What Is a Registered Agent?
Plain-language explainer. For each state's change-of-agent filing fee, see the Change of Registered Agent Fees by State matrix. Not legal advice.
Short answer
A registered agent is the person or company an entity designates to receive legal documents and official state mail on its behalf — things like lawsuit service (service of process) and compliance notices. Every U.S. state requires an LLC or corporation to name and maintain one at a physical address in the state.
Why the role exists
It guarantees there is a reliable, public point of contact during business hours where the company can be served legal papers. That certainty protects both the state and anyone who needs to formally notify the business.
Yourself vs. a commercial agent
You can usually serve as your own agent if you have an in-state physical address and are available during business hours — but your name and address then appear on the public record. A commercial registered agent keeps a personal address off the filing, ensures availability, and covers states where you have no physical presence. Privacy implications of the agent field are tracked in the registered-agent visibility matrices.
Changing your agent
Switching agents — common when moving to a commercial service — is a state filing with its own fee. Some states process it for free; others charge. The per-state fee, with expedite options, is in the change-of-agent matrix.
Not legal advice
Eligibility rules and the consequences of a lapse are state-specific. Confirm with the state before acting.
See also: Change of Registered Agent Fees (matrix) · Registered Agent Visibility by State
Frequently asked questions
Can I be my own registered agent?
In most states, yes, if you have a physical address in the state and are available during business hours. The trade-off is that your name and address become part of the public record and you must be reliably reachable for legal service.
Why do people use a commercial registered agent?
To keep a personal or home address off the public filing, to ensure someone is always available to accept legal documents, and to cover states where they have no physical presence.
How do I change my registered agent?
You file a change-of-agent form with the state and pay any filing fee. See the Change of Registered Agent Fees by State matrix for the fee in all 51 jurisdictions.
What happens if I don't maintain one?
Failing to maintain a registered agent can cause the state to find the entity out of compliance and, ultimately, administratively dissolve it or revoke its authority.
Go deeper with source-backed research
Explore methodology, datasets, and related matrices cited on this page.