What does a registered agent actually do?
When a state approves your LLC, it lists a registered agent and a registered office on the public record. That address is where anyone suing the company must deliver legal papers, known as service of process. It's also where the Secretary of State and tax departments send official notices such as annual report reminders.
A good registered agent does four things:
- Accepts service of process in person, during normal business hours, at the registered office.
- Receives official state mail, such as annual report notices, franchise tax letters and changes to state rules.
- Forwards everything to you fast, usually by scanning it the same or next business day, because lawsuits come with short response deadlines.
- Keeps its address and details current with the state, so documents are never returned undelivered.
The registered agent doesn't run your company, sign contracts or file taxes. It's a legally required point of contact, nothing more.
Is a registered agent legally required?
Yes. Every state's LLC statute requires a registered agent with a physical address in that state. Wyoming, for example, requires the registered office to be a physical street address in Wyoming where the agent can accept service of process, and PO boxes are not accepted. Delaware requires its registered agents to keep a street address and office in Delaware that is open during normal business hours.
The requirement applies in every state where your LLC is registered. If you form in Wyoming and later register as a foreign LLC in Texas because you hire staff there, you need an agent in both states.
Can you be your own registered agent?
Sometimes. An individual can serve as a registered agent if they are an adult, have a physical address in the state and are there during business hours to accept papers. That works for a local business owner who has an office in the same state.
It rarely works for founders outside the US, or for anyone forming in a state they don't live in:
- You need a street address in that state, and a foreign address isn't allowed.
- Someone must be physically present during business hours, every business day.
- The address becomes public record, so your home address would be searchable online.
- If you travel or move, you must file a change with the state before your address stops working.
A friend or relative in the state can act as your agent, but you're relying on them to be home, open the door to a process server and send you the papers the same day.
How to choose a registered agent service
Commercial registered agents do this for thousands of companies, so the basics are standard. The differences are in speed, price after year one and what else comes with it.
| Criteria | What to look for | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Scanning speed | Same or next business day, with an email alert | Courts often give only 20 or 21 days to answer a lawsuit |
| Renewal price | The year-two price, not only the first-year offer | Many services start cheap and raise the price at renewal |
| States covered | All 50 states + DC | You may need foreign registration in another state later |
| Mail handling | Legal and state mail scanned; clear rules for regular mail | Banks, the IRS and states send letters you can't miss |
| Deadline tracking | Annual report and tax reminders | A missed annual report is a common reason LLCs lose good standing |
| Address privacy | The agent's address appears on public filings instead of yours | Keeps your home address out of state databases |
Registered agent services usually cost between about $50 and $300 a year per state. With us, the registered agent is included in the Starter plan at $349 a year, together with formation, your EIN and the annual report. Teams running many companies can use it per entity at $199 a year through Entity Manager.
Registered agent address vs business address
A registered agent address is for legal service and state mail. It isn't an office, and it doesn't prove you operate from that state.
| Address type | Used for | Can you use the agent's address? |
|---|---|---|
| Registered office | Service of process and state notices | Yes — that's its purpose |
| Principal office / mailing address | Filings, the IRS and general mail | Often, if your agent allows it and forwards mail |
| Bank or payment processor operating address | Where the business actually operates | Usually not — most banks reject registered agent addresses |
When you open a US bank account, the bank usually asks for your real operating address, which can be your home country address. See opening a US business bank account as a non-resident for what banks look for.
How to change your registered agent
Pick the new agent first
Sign up with the new service and get its exact name and registered office address in your state.
File the change with the state
Most states use a statement or certificate of change filed with the Secretary of State. Some states charge a fee and some don't; a few let the new agent file it for you.
Cancel the old service after the state updates its record
Check the state's business search shows the new agent before you cancel, so there's no gap.
Update your own records
Tell your bank if it has the old address on file, and update any mailing address you used with the IRS.
Closing the company instead? Don't just stop paying your agent. File dissolution first, as explained in how to close a US LLC, so the state doesn't keep charging annual fees and penalties.
Registered agents in popular states for non-US founders
The requirement is the same everywhere, but the yearly state costs around it differ a lot. Wyoming costs $103 to file, Delaware $110 and New Mexico $52, before the agent fee. Compare the full picture in Wyoming vs Delaware and LLC annual fees by state.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a registered agent if I don't live in the US?
Can I use my registered agent's address as my business address?
Does my registered agent's state have to match where I formed the LLC?
Is a registered agent the same as a virtual office?
What happens to my mail when a lawsuit is served?
How much does a registered agent cost?
Sources
- Wyoming Statutes § 17-28-101, registered office and registered agent
- Delaware Division of Corporations, registered agents
Facts checked on September 17, 2026 against the sources above. Rules and fees change, so confirm anything important with the official source. Register Quick LLC is not a law firm or CPA firm, and this page is general information, not legal or tax advice.
