State Requirements Guide
Registered Agent Requirements by State
Every LLC and corporation in the United States must designate a registered agent. Here's what each state requires, who qualifies, and why it matters for your business.
Universal Requirements (All 50 States)
- ✓ Must have a physical street address in the state (no P.O. Boxes)
- ✓ Must be available during normal business hours to accept documents
- ✓ Must be an individual resident of the state OR a business authorized to operate there
- ✓ Must consent to the appointment (cannot be named without agreement)
- ✓ Must forward all received documents to the business promptly
What Does a Registered Agent Do?
Accept legal documents
Receive service of process (lawsuits, subpoenas) on behalf of your business during business hours.
Accept government notices
Receive official correspondence from the Secretary of State, including annual report reminders, compliance notices, and tax documents.
Forward documents promptly
Relay all received documents to the business owner or designated contact immediately — time-sensitive legal deadlines depend on this.
Maintain a physical address
Provide a real street address (not P.O. Box) in the state of formation where documents can be delivered during business hours.
Be available during business hours
Must be present at the registered address during normal business hours (typically 9 AM–5 PM, Monday–Friday) to accept deliveries.
Requirements by State
All 50 states have similar core requirements. Key differences shown below for popular formation states.
| State | Required For | Who Qualifies | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | LLC, Corp, LP | Individual (AL resident) or authorized business | Cannot be a P.O. Box |
| California | LLC, Corp, LP | Individual (CA resident) or registered CA corp | Agent must agree in writing |
| Delaware | LLC, Corp, LP, GP | Individual (DE resident) or authorized DE business | Most popular state for commercial agents |
| Florida | LLC, Corp, LP | Individual (FL resident) or authorized FL business | Change via Sunbiz online portal |
| Louisiana | LLC, Corp, LP | Individual (LA resident) or authorized LA business | SOS notifies agent of filings |
| Mississippi | LLC, Corp, LP | Individual (MS resident) or authorized MS business | Annual report lists agent info |
| New York | LLC, Corp, LP | Individual (NY resident) or authorized NY business | SOS can be designated as agent |
| Texas | LLC, Corp, LP, LLP | Individual (TX resident) or TX business | Must consent to appointment |
| Wyoming | LLC, Corp, LP | Individual (WY resident) or authorized WY business | Popular for privacy-focused LLCs |
| Pennsylvania | LLC, Corp, LP | Individual (PA resident) or authorized PA business | Called "registered office" in PA |
Should You Be Your Own Registered Agent?
Being Your Own Agent
- + Free
- − Home address on public record
- − Must be available 9–5 every business day
- − Lawsuits served at your home or office
- − No coverage during vacation or illness
- − Must maintain address in state of registration
Professional Registered Agent
- + Privacy — your address stays off public records
- + Always available during business hours
- + Compliance reminders (annual reports, deadlines)
- + Professional document handling and forwarding
- + Works in any state (no residency needed)
- − Annual cost ($100–$249/year)
How to Change Your Registered Agent
- 1 Choose your new agent — Ensure they meet your state's requirements and have consented to serve.
- 2 File the change form — Submit a "Statement of Change of Registered Agent" to your Secretary of State. Most states allow online filing.
- 3 Pay the filing fee — Ranges from $0 to $25 depending on state. Many states process for free.
- 4 Confirm the change — Verify the update on your state's business registry (1–5 business days).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a registered agent?
A registered agent (also called a statutory agent or agent for service of process) is a person or company designated to receive legal documents, government notices, and official correspondence on behalf of your LLC or corporation. Every state requires one.
Can I be my own registered agent?
Yes, in all 50 states. You must be a resident of the state where your business is registered and available at a physical street address during business hours. The downside: your home address becomes public record, and you must always be available to accept legal documents during business hours.
What happens if I don't have a registered agent?
Your state can administratively dissolve your LLC. Without a registered agent, legal documents have nowhere to go — you could miss a lawsuit deadline and have a default judgment entered against you. Some states also impose fines for operating without one.
How much does a registered agent cost?
Professional registered agent services range from $100 to $249 per year. Eleet AI offers registered agent service in all 50 states for $100/year — among the lowest flat-rate prices from any national provider. Free options exist (being your own agent), but they expose your home address and require constant availability.
How do I change my registered agent?
File a "Change of Registered Agent" form with your state's Secretary of State. Most states allow online filing ($0–$25 fee). The new agent must consent to the appointment. Changes typically take effect within 1–5 business days.
Does my registered agent need to be in the same state as my LLC?
Yes. Your registered agent must have a physical address in the state where your LLC is registered. If your LLC is registered in multiple states (foreign qualification), you need a registered agent in each state.
What is the difference between a registered agent and a registered office?
Some states (like Pennsylvania) use the term "registered office" instead of "registered agent." The concept is the same — a designated address where legal documents can be delivered. The registered office must have a person available to accept documents during business hours.
Can a registered agent refuse to serve?
Yes. A registered agent can resign by filing a resignation notice with the Secretary of State. When this happens, the LLC typically has 30–60 days to appoint a replacement. If no replacement is named, the state may dissolve the LLC.