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Registered Agent
A legal requirement in every state — someone who receives legal papers and state notices on your behalf.
Every US LLC must have a Registered Agent — a person or company with a physical street address (not a P.O. box) in the state where you register, available during business hours to receive legal papers, tax notices and official mail from the state.
If you live outside the US, acting as your own registered agent is practically impossible because you have no physical address in the state. That is why almost every non-US LLC owner hires a professional registered agent service.
Some providers run their own registered agent staff in each state instead of outsourcing to third parties, so important documents are usually scanned and forwarded to you faster and more consistently. That is a worthwhile factor when comparing providers.
- ✓Required by law in all 50 states, with no exceptions
- ✓The address must be a physical address in the state where the LLC is formed
- ✓You can change registered agents at any time with a short form filed with the state
Frequently asked questions
Can I be my own registered agent?+
Technically yes, if you have a physical address in that state and are available during business hours. For founders living abroad this is almost impossible, so you will need a professional service.
What happens if I don't keep a registered agent?+
The state can administratively dissolve your LLC for failing a mandatory requirement — even if the business is operating normally.