Can I be my own Registered Agent?

As the business owner, you can take on the responsibility of receiving important legal and government documents yourself. But, for many businesses, this might not always be the best idea.
 

What is a Registered Agent?

A registered agent is a designated person or organization that receives documents, including tax forms and other legal documentation, on behalf of your business. They also remind your business to file important forms before deadlines. 

Many businesses, including Limited Liability Corporations (LLCs) and corporations, are required to have a registered agent. 

Who can be a Registered Agent?

In most cases, anyone can be a registered agent as long as they meet a few basic requirements. 

First, they must have a physical street address in the state where the business is registered – no P.O. boxes allowed. They also must be available during business hours to receive important documents, service of process, notifications and such. Lastly, in many states, the person acting as the registered agent must be at least 18 years old.

Should I be my own Registered Agent for an LLC?

While you can be your own registered agent for a Limited Liability Company, corporation, or other business entities, it might not be the best decision. Here are a few things you should think about before deciding to become a registered agent:

• Privacy: if you are your own registered agent, your home address or your business address will become public record so you can receive legal notices, government documents, etc. This means anyone can easily find out where you live or work. 
• Availability: you must be available during regular business hours. This can be difficult if you travel often, have meetings outside the office, or don’t want to be tied down to a specific location. 
• Multiple locations: if your business operates in more than one state or you’re planning on expanding, you’ll need an address in each of those states. A registered agent can help by providing an address and being a point of contact in each state where you need one.
• Peace of mind: being your own registered agent means you have to stay on top of deadlines, like when to renew your business license or file important forms with the state. This can be stressful and time-consuming, especially if you’re already busy running your business. 

While it may seem like you can save some money, being your own registered agent might not be worth the hassle in the long run.

When to use a Registered Agent service

Using a professional registered agent service can be a smart choice for many business owners. Here are some situations where it makes sense to hire a service instead of being your own registered agent:

• Do you want to keep your home address private?
• Are you planning on expanding to other states?
• Are you often out of the office during normal business hours?
• Are you organized and good with deadlines?

If you have decided you want someone to take these worries off your hands, you may want to consider a registered agent service.
 

How to become a Registered Agent

If you’ve decided you want to be your own registered agent, the process is pretty simple. Here’s how to do it:

1. Meet the requirements: make sure you meet all the requirements we listed earlier.
2. List yourself on the paperwork: when you file your business formation documents with the state, write your own name and address in the registered agent section.
3. Stay organized: it’s a good idea to create a system to manage keeping track of important legal documents and deadlines so you don’t miss anything.
4. Keep your information updated: if you move or your business changes locations, you’ll need to update your registered agent information with the state. 

Basically, while you can be your own registered agent, there’s a lot to think about before making this decision. Being your own registered agent may save you money, but it can also lead to a lot of headaches – and even financial losses. This goes even if you are a small business owner.
 

How Rocket Lawyer can help with Registered Agent Services

While you can choose to be your own registered agent, our registered agent services can take the pressure off you and let you focus on the important aspects of running your business.