In most states, you have several options for who can be your Registered Agent. They include you, a friend or family member, your LLC itself (only allowed in a few states), a Registered Agent Service, an attorney, or a CPA. Regardless of who you choose, they’ll need to meet the state requirements. We’ll explain your options and the Registered Agent requirements, so you can choose the best option for your LLC.
No, a Registered Agent doesn’t have to be a person, but they can be. They can also be a company (like a Registered Agent Service). Picking the right Registered Agent is an important part of starting your LLC. We’ll explain your options, so you can make the best decision for your business.
No, your Registered Agent can’t be located in a different state from the one where you filed your LLC. Your Registered Agent must have a physical address in the same state where your LLC is located. If the Registered Agent is a person, they must be a resident of the state where the LLC is located. If the Registered Agent is a company (like a Registered Agent Service), it must be authorized to do business in the state where the LLC is located.
Yes, your Registered Agent must “live” in the same state where your LLC is located. If your Registered Agent is a person, this means they must be a resident of the state. If you hired a Registered Agent Service, then they must have a physical address in the state.
No, you don’t need a Registered Agent in every state.
While every LLC is required to have its own Registered Agent, you only need a Registered Agent in the state(s) where you have an LLC on file with the Secretary of State. This means that if you have multiple LLCs in the same state, or in multiple states, you’ll need a Registered Agent for each LLC. This is true even if the LLCs in multiple states are related to the same business. We’ll explain when and where you need a Registered Agent for your LLC.
The pros of being your own Registered Agent are:
You can save money.
It’s one less online account to keep track of (compared to hiring a Registered Agent Service).
Documents go directly to you.
There are also some cons.
If you want to become the Registered Agent for your own LLC, the process is actually quite simple.
All you have to do is meet the state requirements. Then list your name and address in the Registered Agent fields of your LLC Articles of Organization.
Being your own Registered Agent is a great way to save money – as long as you meet the state requirements.
That said, there are some risks of being a Registered Agent for your LLC. They aren’t likely to occur, but if they do, you could lose your liability protection.
We’ll explain the risks of being a Registered Agent so you can make the best decision for your LLC.
It depends on where your LLC is located. Generally speaking, once your LLC exists, you can list it as the Registered Agent for another LLC that you own, or for someone else’s LLC in that state.
However, most states don’t allow your LLC to be its own Registered Agent. The exceptions to this rule are Colorado, Delaware, Kansas, Nevada, Oklahoma, and Tennessee.
We’ll explain the requirements and risks, as well as how to list your LLC as its own Registered Agent in the states where it is allowed.
Your spouse can be a great choice to be your Registered Agent. And using your spouse (or yourself) as the Registered Agent is a great way to save money. That said, there are some risks, as mentioned above, and Registered Agent information is public record.
If you’re comfortable with that, then making your spouse your Registered Agent is a great idea. If not, we recommend hiring a Registered Agent Service.
