Last Updated: May 2026
Did you know?
A Registered Agent saves you money by avoiding penalties for missed legal documents.
What is a Registered Agent?
A registered agent is a business or individual designated to receive service of process notices (such as a summons or subpoena) on behalf of a business entity. A registered agent may also receive other correspondence from the state, such as notifications about taxes and bureaucratic procedures.
All 50 states require that a business entity have a registered agent in the state. The agent can be anyone—the business owner, an employee, or a third party hired for the role—with a physical address in the state. Failure to have a registered agent can result in penalties.
Why Should I Hire a Registered Agent?
Technically speaking you can list yourself as the registered agent for your business, using your home or business address. However, it is generally advisable to hire external registered agents for your business. Here’s why:
You need a registered agent in every state you do business. To create a business entity such as an LLC or corporation, you only need to incorporate in one state. However, to do business in other states, you need to register as a foreign LLC/corporation (by a process known as foreign registration). By law, you are required to have a registered agent in every state you are registered. Therefore, if you are registered to do business in 10 states, you must maintain a registered agent with an in-state address in each of these 10 states.
Using an external party protects your privacy. If you act as your own registered agent, this makes your address public to anyone who searches your business. This means anyone can reach you: from spam marketers to anyone who has a beef with you or your business. Using a third-party registered agent solves this problem, upholding the corporate veil between you and your customers. Having a proper registered agent gives you a public-facing address where you can be reached. When your registered agent receives correspondence on your behalf, they then forward it on to your private contact address.
It protects you from potential embarrassment. As a business owner, there’s no telling when someone might file a lawsuit against you. If you act as your own registered agent, this exposes you to the potential embarrassment of having someone serve you in front of clients, employees, or relatives. Much better to have a third party receive the service of process and forward it to you quietly.
You must keep your registered address up-to-date. If your business changes locations or an employee assigned as the registered agent leaves the business, you must update your registered agent details accordingly. This is an important but seemingly minor task that could be easily overlooked during an office move. Having an external registered agent ensures you never have to think about this problem.
The registered agent must be available during office hours. A registered agent must be able to accept physical correspondence during regular business hours—9-5 in most states. If your business address is frequently unattended during the day, then you should not list it as your registered agent.
What If I Don’t Have a Registered Agent?
In all 50 states, one of the requirements of registering your business entity is to have a registered agent with a physical address in that state.
Failing to maintain a registered agent can lead to various consequences and penalties, including:
Default judgment. If nobody is physically present at your registered address to be served with a lawsuit, the court may issue a default judgment—which you are required to pay.
Losing your business’s good standing. This can prevent you from obtaining financing, filing a lawsuit, or even registering in other states.
Financial penalties. In some cases, the state may fine you for not maintaining a registered agent.
Dissolution. In the worst-case scenario, the state can dissolve your business, removing the corporate veil between your business and you—and making you personally liable to creditors.
How Do I Get a Registered Agent?
Thousands of registered agents can be found in each state with just a simple Google search. For added convenience, you can have an online legal service provider issue you a registered agent in the state/s where you do business. An online legal service is a service that helps with all the red tape of starting a business, including company formation, preparation and filing of articles, and hiring a registered agent.
The best legal services providers throw in a registered agent for free for at least the first year after using their service to incorporate your company. After that, it can typically cost anywhere from $50 to $300 per year to maintain a registered agent, depending on which service you use and in which state/s the registered agent/s are based. The great thing about legal services providers is they can often find you registered agents with addresses in multiple states—saving you money.
Our Top 3 Picks
- 1
Simple instructions for everything- Price plus state fees - $39
- Refund policy - 100% refundable (minus expenses)
- Signup process - Select entity type and your state, and fill out the form
Simple instructions for everythingRead Northwest Registered Agent ReviewNorthwest Registered Agent bypasses the annoying, and boasts corporate guides, privacy and data security with zero jargon. The aim is to make business matters simple for everyone, including business founders abroad who want to file for US-based businesses. It’s here to help you fill in the gaps and get your business rolling without anything, especially paperwork, tripping you up. It’s a suitable partner for both new and existing businesses for things like annual reporting and company formation for LLCs, corporations and nonprofits. If you use Northwest to register your business, you’ll get free Registered Agent Service for the first year. Each service offered is priced separately, so there are no subscription plans, and you’ll never pay for services you don’t need.
You’ll also find great customer service for both American residents and business owners abroad who want to open US LLCs. Customer service agents are easy to reach by phone or email, and the response time is less than 24 hours.
Northwest Registered Agent Pros & Cons
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Start LLC formation now + Registered agent- Price plus state fees - Starts at $0 + state fees
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Start LLC formation now + Registered agentRead ZenBusiness ReviewZenBusiness makes starting a business simple and straightforward - by providing superior products, services, and support every step of the way. This service uses technology and automated processes to provide entrepreneurs with a fast, low-cost way to form and manage businesses. Over 700,000 new companies have already trusted.
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Its easy-to-use platform keeps legal documents, such as EINs and Operating Agreement templates, easily accessible and all in one place. As an added benefit, all ZenBusiness plans include their Registered Agent Service, which satisfies all legal requirements set by your state.
All of this, along with their 100% Accuracy Guarantee, is why ZenBusiness is a standout choice for business formation. We trust they'll help you get your business up and running in no time.
ZenBusiness Pros & Cons
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Live chat support100% accuracy guaranteeRush & expedited filing optionsUpfront pricing with no hidden feesCONS
No cancellation once submitted to stateLack of nonprofit filing options - 3
Inexpensive legal document creation- Price plus state fees - Starts at $0 + state filing fees
- Refund policy - Within 60 days of purchase
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Inexpensive legal document creationRead LegalZoom ReviewFor small- to large-size businesses, LegalZoom helps with anyone looking to form an LLC. From tax filings, federal tax ID registration, and business licensing, to legal advice and assistance provided by unaffiliated independent lawyers, LegalZoom offers a comprehensive range of services at very reasonable prices.
LegalZoom Pros & Cons
PROS
Flat feesSimple formsLarge selection of servicesCONS
Not for international coverage
