August 15, 2025
How to: Stay Compliant & Protect Your Privacy with a Registered Agent
Learn what a registered agent is, why you need one, who qualifies, and how to choose the right service by state.
What is a registered agent?
A registered agent is an individual or entity designated to receive official documents, such as legal notices, and other important correspondence on behalf of your business.
The registered agent's primary responsibility is to ensure that your business remains compliant with state regulations by promptly forwarding these documents to the business’s owners or managers.
Why do I need a registered agent?
Having a registered agent is often a legal requirement for businesses in many states, serving as a point of contact for government agencies and legal entities.
Who can be a registered agent?
Some businesses choose to designate one of their own employees or officers as the registered agent, others opt for professional registered agent services offered by specialized companies. Generally, a registered agent must have a physical address (not a PO box) in the state where the business is registered, be available during regular business hours, and consent to accepting legal documents on behalf of the entity they represent.
How much does it cost to have a registered agent?
- If you choose to be your own registered agent, it costs $0.
- If you choose a professional registered agent services business, the cost varies between states and can be anywhere between $29-$99 per year.
Why do most people prefer to use a professional registered agent service?
Main two reasons are:
#1 Privacy - registered agent information is a publicly available records in most states, people prefer not to have their personal name and address publicly available.
#2 Convenience - no need to worry about updating address or handle legal notices mail on behalf of the company.
List of Registered Agent Services by State
- Alabama — Alabama Registered Agent
- Alaska — Alaska Registered Agent
- Arizona — Arizona Registered Agent
- Arkansas — Arkansas Registered Agent
- California — California Registered Agent
- Colorado — Colorado Registered Agent
- Connecticut — Connecticut Registered Agent
- Delaware — Harvard Business Services Inc
- Florida — Florida Registered Agent
- Georgia — Georgia Registered Agent
- Hawaii — Hawaii Registered Agent
- Idaho — Idaho Registered Agent
- Illinois — Illinois Registered Agent
- Indiana — Indiana Registered Agent
- Iowa — Iowa Registered Agent
- Kansas — Kansas Registered Agent
- Kentucky — Kentucky Registered Agent
- Louisiana — Louisiana Registered Agent
- Maine — Maine Registered Agent
- Maryland —Maryland Registered Agent
- Massachusetts — Massachusetts Registered Agent
- Michigan — Michigan Registered Agent
- Minnesota — Minnesota Registered Agent
- Mississippi — Mississippi Registered Agent
- Missouri — Missouri Registered Agent
- Montana — Montana Registered Agent
- Nebraska — Nebraska Registered Agent
- Nevada — Nevada Registered Agent
- New Hampshire — New Hampshire Registered Agent
- New Jersey — New Jersey Registered Agent
- New Mexico — New Mexico Registered Agent
- New York — New York Registered Agent / Harbor Compliance / Registered Agent LLC
- North Carolina — North Carolina Registered Agent
- North Dakota — North Dakota Registered Agent
- Ohio — Ohio Registered Agent
- Oklahoma — Oklahoma Registered Agent
- Oregon — Oregon Registered Agent
- Pennsylvania — Pennsylvania Registered Agent
- Rhode Island — Rhode Island Registered Agent
- South Carolina — South Carolina Registered Agent
- South Dakota — South Dakota Registered Agent
- Tennessee — Tennessee Registered Agent
- Texas — Texan Registered Agent
- Utah — Utah Registered Agent
- Vermont — Vermont Registered Agent
- Virginia — Virginia Registered Agent
- Washington — Washington Commercial Registered Agent
- West Virginia — West Virginia Registered Agent
- Wisconsin — Wisconsin Registered Agent
- Wyoming — Wyoming Registered Agents Service
Disclaimer
Gelt is not affiliated with any of the registered agent companies listed herein. We do not endorse or recommend any specific registered agent service provider. Engaging with any of the listed registered agents is solely at the discretion and responsibility of the customer. Gelt shall not be held liable for any outcomes or experiences resulting from interactions or engagements with these registered agent services. Customers are advised to conduct their own due diligence and assessments before choosing a registered agent for their specific needs.