Yes, your Registered Agent’s address is part of the public record.
This means that anyone can find the name or address of your Registered Agent by searching for your LLC either:
- on your state’s Secretary of State’s website, or
- in a simple Google search.
Your Registered Agent’s address also becomes part of your business’s permanent record with the state.
We’ll explain why your Registered Agent address must be public record. Then we’ll give you steps you can take to make sure your home address stays off of public record.
Special offer: Hire Northwest to form your LLC ($39 + state fee), and you'll get a free year of Registered Agent service.
Only need RA service? Use this link instead ($125 per year).
(Learn why we recommend Northwest in our review)
What is a Registered Agent?
A Registered Agent is a person or business that agrees to accept state notices and legal documents on behalf of an LLC, then forwards those documents onto the LLC.
The delivery of legal documents is called Service of Process.
Basically, your Registered Agent is your LLC’s point of contact in the state where it’s registered to do business.
Since your Registered Agent is your LLC’s point of contact, the state and courts need to know where your Registered Agent is located.
Your Registered Agent’s name and address are listed on your LLC Articles of Organization. And you keep this information updated with the state using your LLC Annual Report.
What are Public Records?
Public records are basically just documents that aren’t confidential.
Said another way, the public record is made of documents and records that the public has a right to view and access.
When you start a business, the documents you file with the Secretary of State are put on public record.
However, some states are more transparent with these records than others.
For example: In Iowa, you can look up an LLC on the Iowa Secretary of State’s website and access its entire filing history.
However, in Delaware, you can only use the Delaware Secretary of State’s website to see basic information about an LLC. That said, you can order a copy of any business’s filing documents.
Regardless of the state, you can always find a business’s Registered Agent information (including their name and address) on their Secretary of State’s website.
Are Public Records Permanent?
Yes, once something is on the public record, it is usually there permanently.
If you want something removed from public record, you’ll likely need a court order.
This means that even if you change your Registered Agent or their address, the original name and address will still be listed on past filings.
For example: Let’s say that you formed your LLC in 2024. On your Articles of Organization, you listed yourself as your Registered Agent and used your home address as your Registered Agent address (called the Registered Office).
In 2025, you filed your Annual Report, again listing your home address.
In 2026, you hired a Registered Agent Service and changed your Registered Office to their address.
Even though the Registered Office address has changed, your Articles of Organization and 2025 Annual Report will always list your home address as your Registered Office.
Said another way, your Registered Agent address is part of the public record, and updating it doesn’t remove it from past filings.
Why is my Registered Agent address public record?
Your Registered Agent must be on the public record because the state and courts need to know where to send state notices and legal documents.
Registered Agents play an important role in our legal system by receiving Service of Process on behalf of LLCs.
This duty helps make sure that legal documents, like summons and complaints, are delivered to and received by the right people. It also helps courts track the delivery of documents.
Most court actions have strict timing, so a Registered Agent’s address must be easy to find.
If your Registered Agent address wasn’t on public record, people trying to sue your business would have to contact you to ask where legal documents would need to be sent.
This process would be very inefficient. And not everyone would be honest about their address if they were part of a lawsuit.
So, your Registered Agent address must be public record so the state and courts can run efficiently.
What if I’m my own Registered Agent?
If you live in the state where your LLC is registered to do business, being your own Registered Agent is a great way to save money.
That said, it also means that your address will be public record.
If you operate your LLC out of your home, your home address would be public record.
So, while being your own Registered Agent is a great way to save money, you could be losing some privacy by doing so.
How can I keep my address off of public record?
The best way to keep your address off of public record is to hire a Registered Agent Service.
The company we recommend is Northwest Registered Agent.
If you hire Northwest to be your Registered Agent, they’ll let you use their address throughout your entire LLC paperwork.
Special offer: Hire Northwest to form your LLC ($39 + state fee), and you'll get a free year of Registered Agent service.
Only need RA service? Use this link instead ($125 per year).
(Learn why we recommend Northwest in our review)
FAQs
Is a Registered Agent required for an LLC?
Yes, each state requires that you list and maintain a Registered Agent for your LLC for as long as it remains active with the state.
That said, New York and West Virginia are exceptions to this requirement.
In New York, the Secretary of State is listed as your Registered Agent by default.
In West Virginia, if you don’t list a Registered Agent, state notices and legal documents are simply sent to the mailing address you have on file with the state.
Can I get my home address off of public record?
It depends. Most states won’t remove something from the public record without a court order. And, getting a court order can be difficult.
That said, many states have “Address Confidentiality Programs” designed to protect certain groups. Some limit these protections to victims of domestic violence, but others include groups like politicians and healthcare workers.
If you’ve already formed your LLC and listed yourself as the Registered Agent using your home address, you can reach out to your Secretary of State to see if your state has an Address Confidentiality Program that you would qualify for.
If you do, you may be able to get your address off the public record.
How do I choose a Registered Agent Service?
When choosing a Registered Agent Service for your business, you’ll want to make sure that the services they provide meet the needs of your business.
You’ll also want to consider things like cost, payment schedule, and cancellation methods.
We recommend Northwest Registered Agent because they:
- allow you to use their address throughout your LLC paperwork,
- have excellent customer service, and
- are reasonably priced ($125 per year).
To help you make the best decision for your business, please read Best Registered Agent Services for Your LLC.
Matt holds a Bachelor's Degree in business from Drexel University with a concentration in business law. He performs extensive research and analysis to convert state laws into simple instructions anyone can follow to form their LLC - all for free! Read more about Matt Horwitz and LLC University.