Every LLC and corporation in the United States must have a registered agent. This is a universal requirement across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. The registered agent serves as the official point of contact between your business and state governments, receiving important legal documents, tax notices, and compliance reminders.
The good news is that in most states, you can serve as your own registered agent. However, you must meet specific requirements that vary slightly by state. Let's break down exactly what you need to qualify for self-appointment.
PO Boxes are never acceptable - must be a real street address
Monday-Friday, typically 9 AM to 5 PM (exact hours vary by state)
Must be legally competent to accept service of process
Must be willing to accept lawsuits, subpoenas, and official notices
Anyone can find your business address in state databases
Cannot use voicemail or mail forwarding for legal service
If you're out of town or sick, documents may go undelivered
You won't get notifications about annual reports or deadlines
State | Can You Be Your Own? | Special Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Most States (48) | Standard requirements only | |
| Nevada | Must be Nevada resident or authorized company | |
| New York | Must file consent form with state | |
| Wyoming | Standard requirements |
Despite the drawbacks, there are legitimate scenarios where being your own registered agent is the right choice. Here's when it typically works well:
If you already have a physical office in your formation state with regular business hours and staff on-site, self-appointment often makes sense. The office serves as a natural place for document delivery, and having employees present provides built-in coverage.
If your business address is already public (like a storefront or office building), adding it as your registered agent address doesn't create new privacy concerns. You're already listed in business directories and mapping services.
For brand new businesses testing the waters, the $99-199 annual savings from self-appointment can be meaningful. Just be aware that you'll need to switch to a professional service if your situation changes.
While self-appointment is legally possible in most states, it's often not the best choice from a practical standpoint. Here are the situations where professional services almost always make more sense:
Home-based businesses face unique challenges with registered agents. Your home address becomes part of the public record, which can lead to unwanted solicitation, privacy concerns, and even safety issues if you're dealing with sensitive business matters.
If your work involves regular travel, client meetings, or irregular hours, ensuring someone is always available at your registered address during business hours becomes challenging. Professional services provide consistent coverage regardless of your schedule.
If you form your LLC in a different state than where you live (like Delaware or Wyoming for tax advantages), you cannot serve as your own registered agent. You must either have a physical address in that state or use a professional service with an office there.
Professional registered agent services often provide valuable compliance reminders, annual report notifications, and document management. This is especially helpful for new business owners who aren't familiar with all the ongoing requirements.
Let's break down the actual costs and benefits of each approach:
Aspect | Self-Appointed | Professional Service |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $0 | $99-199 |
| Privacy Protection | Your address public | Address kept private |
| Document Handling | Handle personally | Professional forwarding |
| Compliance Reminders | None | Often included |
| Backup Coverage | None if unavailable | Always available |
| Professional Appearance | Personal address | Commercial office address |
The good news is that you can always change your registered agent if your situation or preferences change. Here's how the process typically works:
Decide whether you want to appoint yourself, another individual, or a professional service. Make sure your chosen agent meets all state requirements and is willing to serve.
Most states require filing a "Change of Registered Agent" or "Statement of Change" form with the Secretary of State. These forms are usually available online and have filing fees ranging from $10-50.
If you're currently using a professional service, notify them of the change. Most services require 30 days' notice and may charge early termination fees.
Don't forget to update your LLC's operating agreement to reflect the new registered agent information. This ensures your internal documents stay current.
Yes, you can use your home address, but it becomes public record. This means anyone can find your home address through state business databases. For privacy reasons, many business owners prefer to use a professional service.
If you're not present to receive legal documents during business hours, it could create legal complications. Process servers may leave documents with anyone at the address or consider service complete if they've made reasonable attempts to deliver them.
No, PO Boxes are never acceptable for registered agent addresses in any state. You must have a physical street address where someone can receive documents in person during business hours.
No, you only need a registered agent in your state of formation. However, if you "qualify" to do business in other states (also called foreign qualification), you'll need to appoint a registered agent in each of those states as well.
Deciding whether to be your own registered agent or use a professional service depends on your specific situation. Here's a decision framework to help you choose:
• You have a commercial office in your formation state
• Privacy isn't a major concern for your business
• You maintain regular business hours with staff coverage
• You're comfortable handling legal documents personally
• You want to minimize ongoing business expenses
• You work from home or value privacy protection
• You live outside your formation state
• You travel frequently or have irregular hours
• You want compliance reminders and support
• The $99-199 annual cost fits your budget
• You prefer professional handling of legal documents
Don't risk your business with self-appointment. Form your business completely free and add Incaroo's professional registered agent service for just $99/year. Includes privacy protection, compliance reminders, and 24/7 availability for all business entity types.
Detailed information about registered agent services, requirements, and how to choose the right one for your business.
Learn why every LLC needs a registered agent and the legal requirements in all 50 states.