Registered agents serve as the official point of contact for businesses, receiving and forwarding legal and government documents. Most states require a resident or authorized business with a physical address who’s consistently available, and professional services must meet licensing, compliance, and reliability standards.
Last Updated: December 17, 2025
Registered business entities like limited liability companies (LLCs), corporations, and nonprofit corporations must designate a registered agent to accept service of process and other legal correspondence on their behalf. Business owners can serve as their own registered agent, or aspiring business owners can become registered agents to serve other businesses — but to do so, they’ll need to understand how to become a registered agent.Technically, the formal requirements to become a registered agent are relatively simple. However, the role carries important responsibilities. Anyone acting as a registered agent must be reliable and consistently available during regular business hours. Mistakes or missed deliveries can create significant problems for the businesses that rely on these services.
Registered agent rules are created at the state level, so the specifics vary depending on the state. Even so, many states share common standards. A registered agent is generally an individual resident of the state or a business entity with authority to operate there. Several states also specify that an individual agent must be at least 18 years old.
Another common rule is that the registered agent must maintain a physical street address in the state. P.O. boxes are not acceptable because the agent is expected to be available at that location during standard business hours. A P.O. box or virtual address cannot meet this requirement because delivery of legal documents must occur in person.
For example, Virginia requires attorneys or individuals associated with a business’s management to serve as a registered agent. Colorado requires an individual agent to provide a valid state-issued identification number when appointed.
Some states distinguish between commercial and noncommercial registered agents. In these states, a commercial registered agent is an individual or business offering registered agent services to multiple entities, while a noncommercial registered agent is appointed privately by a single business.
Several states also require written or electronic consent from the registered agent. Wyoming requires an agent’s written consent as part of formation filings. Washington requires the registered agent’s signature on the appointment form, and Colorado requires businesses to confirm the agent’s consent when filing formation documents.
The registered agent’s primary responsibility is to receive important legal documents, such as service of process (notice of a lawsuit), annual report reminders, franchise tax notices, wage garnishment proceedings against employees, and other documents on behalf of the company (or companies) they represent. After the agent receives one of these documents, they’ll forward it to the appropriate person at the business.
Although the role can seem like a middle step, it exists to ensure that courts and government agencies can reliably contact a business.
Many business owners are not consistently present at a single location during business hours. Some operate in multiple locations or travel frequently. Mobile businesses, such as food trucks, often move from one location to another throughout the day. If a process server attempted to deliver notice of a lawsuit directly to the owner, finding the correct location could be difficult.
By contrast, the registered agent must remain available at the listed registered office address during regular business hours. The address appears in public records so courts and agencies know where to deliver official documents.
This responsibility has significant consequences. If the registered agent fails to receive or forward service of process, the business may not be aware of a lawsuit in time to appear in court. In some cases, this absence can result in a default judgment against the entity.
Many business owners choose not to serve as their own registered agent, which leads them to hire a professional registered agent service. This demand leads some new business owners to start their own company providing registered agent services to other businesses.
Starting a registered agent business requires careful planning, though. Here are some basic tasks entrepreneurs should handle to get started.
Before starting a registered agent service business, entrepreneurs should decide how they’ll structure their company. This choice impacts how the business is structured and the level of personal risk the owner assumes.
One option is to operate as an unincorporated business, such as a general partnership (two or more owners) or a sole proprietorship (one owner). These structures do not file formation paperwork with the state and therefore do not appoint their own registered agent. However, sole proprietorships and general partnerships do not offer limited liability protections. If the business were sued or unable to repay debts, the owner’s personal assets could be at risk.
Another option is to form an LLC or corporation. These structures require filing formation documents with the state and appointing a registered agent for the company itself.
State and local rules can also influence the best structure for a registered agent service, so checking local requirements is an important early step.
State and local registrations are another key part of forming the business. LLCs and corporations must file formation documents such as Articles of Organization or Articles of Incorporation.
Depending on the jurisdiction, a registered agent service may also need a business license. For example, Delaware requires most businesses to obtain a Delaware business license through the Division of Revenue. Nevada requires a state business license issued by the Secretary of State.
Some states distinguish between commercial and noncommercial registered agents. Many professional registered agent services qualify as commercial agents, and several states require commercial agents to complete a registration process.
Checking state and local guidelines helps ensure the business complies with all registration requirements. Consulting a state business attorney can also provide clarity when rules are complex.
Registered agent service providers are expected to follow all state requirements at all times. These rules often include maintaining a physical street address in the state and being available there during regular business hours.
If the registered agent operates as an individual, that person must be present during business hours. If the service operates as an LLC or corporation, any authorized representative can be present at the listed address to receive documents on behalf of the service. The core requirement is that someone is reliably available to accept service of process.
Registered agent service providers benefit from regular internal audits to ensure their businesses continue to meet all state requirements.
A registered agent business needs a steady client base to succeed. Some services begin by assisting businesses owned by friends or family members, but most aim to expand beyond that small circle.
There are a few different resources available to new registered agent businesses looking to build their client networks. Local business associations might be willing to let the agent advertise their services, and some registered agents might even be able to network with local business attorneys to get referrals for new clients.
Some states maintain formal lists of commercial registered agents. States that maintain these lists make these names accessible to business owners who might be looking for an agent. For example, the North Dakota Secretary of State maintains a list of commercial agents that anyone can download and use on the internet to hire an agent. South Dakota maintains a similar listing. Delaware doesn’t use the commercial agent label, but a registered agent can appear on the state’s list if specific criteria are met.
Listing requirements vary, and states generally require paperwork or an online filing to be added to these lists.
Most daily tasks for a registered agent are straightforward, but responsibilities become critical when service of process is delivered. Once a registered agent receives notice of a lawsuit or other legal action, they must forward that notice to the business as promptly as possible.
Some registered agent service providers set up systems to digitally forward process notices to the entities they represent. These systems help ensure that the business is notified as quickly as possible. Other registered agents hand-deliver the notice to the business, and some agents provide both delivery forms.
What matters most is timely delivery, since delays can prevent a business from responding properly to a legal action.
Mistakes can occur in any business, including registered agent services. One common mistake occurs when an agent resigns or changes their address, and the information isn’t updated promptly. If this information is out of date, a process server could attempt to deliver service of process but be unable to do so. Outdated or missing registered agent information could also cause a business to lose its good standing in the state.
When a registered agent changes an address, the updated information must be reported to the state and to the business the agent represents. This usually involves filing a form with the Secretary of State or a similar office. Notifying the business directly is also useful so it can update internal records.
When an agent needs to resign, most states require notice to both the business and the state. Some states also require the agent to continue serving for a short period after filing resignation paperwork, giving the business time to appoint a replacement.
Because procedures differ by state, agents benefit from reviewing local rules before making any changes.
In some cases, agents may face negligence claims when they fail to fulfill required duties. Registered agents are not responsible for a client’s debts, but courts may consider liability when an agent mishandles service of process, especially when the mistake leads to measurable harm.
A notable example comes from the Missouri case of International Environmental Management, Inc. v. CT Corporation System. International Environmental Management (IEM) was allowed to pursue a claim after its registered agent allegedly used an outdated filing number, which prevented IEM from receiving service of process. Because the business never received notice, it missed its court date and was subject to a default judgment. IEM eventually brought a case against CT Corporation, and the court denied CT’s petition to dismiss the case.
Becoming a registered agent is not a complex process, but it does require consistency, attention to detail, and a thorough understanding of each state’s specific rules. The role serves as a reliable point of contact, helping businesses receive important notices in time to respond.
Whether serving as an individual agent or operating a professional service, success depends on reliability, prompt communication, and strong compliance practices. Registered agents who meet these standards support the businesses they represent and maintain their own professional reputations.
Disclaimer: The content on this page is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. For specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.
Written by ZenBusiness Editorial Team
The ZenBusiness Editorial Team has more than 20 years of combined small business publishing experience and has helped over 850,000 entrepreneurs launch and grow their companies. The team’s writers and business formation experts are dedicated to providing accurate, practical, and trustworthy guidance so business owners can make confident decisions.