What Is A Registered Agent For Llc

WHAT IS A REGISTERED AGENT?

A registered agent is an individual or business entity that accepts tax and legal documents on behalf of your business. A registered agent is also known as a resident agent or statutory agent.

Most states require you to have an LLC registered agent when you form an LLC. The agent can be a professional service, yourself, or a colleague given they meet the state's criteria.

Registered agent servicesoffer a number of benefits. To explore your options, check out our Best Registered Agent Services review.

To learn the guidelines in your state, choose your state from the dropdown below.

What is an LLC Registered Agent?
Can I Be My Own Registered Agent?
Should I Use a Registered Agent Service?
What is the Best Registered Agent Service?
How Do I Change My LLC Registered Agent?
Frequently Asked Questions

Home
Form an LLC
What is a Registered Agent?

Last Updated: 2021-12-08

Registered Agent Definition

A diagram illustrating the answer to what is a registered agent?

A registered agent is an individual or entity that has been appointed by an LLC or Corporation to receive service of process, government correspondence, and compliance documents on behalf of the business.

Most states require you to designate a registered agent for your LLC, partnership, or corporation when forming your business. After choosing your business structure, you will be expected to add a registered agent office when you file your Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State or other official government agency.

Service of Process Definition

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. Registered agents accept service of process.

What is the Purpose of a Registered Agent?

Besides receiving official mail on behalf of your business, the main purpose of a registered agent is to help your business maintain effective corporate compliance by informing you of legal notices or sending annual report filing reminders. Essentially, a registered agent is a gatekeeper for business entities, so you can take appropriate action and resolve potential issues in a timely manner.

Whether you run a small business or large corporation, you can expect your designated registered agent to receive the following on your LLC's behalf after business formation:

Tax forms
Legal documents
Official government correspondence (ie. annual report)
Summons (Service of Process) - Notice of a lawsuit

Can I be my own Registered Agent?

Yes, you can be your own registered agent for your business. You could also choose to designate an officer or member of your business, or even a friend you trust, as long as the person being elected meets the following registered agent requirements:

is 18 years or older
has a physical address in the state where the business is formed
is available (in person) during normal business hours

Another option would be to hire a professional registered agent service.

Should I use a Registered Agent Service?

Designating someone else to serve as a registered agent for your LLC or corporation has its benefits. In this section, we cover the major advantages of using an affordable, national, third-party registered agent service officer—like ZenBusiness or Incfile—such as:

Compliance with the Law
Peace of Mind
Flexibility
Privacy

Visit our Should I Use a Registered Agent Service guide for help with making the right choice for your business.

What is a Registered Agent Service?

Registered agent services are business entities that accept tax and legal documents on behalf of LLCs and corporations for a fee.

Compliance with the Law

Registered agents help businesses stay up-to-date on state requirements by sending regular reminders, and sometimes filings things like annual report filings and other official government notifications.

Registered agent services will also keep copies of your corporate documents. In case of theft, natural disaster, or other unexpected losses, you will have a backup of all your important business and legal documents.

Peace of Mind

Registered agents give you peace of mind so you can focus your time, energy, and attention on running your small business. Here's what a professional, third-party registered agent service can do to ease your stress:

Make growing your business the number one priority. Important tax and legal documents for your LLC will be automatically received and stored for safekeeping.
Help maintain your work-life balance. Business and personal mail are kept separate, preventing your work from overtaking your home life.
Offer personal guidance. You have additional support if your business runs into a problem or if any questions arise.

Flexibility

If you choose to act as your own registered agent, you will need to be available to receive official government correspondence and service of process notices during standard business hours at the physical address you provide.

Designated registered agents give you the flexibility to focus on your business instead of keeping track of deadlines and being available during business hours.

With a registered agent service, you can:

Maintain flexible business hours. A registered agent must be available from 8-5 every weekday. By designating a third-party registered agent service, you can choose your own work hours.
Form an LLC in another state. Registered agents must have a legal residence in the state where the business is formed. Hiring a national registered agent service will let you form an LLC in any of the 50 states.
Form an LLC in multiple states. If you set up your business to have a physical location in multiple states, you will need to have an appointed registered agent for each state.

Privacy

We all value our privacy. Your registered agent service's physical address will be listed on the public record— not your personal or company location. This is especially important to consider if your business operates out of your home. An LLC registered agent service will maintain your privacy by:

Preventing you from being served with a lawsuit in person. You don't want to receive a summons in front of your family, employees, or worse, your customers.
Having their physical address public instead of yours. As a result, you're less likely to receive unsolicited mail.

What is the Best Registered Agent Service?

Hiring a professional, third-party registered agent service has several advantages, but you may be asking yourself,"How do I choose a registered agent?" In addition to having a legitimate office in the state of your LLC, we encourage you to find and choose a national registered agent service with the following features:

Compliance management: reminders for filing an annual report and other important deadlines for business entities.
Document management: local scanning of all official legal documents so you can access them from your online business account.
Availability: a reliable customer service team who can answer any questions by phone or online that you may have regarding your business.
Thorough coverage: the ability to provide registered agent services in all 50 states.

Best Registered Agent Service - ZenBusiness ($99/year)

ZenBusiness provides one of the best registered agent services you can get for the price. They are also up-front about offering premium features for your business formation like their worry-free guarantee, a service in which they file your company's annual report and other compliance documentation.

Other companies offer this under different names, typically buried in their online dashboards, and for significantly higher fees. With ZenBusiness, there are no hidden costs or gimmicks. Plus, they'll include a full year of professional registered agent services with LLC formation.

ZenBusiness's online document management system and regular compliance alerts make working with them as your third-party registered agent service completely seamless. They'll scan and upload all your essential legal documents and mail you physical copies as needed.

ZenBusiness really stands apart for its excellent customer service. The representatives are known for being highly knowledgeable about company formation and business maintenance.

Best Registered Agent Service

Starting at $99 Annually
(for those who already have started an LLC)

Get Started

LLC Formation + Registered Agent Service for 1yr

$39 + State Fees
(Registered Agent: $119 after 1st year)

Get Started

Learn About Registered Agents in Your State

How Do I Change the Registered Agent for My LLC?

To change your registered agent, just file the correct paperwork with the Secretary of State; there may be a nominal filing fee depending on the state in which you conduct business.

When changing the registered agent, make sure to submit your new registered agent's signed consent form if applicable. This step may vary by state.

For more information on how to change the registered agent for your LLC, you can visit our state-specific registered agent guides.

How much does it cost to change my registered agent?

Changing the registered agent for your company can cost from $0 to $50 per state depending on the number of states you're registered to do business with your LLC.

Registered Agent LLC FAQ

Do I need a registered agent?

Yes. Every U.S. state requires all corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), and partnerships to have a registered agent. A registered agent may be called different names in different states, such as a resident agent, a statutory agent, or an agent for service of process.

What does a registered agent do?

Registered agents keep your business compliant by maintaining up-to-date paperwork. They also are in charge of accepting official correspondence on behalf of your business, such as paperwork from the state and federal government, tax forms, and legal notices.

Learn more about what registered agents do.

Can the owner of an LLC be the registered agent?

Yes, the registered agent of an LLC can be its owner, as long as the conditions of age and residency are met according to state guidelines. Some small business owners choose to do this instead of hiring a third party or appointing someone else to the role.

This position does come with extra responsibilities and potential inconveniences, however, so many business owners decide it's better for them to choose another person or a professional service to act as their registered agent. You should weigh the pros and cons of each option and decide which is best for you and your business.

Who can be a registered agent?

Registered agent requirements can vary a bit from state to state, but they generally allow for both individuals and business entities to serve as a company's registered agent.

Individuals must be at least 18 years old and business entities must be registered to operate in the state. Both must have a physical office location and be present during regular business hours.

Although you can be your own registered agent, we recommend you consider hiring an experienced and reliable registered agent service to handle this portion of your business needs.

How much does a registered agent cost?

The cost of a registered agent varies, but it can be anywhere from free (if you act as your company's registered agent) to a few hundred dollars a year for some third-party services.

Hiring a registered agent service could save you time and money in the long-run.

Is a registered agent the same as the owner?

No, a registered agent is not considered an owner, its responsibility is to keep certain paperwork up to date and accepts official correspondence on behalf of the company. However, the individual owner of a business may also act as the company's registered agent.

Why do I need a registered agent?

Most states require you to designate a registered agent if you own a business. However, even if it isn't required, we strongly recommend appointing a registered agent to accept service of process, gain peace of mind, and maintain your privacy.

Are registered agents liable?

A registered agent could potentially be liable for damages in the event they fail to meet their legal responsibilities as a registered agent, such as not informing a company it was being sued.

Can I change my registered agent?

Yes. You can change your registered agent by filing the necessary paperwork with the appropriate state agency. Different states have different processes and forms so read our free guides for details about your state.

What is a statutory agent?

A statutory agent is another name for a registered agent, a service of process agent, or a resident agent.

What is a resident agent?

A resident agent is another name for a registered agent, a service of process agent, or a statutory agent.

What is a service of process agent?

A service of process agent is another name for a registered agent, a resident agent, or a statutory agent.

What is a commercial registered agent?

A commercial registered agent is a person or entity that has registered with the state by filing a commercial registered agent listing statement with the Secretary of State in accordance with the Model Registered Agent Act (MoRAA) or similar state law.

What does "service of process" mean?

Service of process means receiving legal documents, such as a summons. A summons is an order to appear before a judge due to a pending lawsuit.

What is the difference between a commercial registered agent and a noncommercial registered agent?

Most states require LLC owners to provide their LLC's registered agent's name and address when forming your LLC. In some states, you will be asked whether you are electing a commercial or noncommercial registered agent. Some states refer to professional registered agents as commercial agents, which requires these agents to be specially listed with their state, and individual agents as noncommercial.

Are registered agents and virtual offices the same?

No, registered agents and virtual offices are not the same types of service. Registered agent services receive important legal services on behalf of your business where virtual offices, business addresses, and mailboxes offer everything from temporary physical office space to an address you can use for normal mail of your business.

Are there any free registered agent services?

No, there are no free registered agent services, however, there are services that offer up to a free year of registered agent service when you form your business with them.

You can serve as your own registered agent for free. However, this comes with the expectation that you will be available to receive service of process at all normal business hours.

Can my husband or wife be my registered agent?

Yes, your husband or wife can be your registered agent, as long as they qualify to be a registered agent in your state, and are available to receive service of process at all normal business hours.