What Is a Registered Agent?


A registered agent is responsible for accepting important correspondence like service of process, compliance notices, and tax documents.

Read our What Is a Registered Agent guide below to learn more.

We also recommend checking out our review of the best registered agent services.

Businesswoman smiling.

What Does a Registered Agent Do?

A registered agent is an individual or entity that's been appointed by a limited liability company (LLC)corporation, or nonprofit to receive service of process.

Service of process is the action of informing an individual or entity that there's a pending lawsuit against him or her, or in this case, against one's company.

Most registered agents will act as your business’s main point of contact with the state by receiving important tax notifications and compliance information on your behalf.

Can I Be My Own Registered Agent?

Yes, you can be your own registered agent. Your friend can be your registered agent, too. Really, anyone can be a registered agent as long as they meet these three requirements: 

  • They’re at least 18 years old. 
  • They have a physical address in your state of business. 
  • They’re always available during regular business hours at the registered office address you provide.

Should I Be My Own Registered Agent?

Being your own registered agent will work for a handful of business owners. A registered agent must be available to receive service of process, organized, and aware. Most importantly, they need to have the time to be all of these things too.

If you miss a filing deadline or lose a document, you could put your compliance status at risk and the state could revoke your LLC, registered nonprofit, or corporate status. 

Many business owners choose to hire a professional registered agent service so they can focus on growing their business without the fear of missing a notice or deadline.

Some business formation services offer a full year of included registered agent services with LLC formation.

Should I Use a Registered Agent Service?

Before you decide to hire a third party registered agent service — also called a commercial registered agent in some states — it’s important to consider the advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages

  • Privacy: Your registered agent’s address will be listed on the public record — not your personal or office address. This is especially important if your business operates out of your home.
  • Focus on Growth: A professional registered agent service will send you regular compliance reminders and notify you of any requirements needed to keep your organization in good standing. You, on the other hand, will be focusing on growing your business.
  • Discretion: When a business owner acts as their own registered agent, service of process could be delivered to your home or in front of employees or customers at your office.
  • Convenience: Hiring a registered agent service allows you to keep a flexible schedule. A registered agent is required to be available at their given address during normal business hours.
  • National Support: If you think you may want to grow your organization nationally, a national registered agent service will be able to continue service there.

Disadvantages

The only downside of hiring a professional registered agent service is that they cost money, but the time you will save can outweigh that cost. And after all, time is money.

What Is the Best Registered Agent Service?

Northwest Registered Agent

Northwest Registered Agent stands out as the best registered agent service for a multitude of reasons. Firstly, its dedication to ensuring top-notch customer service sets it apart. When businesses choose Northwest, they are not only getting a registered agent service, but they are also gaining a partner that is deeply invested in their success. Their US-based support team is highly knowledgeable, responsive, and always ready to assist with any queries or concerns.

Additionally, Northwest is known for its transparency and simplicity in pricing. Many registered agent services are notorious for hidden fees and complicated pricing structures, but Northwest provides a straightforward and honest pricing model, ensuring that businesses know exactly what they're paying for.

The company also goes above and beyond by offering extra features such as online document storage and compliance notifications, ensuring that businesses never miss a critical deadline. Their commitment to privacy, by not selling client data, further bolsters their reputation as a trustworthy partner.

Recommended: Northwest ($125/year)

Due to their knowledgeable customer service, privacy protection, and local scanning of legal documents, Northwest is the best registered agent service.

Visit Northwest

How to Appoint a Registered Agent

In general, LLCs, corporations, and nonprofit organizations specify their registered agents on their formation documents filed with the Secretary of State (or other business entity filing office), such as the Corporate Articles of Incorporation or LLC Articles of Organization.

To see specific filing information for your state, choose your state:

Consent to Appointment

Some states require registered agents to specifically consent to their appointment, either electronically or in writing. This consent may need to be filed with the state, or it may just have to stay in your business’s records.

How to Change Your Registered Agent

To legally change your registered agent, simply fill out your state’s respective form and submit it to the state along with the filing fee. 

Consent to Appointment

If your state requires registered agents to consent to their appointment, then your new registered agent may need to complete those requirements as well.

Ready to Start Your Own Business?

Our free guides can help you start a business in any state

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Registered Agent FAQ

Do I need a registered agent?

Nearly every state mandates that small business owners appoint and maintain a registered agent when they form an LLC or corporation. Some states also require one for partnerships. Depending on the state, they might be referred to by various titles, such as a resident agent, a statutory agent, or an agent for service of process.

Who can be a registered agent?

In most states, anyone may serve as your registered agent as long as they’re a state resident and available at their listed address during standard business hours during the week. We do, however, recommend all LLCs, corporations, and other business entities use a registered agent service.

How much does a registered agent cost?

Although using a registered agent service can cost between $50 and $300 per year, it could save you time, money, and stress in the long run.

How much does it cost to change my registered agent?

The cost of changing your registered agent varies by state.

Does registered agent mean owner?

No, while a business owner can be a registered agent, a registered agent is not considered an owner of the business.

Should I be my own registered agent?

If you plan on having a lot of free time to handle administrative work and you plan to always be at the address you provide during business hours, day after day, week after week, then it would be okay. Most business owners can’t make that commitment, but there are always unique cases.

If you plan to hit the ground running and grow your business like nobody’s business, then we HIGHLY recommend hiring a registered agent.

Is a registered agent liable?

In general, most states recognize that registered agents are not liable for the debts and obligations of the business they serve.

A registered agent is ONLY liable for any losses incurred by failing to notify the business of service of process documents in a timely manner. The registered agent may have to pay damages to the court in this situation.

What is service of process?

Service of process is the action of informing an individual or entity that there's a pending lawsuit against him or her, or in this case, against one's company.

What is a statutory agent?

A statutory agent is another name for a registered agent.

What is a resident agent?

A resident agent is another name for a registered agent.

What is a service of process agent?

A service of process agent is another name for a registered agent.

Can my husband or wife be my registered agent?

Yes, your husband or wife can be your registered agent, as long as they have an address in your state, and can receive service of process at normal business hours.

What is the best free registered agent service?

There are no truly free registered agent services, but most business formation companies will provide registered agent services for free for the first year.

How to become the registered agent of your business?

To become a registered agent for your business, you must: 

  1. Be over the age of 18.
  2. Have a street address in your state.
  3. Have the business you’re representing list your name and address on their formation or change of registered agent documents.

After this, your state will send you official correspondence for annual reports, service of process, and other compliance information for the business you represent.

What is a virtual business address?

A virtual business address is a service that provides businesses with a physical street address, typically in a prestigious location or business district, without the need for the business to have a physical presence or office space there. This service can be particularly useful for home-based businesses, remote workers, freelancers, and startups that want to project a more professional image without incurring the costs of renting or buying office space.

What is a commercial registered agent?

A commercial registered agent is the name of registered agents in certain states that has filed a commercial registered agent listing statement in accordance with the Model Registered Agent Act (MoRAA) or similar state law.

What does a registered agent do?

Registered agents keep your business compliant and maintain up-to-date paperwork by accepting official correspondence on behalf of your business, such as paperwork from the state and federal government, tax forms, and legal notices. They also can file your annual reports and other state filings.