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The term Registered Agent is used in 39 states plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
A Registered Agent may also be referred to as a:
- Resident Agent
- Registered Office
- Statutory Agent
- Agent of Process
- Agent for Service of Process
A Registered Agent is a person or company who agrees to receive legal mail (called “service of process”) on behalf of a legal entity (such as an LLC or Corporation) in case that entity is sued.
Service of process can include complaints, summons, and subpoenas.
Oftentimes, the Secretary of State will also use a Registered Agent’s address as an entity’s point of contact for official notices sent to the business. More often that not though, most regular mail (items that are not service of process) will be sent to the entity’s principal office address or mailing address.
What is a Registered Agent called in all 50 states:
| State | Term | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Registered Agent | |
| Alaska | Registered Agent | |
| Arizona | Statutory Agent | |
| Arkansas | Registered Agent | |
| California | Agent for Service of Process | |
| Colorado | Registered Agent | |
| Connecticut | Registered Agent | Used to be called "Statutory Agent", but CT changed the name in 2017. |
| Delaware | Registered Agent | |
| District of Columbia | Registered Agent | "Resident Agent" is used by Sole Proprietorships, General Partnerships, and Family Trusts. |
| Florida | Registered Agent | |
| Georgia | Registered Agent | |
| Hawaii | Registered Agent | |
| Idaho | Registered Agent | |
| Illinois | Registered Agent | |
| Indiana | Registered Agent | |
| Iowa | Registered Agent | |
| Kansas | Resident Agent | |
| Kentucky | Registered Agent | |
| Louisiana | Registered Agent | |
| Maine | Registered Agent | |
| Maryland | Resident Agent | |
| Massachusetts | Resident Agent | |
| Michigan | Resident Agent | |
| Minnesota | Registered Agent | |
| Mississippi | Registered Agent | |
| Missouri | Registered Agent | |
| Montana | Registered Agent | |
| Nebraska | Registered Agent | |
| Nevada | Registered Agent | |
| New Hampshire | Registered Agent | |
| New Jersey | Registered Agent | |
| New Mexico | Registered Agent | |
| New York | Agent for Service of Process | The Secretary of State is the Agent for Service of Process for all LLCs. |
| North Carolina | Registered Agent | |
| North Dakota | Registered Agent | |
| Ohio | Statutory Agent | |
| Oklahoma | Registered Agent | |
| Oregon | Registered Agent | |
| Pennsylvania | Registered Office | |
| Rhode Island | Resident Agent | |
| Puerto Rico | Registered Agent | |
| South Carolina | Registered Agent | |
| South Dakota | Registered Agent | |
| Tennessee | Registered Agent | |
| Texas | Registered Agent | |
| Utah | Registered Agent | |
| Vermont | Registered Agent | |
| Virginia | Registered Agent | |
| Washington | Registered Agent | |
| West Virginia | Agent of Process | Unlike all other states, a Registered Agent isn't required in West Virginia. |
| Wisconsin | Registered Agent | |
| Wyoming | Registered Agent |
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.