A represented entity is any business that designates a registered agent for legal notices. Since all states require some form of this statutory contact, owners of represented entities must appoint and maintain a registered agent at all times.
Last Updated: October 22, 2025
Starting a business comes with a lot of legal paperwork, which often includes terms that a new business owner isn’t familiar with. One common term is “represented entity.” What is a represented entity, actually? Although it may sound complex, the concept is straightforward.
A represented entity is a business entity that designates a registered agent to receive legal and official correspondence on its behalf. The term most often appears in states that have adopted the Model Registered Agents Act (MoRAA), which standardizes how registered agents and business filings are handled. Understanding this term helps clarify how businesses maintain compliance with state requirements.
A represented entity is a business that has formally designated a registered agent for service of process. So, suppose a business must appoint a registered agent in its formation paperwork with the Secretary of State (or another state’s business entity filing office). In that case, it’s likely a represented entity. This includes all registered business entities, such as limited liability companies (LLCs), corporations, limited liability partnerships (LLPs), nonprofits, and others.
The term “represented entity” isn’t used in every state’s business statutes. It appears most commonly in jurisdictions that have adopted the Model Registered Agents Act, including Nevada and Idaho. Other states, such as Texas, reference the term in their laws even though they have not formally adopted the Act. In all cases, a represented entity is defined as any domestic or foreign business that appoints and maintains a registered agent on record.
That said, even though the exact term “represented entity” might not exist in every state’s business statutes, the underlying concept still applies. For example, South Carolina law requires registered entities such as corporations and LLCs to designate a registered agent, even though the state does not use the specific term. In practice, these businesses function as represented entities because they maintain an official contact for service of process and state correspondence.
Registered agents and represented entities are closely connected. But what exactly is a registered agent? A registered agent is an individual or business organization authorized to receive service of process, legal documents, and official notices on behalf of a business. States may refer to this role by other names, such as resident agent, statutory agent, or agent for service of process, but the responsibilities are largely the same.
The registered agent serves as a business’s official point of contact for legal and government correspondence. In addition to handling service of process notices, registered agents might also receive other important documents like annual report reminders, notices about wage garnishment proceedings against employees, and more.
Every state has slightly different requirements for registered agents. Some have adopted the MoRAA, which helps standardize the role across jurisdictions. Even in states that haven’t adopted the Act, several requirements are generally consistent.
Generally speaking, a registered agent must be an individual resident of the state or a business authorized to conduct business there. Regardless of whether the agent is a person or a business, the agent must have a physical street address (known as the registered office). The registered agent’s location can’t be a P.O. box.
Finally, and most importantly, a registered agent must be present at their listed physical address during all normal business hours. This requirement facilitates seamless communication from state and government offices and process servers.
Some states add to these requirements with specific qualifications. For instance, Pennsylvania doesn’t require a registered agent but instead designates a registered office address. It’s a slight nuance, though, since the core requirement remains the same: to have a designated place where service of process can be delivered. Virginia limits the role to licensed attorneys or members of the company’s management team, and Colorado requires registered agents to have a valid, state-issued driver’s license or identification card.
Each state has its own statutes for registered agent requirements. Generally, a business entity can’t serve as its own registered agent. For example, Texas law prohibits entities from representing themselves but allows an officer, owner, or employee to serve in the role.
This approach is common across states. While the entity itself can’t act as its own agent, an affiliated individual can. Many small business owners take this approach to save money because serving as their own agent avoids the annual fee of hiring a professional registered agent service. However, the person acting as agent must meet the requirements to be present at their address during standard business hours.
It’s always best to confirm a state’s specific registered agent rules before making a decision. For example, Pennsylvania uses a registered office address system instead of a registered agent designation, which can either match or differ from the company’s principal business address. Verifying state requirements can help business owners comply with their state’s regulations for represented entities.
The state requirement to have a registered agent representing a business is often called statutory representation. This framework helps ensure that courts and government agencies can promptly deliver notices, even when a business owner is unavailable or in a different state.
Here’s how it works: if a business is sued, the person suing the company must send a notice about the lawsuit through a third party, known as a process server. The process server delivers that notice to the registered agent, whose address is part of the public record. Since the agent is required to maintain a physical office and be available during normal business hours, there’s minimal risk that the process server won’t be able to deliver the notice.
After the agent receives the notice, they forward the news to the appropriate person within the company, who, in turn, gets the business ready to defend itself in court. Without a registered agent, a company may never receive this notice and could face a default judgment, which means the case is decided against the business by default.
Statutory representation is especially important for businesses operating in multiple states, as they must appoint an agent in each state. For example, a business incorporated in Delaware that also conducts business in New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Vermont must appoint a registered agent in each of those states. An agent in one state doesn’t satisfy another state’s statutory requirement, even if the business is the same entity.
As mentioned earlier, several states have adopted the MoRAA, which distinguishes between commercial and noncommercial registered agents. While the distinction may sound technical, both commercial and noncommercial registered agents accomplish the same task of accepting service of process and other legal documents on a company’s behalf.
A commercial registered agent is an individual or business entity that provides registered agent services for a fee. These agents usually file a registration statement with the state to be listed as commercial providers. For instance, North Dakota maintains an official directory of commercial registered agents, and inclusion on that list requires filing specific paperwork with the Secretary of State. Nevada, meanwhile, classifies a commercial registered agent as any agent representing ten or more business entities
In contrast, a noncommercial registered agent is privately appointed by a represented entity. This could be the business owner themselves, an employee of the company, or even a friend or family member who agrees to take on the role. These agents don’t file any commercial registered agent paperwork with the state, but must still meet statutory requirements for availability and address.
Even in states that do not use the commercial vs. noncommercial classification, all registered agents must meet the same statutory standards for maintaining a physical address and being available during regular business hours.
Represented entities face ongoing compliance obligations, especially when it comes to maintaining an active registered agent. A business can’t hire a registered agent for the first few months and then operate without one. A registered agent must be maintained at all times to receive legal documents and other government correspondence.
Failing to maintain an agent can lead to serious consequences. A business may miss annual reports or tax filing reminders, which can lead to the loss of good standing with the state. Once good standing is lost, the company may struggle to obtain financing, enter contracts, or expand operations.
Extended noncompliance can result in administrative dissolution, where the state formally closes the company. Reinstatement after dissolution is possible, but it may involve penalties and fees during the process.
If a business’s registered agent information changes, the company must update that information promptly with the state. This includes updating the registered agent’s address if the agent moves, or appointing a new registered agent if the old one resigns. Represented entities can also keep their agents informed of any changes in business contact information to help ensure accurate communication. These updates may seem minor, but they’re essential for maintaining compliance and uninterrupted state correspondence.
Businesses operating in multiple states must comply with each state’s registered agent requirements. Since every state has its own unique requirements, meeting these obligations can become complex. Many businesses hire a regional or national professional agent service to simplify these compliance requirements.
Many of these professional registered agent services maintain physical offices in multiple states — some with physical locations in every jurisdiction — ensuring that each state’s requirements are consistently met. This allows business owners to focus on operations rather than tracking compliance rules across multiple states.
As mentioned above, businesses that don’t maintain a registered agent can face consequences like loss of good standing or even administrative dissolution. Those situations are best avoided, but the most significant risk of not maintaining a registered agent is the risk of missing service of process.
If a company is sued, the process server delivers the notice to the registered agent’s address. Without an agent, the business may never receive the notice, lose its opportunity to respond, and face a default judgment. These outcomes can carry financial penalties and reputational harm—all avoidable with a maintained and reliable registered agent.
Under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), many businesses (like LLCs) were initially required to file Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reports with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). However, as of early 2025, domestic entities formed in the United States are no longer required to file these reports.
Some foreign-created entities that qualify as represented entities still have BOI filing obligations, but these are limited in scope. Most U.S.-based small businesses are no longer required to submit a BOI report, though they’re encouraged to stay informed about potential future updates from FinCEN.
How does a business owner pick the right registered agent to represent their company? Even though the registered agent fills a background role, it’s an important one. The best fit depends on factors like company size, budget, and the agent’s availability during business hours.
Many small business owners take one of two routes: hire a professional registered agent service or serve as their own agent. Each option comes with its pros and cons.
Serving as one’s own registered agent or having a friend or family member take on this role is especially popular among small business owners trying to save money. This approach is allowed as long as the agent meets state requirements, including being physically present at the listed office address during regular business hours.
It’s generally less practical for companies operating in multiple states or for owners who prefer flexibility rather than being tied to a single location.
Hiring a registered agent service is another popular option, especially for larger or multi-state businesses. For an annual fee, typically ranging from $100 to $300 per state, these services ensure that a business always has a reliable point of contact for service of process and government correspondence. Many registered agent service providers also offer additional perks, such as annual report reminders and online portals for access to business documents.
One of the biggest advantages of using a professional service is privacy. If a business owner serves as their own agent and receives a lawsuit notice at the office, the process server may deliver it in front of customers or employees. Everyone present at the time would have heard that the company was facing a lawsuit, which could be an awkward and potentially damaging situation.
By contrast, when a company hires a registered agent service, the process server delivers legal documents to the registered agent’s address. The agent then forwards them to the business owner promptly and discreetly, keeping sensitive matters out of public view.
A represented entity is any business that has appointed a registered agent under state law. The registered agent serves as the official channel for receiving legal and government communications, so that important notices don’t go unanswered.
Whether the role is filled by the business owner, an employee, or a professional registered agent service, maintaining a reliable agent is essential for compliance, privacy, and peace of mind.
Disclaimer: The content on this page is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. If you have 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. Our writers and business formation experts are dedicated to providing accurate, practical, and trustworthy guidance so business owners can make confident decisions.