What a registered agent does
A registered agent is the person or company your state has on file to receive service of process (lawsuits and subpoenas) and official notices — such as annual report reminders — for your LLC. They must be at a physical address in the state, available during business hours. A P.O. box doesn’t count.
Being your own agent vs. hiring a service
Be your own agent if…
- You live in the state where the LLC is registered
- You’re reliably at a fixed address during business hours
- You don’t mind your name and address on the public record
Cost: $0.
Hire a service if…
- Your LLC is registered in another state (common for Wyoming and Delaware LLCs)
- You live outside the US
- You work from home and want privacy, or you travel
Cost: about $99–$199 per year. Compare services.
The rules in each state
| State | Can you be your own agent? | Fee to change agent |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | Yes, if you are at least 18, reside in Wyoming, and have a physical Wyoming address and a valid email address. | $5 |
| Texas | The LLC itself cannot act as its own registered agent. A member who is a Texas resident can serve as the agent as an individual. | $15 |
| Florida | A Florida resident member or manager can serve as the agent. The LLC itself must name an individual or another authorized entity. | $25 |
| Delaware | Yes — Delaware law even lets the LLC act as its own agent — but only with a real Delaware office that is staffed to accept service of process. Owners outside Delaware use a commercial agent. | $50 |
| California | The LLC itself cannot act as its own agent. A California-resident member or manager can serve as an individual. | $20 (filed on a new Statement of Information) |
| Georgia | The LLC itself cannot be its own registered agent. An owner who is a Georgia resident can serve as an individual. | $60 (annual registration) or $30 (amended annual registration) |
| North Carolina | Yes, if you live in North Carolina. | $5 |
| New YorkAgent optional | You don't need one. Many owners use a commercial agent's address so legal papers reach someone reliably and their home address stays off the record. | $30 |
| Michigan | A member who is a Michigan resident can serve as the resident agent. | See LARA's filing fee schedule |
Need an agent in another state?
We compared the main registered agent services on first-year price, renewal and what’s included.
Compare registered agentsFrequently asked questions
Do I need a registered agent for my LLC?
Yes, in almost every case. In every state we cover except New York, an LLC must continuously maintain a registered agent with a physical address in that state. In New York the Secretary of State acts as the agent for service of process.
Can I be my own registered agent?
Usually yes, if you live in the state (or have a physical in-state address) and can be there during business hours to accept legal papers. Your name and address then appear on the public record.
Can my LLC be its own registered agent?
In most states no — the agent must be an individual or a separate entity. Delaware is an exception: its law lets an LLC act as its own agent if it keeps a staffed Delaware office.
What happens if I don’t keep a registered agent?
States treat it as a compliance failure. Depending on the state, the LLC can fall out of good standing or be administratively dissolved, and you may miss legal papers served on the company.