Registered Agent FAQ: Duties, Costs, and Requirements

Every US LLC and corporation needs a registered agent — that much is required by law. In practice, though, the same questions come up again and again: what does the agent actually do, what does one cost, and can't I just do it myself? Here are the answers, short and to the point. For the full background, see our guide Registered Agent for Your US LLC.

What are the main duties of a registered agent?

The role is administrative: the registered agent receives official documents on behalf of your company and forwards them to you. Specifically:

• Government mail: notices from the Secretary of State and the IRS
• Service of process: complaints and legal summonses in court proceedings
• Compliance reminders: many agents also track deadlines for annual reports and franchise taxes so the company keeps its good standing

What legal requirements does the agent have to meet?

Two criteria are mandatory. First, a physical address: a real street address in the state of formation — a P.O. box does not qualify. Second, availability: the agent must be personally present during normal business hours, typically Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., to accept documents.

Can I list myself as my own registered agent?

In principle, yes — if you are resident in the state of formation and meet both criteria above. As a foreign founder without a residence in the state, you cannot take on the role yourself; an external agent is a precondition for the formation. Our guide to forming an LLC in the USA shows how this fits into the process when you start from abroad.

Why hire a professional service?

Even founders living in the US usually choose a commercial provider. Three reasons:

• Privacy: your home address stays out of the Secretary of State's public records, which keeps spam and unwanted visitors away
• Flexibility: you don't have to sit at the same address every business day from 9 to 5
• Reliability: professional agents scan official mail and deliver it digitally, often on the day it arrives

What happens if I don't have a registered agent?

Operating without a registered agent is non-compliance, and the consequences escalate:

1. Penalty fees and loss of good standing
2. Administrative dissolution: in the worst case, the state dissolves the company
3. Default judgment: in a lawsuit, a judgment can be entered against your company even if you never learned about the case, because service on the (missing) agent counts as completed

How much does a registered agent cost?

Commercial registered agent services typically cost 100 to 300 US dollars per year; many formation packages include the first year. At Clevver, the registered agent service costs €109 / $119 per year in any of the 50 US states — a flat price with no automatic increase in year two, and bookable in about 5 minutes.

I already have an agent but I'm not happy. What now?

Changing your registered agent is a standard filing with the Secretary of State and possible at any time. Clevver handles the entire switch for you, free of charge — you provide your company's details and we take care of the rest. Questions? → Contact us