What Is a Registered Agent for an LLC?

Every LLC needs a registered agent to accept legal documents. Learn what they do, who can serve, and how to pick the right one.

A registered agent is the person or company your LLC designates to receive legal documents, government notices, and service of process on its behalf. Every LLC in every state must maintain one, and the role matters far more than most owners realize.

The short answer: a registered agent is the official point of contact between your LLC and the government, with a physical address in your state and availability during business hours to accept legal mail. You can serve as your own agent or hire a professional service.

What a registered agent does

The agent accepts service of process — meaning lawsuit papers — plus tax notices, annual report reminders, and other official correspondence. The agent must be physically present at a street address in the state during business hours to sign for these documents.

If a lawsuit is served and no one accepts it, the court may enter a default judgment against your LLC without you ever knowing. That is why a reliable registered agent matters: missed documents can be catastrophic.

Who can serve as a registered agent

Almost anyone can serve: the owner, an employee, a member, or a friend, as long as the person is 18 or older, has a physical street address in the state, and is available during business hours. Many owners name themselves to save money.

A registered agent service, by contrast, is a company that provides this role for a yearly fee. Services typically cost about $50 to $300 per year, depending on the provider and state.

How to choose a registered agent

If you use a service, look for one with a physical address in your state of formation, reliable document scanning and forwarding, and a good track record. The agent's address becomes public record, so a service is a good way to keep your home address private.

If you serve as your own agent, you must be at your registered address during business hours when legal mail arrives. That requirement is why many owners who travel or work outside the home prefer a service.

State-by-state differences

While every state requires a registered agent, the details differ. Some states require the agent to be a resident of the state, while others allow any individual or company authorized to do business there. A few states require the agent's physical address to be a street address, not a post office box, and most require the agent to consent to the appointment.

If your LLC operates in multiple states, you generally need a registered agent in each state where you are qualified to do business. That is why multi-state companies often use a national registered agent service rather than naming themselves in every jurisdiction. As of 2026, the requirement applies in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, and the rules continue to evolve.

Changing your registered agent

You can change your registered agent at any time by filing a change-of-agent form with your state and paying a small fee. This is often required when you move or switch providers, and updating promptly keeps your filings valid.

Your registered agent requirement applies every year, so keep the designation current even after formation. See how to start an LLC for the role the agent plays during formation.

Consequences of not having an agent

Failing to maintain a registered agent can lead to missed legal notices, default judgments, late fees, and even administrative dissolution of your LLC. States can revoke a company's good standing if its agent is inactive or the state cannot reach it.

Keep your agent's information accurate and pay any renewal fees on time. If you are closing the business, your agent also receives notices about that process — see how to dissolve or close an LLC.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be my own registered agent?

Yes, in most states. You must have a physical street address in the state and be available during business hours to accept legal mail. Being your own agent is free, but it puts your address on public records.

How much does a registered agent cost?

Registered agent services typically charge between $50 and $300 per year, depending on the provider and state. Being your own agent costs nothing, but you take on the responsibility of being available and keeping your address current.

Is a registered agent required for an LLC?

Yes. Every LLC in every state must maintain a registered agent with a physical address in the formation state. The requirement applies from formation and continues as long as the LLC exists.

How do I change my LLC's registered agent?

File a change-of-agent form with your Secretary of State and pay the filing fee, which is usually modest. The new agent must consent and have a physical address in the state. Update promptly to avoid missed notices.