What does a registered agent do?

A registered agent receives legal documents, tax notices, and official government correspondence on behalf of your business. This includes lawsuits (service of process), annual report reminders, tax notices, and compliance documents. They must have a physical street address in the state where your business is registered and be available during normal business hours.

Can I be my own registered agent?

Yes, in most states you can be your own registered agent if you have a physical address in the state (not a PO box) and are available during business hours to receive documents. However, this means your home address becomes public record and you must always be present during business hours.

How much does a registered agent cost?

Professional registered agent services cost $50–$300 per year. Popular options include Northwest Registered Agent ($125/year), Incfile ($119/year), and ZenBusiness ($199/year). Many LLC formation services include the first year of registered agent service for free.

Registered Agent Explained: What They Do, Cost & Do You Need One? (2026)

Every LLC and corporation must have a registered agent — it’s required by law in all 50 states. A registered agent is the designated person or company that receives legal and government documents for your business.

Quick answer: A registered agent receives lawsuits, tax notices, and official mail on behalf of your business. Every state requires one with a physical street address (no PO boxes) who’s available during normal business hours. You can be your own agent for free, or hire a service for $50–$300/year.

What a Registered Agent Does

Function	Details
Service of process	Receives lawsuits and legal notices
Tax correspondence	State tax notices and forms
Annual report reminders	Alerts you before filing deadlines
Government notices	Secretary of State compliance correspondence
Franchise tax notices	Where applicable
Good standing notices	Alerts about potential issues

What a Registered Agent Receives

Document Type	Examples
Legal documents	Lawsuits, subpoenas, summons
State filings	Annual report reminders, compliance notices
Tax documents	Franchise tax forms, sales tax notices
Formation documents	Certified copies, amendments
IRS correspondence	Tax notices forwarded from state filings
Regulatory notices	License renewals, permit reminders

Requirements for Registered Agents

Requirement	Details
Physical street address	Must be in the state of registration — no PO boxes
Available during business hours	Typically Mon–Fri, 9 AM–5 PM
Accept service of process	Must be present to sign for legal documents
Individual or entity	Individuals must be state residents; companies must be authorized to do business in the state
Consent to serve	Must agree to serve as agent (some states require written consent on file)

Your Options

Option 1: Be Your Own Registered Agent

Pros	Cons
Free	Your home address becomes public record
Simple — no third party	Must be available every business day
Direct control	Can’t travel or take time off during business hours
	Embarrassing if served a lawsuit at your home or office with clients present
	Must keep address updated with the state

Best for: Home-based businesses where you’re always at your address during business hours and don’t mind a public address.

Option 2: Use a Family Member or Friend

Pros	Cons
Free or low cost	They must understand the responsibility
Trusted person	Must have a qualifying address
	Must be consistently available
	Their address becomes public record
	Unreliable — people move, forget, or get busy

Best for: Short-term arrangement only. Not recommended long-term.

Option 3: Use a Professional Registered Agent Service

Pros	Cons
Always available	Annual cost ($50–$300)
Privacy — their address is on public record, not yours	One more vendor to manage
Compliance alerts and reminders
Mail scanning and forwarding
Professional handling of lawsuits
Consistent across multiple states

Best for: Most businesses — especially if you value privacy, travel, or dont want to worry about missing a document.

Cost Comparison: Registered Agent Services

Service	Annual Cost	Includes	Free First Year?
Northwest Registered Agent	$125	Mail scanning, compliance alerts, local support	No
Incfile (now ZenBusiness)	$119	Basic agent service, dashboard access	Yes (with LLC formation)
ZenBusiness	$199	Agent service, compliance reminders	With premium packages
LegalZoom	$249	Agent service, compliance calendar	No
Rocket Lawyer	$149.99	Agent service, legal document access	With membership
Harbor Compliance	$99	Agent service, annual report service	No
CSC Global	$299+	Enterprise-grade, multi-state, compliance suite	No
CT Corporation	$310+	Enterprise-grade, multi-state	No

Budget Options

Service	Annual Cost	Notes
Registered Agents Inc.	$35–$100	Basic service, no frills
Northwest Registered Agent	$125	Best balance of price and quality
Incfile	$119	Free first year with LLC formation

Premium Options (Multi-State, Enterprise)

Service	Annual Cost	Notes
CSC Global	$299+ per state	Used by large companies, multi-state management
CT Corporation	$310+ per state	Oldest registered agent company in the US
National Registered Agents (NRAI)	$200+ per state	Part of the Wolters Kluwer group

When You Need a Registered Agent Service

Situation	DIY OK?	Service Recommended?
Home-based, always present	Yes	Optional
Travel frequently	No	Yes
Work from multiple locations	No	Yes
Don’t want home address public	No	Yes
Multi-state LLC registrations	Complicated	Yes (one provider for all states)
Virtual office or co-working space	Depends	Usually yes
Have employees at a fixed office	Yes	Optional
Registered in a state you don’t live in	No	Yes (required)

How to Change Your Registered Agent

If you want to switch from being your own agent to a service (or change services):

Step	Details
1. Choose new agent	Sign up with new service
2. New agent consent	They agree to serve
3. File change with state	Statement of Change of Registered Agent (usually $5–$25)
4. Notify old agent	Let them know the transition date

Filing fees to change registered agent:

State	Fee to Change Agent
California	$0 (included in Statement of Information)
Texas	$0 (file online)
Florida	$25
New York	$30
Delaware	$50
Wyoming	$0
Most states	$0–$50

What Happens Without a Registered Agent

Consequence	Details
Default judgments	If no one accepts a lawsuit, the court may rule against you automatically
Missed deadlines	Annual reports, tax filings, compliance notices go undelivered
Administrative dissolution	State may dissolve your LLC for non-compliance
Loss of good standing	Can’t get certificates of good standing for loans, contracts
Penalties and fines	Late fees for missed filings

Registered Agent vs. Other Roles

Role	What They Do
Registered agent	Receives legal/government documents for the business
Organizer	Files formation documents (one-time role)
Member	Owner of the LLC
Manager	Runs daily operations (in manager-managed LLCs)
Attorney	Provides legal advice (not the same as registered agent)
CPA/Accountant	Handles finances and taxes

Bottom Line

Every business needs a registered agent — it’s not optional. For most small business owners, a professional registered agent service ($100–$200/year) is worth the cost for privacy, reliability, and compliance reminders. If you work from a fixed location, are always available during business hours, and don’t mind your address being public, you can serve as your own agent for free. For multi-state businesses, a single registered agent service across all states simplifies compliance significantly.