New Jersey Registered Agent: LLC Guide
What is a New Jersey Registered Agent?
A New Jersey Registered Agent is an individual or business that consents to receive legal correspondence and official notices on behalf of your New Jersey LLC.
The New Jersey Division of Revenue 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 New Jersey Agent for Service of Process. They refer to the same role.
Need to save time?
Consider hiring a professional to set up your LLC: Northwest Registered Agent offers LLC formation services starting at $39 plus the state fee.
(Find out why Northwest is the top choice for LLC formation)
Why Do You Need a Registered Agent in New Jersey?
You need a Registered Agent in New Jersey because it's required by law (Section 17701.13 of the New Jersey LLC Act). Every LLC in New Jersey must have one to operate legally.
Registered Agents provide support to the legal and court processes. They oversee the accurate delivery and tracking of court papers and legal mail.
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 New Jersey, Registered Agents must:
- Have a physical address in New Jersey (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 New Jersey?
You have three options for choosing your New Jersey Registered Agent:
- You
- A friend or family member.
- A Registered Agent Service in New Jersey
Opting to be your Registered Agent might save you money, but it does come with some risks.
Who Can Be a Registered Agent in New Jersey?
You have three choices for your LLC's Registered Agent in New Jersey:
- You can be the Registered Agent yourself.
- A friend or family member can be the Registered Agent.
- You can hire a New Jersey Registered Agent Service.
Being your own New Jersey Registered Agent
You can be your own Registered Agent if you:
- Have a real street address in New Jersey
- 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 New Jersey.
They need to:
- Have a street address in New Jersey
- 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 New Jersey Registered Agent Service
A Registered Agent Service handles your LLC's legal mail.
Itâs a good choice if:
- You want to keep your address private
- You don't have an address in New Jersey
- You're not available during business hours
- You don't want to handle the paperwork
- You need help with setting up your LLC
Exclusive Offer!
Hire a Northwest Registered Agent to form your LLC for just $39 plus the state fee and receive a free year of Registered Agent service.
(Why is Northwest the best? Read our Northwest Registered Agent review)
How Much Does a Registered Agent Service Cost?
In New Jersey, Registered Agent Services typically cost between $100 and $300 per year.
New Jersey Registered Agent FAQs
Does New Jersey require a Registered Agent?
Yes, the NJ Division of Revenue requires every LLC to designate and keep a Registered Agent as long as the LLC is active.
Can the business owner be the Registered Agent for a company in New Jersey?
Yes, you can be your New Jersey LLCâs Registered Agent, as long as you have a street address located in the state.
Can I use a PO Box for my LLC in NJ?
No, you canât use a PO Box for your LLCâs Principal Office address in NJ. The Principal Office address is the main address for your New Jersey business. This must be a physical address, but it can be in any state or an international address.
You also canât use a PO Box for your LLCâs Registered Agent address. This must be a physical address and it must be located in New Jersey.
How much does a Registered Agent cost in New Jersey?
The cost of New Jersey Registered Agents ranges from $100 to $300 per year if you hire a Registered Agent Service.
While you can google various different Registered Agents and check on their pricing, here is a list of some of the most popular Registered Agent Services and their fees:
- Northwest Registered Agent is $125 per year
- ZenBusiness is $199 per year
- MyCompanyWorks is $99 per year
- Harbor Compliance is $99 per year
- IncFile is $119 per year
- Rocket Lawyer is $250 per year
- LegalZoom is $249 per year
To learn more about how these companies compare against each other, check out Best Registered Agent Services in New Jersey.
Note: If you want to save money, you can also be your own Registered Agent in New Jersey.
How do I remove a Registered Agent from my LLC in NJ?
You can remove a Registered Agent from your LLC in NJ by filing a Certificate of Change of Registered Agent.
Filing this form costs $25.
However, you canât remove a Registered Agentâs name without designating a new one. You must always keep a Registered Agent on file with the NJ Division of Revenue in order to keep your LLC in good standing with the state.
If you hire Northwest as your new Registered Agent service, theyâll file the Certificate of Change paperwork for you and pay the state filing fee.
Can a family member be a Registered Agent in New Jersey?
Yes, a family member can be your Registered Agent in New Jersey, if they meet the legal requirements.
To be your Registered Agent, your family member must have a physical address in New Jersey. (PO Boxes arenât allowed). They must be available at that address during normal business hours.