Registered Agent
A Registered Agent (also called Statutory Agent or Resident Agent) is an individual or business entity designated to receive legal documents and official state correspondence on behalf of a business entity. Every US LLC and corporation is required by state law to maintain a registered agent.
At a glance
State-required designee to receive legal documents for a business entity.
Definition and overview
A Registered Agent (also called Statutory Agent or Resident Agent) is an individual or business entity designated to receive legal documents and official state correspondence on behalf of a business entity. Every US LLC and corporation is required by state law to maintain a registered agent. The concept is foundational to US business law and tax practice. Most founders encounter registered agent either at formation, during major business changes, or in connection with compliance filings.
History and legal basis
Registered agent requirements date to the late 19th century, with states establishing them to ensure entities could be served with lawsuits. The Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) and various state corporate law revisions have standardized requirements across states over the past century. Modern registered agent service businesses emerged as a category in the 1970s.
When to use registered agent
Registered Agent typically applies in these situations:
- At formation. Many of these concepts are decided when the entity is first created.
- During growth stages. As businesses scale, the concept may become more relevant or change in application.
- Tax planning. Most concepts in this area have direct tax implications.
- Liability and asset protection. Many of these structures exist primarily to manage legal and financial risk.
- Investor and M&A activity. Funded startups and acquisition targets need precise compliance with these concepts.
How to set up or file
- Research applicable rules. Registered Agent is governed by a combination of federal (IRS, FinCEN) and state law. Verify current rules.
- Gather required information. Most filings require entity details, identifying information, and supporting documentation.
- Complete the form or filing. Federal filings typically go to IRS, FinCEN, or USPTO. State filings go to the Secretary of State or applicable state agency.
- Pay any applicable fees. Federal fees vary; state fees range from free to several hundred dollars depending on filing type.
- Maintain documentation. Keep filed copies and supporting records for at least 7 years for tax purposes.
- Track ongoing compliance. Many concepts in this area trigger ongoing filing or reporting requirements.
Common mistakes
- Missing deadlines. Federal and state deadlines for filings related to registered agent are strict. Missing them often results in penalties.
- Incorrect classification. Many concepts have multiple sub-types that affect treatment. Get the classification right at the start.
- Inadequate documentation. When something goes wrong, documentation determines outcomes. Maintain clear records.
- Ignoring state variations. US business law varies significantly state-to-state. What's true in Delaware may differ in California.
- DIY without verification. Registered Agent can be DIYed, but mistakes are expensive. Verify with a professional when uncertain.
Costs and fees
Costs associated with registered agent vary by type, state, and complexity. File.Business handles most registered agent services as part of our compliance plans (starting at $99/yr); we pass through state and federal filing fees at cost. Compare specific cost breakdowns across all 51 jurisdictions using our cost-by-state calculators.
Get help with registered agent
File.Business handles registered agent as part of our $0-service-fee business operating system. Talk to a specialist or start your business.
Start my business Talk to a specialistFAQ
What exactly is registered agent?
A Registered Agent (also called Statutory Agent or Resident Agent) is an individual or business entity designated to receive legal documents and official state correspondence on behalf of a business entity. Every US LLC and corporation is required by state law to maintain a registered agent.
When was registered agent created?
Registered agent requirements date to the late 19th century, with states establishing them to ensure entities could be served with lawsuits. The Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) and various state corporate law revisions have standardized requirements across states over the past century. Modern registered agent service businesses emerged as a category in the 1970s.
Do all businesses need registered agent?
It depends. Some concepts apply universally; others only in specific situations. The above sections explain when this is relevant.
How much does it cost?
Costs vary by state, complexity, and entity type. File.Business adds $0 service fee on top of any state or federal pass-through fees.
Can I handle this myself or do I need professional help?
Many people DIY successfully. Professional help is recommended for complex situations, multi-entity structures, or when mistakes would be costly. File.Business splits the difference: self-service tools backed by specialists.
On the $129/yr Compliance Annual Filings plan, we cover state late fees.
When you autofile your annual report through the $129/yr plan and we miss the deadline, we pay the state's late fee. The guarantee applies to that specific plan and the filings it includes. Other File.Business services are billed at the prices on this page.