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.
No, a Trust can’t be a Registered Agent. That’s because a Registered Agent needs to be a person or business entity, and a Trust is neither (a Trust is a legal agreement). However, a Trustee can be a Registered Agent (as long as they meet the state requirements).
Yes, a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) can be a Registered Agent for your LLC. Some CPAs offer Registered Agent service, and this can be useful if you already have a CPA.
That said, you have a few options for who can be your Registered Agent, and there may be some downsides to using your CPA to fill that role.
Yes, a lawyer can be a Registered Agent for your LLC. However, you have a few options for who can be your Registered Agent. And hiring a lawyer to fill that role may not be the best choice. We’ll explain the pros and cons so you can choose the best Registered Agent option for your LLC.
Pros: If you’re already paying a lawyer, they may offer Registered Agent services at a reasonable price (or for free). Using a lawyer as your Registered Agent can keep your address off public records.
A Registered Agent is responsible for receiving legal mail on behalf of an LLC.
An LLC Manager runs the day-to-day operations of the business.
Sometimes the same person can serve both roles, but a Registered Agent isn’t automatically an LLC Manager, and an LLC Manager isn’t automatically a Registered Agent.
Good news – a Statutory Agent is the same thing as a Registered Agent.
And a Registered Agent is a person or company who agrees to accept legal mail on behalf of your LLC.
You can think of them as a “receiver” and “forwarder” of important documents.
