A statutory agent, also known as a registered agent, is an individual or entity designated by a business to receive legal and official documents on behalf of the company, ensuring that important communications are properly delivered and processed.
Starts at $0 + state fees and only takes 5-10 minutes
Last Updated: December 10, 2025
A statutory agent is an individual or legal entity appointed to accept service of process on a company’s behalf. Most states use the term “registered agent,” but Arizona and Ohio use “statutory agent” to describe this designated representative. Regardless of the term, this agent supplies an in-state address where the company will receive legal notices and service of process.
When an entrepreneur registers to do business, state law requires them to name a registered agent and list their address. In Arizona and Ohio, that requirement changes just a bit; the entrepreneur has to name a statutory agent instead. According to the definition of a statutory agent, the person or entity must be available during business hours at the registered office. When someone sues or summons a company, they will send service of process to its statutory agent. The company’s agent will ensure the company receives the notice, so it can prepare for any legal action that lies ahead.
A business owner can list themselves as their own statutory agent; however, this approach has several disadvantages. To start, statutory agents are required to be physically present at their address during all regular business hours. Business owners who choose to serve as their own statutory agents will be tied to that address. Hiring a third-party commercial registered agent avoids that scenario. Plus, if that business owner operates in multiple states, that agent service can fill the agent role in multiple states.
As stated, only Arizona and Ohio use the term “statutory agent.” Other states call the person appointed to receive service of process a:
Regardless of the term the state uses, a registered business must have an agent on file for service of process and delivery of government documents (see service of process definition).
What are the notices a statutory agent might receive on a company’s behalf? A statutory agent may receive these types of legal notices and more:
A company needs to know about these legal notices ASAP when they occur, so it’s essential for these businesses to choose a reliable statutory agent service in the state where they want to do business.
Recommended:
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.
Ready to Start Your Business?
Start Your LLC