What is a registered agent?
A registered agent is the official contact your LLC uses to receive legal mail, state notices, and compliance reminders. Every state requires one, but it does not have to be a third party — it can be you.
What a registered agent actually does
Accepts legal mail
Receives lawsuits, subpoenas, and court documents so your LLC is officially notified.
Forwards state notices
Tax reminders, annual report deadlines, and compliance notices go to the agent first.
Keeps a physical address
Must have a street address in the state — not a P.O. box — where process servers can visit.
Is available during business hours
Someone must be at the address during normal hours to accept in-person delivery if needed.
Can you be your own registered agent?
In most states, yes — as long as you have a physical address there and are available during business hours. Here is how doing it yourself compares with hiring a service.
| Factor | Yourself | Commercial service |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Typically $100–$150/yr |
| Privacy | Your home address is public record | Service's address is listed, not yours |
| Availability | You must be at the address during business hours | Service is staffed during business hours |
| Multi-state LLCs | You need an agent in every state where you register | One service can usually cover multiple states |
| Served with a lawsuit | Papers may be handed to you at home or work | Papers go to the service, then forwarded privately |
When a registered agent service is worth it
You want privacy
Your registered agent address is public. A service keeps your home address off the Secretary of State's website.
You run the business from another state
If you form an LLC where you do not live or work, you need an agent with a physical address in that state.
You are not always in one place
Remote founders, travelers, or teams without a fixed office may miss in-person deliveries.
You have LLCs in multiple states
A national registered agent service can act as your agent in every state with one account.
Common questions
What is a registered agent?
A registered agent is the person or company your state uses to reach your LLC with legal mail, tax notices, and compliance reminders. The agent must have a physical address in the state where the LLC is formed and be available during normal business hours.
Do I need a registered agent for my LLC?
Yes. Every state requires LLCs to keep a registered agent on file. Without one, the state can reject your formation filing or administratively dissolve your LLC later.
Can I be my own registered agent?
Yes, as long as you have a physical address in the state where the LLC is formed and are generally available at that address during business hours. It is free, but your address becomes part of the public record.
Can I use a P.O. box for a registered agent?
No. States require a physical street address, not a P.O. box, so someone can accept service of process in person if needed.
How much does a registered agent service cost?
Commercial registered agents typically charge $100 to $150 per year. Some formation services include a free first year if you also pay them to file your LLC.
What happens if my registered agent is unavailable?
If the state or a process server cannot reach your agent, legal notices may not be delivered properly. That can lead to a default judgment against your LLC or the state dissolving your company for non-compliance.
Can I change my registered agent later?
Yes. You can update your registered agent by filing a simple form with the state, usually called a statement of change or amendment, and paying a small fee if one applies.
Where to go next
Know your fee? Then you're ready to file.
Grab the free checklist so nothing gets missed, or compare formation services.