Should I Be My Own Registered Agent For My LLC or Hire One?

In most states, you can be your own registered agent for your LLC or corporation, but you must list your name and address in the public record, which could be risky.

While it’s true that a surprising 60% of new business owners consider becoming their own registered agent when starting an LLC, this is not a decision to be made lightly. Think about your schedule and privacy needs before deciding.

There is much debate and conflicting advice, and it’s easy to get caught up in the allure of cost savings and control.

But before you jump on the DIY bandwagon, let’s examine what being your own registered agent really means.

What Is a Registered Agent and What Do They Do?

A registered agent is a person or company that receives important legal documents for a business. They handle things like tax forms, legal notices, and lawsuit papers.

Registered agents must have a physical address in the state where the business is set up. They must be available during regular business hours to get mail and papers. When they get documents, they pass them on to the business owner.

They track when reports are due to the state and remind business owners to file them on time.

Some registered agents offer extra services. They might help with paperwork or give reminders about business requirements.

Who Can Be the Registered Agent for an LLC?

You have several options when choosing a registered agent for your LLC. The main categories include:

• Yourself: As the LLC owner, you can act as your own registered agent. This is often the cheapest option.
• Another individual: You can appoint a friend, family member, or employee as your registered agent. They must be at least 18 years old.
• A professional service: Many companies offer registered agent services for a fee. They handle all legal paperwork on your behalf.
• An attorney or accountant: Some lawyers and CPAs provide registered agent services to their clients.
• Another business entity: You can name another company as your registered agent in some states.

In several states, including Colorado, Delaware, Kansas, Nevada, Oklahoma, and Tennessee, LLCs can act as their own Registered Agent.

New York and West Virginia allow the Secretary of State to assume the role of Registered Agent for all business entities, including LLCs.

Can You Be Your Own Registered Agent?

Yes, you can be your own registered agent for your LLC. This means you’ll handle important legal documents and official mail for your business.

Being your own agent can save you money. You won’t have to pay for a professional service, and you have direct control over your business documents.

But there are things to think about. You must be available during business hours to receive papers, your address will be public record, and you need a physical address in the state where your LLC is formed.

Consider your schedule and comfort with legal paperwork. If you travel a lot or prefer not to handle these tasks, hiring a service might be better for you.

Criteria for a Registered Agent (Complete Requirements)

Requirements for a Registered Agent	Description
Physical Street Address	Must have a physical address in the state
Availability	Available during normal business hours
Correspondence	Able to receive official documents
Age	Must be at least 18 years old
Business Authorization	Authorized to conduct business in the state
No PO Boxes	PO Boxes are not accepted as valid addresses

1. Physical Street Address

You need a physical street address in the state where your business is registered. This can’t be a PO Box or virtual office. The address is where legal papers will be sent.

2. Availability

You must be available at your registered address during normal business hours. This means being there Monday to Friday, typically 9 am to 5 pm. You need to be ready to accept documents in person.

3. Receiving Correspondence

As a registered agent, you’ll get important legal and tax documents for your business. You need to be able to receive and handle these promptly. This includes things like lawsuits, tax notices, and annual report reminders.

4. Age Requirement

You must be at least 18 years old to serve as a registered agent. This is a legal requirement in all states.

5. Business Authorization

If you’re acting as your own agent, you must be authorized to do business in the state. This means having the proper licenses and permits for your business type.

6. No PO Boxes Allowed

States don’t allow PO Boxes as registered agent addresses. You need a physical location where you can be found in person.

Being Your Own Registered Agent Requirements by State

What Are the Risks of Serving as Your LLC Registered Agent?

Being your own registered agent for your LLC can save money, but it comes with some risks.

1. Your Name and Address Will be in the Public Record

When you act as your own registered agent, your info becomes public. This means anyone can find your name and address. It’s listed in state records that anyone can look up online.

This lack of privacy can be a big problem. You might get unwanted visitors at home or work. Salespeople and scammers could target you. If you work from home, clients might show up uninvited.

To protect your privacy, you may want to use a different address. But this can be tricky and may not be allowed in some states.

2. Might miss important deadlines or opportunities

As a registered agent, you get all official mail for your LLC. This includes time-sensitive documents. If you’re not always available, you could miss key deadlines.

Missing these can lead to fines or legal trouble. You might lose chances to respond to lawsuits on time. This could result in default judgments against your LLC. It’s crucial to check your mail daily and act fast on important items.

3. Geographic Limitations

Being your own registered agent ties you to one place. You must be at your listed address during business hours. This can limit your freedom to move or travel.

If you move, you have to update your address with the state. This takes time and may cost money. For multi-state businesses, you need a registered agent in each state. This gets complicated if you’re trying to do it yourself.

4. Increased Mail Processing

As a registered agent, you’ll get a lot more mail. This includes both important documents and junk mail. Sorting through it all takes time and effort.

You need a system to handle all this mail. Important papers must be dealt with right away. You need to store documents safely for future use. This extra workload can be a hassle. It takes time away from running your business.

5. Inconvenience

Being your own registered agent can be a big hassle. You must be available at your listed address during work hours. Your business could suffer if you’re not there to get important papers. You might miss court dates or tax deadlines.

You need to be ready for surprise visits. Process servers might show up with legal papers at any time. This can be stressful and disruptive to your work day.

6. Legal Risks Due to Missed Legal Notices

Missing legal notices is a big risk when you’re your own registered agent. You could lose by default if you don’t get a lawsuit notice. This means you lose without even getting to defend yourself.

Other risks include fines for missing tax deadlines, loss of good standing with the state, and suspension of your LLC’s rights to do business.

Courts and government agencies assume you got their notices if they send them to your registered agent address. To avoid these risks, you need a foolproof system to handle all notices quickly. This can be tough to manage on your own.

7. You Might Get Exposed to Lots of Junk Mail

Being a registered agent means your address is public. This can lead to a flood of unwanted mail. Marketers and scammers often target registered agents.

Sorting real mail from junk takes time. You might accidentally throw out important papers or fall for a scam that looks official. This extra mail can be annoying and risky. It’s not just a waste of time—it can lead to costly mistakes.

Advantages of Being Your Own Registered Agent

Being your own registered agent offers key benefits.

1. Saves You Money

Acting as your own registered agent can cut costs for your business. Professional registered agent services often charge $100 to $500 per year. By taking on this role yourself, you avoid these fees.

These savings can be especially helpful for new or small businesses with tight budgets. The money you save can be used for other important business expenses.

2. Full Control

As your own registered agent, you have direct oversight of important documents and notices. You’ll receive all official mail and legal papers firsthand.

This direct access means you can respond to time-sensitive matters quickly. There’s no delay in getting information from a third party. You maintain privacy by keeping your personal address off public records. Instead, you can use your business address.

What Is the Best Registered Agent Service? Should You Consider One?

Consider using a registered agent service for your business to save time, protect your privacy, and ensure you don’t miss important legal documents.

Here’s a quick look at some top registered agent services for your LLC:

Service	Registered Agent Pricing	Google Rating
Northwest Registered Agent	Free for the first year, then $125/year	4.7/5
ZenBusiness	$199/year	4.4/5
Tailor Brands	$199/year	4.4/5
Doola	$297/year	4.6/5
Bizee (formerly Incfile)	$119/year	4.5/5

These services handle official mail and keep your personal address off public records. They also make sure you get important notices on time.

Northwest Registered Agent stands out as the best choice. They offer great value with their $125 registered agent annual fee. Their high Google rating shows that customers are happy with their service.

Our recommendation for a Registered Agent Service – Why Northwest?

Northwest Registered Agent stands out as a top choice for registered agent services.

• Affordable Pricing: Northwest provides competitive rates, offering a free first year for new customers with an annual renewal fee of $125 thereafter.
• Privacy Protection: By utilizing their address for your business, you keep your personal address off public records, ensuring your private information remains confidential.
• Free One-Year Service: Their introductory offer includes registered agent services at no additional cost for the first year.
• Compliance-Focused: Northwest is recognized for its commitment to compliance. It guides you through the requirements to help maintain your good standing.
• Exceptional Customer Support: Their team offers outstanding assistance and is dedicated to ensuring a positive experience for every client.
• No Hidden Fees: There are no unexpected charges; everything is transparent and has clear pricing.
• Nationwide Presence: With offices across all 50 states, they can assist you as your business grows and expands.

Northwest Registered Agent is an excellent choice if you want a reliable, affordable, and privacy-focused registered agent service. Their no-nonsense approach and dedicated support make them a preferred option for many LLC owners.

Should You Hire a Registered Agent Service?

Hiring a registered agent service offers several key advantages for your business. Let’s explore the main benefits.

1. Privacy Protection

A registered agent service keeps your personal information off public records. This protects your privacy and helps prevent unwanted solicitations. Your home address won’t be listed on state filings.

The service receives legal documents on your behalf. This means you don’t have to worry about sensitive paperwork being delivered to your home or office.

2. Availability Requirements

Registered agent services are always available during business hours. You don’t need to be present at a physical address to receive important documents.

This is helpful if you travel often or work irregular hours. The service ensures you never miss critical legal notices or deadlines.

3. Flexibility

Using a service gives you more freedom in how you run your business. You can work from home or move offices without updating your registered agent address.

It allows you to keep regular business hours. You won’t need to be available all day to accept legal document deliveries.

4. Business locations in multiple states

A registered agent service is very useful if your company operates in several states. They can act as your agent in multiple locations.

This eliminates the need to find and manage separate agents in each state, simplifies compliance, and reduces administrative work.

5. Formation and Compliance Needs

Many registered agent services offer additional support for business formation and ongoing compliance. They can help file annual reports and keep track of important deadlines.

These services often remind you about filing requirements, helping ensure your business stays in good standing with state authorities.

Some even offer document storage and organization, which makes it easier to keep important business papers in order.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I choose a Registered Agent?

You should ensure they have a physical address in the state, are available during business hours, and have a reliable reputation. It is also important to check reviews and recommendations.

What should I look for in a Registered Agent Service?

You should look for professionalism, experience, comprehensive services (e.g., document forwarding, compliance alerts), strong customer support, and transparent pricing.

How much does a registered agent cost?

The cost typically ranges from $100 to $500 annually, depending on the services offered.

How do I change a registered agent?

You must file the “Change of Registered Agent” form with your state’s business filing agency, pay any required fees, and notify your current registered agent.

How do I withdraw a registered agent?

You must submit a “Resignation of Registered Agent” form to the state business filing agency and inform the company of your resignation.

Can a family member be a registered agent?

Yes, a family member can be a registered agent if they meet state requirements, including having a physical address in the state and being available during business hours.