Be Your Own Registered Agent › Requirements checklist

Before you name yourself as the registered agent

1. Do you have a street address in the state? Every state that requires an agent asks for one. A P.O. box alone is not accepted where the state says so.
2. Will someone be there in business hours? Florida, for example, sets weekday hours in its statute; other states say “normal” or “regular” hours. See your state page.
3. Do you meet the “who can serve” rule? Usually a resident of the state, in some states a member, manager or officer.
4. Are you happy with the address being public? It goes on the filing.
5. Have you consented in the form the state wants? Some states require the agent to accept in writing.

Then check the page for your state: all 50 states. Every rule there comes from the statute or the Secretary of State; where our fact sheet does not settle a question, we say to check with the Secretary of State. If any answer is no, Mainstay Filing is $149 a year for registered agent service.