Hire a Registered Agent in California
LLC Register serves as your California registered agent, scans legal documents same-day and keeps your LLC in good standing. LLC Register is the most affordable registered agent service in California — get a free LLC and annual compliance with your plan.
California Registered Agent
- California Registered Agent
- $99 per year
- California Street Address
- Free
- Same-Day Legal Mail Scan
- Free
- California LLC Formation
- Free
- Annual Compliance
- Free
Transparent Cost Guide to hire a California Registered Agent with LLC Register
Every fee, line by line. State filing fees are passed through at cost; there is nothing else to add at checkout.
| Service | LLC Register fee | California state fee | Estimated total | One-time or annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
California agent for service of process service | $99 | $0 | $99 | Annual |
Agent's consent to serve | $0 | $0 | $0 | Free |
Same-day scan of legal mail | $0 | $0 | $0 | Free |
California LLC formation (certificate of organization) | $0 | $0 | $0 | One-time |
California LLC compliance (annual report) | $0 | $800 | $800 | Annual |
California state filing fee | $0 | $70 | $70 | One-time |
LLC Register serves as your California agent for service of process for $99 a year: a physical California street address, consent to serve kept on file, and same-day scans of any legal or state mail we receive for your LLC, corporation or limited partnership. Also, all registered agent services include a free LLC and free annual compliance.
Comprehensive 10-Step Guide to Hire a Registered Agent in California
From checking the requirement to renewing every year, in the order you will do them.
Step 1 — Confirm you need a California agent for service of process
Every California LLC, corporation and limited partnership must designate and continuously maintain an agent for service of process under Corporations Code § 17701.13. The agent is named on your formation document and stays on the state's public record.
Step 2 — Decide between being your own agent or hiring a service
You can serve as your own agent if you are a California resident with a California street address and can be there during business hours; most owners hire a service instead to keep that address off the public record and never miss a delivery.
Step 3 — Check the office address rule
The agent's California address must be a physical street address, not a P.O. box, and someone must be present to accept delivery there during normal business hours.
Step 4 — Choose a California registered agent service
Compare the annual price, whether mail is scanned the same day it arrives, and whether the state's Statement of Information filing is included before you sign up.
Step 5 — Sign up and provide your entity details
Give your legal entity name, entity type and California Secretary of State entity number, if you already have one, so the agent can be listed correctly.
Step 6 — Confirm the agent's consent to serve
Corporations Code § 17701.13 requires the agent for service of process to consent to the designation; a corporate agent documents that consent by filing Form 1505 with the Secretary of State.
Step 7 — List your registered agent on your formation document
A new LLC names its agent for service of process directly on Form LLC-1, the Articles of Organization, filed with the California Secretary of State for a $70 fee.
Step 8 — File a Statement of Information if you already have an entity
Existing LLCs report a new agent for service of process on Form LLC-12, the Statement of Information; California charges no fee when the only change is the agent, filed between your regular two-year filing periods.
Step 9 — Confirm the change on the public record
Use the Secretary of State's bizfileOnline business search to confirm your new agent for service of process is listed before your next Statement of Information is due.
Step 10 — Keep your registered agent active every year
An LLC without a valid agent risks a delinquent Statement of Information, a $250 penalty, and suspension or forfeiture of its powers by the Franchise Tax Board under Revenue and Taxation Code § 23301, so renew your agent service before it lapses.
California Registered Agent Facts Table
The official statute, fees and links for a California agent for service of process, each checked against the state agency.
California agent for service of process statute | Corporations Code § 17701.13 (corporate agents: § 1505) |
|---|---|
Registered agent required | Yes — for LLCs, corporations and limited partnerships |
Who may serve as agent | A California resident with a California street address, or a corporation qualified under Corporations Code § 1505 |
Registered office address rule | A physical California street address; no P.O. boxes |
Consent to serve required | Yes, under Corporations Code § 17701.13; a corporate agent documents consent on Form 1505 |
Fee to change agent | $0 (Form LLC-12, Statement of Information, filed between regular filing periods) |
Filing agency | California Secretary of State, Business Programs Division |
Standard processing time | About 2–3 business days online; 24-hour service $350, same-day service $750 |
Penalty for no registered agent | Delinquent Statement of Information, a $250 penalty, and suspension or forfeiture under Revenue and Taxation Code § 23301 |
Recurring compliance filings | Statement of Information (Form LLC-12), $20, every 2 years, plus an $800 annual minimum franchise tax (Revenue and Taxation Code § 17941) |
California business filings and registered agent search | bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov/search/business |
Business name generator | swyftfilings.com/business-name-generator |
Virtual mailbox | snapmailbox.com |
Trademark registration | trademarkengine.com |
Free Trademark Search | trademarkengine.com/free-trademark-search |
Author: LLC RegisterLast reviewed 9/30/2026
California agency: California Secretary of StateLast reviewed 9/30/2026
Legal Requirements for a California Registered Agent
What California law requires of every agent for service of process, with the rule and the agency that enforces it.
A physical California street address
Every California entity's agent for service of process must have a street address in California, not a P.O. box, under Corporations Code § 17701.13. Someone must be able to accept delivery there during normal business hours.
Who can serve as your agent
Under Corp. Code § 17701.13, the agent must be either an individual California resident or a corporation that has complied with Section 1505 by filing a certificate with the Secretary of State. An entity cannot act as its own agent for service of process.
Consent to serve
Corp. Code § 17701.13 requires the agent for service of process to consent to the designation. A corporate agent documents that consent by filing Form 1505, the Registered Corporate Agent for Service of Process Certificate, for a $30 online fee ($45 by paper).
Accepting and forwarding legal notices
The agent's role is to receive service of process, notices and demands addressed to the entity and pass them on. If no valid agent can be located, California law allows process to be served on the Secretary of State directly under Corp. Code § 17701.16.
Reporting a change of agent
A change of agent for service of process is reported on Form LLC-12, the Statement of Information, filed with the California Secretary of State. The state charges no fee when the only change is the agent, filed between the regular two-year filing periods.
Maintaining an agent at all times
An LLC that lets its Statement of Information lapse, including a missing or invalid agent for service of process, can be assessed a $250 penalty and have its powers suspended or forfeited by the Franchise Tax Board under Revenue and Taxation Code § 23301.
California Registered Agent Service Cost Comparison
Published prices for a California registered agent service, compared line by line.
| What you pay for | LLC Register | LegalZoom | ZenBusiness |
|---|---|---|---|
LLC formation service | $0 | $0 | $0 |
California filing fee | $70 | $70 | $70 |
Registered agent, first year | $99 | $249 | $99 |
Annual report filing | $0 | $99 | $100 |
First-year total | $99 + state fee | $249 + state fee | $99 + state fee |
Registered agent renewal | $99 per year | $249 per year | $199 per year |
Competitor prices are for each company's lowest-priced LLC package, as published on its own website on September 29, 2026. The California state fee is extra with every provider. Prices change; check each provider before you buy.
Most Trusted California Registered Agent Service
One flat price, a real California address, and your legal mail scanned the same day it arrives.
$99 a year. That is the whole price.
The same $99 at renewal, every year. No tiers to compare and nothing pre-checked at checkout.
A real California street address
A physical agent address in California, not a P.O. box or a shared mail drop, that meets Corporations Code § 17701.13.
Consent to serve kept on file
We document and keep our consent to serve on record, satisfying the consent California requires of every agent for service of process.
Same-day scans of legal mail
Any service of process or state notice we receive is scanned and emailed to you the day it arrives.
We handle your Statement of Information
Switching from another agent? We prepare your Form LLC-12 at no added cost — California charges no fee when the only change is the agent.
Support by email
Real people answer by email. We reply within one business day.
Important California Registered Agent Resources and Links
Official California offices, forms and data in one place. Every link goes to the source.
State government offices
- California Secretary of State, Business Programs Division1500 11th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 · (916) 657-5448
- California Secretary of State — bizfile Onlinebizfileonline.sos.ca.gov
- California Franchise Tax Boardftb.ca.gov
- California Employment Development Departmentedd.ca.gov
- County recorder officesFictitious business name filings vary by county
Filing, forms and records
- Service of process FAQs (California SOS)sos.ca.gov
- Form LLC-12 — Statement of InformationOfficial forms page
- Form 1505 — Registered Corporate Agent for Service of Process CertificateOfficial PDF
- Form LLC-1 — Articles of OrganizationOfficial forms page
- Business entities FAQs, including suspended and forfeited entitiessos.ca.gov
Taxes, permits and licenses
California Registered Agent FAQs
Short questions, direct answers.
What is an agent for service of process in California?
An agent for service of process is the person or company named to receive legal papers and official state mail for a California entity, at a physical California street address. It is required by Corporations Code § 17701.13.
Do I need an agent for service of process for my California LLC or corporation?
Yes. Every California LLC, corporation and limited partnership must designate and continuously maintain an agent for service of process under Corp. Code § 17701.13, from the day it files its formation document.
Can I be my own registered agent in California?
Yes, if you are a California resident with a physical California street address where you can accept deliveries during normal business hours. Many owners hire a service instead to keep that address off the public record.
Can I use a P.O. box for my California agent's address?
No. Corp. Code § 17701.13 requires a physical California street address; a P.O. box does not qualify.
How much does a California registered agent cost?
LLC Register charges $99 a year. Commercial registered agent services generally range from about $99 to $249 a year, based on published pricing checked 9/30/2026.
How do I change my agent for service of process in California?
File Form LLC-12, the Statement of Information, with the California Secretary of State. The state charges no fee when the only change is the agent for service of process, filed between your regular two-year filing periods; a regular Statement of Information filing costs $20.
What happens if I don't have an agent for service of process in California?
If no valid agent can be confirmed, process may be served on the Secretary of State directly under Corp. Code § 17701.16, and a lapsed Statement of Information can bring a $250 penalty and suspension or forfeiture of the entity's powers by the Franchise Tax Board under Revenue and Taxation Code § 23301.
Does my registered agent need to consent to serve?
Yes. Corp. Code § 17701.13 requires the agent for service of process to consent to the designation. A corporate agent documents that consent by filing Form 1505 with the Secretary of State.
Can a family member or friend be my California registered agent?
Yes, as long as they are a California resident with a California street address, are available during business hours, and consent to the designation under Corp. Code § 17701.13.
Can an out-of-state company be my California registered agent?
Only if that company is a corporation that has qualified under Corp. Code § 1505 by filing Form 1505 with the Secretary of State; an unregistered out-of-state entity cannot serve as agent.
How fast will I know if my registered agent receives a lawsuit?
California law does not set a fixed forwarding deadline, but LLC Register scans and emails any service of process or state notice we receive the same day we receive it.
Is my registered agent's address public record in California?
Yes. The agent's name and California address are part of the entity's public filing with the Secretary of State and appear on its Statement of Information, searchable through bizfileOnline.
Can my registered agent resign?
Yes. An individual or corporate agent can resign by filing the applicable resignation form with the Secretary of State, which starts the process for the entity to name a replacement.
Do I need to update my registered agent on my Statement of Information?
Yes. Form LLC-12, the Statement of Information, due within 90 days of registration and every two years after, must show your current agent for service of process.
Do I still owe California's $800 minimum franchise tax if I use a registered agent?
Yes. The agent for service of process only accepts legal mail; it does not change your obligation to pay the $800 minimum annual franchise tax to the Franchise Tax Board under Revenue and Taxation Code § 17941.
Does a foreign LLC formed in another state need a registered agent to do business in California?
Yes. A foreign LLC must designate a California agent for service of process on Form LLC-5, the Application to Register a Foreign Limited Liability Company, before the Secretary of State will approve it, the same as a domestic LLC under Corp. Code § 17701.13.
Does California let you form a series LLC?
No. California has no domestic series LLC statute, so you cannot file paperwork with the Secretary of State to create one here. You can register an out-of-state series LLC to do business in California as a foreign entity on Form LLC-5, but California taxes and treats each series as a separate entity for state filing purposes.
Can a California PLLC use a registered agent the way an LLC does?
California does not allow a PLLC at all. Corp. Code § 17701.04(e) bars an LLC from rendering licensed professional services, so professionals form a Professional Corporation or, for certain professions, a registered limited liability partnership instead — each of which still needs its own agent for service of process.
How much notice must my registered agent give before resigning?
California sets no fixed advance-notice period. Under Corp. Code § 1503, the agent delivers a signed and acknowledged Form RA-100 resignation statement to the Secretary of State, and the resignation takes effect once that statement is filed and processed.
What happens if someone tries to sue my LLC and my registered agent can't be found?
If no valid agent for service of process can be confirmed, Corp. Code § 17701.16 lets a plaintiff serve the California Secretary of State directly, who forwards the papers to the entity's last address on file — so a missing agent does not stop a lawsuit from proceeding.
Does a California nonprofit corporation need a registered agent?
Yes. Under Corp. Code § 6210, a nonprofit public benefit corporation must designate an agent for service of process — a California resident or a corporation qualified under § 1505 — on the Statement of Information it files within 90 days of incorporation and every two years after.
Does a California limited partnership need a registered agent?
Yes. Under Corp. Code § 15901.16, a limited partnership's certificate must designate an agent for service of process — an individual California resident or a corporation that has complied with § 1505 — the same eligibility rule that applies to an LLC's agent.
How do I look up a company's registered agent in California?
Search bizfileOnline at bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov by entity name or number; the agent for service of process's name and California address appear on the entity's most recent Statement of Information at no charge.
If I convert my California LLC into a different entity type, do I need a separate registered agent filing?
No, not if you're keeping the same agent. The conversion filing itself names the converted entity's agent for service of process, so a separate Statement of Information is only needed if you're also switching to a new agent or when your next regular filing period comes due.
Can my registered agent change its own name or address without switching to a new agent?
Yes, for a corporate agent. Under Form 1505, a registered corporate agent for service of process files a new, fully completed 1505 certificate with the Secretary of State for a $30 fee whenever its own name or California office address changes.
Can one person or company serve as the registered agent for more than one California LLC?
Yes. A corporation that has qualified under Corp. Code § 1505 can be named as agent for service of process on any number of entities, and an individual California resident can likewise serve more than one entity at once.
Are registered agent fees tax-deductible?
Yes. The IRS treats an annual registered agent fee as an ordinary and necessary business expense, deductible in the year you pay it.
Can my attorney serve as my California registered agent?
Yes, as long as your attorney is a California resident with a California street address, or practices through a corporation qualified under Corp. Code § 1505 — the same eligibility rule that applies to anyone else.
Is there a difference between a "registered agent" and an "agent for service of process"?
No. California's Corporations Code uses the term "agent for service of process" throughout, while "registered agent" is the more common name people use for the same role in everyday speech and in most other states' statutes.
What happens if mail sent to my registered agent's address is returned as undeliverable?
California has no separate undeliverable-mail notice process; instead, if the agent cannot actually be served there, Corp. Code § 17701.16 lets a plaintiff serve the Secretary of State directly, and a Statement of Information that no longer reflects a reachable agent risks the $250 penalty and suspension under Revenue and Taxation Code § 23301.
Do I have to name my registered agent on my Articles of Organization, or can I add one later?
You have to name one upfront. Form LLC-1, the Articles of Organization, cannot be filed with that field left blank — you must list either an individual California resident or a qualified corporate agent before the Secretary of State will accept it.
What is the difference between my agent's office and my principal place of business?
The agent's office, called the "office" under Corp. Code § 17701.13, is specifically the California street address where your agent for service of process can be reached; your principal office is wherever you actually run the business and, for an LLC, does not have to be in California at all.
Can a UPS Store or other commercial mail-receiving service be my registered agent's address?
No. Corp. Code § 17701.13 requires a physical California street address, and Form LLC-1's instructions specifically bar a P.O. box or an "in care of" address — a commercial mail-receiving service does not meet that rule either.
Is my registered agent's phone number or email made public?
No. California's Statement of Information and bizfileOnline listing show only your agent for service of process's name and California street address; no phone number or email address is required or published.
Do California nonprofit corporations have to confirm their registered agent on a periodic report?
Yes. Under Corp. Code § 6210, a nonprofit corporation's biennial Statement of Information must designate its current agent for service of process, due within 90 days of incorporation and every two years after.
Can my registered agent also be an officer or manager of my company?
Yes. Corp. Code § 17701.13 does not prevent an owner, manager or officer who is a California resident from also serving as the LLC's agent for service of process, as long as they maintain a California street address.
Does California require registered agents to be licensed or bonded?
Not licensed or bonded, but a corporate agent must register. Any corporation that wants to act as an agent for service of process for other entities must first qualify by filing Form 1505 under Corp. Code § 1505; an individual agent has no separate registration or bonding requirement.
Can I serve as my own registered agent if I live out of state but own property in California?
No. Corp. Code § 17701.13 requires an individual agent for service of process to be a California resident; owning California real estate does not meet that requirement if you personally live elsewhere.
Does my registered agent have authority to sign contracts or make decisions for my LLC?
No. An agent for service of process's role is limited to receiving and forwarding service of process, notices and demands addressed to the entity — it has no authority under the Corporations Code to sign contracts or otherwise act for the LLC.
Can the same California address serve as both my agent's office and my principal place of business?
Yes. Nothing requires the two to be different — a small business commonly uses one California street address for both, as long as it meets the agent office's physical-address rule.
Complete California Registered Agent Glossary
The terms, forms and filings you will meet when appointing a California registered agent.
Agent for service of process
The person or company with a physical California address named to receive legal papers and state mail for an entity, required by Corporations Code § 17701.13.
Office
California's statutory term for the physical California street address where the agent for service of process can be reached; it cannot be a P.O. box.
Articles of Organization
Form LLC-1, the document filed with the California Secretary of State to create an LLC. It names the LLC's initial agent for service of process.
Statement of Information
Form LLC-12, filed with the California Secretary of State for $20 within 90 days of registration and every two years after; it is also how an entity reports a new agent for service of process, at no added fee if that is the only change.
Form 1505
The Registered Corporate Agent for Service of Process Certificate, filed by a corporation with the Secretary of State for $30 online ($45 by paper) to document its consent to serve as a corporate agent.
Service of process
The formal delivery of legal documents, such as a lawsuit summons, to an entity through its agent for service of process.
Suspension and forfeiture
The Franchise Tax Board's suspension of a domestic entity's powers, rights and privileges, or forfeiture of a foreign entity's, for reasons including a lapsed Statement of Information, under Revenue and Taxation Code § 23301.
Certificate of Status
California's version of a certificate of good standing, available from the Secretary of State through bizfileOnline for $5, showing an entity exists and is authorized to transact business.
Minimum franchise tax
The Franchise Tax Board's $800 annual minimum tax on LLCs doing business in California, imposed under Revenue and Taxation Code § 17941 and due by the 15th day of the fourth month of the taxable year.
LLC fee
An additional fee charged under Revenue and Taxation Code § 17942 on top of the $800 minimum franchise tax, owed by LLCs with total California income above $250,000.
Statement of Information – No Change (Form LLC-12NC)
A shorter version of Form LLC-12 an LLC can file, for the same $20 fee, when none of the information on its last Statement of Information has changed.
Foreign qualification
Registering an entity formed in another state, using Form LLC-5, so it can legally do business in California; it requires naming a California agent for service of process.