their doors in 2004 and are primarily known for their free plus state fees LLC Formation. The following paragraphs compare various aspects of the two companies.
IncFIle and Northwest Registered Agent have the following in common:
Registered Agent Services
IncFile and Northwest both offer a full free year of registered agent services with their LLC formation packages. Subsequent years for both companies are comparable in pricing.
Experience
Although Northwest Registered Agent opened their doors in 1998 and have serviced more than 2 million customers, IncFile is only slightly newer having opened in 2004 with more than 250,000 customers to date. Both companies are considered experts in the industry by their thousands of happy clients.
Customer Reviews
Both companies receive excellent customer reviews. Their rating from reviews is
Additional Services
The two companies have the following differences between them:
Customer Support
When compared to Northwest’s exceptional customer support, IncFile pales in comparison. IncFile is known for good customer support, however, their response times could be better.
Affordability
It is hard to compete with free LLC formation services. While Northwest is a decent value for the money, IncFile has more package options at better rates.
If you are on a budget and IncFile sounds like a good fit for you, visit IncFile today for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Northwest Registered Agent Legit?
Northwest is a legitimate and trustworthy business formation service. Being a family-owned business shows in the way they do business and the way they treat their customers. 2 million businesses have been formed so far.
Does Northwest Have Many Upsells?
Northwest does not have upsells. They keep their pricing transparent, and there are never any surprises when you checkout of their site.
Is It Worth the Money to Get an EIN via Northwest?
To be honest, you can get an EIN for free from the IRS. However, if you are doing the monthly payment VIP package, EIN is included in the price, and it is more convenient to get your EIN as part of your LLC formation.
How Much Does It Cost To Form An LLC With Northwest Registered Agent LLC?
It costs $225 to form an LLC with Northwest Registered Agent, although they do have a free DIY option.
How Quickly Does Northwest Process LLC Formations?
The speed at which Northwest Registered Agents process an LLC formation is based upon the turnaround time in the state in which you are incorporating. The general average of having your LLC formation processed is approximately a week to ten days although some states take much longer.
Does Northwest Registered Agent Offer Any Discounts?
Northwest regularly has promo codes and discounts available on the internet. They also offer a discount on registered agent service to those businesses that are registered in more than one state.
What Is the Northwest Customer Support Phone Number and Email?
The customer support phone number for Northwest Registered Agent is (509) 768-2249. You can also go online and fill out a contact form. Their response times are known to be some of the fastest in the industry.
Do They Have a Refund Policy?
Northwest will issue a refund if it is requested within 60 days. They will, however, charge a $25 fee for the refund.
How do I cancel my Northwest Registered Agent?
Northwest Registered Agent makes it simple to cancel their services. Once you log into your account, there is an option to cancel there. While there is no charge for canceling, you will need to take care of your past-due account.
Should I Reserve My LLC Name Before Registering an LLC With Northwest?
It is not necessary for you to reserve your LLC name before you register with Northwest unless you live in a state that requires it. They will check name availability as part of the business formation process.
Can I Start an LLC Without Physically Being in the United States?
Yes, you can. It is easy to start an LLC in the United States without being a resident. The first step is to pick a state where you would choose the state you would like to register your LLC in. As part of the registered agent services they provide, Northwest will provide you with a mailing address.
Does Northwest Sell or Share My Information With Third Parties?
They are known for their privacy and advertise that they will never sell or share your information with third parties. It is all a part of their Privacy by Default® program.
Final Thoughts on Northwest Registered Agents
There is a lot to love about Northwest Registered Agents. Their attention to detail, 100% error-free guarantee, and focus on keeping their client’s privacy can make a big difference in the decision process. They are one of the few business formation companies that offers a DIY option with help from their world-class customer service department. In our opinion, the fact that their package price is a little higher than some of their competition balances out with the quality of service.
Northwest has an incredible library of legal documents that is free to use. They also do not limit their business formation services to just LLCs. They will do S-Corp designations, form non-profits, corporations, or even assist with any questions you may have about sole proprietorships.
If you are ready to get started with an LLC formation, or are just looking for more information, visit Northwest Registered Agent to learn more.
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