What a registered agent does
A registered agent receives official legal and state mail for an LLC. This usually includes service of process, state notices, annual report reminders, and other compliance-related documents.
The registered agent generally needs a physical street address in the state where the LLC is formed. A P.O. box is usually not enough.
Can you be your own registered agent?
Often, yes, if you live or maintain a qualifying physical address in the state and are available during normal business hours. But acting as your own agent can expose your address on public records and can be inconvenient if you travel, move, or run a home-based business.
| Option | Best for | Tradeoff |
|---|---|---|
| Be your own agent | Local founders with a stable in-state address | Address privacy and availability concerns |
| Use a commercial agent | Nonresidents, home-based businesses, privacy-conscious founders | Recurring annual service cost |
| Use attorney or accountant | More formal companies with professional support | Often more expensive than a basic agent service |
When a commercial registered agent is worth it
- You are forming an LLC outside your home state.
- You do not have a physical address in the formation state.
- You work from home and do not want your home address easier to find.
- You travel often or cannot reliably receive notices during business hours.
- You plan to qualify the LLC in multiple states.
How much does registered agent service cost?
Basic registered agent services often fall somewhere around $100 to $150 per year, though providers vary. LLC Cost Scout uses $125/year as a planning estimate in the calculator.
The cheapest option is not always best. Consider document handling, reminders, cancellation terms, privacy, and whether the provider also sells formation packages that match your needs.
If you are comparing LLC formation services, check whether the first year of registered agent service is included, discounted, or renewed automatically at a higher price in year two.
Official sources to check
Registered agent requirements are state-specific, so verify your formation state before filing. For example, Delaware publishes registered agent guidance through the Delaware Division of Corporations, and Wyoming business filings are handled by the Wyoming Secretary of State.
What about EINs and business setup?
An EIN is separate from registered agent service. The IRS EIN application page lets businesses apply directly and states that applying is free. Paid EIN help is mostly convenience, not a state requirement.
After choosing the state and registered agent approach, many founders also secure a domain name and business email so the LLC has a clean public identity from day one.