Massachusetts LLC

Massachusetts Registered Agent: LLC Guide

Massachusetts Registered Agent: LLC Guide

What is a Massachusetts Registered Agent?

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A Massachusetts Registered Agent is an individual or business that consents to receive legal correspondence and official notices on behalf of your Massachusetts LLC.


The Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts Agent for Service of Process. They refer to the same role.

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Why Do You Need a Registered Agent in Massachusetts?

You need a Registered Agent in Massachusetts because it's required by law (Section 17701.13 of the Massachusetts LLC Act). Every LLC in Massachusetts 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.

In Massachusetts, Registered Agents must:

  • Have a physical address in Massachusetts (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 Massachusetts?

You have three options for choosing your Massachusetts Registered Agent:

  1. You
  2. A friend or family member.
  3. A Registered Agent Service in Massachusetts

Opting to be your Registered Agent might save you money, but it does come with some risks.

Who Can Be a Registered Agent in Massachusetts?

You have three choices for your LLC's Registered Agent in Massachusetts:

  1. You can be the Registered Agent yourself.
  2. A friend or family member can be the Registered Agent.
  3. You can hire a Massachusetts Registered Agent Service.

Being your own Massachusetts Registered Agent

You can be your own Registered Agent if you:

  • Have a real street address in Massachusetts
  • 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 Massachusetts.

They need to:

  • Have a street address in Massachusetts
  • 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 Massachusetts Registered Agent Service

A Registered Agent Service handles your LLC's legal mail.

It’s a good choice if:

  • You want to keep your address private
  • You don't have an address in Massachusetts
  • 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 Massachusetts, Registered Agent Services typically cost between $100 and $300 per year.

Massachusetts Registered Agent FAQs

Is a Registered Agent required in Massachusetts?

Yes, Massachusetts requires all LLCs to keep a Massachusetts Registered Agent on file with the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth.


You must appoint a Registered Agent on your LLC formation documents and maintain one as long as your LLC exists.


This allows Service of Process to be delivered and tracked and keeps your LLC in good standing with the Secretary of the Commonwealth.


Note: Some states refer to Registered Agents as a “Statutory Agent.” Massachusetts uses the term “Resident Agent”. These all mean the same thing, and we’ll use them interchangeably.

How much does a Registered Agent cost in Massachusetts?

If you (or a friend or family member) will be your Registered Agent, there is no cost.


If you want to hire a Massachusetts Registered Agent Service, it will cost between $100 and $300 per year.

How do I find a Registered Agent in Massachusetts?

A few states offer a list of Registered Agent companies. However, these lists aren’t very helpful because they only have contact information.


Instead, it’s often better to google “Registered Agent in Massachusetts,” read reviews, and make phone calls to check if their services are a good match for your LLC.


However, we know that this can still be a headache, so we’ve reviewed the top Registered Agent Services in Massachusetts for you.


Check out the FAQ below to find the best Massachusetts Registered Agent Service for your LLC!

What is the best Registered Agent Service in Massachusetts?

We’ve reviewed the top Registered Agent Services in the industry and think the best Registered Agent Services in Massachusetts are:


  • Northwest Registered Agent (Our #1 recommendation for privacy)
  • ZenBusiness
  • MyCompanyWorks
  • Harbor Compliance
  • IncFile
  • Rocket Lawyer
  • LegalZoom

To learn more about how these companies compare against each other, check out Best Registered Agent Services in Massachusetts.


Note: If you want to save money, you can be the Massachusetts Registered Agent for your LLC.

Is a Registered Agent a Member of an LLC?

While a Registered Agent can be a Member of a Massachusetts LLC, they don’t have to be.


Serving as a Massachusetts Registered Agent doesn’t automatically make someone a Member of an LLC.

How do I change my Registered Agent in MA?

You can change your Registered Agent’s address or name to a new Registered Agent at any time by filing a Statement of Change of Resident Agent/Resident Office. This form is filed with the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth.


You can file this form online or by mail.


If you file this form online, there is no filing fee (it’s free).


If you file by mail, the filing fee is $25.

Can a family member be a Registered Agent in Massachusetts?

Yes, a family member can be your Registered Agent in Massachusetts if they meet the legal requirements.


To be your Registered Agent, your family member must have a physical address in Massachusetts. (PO Boxes aren’t allowed). They must be available at that address during normal business hours.

Can the sole Member of an LLC be the Registered Agent?

Yes, the sole Member of an LLC can be the LLC’s Registered Agent in Massachusetts, as long as they:


  • have a street address in the state
  • can be available at that address during normal business hours
  • are a resident of Massachusetts
  • are at least 18 years of age
  • are comfortable with their address being public record

Is LegalZoom a good Registered Agent?

While LegalZoom is a popular option, it doesn’t mean they’re the best Registered Agent. LegalZoom is $299 per year, they don’t offer address privacy, and many online reviews complain that it’s hard to cancel services.


While they’re a well-recognized brand name, there are better options for half the price.


For example, we recommend Northwest Registered Agent because they cost less and offer address privacy. Check out our review of Northwest Registered Agent vs LegalZoom for a detailed comparison.


If you’re already using LegalZoom as your Massachusetts Registered Agent Service and would like to switch to another company, you can file a Change of Registered Agent form with the state to update this information.

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