A registered agent is the person or company the state lists to be handed a lawsuit for your business. It is not a mailbox. Service of process is formally handing someone court papers. The Secretary of State is the state office that keeps business filings. Florida uses the Division of Corporations. Virginia uses the State Corporation Commission.
What the person does on a quiet day is in What is a registered agent for an LLC? What to do the day the papers arrive is in Service of process: what it means for an LLC. This page is the checklist for getting on the list.
The registered agent requirements
Four things show up again and again. The state section is where the words change. This list is not one national statute.
- A street in that state A street address is a place a person can walk up to, like 123 Main Street. A P.O. Box is a mailbox at the post office. The pages below reject a P.O. Box, a mailbox service, or a virtual office used alone.
- Someone there to take the papers A person has to be at that street when the server arrives. Florida prints the clock. Other states on this page say normal business hours, or they say often enough to take the papers. A website login is not a person at a door.
- A person who lives there, or a company allowed there The usual seats are a resident of that state, or a company authorized to do business there. Wyoming also says the person must be at least 18. This page does not paste that age onto every state.
- A yes, where the state asks for one Some states want a signed consent or a filed acceptance. Florida, Kentucky, and Texas do, in different ways. Delaware’s LLC statute on this page does not print that filing.
Who can be a registered agent
Who can be a registered agent is whoever passes that list. It can be you, if you live in the state and you can be at the street. It can be a lawyer with an office in that state. It can be a company that is allowed to do business there.
The LLC’s own name is a separate question. Florida’s instructions say the business cannot be its own registered agent. Delaware’s statute says the LLC itself may be the agent. The DIY, lawyer, or commercial page sets those three seats side by side. Each seat still has to meet the rules here.
Putting your own name on the form is in Can I be my own registered agent? A paid company that already keeps the street is in What is a commercial registered agent? What that company charges is in How much does a registered agent cost?
Who can be a registered agent for an LLC
Who can be a registered agent for an LLC is the same job, under that state’s LLC statute. A company formed in Minnesota must keep a registered office and may name an agent. A company formed somewhere else must name one when it registers there. Florida will not let the LLC be its own agent. Delaware will, if the LLC keeps a Delaware street. The rest of the split is in the next section.
What changes by state
These are examples. They are not a full list. Letters on a state scorecard grade companies that sell this job. The methodology page is how those letters are built.
- Registered agent requirements Florida
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Florida Statutes § 605.0113 says the LLC must keep a registered office and a registered agent in Florida. The agent is a person who lives in Florida, or another Florida corporation, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, or limited partnership, or a foreign company of those kinds that is authorized to do business in Florida. The business address matches the registered office. The agent files a written acceptance with the department.
The Division of Corporations instructions say a business entity cannot serve as its own registered agent. They also say the agent must have a physical street address in Florida. Do not list a P.O. Box. § 48.091 says keep the office open from at least 10 a.m. to 12 noon and from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays that are not legal holidays, with someone there who can take papers. The Florida scorecard is the longer page.
- Registered agent requirements Kentucky
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KRS 14A.4-010 says each entity keeps a Kentucky registered office and a registered agent. The agent is a person who lives in Kentucky, or an entity qualified to transact business in Kentucky. The business address is the same as the office. If the agent does not sign the appointment, it is not effective until the agent delivers a written acceptance to the Secretary of State.
The Secretary of State’s change form says a post office box is not enough for the office. That form also says the company seeking formation shall not act as its own registered agent. The statute still allows a qualified entity. The two pages do not match. This page prints both. The Kentucky scorecard is the longer page.
- Registered agent requirements Virginia
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Code of Virginia § 13.1-1015 says each LLC keeps a registered office and a registered agent. An individual agent must live in Virginia. That person must be a member or manager, one of the related roles the section lists, or a member of the Virginia State Bar. A company agent must be authorized to transact business in Virginia. An entity shall not be its own registered agent. A company agent names a real person at the office in a writing acknowledged before a notary. An officer who is an employee, and not a member or manager, must be available during regular business hours.
The State Corporation Commission FAQ says the agent needs a Virginia physical address and must be available during normal business hours. A post office box is not acceptable, except in a city or town with fewer than 2,000 people and no street address, and then only on paper. The Virginia scorecard is the longer page.
- Registered agent requirements Minnesota
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Minn. Stat. § 322C.0113 says every LLC shall have a registered office and may have a registered agent, in the manner of § 5.36. A company formed in Minnesota may name an agent. A company formed somewhere else must name one when it registers here. The agent may be a person who lives in Minnesota, a Minnesota corporation or LLC, or a foreign corporation or LLC authorized to do business here. The agent’s business office matches the registered office.
If the office on file is not an actual office, or is only a post office box, the company must give a new address that includes an actual office. The Secretary of State forms page says a post office box by itself is not acceptable. The Minnesota scorecard is the longer page.
- Registered agent requirements Delaware
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6 Del. C. § 18-104 says each LLC keeps a registered office and a registered agent in Delaware. The agent may be the LLC itself, a person who lives in Delaware, or another company the section allows. The address on the filing includes the street, number, city, and postal code. The agent may not do the job solely through a virtual office or a mail-forwarding service.
An individual agent must be generally present often enough to take papers. An entity agent keeps an office that is generally open. A commercial registered agent, one that serves more than 50 entities, must be generally present during normal business hours. The Division of Corporations FAQ says every entity appoints an agent with a physical office in Delaware, and says the agent is generally present during normal business hours. The Delaware scorecard is the longer page.
- Registered agent requirements Georgia
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The Secretary of State FAQ says each entity must keep a registered agent and a registered office in Georgia. An entity cannot be its own registered agent. The address must be a street in Georgia where the agent is located. A post office box or a mail drop may not be used. For a domestic LLC, that FAQ says the agent may be an individual resident, a domestic corporation or another domestic LLC, or a foreign corporation or LLC with a certificate of authority.
O.C.G.A. § 14-11-209 says the same seats. It also says the agent’s business office is the same address as the registered office. The Georgia scorecard is the longer page.
- Registered agent requirements Texas
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Business Organizations Code § 5.201 says the registered agent may be a Texas resident who has consented, or an organization, other than the company itself, that is registered or authorized to do business in Texas and has consented. The agent keeps a business office at the same address as the registered office. The office is a street where process may be personally served. It may not be solely a mailbox service or a telephone answering service. If the agent is an organization, an employee must be available during normal business hours.
The Secretary of State FAQ says an officer, owner, or employee may serve. The company may not serve as its own agent. The secretary of state cannot serve as the agent. Consent is a written or electronic form. The FAQ says the company usually keeps that consent. It is generally not required to be filed. The Texas scorecard is the longer page.
The Wyoming Secretary of State FAQ is the page on this site that prints an age. A registered agent may be an individual who is at least 18, or a business entity registered and in good standing. You may be your own agent if you are at least 18, you live in Wyoming, you have a physical Wyoming address, and you have a valid email. The office is a physical street where a person can accept service of process. A post office box, a drop box, a virtual address, a mail-forwarding location, a UPS store, or a FedEx store does not qualify. The Wyoming scorecard is the longer page.
What happens if you stop meeting them
The next step is not the same in every state. An agent who qualifies in one state does not automatically qualify in another. When the person on the form no longer qualifies, the filing that puts a new name on the list is in How to change a registered agent on an LLC. This page does not reprint that filing.
- Florida, a court penalty Until the company complies with § 605.0113, it may not prosecute or maintain a case in a Florida court. A court may also order a penalty of $5 for each day, or $500, whichever is less.
- Kentucky, 60 days KRS 14A.7-010 says the Secretary of State may start an administrative dissolution if the entity is without a registered office or agent for 60 days or more. The same section covers a failure to notify the office within 60 days that the agent or office changed, the office was discontinued, or the agent resigned.
- Virginia, after a resignation The Commission FAQ says you have 31 days to appoint a new agent. If you do not, the office notifies you that the status changed. If that is not fixed by the last day of the second month after the notice, the status changes to terminated, revoked, or canceled.
- Delaware, after a resignation If the agent resigns and the LLC does not designate a new agent within 30 days after the resignation certificate is filed, § 18-104(d) says the certificate of formation is canceled. That is the resignation path.
- Georgia, 60 days, then a notice O.C.G.A. § 14-11-603 says the Secretary of State may start a dissolution if the LLC is without a registered agent or registered office for 60 days or more. It also covers a failure to give notice within 60 days of a change, a resignation, or a discontinued office. The office mails a notice. The company has 60 days after that notice to fix it. If there is no agent, or the agent cannot with reasonable diligence be found, § 14-11-209 says the Secretary of State is an agent for service.
- Texas, the FAQ’s result The Secretary of State FAQ says failure to appoint or maintain a registered agent and registered office may result in involuntary termination of a domestic filing entity. For a foreign filing entity, it may result in revocation of the registration. The chapter text opened for this page does not print a day count.
Minnesota’s sections opened here require the office to stay an actual office. They do not print a 60-day dissolution for a missing agent. Wyoming’s FAQ does not print a day count for an ordinary agent who stops qualifying. This page does not add one.
If you do not live in the state, a company that is allowed to do business there can take the seat. These buttons open that company’s own page. The state filing is still separate.
Sources
- Fla. Stat. § 605.0113 and § 48.091 (2026 Florida Statutes, read October 12, 2026). Each LLC keeps a Florida registered office and a registered agent. The agent is a Florida resident, another authorized Florida entity, or a foreign authorized entity, with a business address identical to the office. Authorized entity means a corporation for profit, a limited liability company, a limited liability partnership, or a limited partnership. The agent files a written acceptance. Until the company complies, it may not prosecute or maintain an action, and a court may order $5 a day or $500, whichever is less. The office stays open from at least 10 a.m. to 12 noon and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays that are not legal holidays, with someone there who can take papers.
- Florida Division of Corporations, LLC articles instructions (read October 12, 2026). A business entity cannot serve as its own registered agent. An individual or principal associated with the business may. The agent must have a physical street address in Florida. Do not list a P.O. Box.
- KRS 14A.4-010 and KRS 14A.7-010 (Kentucky Legislature, read October 12, 2026). Each entity keeps a registered office and a registered agent. The agent is a Kentucky resident or an entity qualified to transact business here, with a business address identical to the office. Unless the agent signs the appointment, it waits on a written acceptance delivered to the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State may start an administrative dissolution if the entity is without an office or agent for 60 days or more, or does not notify the office within 60 days of a change, a discontinued office, or a resignation.
- Kentucky Secretary of State, Statement of Change of Registered Agent and/or Registered Office (RAC) (read October 12, 2026). The registered office must be a Kentucky street or other specific location. A post office box is insufficient. The form says the company seeking formation shall not act as its own registered agent. The agent must give written consent.
- Va. Code § 13.1-1015 (read October 12, 2026). Each LLC keeps a registered office and a registered agent. An individual resident must be a member or manager, a related role the section lists, or a member of the Virginia State Bar, with a business office identical to the registered office. A company agent must be authorized to transact business in Virginia, shall not be its own registered agent, and must designate a natural person in a writing acknowledged before a notary. An officer-employee must be available during regular business hours. The sole duty is to forward process, notice, or demand.
- Virginia State Corporation Commission, Registered Agent and Office Addresses (read October 12, 2026). The agent needs a Virginia physical business address and must be available during normal business hours. A business entity cannot act as its own registered agent. A post office box is not acceptable except in a city or town with fewer than 2,000 people and no street address, and then only on paper. After a resignation, you have 31 days to appoint a new agent. If that is not fixed by the last day of the second month after the notice, the status changes to terminated, revoked, or canceled.
- Minn. Stat. § 5.36 and § 322C.0113 (Minnesota Revisor, read October 12, 2026). Every LLC shall have a registered office and may have a registered agent. A Minnesota-formed company may designate an agent. A company formed elsewhere must designate one when it registers. The agent may be a Minnesota resident, a domestic corporation or LLC, or a foreign corporation or LLC authorized here. The business office matches the registered office. If the listed office is not an actual office, or is solely a post office box, the company must provide an actual office location.
- Minnesota Secretary of State, business corporation forms (read October 12, 2026). A registered office address in Minnesota is required. A post office box by itself is not acceptable. If designating a registered agent, it must be a person residing in Minnesota, a Minnesota entity, or a foreign entity authorized to do business in this state.
- 6 Del. C. § 18-104 (Delaware Code, read October 12, 2026). Each LLC keeps a registered office and a registered agent. The agent may be the LLC itself, a Delaware resident, or another company the section allows. The filing address includes the street, number, city, and postal code. Every agent accepts service and is generally present often enough, or keeps an office generally open. The agent may not serve solely through a virtual office or a mail-forwarding service. A commercial registered agent serves more than 50 entities and must be generally present during normal business hours. If a resigning agent is not replaced within 30 days after the resignation certificate is filed, the certificate of formation is canceled.
- Delaware Division of Corporations, Frequently Asked Questions (read October 12, 2026). Every entity appoints a registered agent with a physical office in Delaware. The agent accepts service of process and is generally present during normal business hours. If the business is physically located in Delaware, it may act as its own registered agent.
- Georgia Secretary of State, Business Division FAQ (read October 12, 2026). Each entity must continuously maintain a registered agent and registered office in Georgia. An entity cannot be its own registered agent. The address must be a Georgia street where the agent is located. A post office box or mail drop may not be used. For a domestic LLC, the agent may be an individual resident, a domestic corporation or LLC, or a foreign corporation or LLC with a certificate of authority. The business office must be identical with the registered office.
- O.C.G.A. § 14-11-209 and § 14-11-603 (read October 12, 2026). Each LLC keeps a registered office and a registered agent whose business office is the same address. The agent is an individual resident, a corporation, another LLC, or a foreign corporation or foreign LLC with a certificate of authority. If there is no agent, or the agent cannot with reasonable diligence be found, the Secretary of State is an agent for service. The Secretary of State may start an administrative dissolution if the LLC is without an agent or office for 60 days or more, or does not give notice within 60 days of a change, a resignation, or a discontinued office. After written notice, the company has 60 days to correct the ground.
- Tex. Bus. Orgs. Code § 5.201 (Texas Legislature, read October 12, 2026). The registered agent is a Texas resident who has consented, or an organization other than the represented entity that is authorized to do business in Texas and has consented. The agent maintains a business office at the registered office. The office is a street where process may be personally served. It may not be solely a mailbox service or a telephone answering service. An organization agent must have an employee available during normal business hours.
- Texas Secretary of State, Registered Agent FAQs (read October 12, 2026). An individual Texas resident, or an organization authorized to do business in Texas, may serve. An officer, owner, or employee may serve. The entity may not serve as its own registered agent. The secretary of state cannot serve as the entity’s registered agent. Consent is generally kept by the entity and is not required to be filed. Failure to appoint or maintain a registered agent and registered office may result in involuntary termination or revocation of registration.
- Wyoming Secretary of State, Registered Agents and Offices FAQ (read October 12, 2026). A registered agent may be an individual who is at least 18, or a business entity registered and in good standing. You may be your own agent if you are at least 18, you live in Wyoming, you have a physical Wyoming address, and you have a valid email. The office is a physical street where a person can accept service of process. Post office boxes, drop boxes, virtual addresses, mail-forwarding locations, and UPS or FedEx stores do not qualify.