Who Can Be Your Registered Agent?

 

There are three options for designating a registered agent for your startup.

Option 1: You can be your company's Registered Agent. There are a couple states that allow your company to serve as its own Registered Agent, but this is the exception to the rule. We recommend you check with the state.

Option 2: A friend or family member can be your company's Registered Agent.

Option 3: You can hire a Commercial Registered Agent for a fee.

There are certain restrictions and conditions to becoming a registered agent for your business. In general, an individual or business can become your registered agent if the following requirements are met:

A registered agent must physically reside in the state of the business.

The registered agent’s address must be a physical street address. PO boxes are not allowed.

The registered agent must be available during normal business hours to receive important state and legal documents.

The name and physical address of the individual is required if the agent is a person.

If the agent is a business, it must be a company registered in the state and is in good standing. In this case, usually the business name or some record ID is required to identify the business as your agent when you file.