Pennsylvania Registered Agent: LLC Guide
What is a Pennsylvania Registered Agent?
A Pennsylvania Registered Agent is an individual or business that consents to receive legal correspondence and official notices on behalf of your Pennsylvania LLC.
The Pennsylvania Department 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 Pennsylvania Agent for Service of Process. They refer to the same role.
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Why Do You Need a Registered Agent in Pennsylvania?
You need a Registered Agent in Pennsylvania because it's required by law. Every LLC in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania, Registered Agents must:
- Have a physical address in Pennsylvania (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 Pennsylvania?
You have three options for choosing your Pennsylvania Registered Agent:
- You
- A friend or family member.
- A Registered Agent Service in Pennsylvania
Opting to be your Registered Agent might save you money, but it does come with some risks.
Who Can Be a Registered Agent in Pennsylvania?
You have three choices for your LLC's Registered Agent in Pennsylvania:
- You can be the Registered Agent yourself.
- A friend or family member can be the Registered Agent.
- You can hire a Pennsylvania Registered Agent Service.
Being your own Pennsylvania Registered Agent
You can be your own Registered Agent if you:
- Have a real street address in Pennsylvania
- 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 Pennsylvania.
They need to:
- Have a street address in Pennsylvania
- 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania
- 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 Pennsylvania, Registered Agent Services typically cost between $100 and $300 per year.
Pennsylvania Registered Agent FAQs
Can I be my own Registered Agent for my LLC in PA?
Yes, you can be your own Registered Agent in Pennsylvania, as long as you are at least 18 years old, and a resident of PA with a physical location in the state.
Can a family member be a Registered Agent in Pennsylvania?
Yes, a family member can be your Registered Agent in Pennsylvania if they meet the legal requirements.
To be your Registered Agent, your family member must have a physical address in Pennsylvania (PO Boxes are not allowed). They must also be available at that address during normal business hours.
How much does a Registered Agent cost in Pennsylvania?
A Registered Agent in Pennsylvania costs between $100 to $300 per year if you hire a Registered Agent Service.
That said, you can save money by being your LLC’s Registered Agent (as long as you have a physical address in the state).
How do I change my Registered Agent in PA?
You can change your Registered Agent in Pennsylvania by filing a Change of Registered Office with the Pennsylvania Department of State.
You can submit this form online or by mail. The filing fee is $5.
What does “name of Commercial Registered Office Provider” mean?
Most states require LLCs to list someone available during regular business hours to receive legal documents and state notices. This person is called a Registered Agent and their address is called a Registered Office.
If you’re a Pennsylvania resident who is at least 18 years old, you can be your own Registered Agent and list your physical Pennsylvania address as your Registered Office. Alternatively, you can hire a company to act as your Registered Agent.
In Pennsylvania, a company that acts as your Registered Agent is called a Commercial Registered Office Provider (CROP) or Registered Agent Service.
What is a PA state agent?
A PA state agent is someone who agrees to accept legal mail and state notices on behalf of your LLC. This is important for tracking legal mail.
A state agent may also be called a Registered Agent, a Resident Agent, or a Statutory Agent. In PA, Registered Agents are most often referred to as Commercial Registered Office Providers (CROP) because they accept your legal mail at their Registered Office (Registered Agent address).
Pennsylvania Registered Agents must be available between normal business hours to accept these documents.
How do I find a Registered Agent in Pennsylvania?
While you can search for various Registered Agents online and check their pricing, here is a list of some of the most popular Registered Agent Services and their fees:
- Northwest Registered Agent – $125 per year – Our #1 recommendation for privacy
- 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 against each other, check out our guide on Best Registered Agent Services in Pennsylvania.
Note: If you want to save money, you can also be your LLC’s Registered Agent in Pennsylvania.