A registered agent receives legal process for the company. Before buying a service, separate that legal role from extras such as document storage, general mail handling and filing reminders.
Wyoming and Delaware both require LLCs to maintain an in-state registered office and registered agent. This guide uses those states’ rules as examples. Check the requirements for the state where you plan to form.
What the agent does
Wyoming Statutes 17-28-104 require the agent to accept service of process, notices and demands served on the entity. Delaware Code Title 6, Section 18-104 requires agents to accept service of process and other communications directed to the LLC and forward them to the company.
Ask a prospective provider how legal documents reach you, how quickly it sends them, and what happens if an email fails or you cannot access the dashboard. Get the delivery commitment in writing. The requirement to receive legal papers does not establish a particular scanning service or delivery speed.
Who can serve
The requirement to maintain an agent does not mean every founder must buy a commercial subscription.
Wyoming’s Secretary of State says an individual can serve as their own agent if they are at least 18, reside in Wyoming, and have a physical Wyoming address and valid email address. Delaware’s statute permits the LLC itself, an individual Delaware resident and certain eligible entities, subject to its office and agent requirements.
If you cannot meet the relevant conditions yourself, arrange another eligible agent. A commercial provider is one option. Confirm the appointment and address before submitting the formation document.
Keep the addresses separate
A registered office has a specific legal purpose. It does not automatically qualify as the company’s operating address for banking.
For example, Mercury’s published requirements exclude registered-agent addresses as the principal business address. Its policy accepts verifiable international operating addresses, subject to its other requirements and application review. Use accurate details and check the chosen provider’s policy. See the non-resident banking guide.
If you also want general mail handling, ask which mail is accepted, what forwarding costs, and which uses of the address are permitted. Do not assume those services are included with the agent appointment.
Check the first year and the renewal
Record these terms before buying:
- The coverage start date, end date and first-year charge.
- The year-two renewal amount, payment date and auto-renewal setting.
- The document-delivery method and any stated delivery time.
- Charges for forwarding, extra copies or other work.
- How to cancel, how much notice is required, and which refund terms apply.
- How to download records and arrange a replacement agent before coverage ends.
Keep the provider’s quote beside the state costs in the True Cost Worksheet. The worksheet’s state-fee estimate does not establish a provider’s current agent price.
Plan the handover before canceling
The state requirement continues while the company remains subject to it. Check how to appoint a successor before ending the existing service.
Delaware Code Title 6, Section 18-104 provides for cancellation of the certificate of formation when an agent resigns without a successor and the LLC fails to designate a new agent within 30 days. Do not treat canceling a service subscription as a substitute for the required state filing.
Save the accepted change, the new agent’s details and your document archive. Use the formation checklist to keep the handover tasks together, and the service buyer’s guide to review the full order.
This is general information, not legal advice. Sources: Wyoming Secretary of State registered-agent FAQ; Wyoming Statutes 17-28-104; Delaware Code Title 6, Section 18-104; Mercury’s business-address requirements.