Registered Agent: What It Is and Why Your LLC Needs One
What a registered agent does, why every state requires one, and how to choose between being your own agent or hiring a service.
Every U.S. LLC and corporation must have a registered agent. Here's what they do and how to pick one.
What a registered agent does
A registered agent receives legal mail — lawsuits, subpoenas, state notices, tax documents — on behalf of your business during normal business hours.
Requirements
The agent must have a physical street address (no PO boxes) in the state of formation and be available 9am–5pm on business days.
Should you be your own agent?
You can — but it means publishing your home address publicly, being available all day, and risking being served a lawsuit in front of clients or family. Most founders hire a professional service.
What to look for in a service
Same-day digital scanning, compliance alerts, and a physical address in every state where you do business. Pricing should be $100–$150 per state per year.
A registered agent service is one of the cheapest ways to keep your business compliant and your personal life private.
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