Whether you’re starting a new LLC or updating the registered agent for your existing business, it’s important to choose the best California registered agent for your needs.

This article will help you to choose the registered agent that best fits your business, go over the basic functions of registered agents, and answer common questions about registered agents.

If you haven’t yet formed your LLC, you can get one year of registered agent services for free if you form your LLC with Northwest Registered Agent ($29 + state fees). (This is a great deal!).

Best California Registered Agent Service

When choosing a registered agent service, you want someone who understands the importance of staying compliant and being diligent about legal processes and paperwork. That’s why Northwest Registered Agent is our #1 registered agent service choice for California businesses.

We recommend Northwest Registered Agent, which offers everything that you need to form your LLC along with Registered Agent services. The company boasts over 20 years of operations helping small businesses start or grow.

Northwest has a 100% Error-Free Guarantee with outstanding customer support, exceptional services, and high prices to match. If data privacy and access to customer support are top on your list, the extra costs of working with Northwest Registered Agent may be well worth it for you and your business.

What Does a California Registered Agent Do?

A registered agent does a few things for a company. Their main task is to be present when or if the company needs to receive tax or legal paperwork. These would be documents that can’t be sent to a mailbox or delivered to a front desk; rather, documents that must be handed directly to the person who represents the company.

A simple example would be a service of process, which is the delivery of legal documents in a lawsuit. These service documents must be delivered directly to the company’s representative – the registered agent – to ensure they are received.

This may seem like a small task, but the caveat that makes this a critical position is that the registered agent is required to be at the documented location to receive these papers during all “regular business hours.” This is the main reason that most people choose to use a registered agent service rather than operating as their own agent.

Other forms that your registered agent may receive on your behalf are:

• Tax forms
• Legal documents
• Official government correspondence
• Service of process

Another function of a registered agent is to file official documents with the state in which the LLC or corporation is established. In most states, businesses are required to file an annual report once per year to keep the business in “good standing” with the state.

Can I Be My Own Registered Agent in California?

The short answer is yes, you can be your own registered agent.

Whether or not that’s the best plan for you or your company is another question entirely. If you are looking to spend the absolute, bare minimum amount of money on your business, then being your own registered agent may not be a terrible choice. Still, even in that scenario, we don’t recommend it.

Benefits of Using a Registered Agent Service

There are only a few realistic options when it comes to whom you file as your registered agent:

• Yourself
• An attorney
• A registered agent service

As mentioned above, being your own agent has pitfalls and isn’t recommended. What’s more, an attorney in this position would be quite expensive and is generally only a viable option if you had them form your business for you.

So, that leaves you with the option of using a service. Here are the biggest benefits of using a professional registered agent service:

Privacy

When you form an LLC or corporation, your formation data goes into a state database which is open and searchable to the public. The information in this database can include:

• Business name
• Formation date
• Registered agent name
• Registered agent address

While you can’t stop the state from publishing this information, you can retain the privacy of your name and your address by using a registered agent service. Since this information is public, marketing companies use these databases to gather information to market their products and services to business owners. Your mailbox will thank you for keeping your business address private.

Another major privacy benefit is having legal documents delivered to your agent and not you personally. If, for some reason, someone brings a lawsuit against your company, would you rather have your agent call you with these documents or have them served to you in front of your customers, clients, or employees?

Easy Compliance

Along with privacy, another of the main benefits of using a registered agent service is that they will help to keep your business in “good standing” with the state.

Some states require LLCs and corporations to file annual reports or other timely documents. While these generally aren’t difficult tasks, they are often easily forgotten or lost in the day-to-day work that your business hands you.

Your registered agent will send you reminders that this work needs to be completed, and some will even provide you with the proper documents to make your work even easier.

How Do I Elect an Agent for Service of Process in California?

California requires you to select a registered agent (also known as an agent for service of process) when you file your LLC paperwork. The agent for service of process you choose must be a California resident with a physical address in the state. The agent needs to be available to accept service of process and official notices (such as tax notifications) during standard business hours.

You will list that agent on the Articles of Organization as part of the LLC formation in the state of California. Fortunately, if you use a reputable LLC formation service, you can rely on the service to handle all of this for you.

Upon choosing your agent, choose one of the LLC formation filing options:

1. The quickest way to file your Articles of Organization is to use the California Secretary of State’s bizfile Online Portal. There, you can designate your registered agent. To complete the paperwork, you will need to pay the California LLC filing fee, which is $70. As part of the Articles of Organization filing process, you will need to indicate your registered agent’s name and address on your paperwork. This information will be requested under Article III in the documentation.
2. To file your paperwork by mail or in person, you will need to download, print, and complete the Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1). Be sure to write your service of process agent’s name under Article III on the document. The Articles of Organization form includes a cover letter. Complete the cover letter, including your name and address, and include a check for the $70 filing fee ($85 for in-person filings). Submit the form and check to the applicable address listed on the Submission Cover Sheet.

How Do I Change my LLC’s Agent for Service of Process in California?

If you have decided to change your agent for service of process, you must notify the State of California using a Statement of Information. You can do this online, in person, or by mail.

File Statement of Information

The state prefers that you do this online through the bizfile Online portal at the Secretary of State’s website. Once you choose “File a Statement of Information” from the homepage,’ you will be taken to the Business Search section of the website. There, you can search for your business name, complete your Statement of Information document, and submit it to the Secretary of State. The filing fee is $20.

You also have the option of downloading and printing the Statement of Information (Form LLC-12). Once completed, you can either submit the document in person or by mail. There is a $15 fee for submitting in person, but no charge if you submit it by mail. The form includes a cover sheet where you will find the address for submission.

If you choose to use or switch to a registered agent service, they should complete and file the changes for you. For more information about our recommended Registered Agent service for your LLC, check out our Northwest Registered Agent review.

California Department of State Contact Information

Mailing Address

California Secretary of State
Business Programs Division
Business Entities
P.O. Box 944228
Sacramento, CA 94244

Physical Address

California Secretary of State
Business Programs Division
Business Entities
1500 11th St.
Sacramento, CA 95814

Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Phone: (916) 653-6814

Email: Secretary of State, Business Programs Division, Limited Liability Companies