Should I Be My Own Registered Agent?

ByAnnual Picks Updated on

A registered agent is required to receive legal and tax-related documents. This includes Service of Process (official notifications regarding a lawsuit against the LLC or wage garnishment proceedings against an employee), as well as franchise tax forms and other tax and legal documents.

Can I Be My Own Registered Agent?

In the majority of states, it’s legally acceptable to be your own registered agent for your LLC if you meet the following requirements:

  • Are above the age of 18.
  • Have a physical address in the state (not a P.O. box).
  • Officially reside in the state.
  • Are available during regular business hours (9 a.m.-5 p.m.) at the designated physical location.

Should I be My Own Registered Agent ?

It’s often not a good idea due to these reasons:

Am I stuck in one place?

In many states, the registered agent is required to be present to accept service of documents at all times during business hours. If you take a holiday or travel, you may miss important legal documents.

Business operate in multiple states

You cannot serve as a registered agent in the state where you don’t live.

Home address will be in public

Those use home address as business address will receive a lot of spam, junk mail, or random people turning up uninvited.

If you decide to hire a registered agent, I suggest using northwestregisteredagent.com to form LLC, cost $39 + state fee. They have more than 20 years experience in business formation and provide free business address.