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We have a page dedicated to explaining what a registered agent is. Depending on the state, a registered agent may also be known as a resident agent or statutory agent. If you need more information about what this agent does, then read on.

A registered agent acts as a liaison between your business and another party. Their main responsibility is to receive legal documents and pass them on to you (the business owner) or another appropriate person.

For a typical registered agent service you can expect to pay anywhere between $100 and $300 on average for a service.

State agencies require LLCs, corporations, and other formal business entities to appoint and maintain a registered agent when they form their business. General partnerships and sole proprietorships aren’t required to have one.

You’ll need to appoint a registered agent for your business when you file your official paperwork with your state or appropriate agency that handles business registrations. The application will have a section where you’ll mark your agent’s name and information.

It’s important to keep in mind the following:

• If you attempt to file your paperwork without naming a registered agent, your application will likely be rejected.
• If you change registered agents, you must inform the state or appropriate agency. You’ll likely have to file a form with this updated information for the state’s records.
• Should a registered agent change their name or update their address, they must file and absorb the state filing fees at no cost to the client (subject to your entity currently being in good standing).
• You’ll need to have a registered agent in each state your company does business in.

Legally, yes, you can be your own registered agent for your business so long as you abide by the requirements set by your state or agency that handles business registrations. However, the business itself cannot be its own registered agent. Read more about being your own registered agent here.