Registered Agent Requirements by State: 2025 Complete Guide
Every LLC and corporation needs a registered agent. Understand state-by-state requirements, costs, and whether you can serve as your own registered agent. Complete 50-state comparison for 2025.
Legal Disclaimer
This content is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. Laws, regulations, and requirements vary significantly by state and can change over time.
Always consult with qualified professionals: Contact a licensed attorney, certified public accountant (CPA), or other appropriate professional advisor in your jurisdiction before making any business, legal, or financial decisions. Do not rely solely on this information for compliance or legal matters.
Proof of Good Standing provides access to official state databases and educational resources but does not provide legal advice or professional services.
What is a Registered Agent?
A registered agent (also called "statutory agent" or "agent for service of process") is a person or company designated to receive legal documents, tax notices, and official government correspondence on behalf of your business. Required by law for all LLCs and corporations in every state.
What Does a Registered Agent Do?
Documents a Registered Agent Receives
- • Legal summons and lawsuits
- • Service of process (court documents)
- • Tax notices and correspondence
- • Annual report reminders
- • Government compliance notifications
- • Official state correspondence
Why You Need One
- • Required by law in all 50 states
- • Ensures you receive legal documents
- • Provides privacy (keeps your address private)
- • Available during business hours
- • Professional appearance
- • Compliance with state requirements
What Happens If You Don't Have a Registered Agent?
Operating without a valid registered agent is illegal and can result in: (1) Loss of good standing status, (2) Administrative dissolution of your entity, (3) Inability to defend lawsuits, (4) Fines and penalties, (5) Personal liability for officers/directors.
Legal Requirements for Registered Agents
While specific requirements vary by state, these are the universal rules for registered agents:
Physical Street Address in the State
The registered agent must have a physical street address (not a P.O. Box) in the state where your business is formed or registered. This is where legal documents will be delivered.
Available During Business Hours
Must be available at the registered address during normal business hours (typically 9 AM - 5 PM, Monday-Friday) to receive documents. Most states define this as standard business hours.
Age Requirement (18+ or 21+)
Must be at least 18 years old (21 in some states). Must be a person or a company authorized to act as a registered agent.
Consent to Serve
The individual or company must formally consent to serve as your registered agent. You cannot designate someone without their permission.
State-by-State Registered Agent Requirements
Comprehensive comparison of registered agent requirements across all 50 states (October 2025):
| State | Can Be Owner? | Residential Address OK? | Business Hours Required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Alaska | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Arizona | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Arkansas | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| California | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Colorado | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Connecticut | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Delaware | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Florida | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Georgia | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Note: All states allow business owners to serve as their own registered agent if they meet the physical address and availability requirements. The table shows the 10 most populous states; view complete 50-state tool →
States Allowing Commercial Addresses Only
A few states require registered agents to use commercial (not residential) addresses:
- • New York (commercial preferred)
- • Nevada (commercial for professional agents)
Note: Most states allow residential addresses as long as the agent is available during business hours.
States with Unique Requirements
- Nevada: Must file annual list of officers/directors
- Wyoming: Very business-friendly, minimal requirements
- Delaware: Allows P.O. Box for mailings (but not for registered agent address)
Can I Be My Own Registered Agent?
Yes, in all 50 states you can serve as your own registered agent if you meet the requirements. Here's what you need to know:
✅ Advantages of Self-Serve
- • Free - No annual service fees ($50-$300/year savings)
- • Immediate access to all documents
- • Complete control over correspondence
- • No third-party delays
- • Good for home-based businesses
❌ Disadvantages of Self-Serve
- • Privacy loss - Your home address becomes public record
- • Must be available during all business hours
- • Process servers can show up at your door
- • If you move, you must update with the state
- • Difficult if operating in multiple states
- • Unprofessional appearance to clients/partners
Requirements to Self-Serve as Registered Agent:
- Physical street address in the state (not P.O. Box)
- Available at that address during normal business hours (9 AM - 5 PM weekdays)
- At least 18 years old (or 21 in some states)
- Willing to accept legal documents and service of process
- Comfortable with your address being public record
When You Should NOT Self-Serve
- • You operate from home and value privacy
- • You're frequently out of the office or travel often
- • Your business operates in multiple states
- • You want a professional business appearance
- • You prefer not to receive legal documents at your home
- • Your business has high liability risk (lawsuits likely)
How to Change Your Registered Agent
You can change your registered agent at any time. Common reasons include switching from self-serve to a professional service, changing addresses, or updating after a move.
Select New Registered Agent
Choose a new individual or commercial registered agent service. Ensure they consent to serve and have a physical address in your state.
File Change of Registered Agent Form
File the appropriate form with your Secretary of State. Common form names:
- • Statement of Change of Registered Agent
- • Change of Agent/Office
- • Registered Agent Designation
Pay Filing Fee
Most states charge $10-$50 to process a registered agent change. Some states allow free changes.
Wait for Processing
Processing typically takes 1-7 business days. Once approved, your new registered agent is official and will receive all future documents.
Important: Don't terminate your old registered agent until the new one is officially approved and on record with the state. Having no registered agent, even temporarily, can result in loss of good standing.
Registered Agent Service Costs
Professional registered agent services typically range from $50-$300 per year per state. Here's a cost breakdown (October 2025):
| Service Type | Annual Cost | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Self-Serve (DIY) | $0 | Your address, your availability |
| Budget Service | $50-$100/year | Basic service, mail forwarding, email scans |
| Standard Service | $100-$200/year | Online dashboard, document scanning, compliance alerts |
| Premium Service | $200-$300/year | Multi-state discount, same-day scans, priority support |
What's Included
- ✓ Physical address in state
- ✓ Document receipt & forwarding
- ✓ Email/phone notifications
- ✓ Digital document scanning
Common Add-Ons
- • Multi-state packages (discounted)
- • Mail forwarding
- • Compliance calendars
- • Annual report filing services
Money-Saving Tips
- • Pay annually vs monthly
- • Multi-state discounts
- • Formation service bundles
- • First-year discounts
Choosing a Registered Agent Service
When selecting a professional registered agent service, consider these factors:
✅ Must-Have Features
- Reliability: Established company with physical offices in your state
- Notification Speed: Immediate email/text when documents arrive
- Online Access: Web portal to view scanned documents
- Multi-State Coverage: If you operate in multiple states
- Privacy Protection: Doesn't sell your information
Nice-to-Have Features
- • Annual report filing assistance
- • Compliance deadline reminders
- • Mail forwarding and scanning
- • Customer support availability
- • Same-day document scanning
- • Integration with business formation
❌ Red Flags to Avoid
- • No physical office in your state
- • Excessively low prices (under $50/year) - often unreliable
- • Poor online reviews about missed documents
- • Hidden fees or auto-renewal without notice
- • Difficult to cancel or change services
- • Sells your data to third parties
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a registered agent in every state where I do business?
You need a registered agent in: (1) Your state of formation, and (2) Any state where you're registered as a foreign entity. Simply "doing business" doesn't always require registration—it depends on the level of activity. Learn about foreign qualification →
Can I use a P.O. Box for my registered agent address?
No. All states require a physical street address where someone can personally accept documents during business hours. P.O. Boxes are not acceptable.
What happens if my registered agent misses a legal document?
If a registered agent fails to accept service of process, you may lose the opportunity to defend yourself in court, resulting in default judgments. This is why choosing a reliable registered agent is critical. Professional services have backup systems to prevent missed documents.
Can I change my registered agent without filing fees?
It depends on the state. Some states allow free registered agent changes, while others charge $10-$50 for processing the change. Check with your state's Secretary of State office for current fees.
Do sole proprietorships need a registered agent?
No. Only LLCs, corporations, and other formally registered business entities need registered agents. Sole proprietorships and general partnerships typically do not require a registered agent (unless state law specifically requires it).
Can a family member or friend be my registered agent?
Yes, as long as they: (1) Consent to serve, (2) Have a physical address in your state, (3) Are available during business hours at that address, and (4) Are at least 18 years old (or 21 in some states).
Manage Your Registered Agent Requirements
Access Secretary of State portals to update your registered agent information across all 50 states.