Registered Agent
Definition: The person or company designated to receive legal papers and official notices for a business.
A registered agent is the person or company named on the public record to receive service of process (lawsuits and subpoenas) and official state mail for an entity. Every state requires one, and the agent must have a physical street address in that state and be available during business hours.
| State | Term used |
|---|---|
| Arizona | Statutory agent |
| Michigan | Resident agent |
| Ohio | Statutory agent |
| Most other states | Registered agent |
Why it matters in a search
The agent is usually the most current contact detail on a record, because many states drop an entity from good standing when the agent resigns and is not replaced. Several state tools, including Florida and Arizona, let you search by agent name to find related companies.
A commercial agent service lets owners keep their home address off the record, which is one reason owners often do not appear in an LLC lookup.
Related: good standing, Michigan resident agents.
Registered Agent questions
Can I be my own registered agent?
Yes, if you have a street address in the state and are available there during business hours. Many owners use a commercial agent for privacy.
How do I find a company's registered agent?
Open the company's record in its state business search. The agent's name and address are part of every record.
Sources
Data Updated Recently