Definition
What is a Registered Agent?
A Registered Agent is a person or company designated to receive official legal documents (lawsuits, subpoenas, tax notices, state correspondence) on behalf of your US entity. Mandatory in every US state. Must have physical address in state of incorporation.
Why required
Why it's mandatory.
- Every US state requires it for incorporated entities
- Acts as point of contact for state correspondence
- Receives 'service of process' if entity is sued
- Must have physical street address in state of incorporation (no PO boxes)
- Available during business hours to accept deliveries
- Foreign-owned entities particularly need this — you can't be reached internationally
Options
Your options.
Three main routes:
- DIY: be your own registered agent — only if you have physical Delaware presence
- Friend / lawyer in state: cheap but unreliable
- Commercial Registered Agent service: $50-200/year. Most foreign founders pick this.
- BQP package: registered agent for Year 1 included in our $999 US incorporation package
Popular providers
Popular providers.
- Northwest Registered Agent: $125/year, well-reviewed
- Harvard Business Services: $50/year, cheapest
- LegalZoom: $249/year, well-known but expensive
- CT Corporation: $300+/year, enterprise
- Stripe Atlas: included in their package
- BQP: included Year 1, then $150/year