When you register a business, you must list the name and physical street address of your company’s registered agent. That agent can be a professional service like LegalZoom, a trusted colleague, an employee, or yourself—so long as the state’s criteria are met.

Each state sets its own rules for registered agents. Wherever your business is formed (and in every additional state where it’s authorized to do business), the person or service you appoint must meet those state-specific standards to keep you compliant and avoid penalties or administrative dissolution.

To simplify things, we’ve compiled a state-by-state overview of registered agent requirements for all 50 states. If you don’t want to manage this on your own, providers like LegalZoom can serve as your registered agent in any state where your company operates and keep details current as rules evolve.

What Is a Registered Agent?

A registered agent is the individual or business you officially designate to receive legal and tax documents for your company. This includes service of process (e.g., a lawsuit or subpoena), state notices, annual report reminders, and certain tax correspondence.

In most states, an agent must be an adult with a physical street address (not a P.O. Box) in the same state where your company is registered or foreign-qualified. If you don’t meet that requirement—or prefer not to list your own address—professional services like LegalZoom can act as your agent and keep your information private.

Crucially, the agent must be reachable at that address during standard business hours. States and courts deliver time-sensitive notices, and someone needs to be present to accept them. Missing these documents can trigger fines, default judgments, or even administrative dissolution.

The Basics of Registered Agent Requirements by State

Below are the unique or expanded registered agent rules for each state. Use these notes to confirm whether you—or the person or company you choose—qualify in your state.

Across most states, registered agents must:

• Be at least 18 years old (where applicable)
• Maintain a physical street address in the state of formation or qualification (no P.O. Boxes)
• Be available at that address during regular business hours to receive official notices and service of process

Nearly every state requires appointing a registered agent to remain in good standing. In some cases, one business may act as agent for another—provided the address and availability rules are satisfied.

To avoid redundancy, we’ve highlighted only state-specific nuances below. Unless otherwise noted, assume the standard criteria above apply.

Alabama

You may serve as your own agent, appoint another individual, or hire a registered agent company. Individuals must be Alabama residents; agent companies must maintain a registered office in Alabama.

Alaska

Alaska residents can serve as registered agents (including for their own businesses). Corporations authorized to do business in Alaska, licensed attorneys, and incorporated law firms may also serve as agents, but a corporation cannot be its own agent. Non-corporate entities (LLCs, LLPs, LPs) generally cannot serve as agents for others.

Arizona

Arizona uses the term “statutory agent.” An agent may be an individual, an Arizona corporation or LLC, or an out-of-state corporation/LLC authorized to do business in Arizona with an in-state address. You can be your own statutory agent; a corporation or LLC cannot be its own agent.

Arkansas

An owner, officer, or shareholder can serve as agent. Arkansas requires an agent to be appointed before filing formation paperwork; otherwise the Secretary of State will reject the filing.

California

California permits individuals as agents and allows corporations/LLCs to serve as agents for other businesses (not for themselves). Corporations acting as agents must file a certificate under Section 1505 with the Secretary of State to appoint a designated office and receive service of process statewide.

Colorado

A business entity can serve as its own agent if it maintains a usual place of business in Colorado. Out-of-state entities must be authorized to transact in Colorado to serve as their own agents there.

Connecticut

Out-of-state businesses may appoint the Connecticut Secretary of the State as agent for service of process for certain filings. Any business with a physical Connecticut address may serve as an agent within the state.

Delaware

Agents must hold and maintain a Delaware business license. Individuals may serve as agents if they are Delaware residents and meet standard address and availability rules.

Florida

You may act as your own agent for a corporation or LLC. Florida requires an agent to be appointed before formation documents are accepted by the state.

Georgia

Agents may be individuals or entities (e.g., LLC, LP, LLP, general partnership). An LLC can appoint a Georgia resident as agent or a domestic/foreign corporation registered in Georgia. Corporations and nonprofits can use an individual or any qualifying business entity located in Georgia as agent.

Hawaii

The agent must be a Hawaii resident or a business entity registered in Hawaii. A Hawaii resident may serve as their own agent if they meet address and availability requirements.

Idaho

Business owners may serve as their own agents. Idaho will reject formation filings if an agent is not appointed. Registered agent information is public record in Idaho.

Illinois

If an appointed agent cannot be reached for service of process, the Illinois Secretary of State may accept service on the company’s behalf as provided by statute.

Indiana

Indiana residents may serve as registered agents, as may qualifying entities with an in-state address and normal business-hours availability.

Iowa

An agent may be an Iowa resident, an Iowa profit or nonprofit corporation, or a foreign profit/nonprofit corporation authorized in Iowa. In certain situations, the Secretary of State can accept service. If an agent is unreachable after reasonable attempts, service may be directed to the company’s secretary at its principal office address.

Kansas

All corporations and LLCs must appoint an agent. The agent must be an individual Kansas resident or a company that provides registered agent services; other operating businesses cannot serve as agents in Kansas.

Kentucky

Similar to Kansas, agents must be Kentucky residents or companies that provide registered agent services; operating businesses that are not agent providers generally cannot serve as agents for others.

Louisiana

Businesses may serve as their own agents. Formation filings are rejected if an agent is not appointed at the time of filing.

Maine

In Maine, a registered agent is often called a “commercial clerk.” Business owners may serve as their own commercial clerk if they meet the address and availability requirements.

Maryland

Maryland agents handle official correspondence from the State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) in addition to service of process and certain tax notices.

Massachusetts

“Resident agent” and “registered agent” are interchangeable terms. Individuals may serve as their own agent if they meet the standard requirements and maintain a Massachusetts address for service of process.

Michigan

Michigan also uses “resident agent” interchangeably with “registered agent.” An agent must be a Michigan resident, a Michigan corporation/LLC, or a foreign corporation/LLC authorized to transact business in Michigan.

Minnesota

The Minnesota Secretary of State lists agent names and addresses in a public database. If you operate in multiple states, you must maintain a registered agent in each state where you’re registered to do business.

Mississippi

Owners may serve as their own agents. Mississippi will reject filings that do not include an appointed registered agent.

Missouri

Agents must be Missouri resident individuals or companies that provide registered agent services; other operating businesses generally cannot serve as agents for others in Missouri.

Montana

You may serve as your own agent. If reasonable attempts to serve your appointed agent fail, service may be made on the company’s secretary at its principal address—so ensure your agent information stays current to avoid missing notices.

Nebraska

Agents can be Nebraska-resident individuals or corporations authorized to transact business in the state. Failure to maintain an agent can lead to loss of good standing and potential administrative dissolution until corrected.

Nevada

Individuals may act as their own agents by selecting the “noncommercial registered agent” option during formation. Commercial agent companies are also available and commonly used for privacy and continuity.

New Hampshire

LLCs and corporations must appoint a registered agent; some other entity types may not be required to. Agents must be New Hampshire residents or companies that provide registered agent services (not other operating businesses).

New Jersey

Agents must be New Jersey residents or companies that provide registered agent services (not other operating businesses). You may serve as your own agent if you meet the state’s address and availability rules.

New Mexico

Any person or business with a physical New Mexico address can be an agent, and you may serve as your own agent. New Mexico rejects filings that don’t list an agent. Agent information is public record in this state, so many owners prefer a service for privacy.

New York

Agents may be New York residents, LLCs, or corporations with a physical in-state address. You may serve as your own agent if you meet the availability requirements during business hours.

North Carolina

Agents must be North Carolina residents or companies that provide registered agent services; other operating businesses generally cannot serve as agents for others in North Carolina.

North Dakota

Agents must be state residents or registered agent service companies (not other operating businesses). Filings are rejected if an agent is not appointed at formation or qualification.

Ohio

Ohio refers to agents as “statutory agents.” You can serve as your own statutory agent if you are an Ohio resident and maintain a physical address where you’re available during normal business hours.

Oklahoma

Agents may be Oklahoma resident individuals or registered agent service companies; other operating businesses generally cannot serve as agents for others in Oklahoma.

Oregon

Oregon rejects business filings that do not include an agent. Owners may serve as their own agent if they maintain an Oregon street address and are available during business hours.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania requires appointing an agent during the formation process. You may serve as your own agent. If service on your agent fails after reasonable attempts, the company’s secretary may be served at the principal office; keep agent data current to avoid missed notices.

Rhode Island

Filings are rejected if an agent is not appointed. Rhode Island business owners may serve as their own registered agents if they meet the state’s address and availability rules.

South Carolina

LLCs and corporations must maintain a registered agent; other entity types may not be required to. Owners may serve as their own agents if they satisfy in-state address and availability requirements.

South Dakota

Any South Dakota resident individual with a physical in-state address and standard business-hours availability can serve as agent, as can qualifying agent companies with a South Dakota office.

Tennessee

Owners may serve as their own agents. Agent names and addresses are public records in Tennessee, so many businesses use a service for privacy and continuity.

Texas

The Secretary of State will reject filings that don’t list an agent. Owners may serve as their own agents if they maintain a Texas street address and are available during business hours.

Utah

Utah permits owners to act as their own agents so long as they maintain an in-state street address and daytime availability for service of process and state notices.

Vermont

Agents are sometimes called “process agents,” particularly in LLC filings. Any individual or entity (including nonprofits) with a Vermont street and mailing address may serve as agent if they meet availability requirements.

Virginia

Entities cannot act as their own agents but may serve as agents for other businesses. Individuals can serve as agents if they are Virginia residents and satisfy the address and availability rules.

Washington

Filings are rejected without an appointed agent. Owners can serve as their own agents if they maintain a Washington street address and are available during normal business hours.

Washington DC

Agents may be individuals with a District address or a company providing registered agent services in the District of Columbia. The agent must be listed on the initial statement of appointment. Owners may serve as their own agents if they meet the rules above.

West Virginia

LLCs and corporations must appoint an agent; other entity types may not be required to. Owners may serve as their own agents. Agent names and addresses are public records in West Virginia, so many companies use a service for privacy and continuity of coverage.

Wisconsin

Filings will be rejected without an appointed agent. Owners can serve as their own agents if they maintain a Wisconsin street address and daytime availability for service and notices.

Wyoming

Corporations and LLCs must appoint an agent; other entity types may not be required to. All agents must sign the “Consent to Appointment by Registered Agent” acknowledging their duties. Owners may serve as their own agents if they meet address and availability requirements.

How to Choose a Registered Agent Service (Checklist + Red Flags)

Picking the right registered agent matters more than most founders realize. The agent you choose determines how quickly you receive lawsuits and state notices, how reliably you meet deadlines, and how private your address stays. Use the checklist below to compare providers and decide whether to appoint yourself, a trusted individual, or a nationwide service such as LegalZoom.

Must-Have Features

  • Real street address in every state you need. No P.O. Boxes; service of process must be accepted at a physical location during business hours.
  • Same-day document scanning and delivery. Look for instant uploads, email alerts, and optional text notifications so nothing slips.
  • Compliance calendar and reminders. Automatic alerts for annual reports, franchise taxes, and assumed name renewals help you avoid late fees.
  • Multi-state coverage under one login. Centralized dashboards make it easy to add states as you expand and keep renewals aligned.
  • Clear consent and change filings support. The provider should furnish “Consent to Appointment” and prefilled change forms where required.
  • Privacy guard. Your personal address should never be published; the provider’s registered office is listed instead.
  • Availability guarantees. A documented process for accepting service of process every business day without gaps.
  • Security and record retention. Encrypted portals, role-based user access, and downloadable PDFs with time-stamped receipts.

Cost Expectations and Pricing Gotchas

  • Transparent annual fee per state. Expect a flat annual price by state; beware teaser rates that jump on renewal.
  • Included vs. add-on services. Some providers charge extra for mail forwarding, annual report filing, or compliance alerts. Verify what’s included.
  • Change-of-agent filing fees. States may charge to switch agents. Confirm whether the provider files the change for you and what it costs.
  • Bulk or multi-state discounts. If you operate in several states, ask about consolidated billing and aligned renewal dates.

Red Flags to Avoid

  • No guaranteed business-hours coverage. If the provider can’t confirm who accepts service and when, keep looking.
  • Slow scanning or mail-only delivery. Waiting days for physical mail increases the risk of missing response deadlines.
  • Unclear ownership of your data. You should be able to export all documents and activity logs anytime.
  • Hidden registered office changes. Sudden address swaps can break your filings if the provider doesn’t promptly update the state record.
  • One-state companies for multi-state needs. Mixing several small agents increases failure points and billing complexity.

Self vs. Service: How to Decide

Serving as your own agent can work if you have a dedicated office that’s staffed during business hours and you’re comfortable publishing that address on public records. If you travel often, work from home, or plan to expand into other states, a professional agent is usually the safer path. Many owners also appoint a service to prevent awkward in-person service of process at client-facing locations.

Quick Comparison Checklist

  • Coverage: Can the provider support every state you operate in today—and those on your roadmap?
  • Speed: How fast are documents scanned and delivered? Are alerts configurable for your team?
  • Compliance Tools: Does the dashboard track annual reports, BOI updates if applicable, and license renewals?
  • Support: Can they file change-of-agent forms on your behalf and provide stamped confirmations?
  • Security: Do they offer secure portals, user roles, and audit logs for legal holds?
  • Pricing: Is the annual fee clear, with no surprise add-ons at renewal?

If you prefer a done-for-you option with privacy and nationwide coverage, start with a reputable provider like LegalZoom or compare options in our best registered agent services guide. Picking a dependable service now reduces compliance risk, keeps sensitive deadlines on track, and frees you up to focus on running the business.

How to Change Your Registered Agent (Step-by-Step)

There are plenty of reasons to switch registered agents—moving to a provider with better coverage, consolidating multi-state filings, protecting privacy, or replacing an agent that missed a notice. The process is straightforward in most states if you follow the steps below and keep your entity records synchronized.

The Process at a Glance

  • Confirm eligibility and requirements in your state. Look up the exact form name (often “Change of Registered Agent,” “Statement of Change,” or “Registered Office/Agent Change”). Some states also require changing the “registered office” address at the same time.
  • Choose the new agent and obtain written consent. Many states require a signed consent from the incoming agent (sometimes called “Consent to Appointment”). Your agent service will usually generate this for you.
  • Verify good standing. If your company is not in good standing (e.g., missed annual report or fees), resolve that first to avoid rejection or delays.
  • Complete the state form accurately. Use your exact legal entity name as it appears in the state record, including punctuation and suffixes (LLC, Inc., Corp.). Mismatches are a common reason for rejections.
  • Pay the filing fee. Fees vary by state; some are $0 while others charge a modest fee. If available, file online for faster approval and a timestamped receipt.
  • Track acknowledgment. Keep the state’s stamped copy or digital confirmation. Your new agent should also confirm activation in their portal.
  • Repeat for every foreign-qualified state. If you operate in multiple states, file a change in each jurisdiction to keep coverage consistent.

Timing, Effective Dates, and Renewals

Most changes are effective on the state’s file date or the date noted on your approval notice. If you are switching near an annual report deadline, submit the change first so the report and future notices go to the new agent. When you consolidate multiple states with a single provider, align renewals on the same month to simplify budgeting and reduce lapse risk.

If Your Agent Resigns

In several states, an agent may resign by filing with the Secretary of State and sending you notice. The resignation can become effective immediately or after a short window. If you don’t appoint a replacement by the effective date, the state may list your company as “not in compliance,” suspend authority to do business, or move toward administrative dissolution. To avoid gaps, authorize a new agent the same day you receive a resignation notice and file the change immediately.

Special Notes for Multi-State Entities

When you’re registered in multiple states, your agent coverage must be continuous everywhere you operate. Treat the switch as a project: export a list of states, entity ID numbers, and current registered office addresses; then file state by state in a planned sequence. Many nationwide providers can generate a batch of pre-filled forms and track approvals for you. After approvals, confirm each state’s public record reflects the new agent and address exactly—minor typos can break service of process routing.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using the wrong entity name format. Always match the state record precisely, including commas and “LLC/Inc.” suffixes.
  • Forgetting foreign registrations. Changing the agent in your formation state does not update other states automatically—file in each one.
  • Letting the old agent lapse before approval. Keep the current agent active until the change is approved to prevent gaps in coverage.
  • Ignoring registered office rules. If the new agent uses a different registered office address, update both agent and office when required.
  • Not updating downstream records. After approval, update licenses, permits, bank records, payroll providers, and your compliance calendar so notices route correctly.

Post-Filing Checklist

  • Save the state-stamped copy or digital approval in your corporate records book.
  • Confirm your new agent appears correctly in the state’s public database.
  • Verify mail forwarding and electronic delivery settings in your agent’s portal.
  • Update internal SOPs so staff know where legal mail is delivered and how to escalate time-sensitive items.
  • Set renewal reminders for the new agent service and each state’s annual report due dates.

2 Tricks for Registered Agent Services

Use the strategies below to stay compliant year after year and reduce the risk of missed notices or public exposure of your home address:

Don’t Be Your Own Registered Agent

Listing yourself may save a small fee, but it creates ongoing risk and hassle. You must be physically present at the listed address during normal business hours most days of the year. If you’re unavailable when a process server arrives—or if your address changes and you forget to update the state—you could miss a lawsuit or state notice and face penalties or default judgments.

Privacy is another concern: in many states, agent details appear in public records. If you work from home, this exposes your personal address. A professional agent shields your privacy, forwards documents promptly, and keeps your information current with the state.

Use a Registered Agent Service That’s Available in All 50 States

Hiring a professional agent is the simplest, most reliable, and often most affordable long-term option. Choose a provider with coverage in all 50 states, robust compliance tools (mail scanning, delivery alerts, and annual report reminders), and clear pricing—so if you expand to new states, you can add coverage without switching vendors.

If you register in multiple states, you’ll need an agent in each one. Managing several agents is cumbersome; a single nationwide provider lets you centralize notices, store documents securely, and scale without extra admin work.

Next Steps

Consider using a third-party registered agent to protect your privacy and avoid missed notices.

If that’s the plan, start with LegalZoom or our best registered agent services guide, where we’ve compared top providers with feature-rich plans and transparent pricing.