What a registered agent does
Every US state requires an LLC or corporation to name a registered agent, sometimes called a statutory agent or resident agent. Delaware's LLC Act, for example, says each LLC must maintain a registered office in Delaware and a registered agent for service of process at that office. In general the agent must have a physical street address in the state where the company is formed or registered and be available during normal business hours to accept legal papers, so a post office box does not qualify.
The registered agent receives service of process, which is the formal delivery of a lawsuit or legal claim, and official mail from the state such as annual report notices and tax correspondence. The agent's name and address appear on public state records instead of yours.
Who this is for
- Founders outside the US, who by definition cannot act as their own agent without an in-state address.
- US owners who work from home and do not want their home address on public records.
- Companies registered in several states, each of which needs its own agent.
- Businesses whose current agent is unresponsive or expensive and want to switch.
What BookMyLLC handles
- A registered agent with a physical address in your state of formation or registration.
- Acceptance of service of process during business hours.
- Scanning of documents received and upload to your online dashboard, with an email alert.
- Receipt of state notices, annual report reminders and tax letters sent to the agent address.
- Reminders ahead of your state's annual report or franchise tax deadline.
- Your agent address on public filings in place of your personal address.
How the service works
- Appointment. For a new company, we are named as agent in your formation documents. For an existing company, a change of agent form is filed with the state.
- Receipt. When a document arrives, it is logged and scanned.
- Notification. You receive an alert and can view the document in your dashboard.
- Action. You, or your lawyer or accountant, decide how to respond. Lawsuits often carry short response deadlines, so read alerts promptly.
- Renewal. The service renews each year so your state record stays current.
Documents and information you need
- Your company's exact legal name and state file number, if it already exists.
- A contact email that you check regularly, and a backup contact.
- For a change of agent: your current agent's name, and in some states the consent of the new agent, which we provide.
Timeline
For new companies, the agent is in place from the day the state accepts your formation filing. For an existing company switching agents, the change takes effect when the state processes the change form, which typically takes from a few days to a few weeks depending on the state. Documents received are usually uploaded within one business day.
What happens if you do not keep an agent
If your agent resigns or the service lapses and you do not appoint a new one, the state can treat your company as not in good standing and may eventually administratively dissolve it. You may also miss a lawsuit. If you are served through the Secretary of State instead of an agent, you might not see the papers until a default judgement has been entered. Keeping an active agent is one of the cheapest ways to protect the company.
Registered agent address versus business address
Your registered agent address is for legal and state mail. It is usually not the right address for customers, marketing mail, bank statements or packages, and many agents, including us, do not forward general mail under this service. If you need a US address to put on your website, invoices or bank applications, pair this service with a US virtual office address.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using a friend's address. If they move or miss a delivery, you lose the protection of timely notice.
- Letting the agent service lapse. Set up renewal and keep your payment method current.
- Ignoring emails from your agent. Some legal deadlines are 20 or 30 days from service.
- Forgetting other states. If you register to do business in another state, it needs its own agent there.
- Changing agents informally. The switch only counts once the state has processed the change form.
Choosing an agent
When you compare agents, look at four things. First, does the agent have a real street address in your state and staff there during business hours? Second, how fast are documents scanned and how will you be told? Third, what does renewal cost after any first-year discount, and is general mail forwarding separate? Fourth, does the agent send annual report reminders, since state notices often go only to the agent address? Our guide to choosing a registered agent goes through these in more detail.
A note for founders abroad
If you live in India, Nigeria, the UAE or anywhere outside the US, your registered agent is often the only US-based contact the state has for your company. That makes the email address on file with your agent unusually important. Use an address you check daily, add a second contact such as a co-founder or accountant, and keep both up to date when people change roles. Time zones also matter: a document served on a Monday afternoon in Wyoming may reach your inbox overnight, so build in a habit of checking alerts each morning.
Also keep your agent informed if the company is closing. Formally dissolving the company with the state, rather than simply letting the agent service lapse, stops annual taxes and reports from building up in your name.
Related services
Already have an agent and want to switch? See change registered agent. To stay on top of state filings, add annual report filing. Current fees are on the pricing page.
Registered agent at a glance
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| What the agent does | Receives legal papers, state notices and tax mail on the company's behalf at a physical address in the state. |
| Who needs one | Every LLC and corporation, in the state where it is formed and in each state where it is registered to do business. |
| Can I be my own agent? | Only if you have a physical address in that state and are available during business hours, which most non-resident founders do not. |
| What happens without one | The state can mark the company delinquent or administratively dissolve it. |
| Does it replace a business address? | No. A registered agent address is for legal mail; see the virtual office comparison above. |
What to compare before you choose an agent
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Same-day scanning and upload | Court papers and state notices carry response deadlines that start on the day they are served. |
| Notice of every document | You should hear about each item, not only the ones the agent thinks matter. |
| Renewal terms | An auto-renewing price that jumps in year two is a common complaint. |
| Coverage in other states | If you register in a second state later, you will need an agent there too. |
| Easy change process | You should be able to leave without friction; see changing your registered agent. |
Why this small service protects the whole company
A registered agent is a low-cost service, but the consequences of getting it wrong are large. A lawsuit served on a company with no working agent can lead to a default judgment, and a state notice that reaches no one can end with the company losing good standing. Good standing is what banks, payment processors and marketplaces check when they review your account.
Questions founders ask before choosing an agent
"Can I use my home address?" Only if the address is in the formation state and someone is there during business hours to accept service of process. For a founder in India or the UAE, that is not workable, which is why most non-resident companies use a commercial agent. "Does the agent file my taxes?" No. The agent receives legal and state mail and forwards it; tax work is separate.
"What do I do when documents arrive?" A reputable agent scans each item the same day and tells you what it is. Court papers and tax notices carry response deadlines that start from the day the agent receives them, so send them to someone who can act on them, such as a lawyer or CPA, straight away.
Registering in more than one state
A company formed in Wyoming but doing business in California may need to register as a foreign company in California, and that registration needs its own registered agent in that state. Using one agent provider across states keeps notices in one inbox and the renewal dates in one place. When you add a second state, update the address you give your bank so every record matches.
