What is a Registered Agent and why do I need one?
Every US state requires every LLC and corporation to have a Registered Agent (sometimes called "statutory agent" or "resident agent" depending on the state). It's not optional — it's a state-law requirement to maintain your business's good standing.
What the Registered Agent does
A Registered Agent has one job: receive legal mail on behalf of your business at a physical address in the state where you're registered.
Examples of what gets sent to your Registered Agent: - Lawsuits ("service of process") - State tax notices - Annual report reminders - Department of Revenue correspondence - IRS notices (sometimes)
The Registered Agent is REQUIRED to be available at the registered address M-F during normal business hours (typically 9am-5pm). If they're not there, legal documents can be served by mail or even nailed to the door — and you'd never know it.
Why you can't always be your own Registered Agent
Legally, you CAN be your own Registered Agent if: - You have a physical address in the state (not a PO box) - You can be at that address M-F 9am-5pm
In practice, most business owners shouldn't be their own RA because:
1. Privacy
Your RA's name and address are PUBLIC RECORD. They appear on the Secretary of State's website. Marketers, scammers, and lawsuit aggregators harvest this data.
2. Mobility
If you move (even within the state), you have to file an RA-change form. Some states charge $50+ for this. If you cross state lines, you can't be your own RA anymore.
3. Embarrassment risk
If you get sued, a process server shows up at your office/home and hands you a lawsuit. Awkward if your home doubles as your office and you have clients over.
4. Always-available requirement
If you're on vacation, sick, in a meeting, or just out grabbing lunch — and a process server shows up — they can leave legal documents at your door. If you don't see them within the response window (typically 21-30 days), you can lose by default judgment.
Why use FormationHub as your Registered Agent
Our Registered Agent service ($192/year) gives you:
A real physical address in every state we serve as your RA
Mail handling: we receive registered agent mail on your behalf, so you never miss a service of process or state notice
Privacy: our address is on the state filing, not yours
Switching to us is easy: if you're currently using another provider, we handle the Statement of Change filing for you
What if I don't have a Registered Agent or mine doesn't respond?
If your Registered Agent fails to be available: 1. Lawsuits can proceed by default if the process server marks documents as "served" even when you didn't actually receive them. 2. State filings (annual reports, etc.) get missed. 3. Your business loses "good standing" — penalties, late fees, and potentially administrative dissolution by the state.
This is why even small one-person LLCs should hire a professional Registered Agent. The $192/year is much cheaper than a default judgment.
Switching your Registered Agent to FormationHub
If you're currently using another RA (yourself, your address, a competitor):
Sign up for our RA service in your portal (or at signup if you're new).
We file a Statement of Change of Registered Agent with your state (state fee: $20-50, varies).
State approves in 5-7 business days.
We start receiving mail for you immediately on approval.
Switching AWAY from FormationHub
You can switch your RA to someone else at any time:
Have your new Registered Agent (or you) file the state's Change of Registered Agent form — this is a state filing that you or your new agent completes, not something we file on your behalf.
Open a chat with us to cancel your FormationHub RA subscription.
Cancel before your next renewal date and there's no charge. If you cancel after we've already renewed you for the next year, we'll refund the unused months on a prorated basis, minus a $49 cancellation fee. To avoid the fee entirely, cancel before your renewal.
Common questions
"Can the Registered Agent see my LLC's bank account or finances?"
No. RAs only receive mail. They have no access to your business operations, finances, or any internal data.
"Can I use a PO box as my RA address?"
No. State law requires a physical street address — PO boxes are explicitly disallowed.
"Can my accountant or lawyer be my RA?"
Yes, if they have a physical office in the state and consent to it. Some do this as a courtesy or for a small fee.
"What's the difference between a Registered Agent and a Resident Agent and a Statutory Agent?"
Different states use different names for the same role. Functionally identical.
"Do I need a Registered Agent in every state where I do business, or just where I'm formed?"
Every state where you're REGISTERED. So if your LLC is registered in Delaware and you also registered as a foreign LLC in California, you need a Registered Agent in both states.
Next steps
New customer? Add Registered Agent service during LLC formation: https://www.formationhub.com/
Existing customer? Add it via your portal billing page.
Currently with another RA and want to switch? Open a chat — we'll quote your specific state's transfer cost.
Related: Refund policy — what's refundable, when, and how fast.