California Registered Agent: LLC Guide
What is a California Registered Agent?
A California Registered Agent is an individual or business that consents to receive legal correspondence and official notices on behalf of your California LLC.
The California Secretary of State might also use your Registered Agent's address as the main contact for sending official notices to your LLC.
A Registered Agent might also be called a California Agent for Service of Process. They refer to the same role.
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Why Do You Need a Registered Agent in California?
You need a Registered Agent in California because it's required by law (Section 17701.13 of the California LLC Act). Every LLC in California must have one to operate legally.
Registered Agents help with the court and legal systems. They make sure legal mail and court documents are properly delivered and tracked.
What Does a Registered Agent Do?
A Registered Agent gets important documents for you and then passes them on to you.
What Are the Legal Requirements for a Registered Agent?
In California, Registered Agents must:
- Have a physical address in California (not a PO box)
- Keep regular business hours
- Accept legal documents and Service of Process for businesses
- Quickly forward those documents to the businesses
Who can be my Registered Agent in California?
You have three options for choosing your California Registered Agent:
- You
- A friend or family member.
- A Registered Agent Service in California
Opting to be your Registered Agent might save you money, but it does come with some risks.
Who Can Be a Registered Agent in California?
You have three choices for your LLC's Registered Agent in California:
- You can be the Registered Agent yourself.
- A friend or family member can be the Registered Agent.
- You can hire a California Registered Agent Service.
Being your own California Registered Agent
You can be your own Registered Agent if you:
- Have a real street address in California
- Are available during business hours
Pros: It will save you money.
Cons: Your name and address will be public. There are also some risks involved.
Asking a Friend or Family Member to be Your LLC's Registered Agent
You can ask a friend or family member to be your Registered Agent in California.
They need to:
- Have a street address in California
- Be available during business hours
Make sure they agree and understand their duties. Their information will be public.
Pros: It saves money.
Cons: Their address will be public, and they might not be as reliable as a professional service.
Hiring a California Registered Agent Service
A Registered Agent Service handles your LLC's legal mail.
Itās a good choice if:
- You want to keep your address private
- You don't have an address in California
- You're not available during business hours
- You don't want to handle the paperwork
- You need help with setting up your LLC
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How Much Does a Registered Agent Service Cost?
In California, Registered Agent Services typically cost between $100 and $300 per year.
California Registered Agent FAQs
How much does a Registered Agent cost in California?
The cost of Registered Agent Services in California ranges from $100 to $300 per year. Here are some popular options and their fees:
- Northwest Registered Agent - $125 per year
- ZenBusiness - $199 per year
- MyCompanyWorks - $99 per year
- Harbor Compliance - $99 per year
- IncFile - $119 per year
- Rocket Lawyer - $250 per year
- LegalZoom - $249 per year
To learn more about how these companies compare, check out Best Registered Agent Services in California.
Note: If you want to save money, you can act as your own Registered Agent in California.
Does an out-of-state LLC need to register in California?
If your out-of-state LLC is conducting business in California, you need to register it as a Foreign LLC in California.
How do I know if Iām doing business in California?
The California Franchise Tax Board considers you to be doing business in the state if you:
- Make sales in California,
- Have a physical business address there, or
- Your employee payroll meets the Franchise Tax Board requirements.
How do I register a Foreign LLC in California?
To register a foreign LLC in California, follow these steps:
- Select a Registered Agent who has a physical address in California. You can either choose yourself, a friend, or a family member or hire a Registered Agent Service like Northwest Registered Agent.
- Obtain a Certificate of Good Standing from the state where your LLC was originally formed. This is usually obtained from the Secretary of State and is generally inexpensive.
- Complete the Application to Register a Foreign Limited Liability Company.
- File an initial California Statement of Information with the Secretary of Stateās office within 90 days of registering your LLC.
Do I need a California business address?
The only address that needs to be in California is the Registered Agent's address. Other addresses in the filing can be within or outside of California and can be a business or home address.
Can a family member be a Registered Agent in California?
Yes, a family member can be your Registered Agent in California if they meet the legal requirements. They must have a physical address in California (PO Boxes are not allowed) and be available at that address during normal business hours.
Are there any drawbacks to using a Registered Agent Service?
The main drawback to using a Registered Agent Service is the cost, which is generally higher than acting as your own Registered Agent.
Is there a difference between a Registered Agent, Agent of Process, or Statutory Agent?
No, there is no difference between Registered Agent, Agent of Process, and Statutory Agent. These terms all mean the same thing.
How does the Secretary of State know my Registered Agent?
Your LLC Articles of Organization list your Registered Agentās name and address, and this information is submitted to the Secretary of State. If you update any LLC information, you must also update the Secretary of State.
How does the Service of Process work?
Service of Process is the delivery of legal documents to the LLC. When an LLC is sued, the plaintiff hires a Process Server to deliver the lawsuit notice to the LLC's Registered Agent. The Registered Agent then forwards the notice to the LLC's owner(s).
How do I cancel my Registered Agent Service in California?
To cancel your Registered Agent Service, first file a "Change of Registered Agent" form with the Secretary of State to update your LLCās Registered Agent information. After the change is processed, you can cancel your service with the Registered Agent company. Most companies offer an online cancellation option, but you may need to contact them directly if it's not available.
Whatās the best California Registered Agent option to choose?
If you want to save money, being your own Registered Agent or asking a friend or family member (with a physical address in California) is a cost-effective option. For privacy and to keep your address off public records, hiring a Registered Agent Service is recommended.