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In some states, a Registered Agent may also be called a Statutory Agent, Resident Agent, or Agent for Service of Process. These all mean the same thing.
What are the duties of a Registered Agent?
Simply put, a Registered Agent is a “receiver” and “forwarder” of important legal documents.
And these legal documents are called Service of Process.
What is Service of Process?
Service of Process is the delivery of legal documents related to a lawsuit.
These documents include notices, complaints, summons, and/or subpoenas.
And the person who delivers them is called a Process Server.
Registered Agents must be available at the Registered Agent address during regular business hours to receive Service of Process on behalf of your LLC.
Then they forward the documents to the LLC owners by mail and/or online.
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(Why is Northwest the best? Read our Northwest Registered Agent review)
Registered Agent Requirements
LLC Registered Agents are required to:
- be located in the same state as the LLC
- have a street address in the state
- keep regular business hours at their street address
- accept Service of Process on behalf of business entities
- forward Service of Process to business owners
A Registered Agent’s address is technically called a Registered Office. And this address must be a street address. PO Boxes aren’t allowed.
If you want to learn about a specific state’s Registered Agent requirements, please select the state below:
Do I need to use a Registered Agent for my LLC?
Yes, nearly every state requires that your LLC has a Registered Agent.
Note: There are 2 exceptions: Registered Agent in New York and Registered Agent in West Virginia.
Why do I need a Registered Agent for my LLC?
State law:
You need a Registered Agent because it’s required by law.
Registered Agents exist because the courts need a reliable point of contact where legal notices can be delivered.
State notices:
Many states also use your Registered Agent to send your LLC Annual Report reminders and notices.
Who can be a Registered Agent for an LLC?
You have 3 options for who can be your LLC’s Registered Agent:
- You can be your own Registered Agent.
- A friend or family member can be your LLC’s Registered Agent.
- You can hire a Registered Agent Service
Special offer: Hire Northwest to form your LLC ($39 + state fee), and you'll get a free year of Registered Agent service.
(Why is Northwest the best? Read our Northwest Registered Agent review)
Note: There are a couple of states that let your LLC be its own Registered Agent, but this is the exception to the rule. In 90% of the states your LLC can’t be its own Registered Agent.
Can I be my own Registered Agent?
Yes, you can be your own Registered Agent as long as you meet the state requirements.
This is a great way to save money.
However, it’s important to know that a Registered Agent’s name and address are listed on public records.
So if you are the Registered Agent for your LLC, your name and address will appear on public records.
If you don’t care about that, and you prefer to save money, then being your own Registered Agent is a great option.
On the other hand, if you prefer privacy, it’s usually best to hire a Registered Agent Service.
Risks of being your own Registered Agent
Besides the address privacy we mentioned, there are some additional risks.
They aren’t extremely likely to occur, but if they do, you could lose your liability protection. And the Secretary of State has the power to administratively dissolve (shut down) your LLC if you aren’t in compliance with the state laws.
This can happen if you don’t continuously maintain a Registered Agent on file, or if the Secretary of State is unsuccessful in reaching your LLC’s Registered Agent.
Additionally, if a Process Server can’t reach your Registered Agent (to serve legal notices), a court case can happen without you and you might not even know about it.
Worse, the court could rule in favor of the other party if you aren’t there to defend yourself. This is called a default judgment.
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What are the benefits of using a professional Registered Agent Service?
Registered Agent Services specialize in receiving legal mail for LLCs.
Hiring a Registered Agent Service is a good idea if:
- You want more privacy (keep your address off public records).
- You don’t have a physical address in the state.
- You aren’t available during normal business hours.
- You don’t want to deal with the paperwork and responsibilities.
Most Registered Agent companies also offer LLC formation services.
So if you want help forming your LLC, they can do it for you. And they can help with other things too, such as filing your LLC Annual Report.
Any mail that is sent to your Registered Agent will be scanned and uploaded to your online account. And they can also forward it to you by mail.
If you want to hire a Registered Agent Service, the company we recommend is Northwest Registered Agent:
- They’ve been in business for more than 25 years.
- They have great customer service.
- They specialize in keeping your personal information off public records.
- And they have offices in all 50 states.
Special offer: Hire Northwest to form your LLC ($39 + state fee), and you'll get a free year of Registered Agent service.
(Why is Northwest the best? Read our Northwest Registered Agent review)
How much does a Registered Agent cost?
If you’ll be your own Registered Agent (or use a friend or family member), then it’s free ($0)!
If you hire a Registered Agent Service, they’ll typically charge between $100-$300 per year.
How do I choose a Registered Agent?
Your Registered Agent options depend on whether or not you have a street address located in the state where you are forming your LLC.
If you have a street address in the state, then you can be your own Registered Agent. This is the most convenient and least expensive option (it’s free!).
If you don’t have a street address in the state, then you can ask a friend or family member who does, or hire a Registered Agent Service. Choosing a friend or family member is also free, but it can be less convenient.
If you (or friends or family members) don’t have an address in the state (or you don’t want your address on public record), then you should hire a Registered Agent Service.
Registered Agent Recap
Once you choose your LLC’s Registered Agent, you will then list their name and address when you file your LLC Articles of Organization with the state.
And if you need to hire a Registered Agent Service, please see Best Registered Agent Services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Registered Agent the same as the owner?
No, a Registered Agent isn’t the same as an LLC Owner.
That said, an LLC Owner can be the Registered Agent for their LLC if they’d like.
For more information on the differences between these roles, please see Is the Registered Agent of an LLC the Owner?
Does my state require a Registered Agent for an LLC?
Nearly every state requires LLCs to have a Registered Agent.
Note: There are only 2 exceptions: New York and West Virginia. In New York, the Secretary of State is the Registered Agent for all LLCs. And West Virginia doesn’t require having a Registered Agent.
Can you change your Registered Agent?
Yes, you can change your Registered Agent at any time, so don’t worry about being “locked in” to one Registered Agent.
If you ever need to change your Registered Agent, you just need to file a simple form with your state and pay a small fee.
What is a Registered Office for an LLC?
A Registered Office for an LLC is the same thing as your Registered Agent’s address.
Information verified on October 27, 2026
Matt holds a Bachelor's Degree in business from Drexel University with a concentration in business law. He performs extensive research and analysis to convert state laws into simple instructions anyone can follow to form their LLC - all for free! Read more about Matt Horwitz and LLC University.