What is a registered agent, and does your LLC need one?
Edited by Moe Ameen · Published
Yes. The SBA says an LLC needs a registered agent in the state where it registers, before it files. The agent accepts lawsuits and official notices for the business at a physical street address in that state. Whether you can be your own agent depends on the state: Florida lets a member or manager serve, while California won't let a business act as its own agent.
Key takeaways
- Every LLC needs a registered agent in the state it registers in.
- The agent needs a physical street address in that state; Florida and Texas rule out a PO box or mailbox service alone.
- Owners can often serve as their own agent, but some states won't let the business itself serve.
- A USPS PO box street address can't be used as your place of business on legal documents.
What does a registered agent do?
A registered agent accepts service of process, meaning lawsuits, and official notices on behalf of your business.
The SBA describes the agent as the one who receives official papers and legal documents for your company [1]. Florida's filing office puts it as the person or business responsible for accepting service of process on your behalf [3].
Does an LLC need a registered agent?
Yes. The SBA says an LLC needs a registered agent in its state before it files, and the agent has to be located in that state.
That's the SBA's guidance for LLCs, corporations, partnerships and nonprofit corporations [1]. Delaware's rule is typical: every entity must keep a registered office and a registered agent in the state [4].
Can I be my own registered agent?
Often, yes, if you live in the state and can be reached at a street address there. A few states limit who can serve, so check yours.
Florida lets a manager, member or managing member accept service for the LLC [3]. Texas allows an individual Texas resident [2]. California allows a California resident but says a business can't act as its own agent [5]. The SBA notes that many owners use a registered agent service instead of taking on the role themselves [1].
What address can a registered agent use?
A physical street address in the state. Texas and Florida both rule out using only a PO box or a mailbox service.
- Texas: a physical Texas address where the agent can be served during business hours, not solely a mailbox or answering service [2].
- Florida: a Florida street address; a post office box isn't acceptable [3].
- Delaware: a physical Delaware street address, with the agent generally present during normal business hours [4].
- California: the agent's name and physical street address are public record [5].
Can I use a PO box as my business address?
For receiving mail, yes. But USPS says its PO box street-address option can't be used as your place of business on legal documents.
Where USPS offers Street Addressing, you can pair the post office's street address with your box number to receive packages from private carriers. USPS says you may not use that address as your physical residence or place of business in legal documents [6].
A private mailbox at a commercial mail receiving agency is another option. USPS requires PS Form 1583 and two forms of ID, one with a photo [7]. On an EIN application, the IRS asks for a physical address separately if it differs from your mailing address, and says not to enter a PO box there [8].
Glisten check
Registered agent rules in four states, side by side
| State | Who can serve | Address rule |
|---|---|---|
| California | A California resident, or a registered 1505 corporate agent; not the business itself [5] | Name and street address are public record [5] |
| Delaware | The entity itself if it's physically in Delaware, a Delaware resident, or another entity [4] | Physical Delaware street address; present during business hours [4] |
| Florida | A person or business; a manager or member can serve [3] | Florida street address; no PO box [3] |
| Texas | An individual Texas resident or an eligible entity [2] | Physical Texas address; not solely a mailbox service [2] |
Is this right for you?
Best for
- Owners forming an LLC who need to name an agent on the filing.
- Anyone deciding between serving as their own agent and paying a service.
Not ideal for
- Comparing registered agent services' prices. This page covers the states' rules, not vendors.
Frequently asked questions
Can my registered agent use a PO box?
Not in Florida or Texas. Both require a physical street address in the state [2][3].
Is my registered agent's address public?
In California it is: the agent's name and physical street address are public record [5].
Can my LLC be its own registered agent?
It depends on the state. Delaware allows it if the business is physically in Delaware [4]; California doesn't allow a business to act as its own agent [5].
Do I need a registered agent before I file my LLC?
Yes. The SBA says you'll need one in your state before you file [1].
How we know this
On October 28, 2026 we read the SBA's guide to registering a business and the registered agent rules on the Texas, Delaware, Florida and California filing offices' own pages, plus USPS's PO box and mailbox rules and the IRS's Form SS-4 instructions.
- Register your business, SBA. Checked October 28, 2026.
- Business formation FAQs, Texas Secretary of State. Checked October 28, 2026.
- LLC filing help, Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz). Checked October 28, 2026.
- FAQs regarding registered agents, Delaware Division of Corporations. Checked October 28, 2026.
- Business entities FAQs, California Secretary of State. Checked October 28, 2026.
- Premium PO Box service agreement (PDF), USPS. Checked October 28, 2026.
- Commercial mail receiving agency (CMRA), USPS. Checked October 28, 2026.
- Instructions for Form SS-4, IRS. Checked October 28, 2026.