Where Is My Business Located?
As a Delaware Registered Agent, our mailing address cannot be used as your company's physical address. State and federal governments define a physical address as the actual address where a person or organization can be found.
We can file your business entity with the state of Delaware; however, we need a mailing address so we will know where to send correspondence we may receive on behalf of your company from the Delaware Secretary of State.
We also need a physical address, if different than your mailing address, in case we receive service of process for your company.
The State of Delaware requires that a Registered Agent keep a current communications contact on record for active Delaware entities with a physical address, email address and phone number, so that the Registered Agent can forward correspondence from the Delaware Secretary of State to the entity in a timely manner. The communications contact address does not have to be a Delaware or U.S. address.
For many start-ups, it is not uncommon for owners to set their business address for an LLC as their home address, whether temporarily or permanently. More often than not, leasing or purchasing office space is not necessary or in the budget.
Delaware law mandates that we have an address for your company’s contact person. Your information is used solely for the records of your Delaware Registered Agent, and is not public record.
What Address Goes on the Certificate of Incorporation or Certificate of Formation?
The Delaware Division of Corporations requires that the name and address of the Registered Agent in Delaware is listed on the Certificate of Formation for an LLC, or the Certificate of Incorporation for a Corporation. If Harvard Business Services, Inc. is your Registered Agent, this is where our address will appear; however, this does not mean that our address is your company's physical address or principal place of business.
What Address Should You Use for Your SS-4 Form?
When applying for an EIN, you will be asked for the physical location of your business by the IRS. The address of your Registered Agent cannot be used in this instance. The IRS wants to know where the business is physically located. This does not have to be a U.S. address; it can be an address anywhere in the world.
Even if the business is an internet business, the IRS still requires a physical address. Sometimes, clients list a home address even if it is temporary. The IRS also gives an option of adding a separate mailing address, such as a P.O. Box, if necessary.
So, When CAN You Use the Harvard Business Services Address?
In addition to places where the Registered Agent address is requested, there are some situations where our address can be used.
Although we cannot provide a physical location for your company, we can provide a mail forwarding address. Once you have set up your business entity, you have the option of signing up for our mail forwarding service. With this service, we will receive, scan and email letter mail to our clients in a timely manner.
A Registered Agent address cannot serve as a substitute for the physical location of your business, but it does allow you to use your company name along with our street address in order for us to receive your mail (at our address) and resend specific pieces to the address of your choice.
We offer both domestic and international mail forwarding services, as well as a virtual office service.
You may ask, isn’t this already included in the Registered Agent service? While we do forward government notices and correspondence from the Delaware Division of Corporations to our clients, some clients prefer to have other letter mail, such as bank mail or notices from their customers, sent to our address instead of their own.
If you have any questions about the business address for your LLC, or if you are interested in our mail forwarding or virtual office service, I will be happy to assist. Feel free to contact me via email at justin@delawareinc.com or I can be reached directly at 1-800-345-2677 or 1-302-645-7400 ext. 6144.
*Disclaimer*: Harvard Business Services, Inc. is neither a law firm nor an accounting firm and, even in cases where the author is an attorney, or a tax professional, nothing in this article constitutes legal or tax advice. This article provides general commentary on, and analysis of, the subject addressed. We strongly advise that you consult an attorney or tax professional to receive legal or tax guidance tailored to your specific circumstances. Any action taken or not taken based on this article is at your own risk. If an article cites or provides a link to third-party sources or websites, Harvard Business Services, Inc. is not responsible for and makes no representations regarding such source’s content or accuracy. Opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of Harvard Business Services, Inc.
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There are 8 comments left for Where Is My Business Located?
M. Ridenhour said: Wednesday, May 19, 2021We have a for-profit client that is requesting to use our LLC's physical address as their mailing address for legal documents, etc. Are there any legal ramifications we might encounter for allowing this?
HBS Staff replied: Wednesday, May 19, 2021Hello M. Ridenhour,
Thank you for reading our blog. We would be happy to tell you more about our Mail Forwarding Services. We will reach out to you to further help assist.
Andrea P. said: Sunday, September 13, 2020I will apply for a business license in Daly City, CA County of San Mateo since I live in Daly City. There is also a supplementary home permit for home occupation. And i know i need to file that because i will do an online retail business. I am confused which business address should I state on the business license that I will submit to the city. Can I use my virtual business address not a P.O box but w/physical location although it is in a different city but same county? Then on the home occupation permit, i will state my home address? Or I should put my home address to both permits?
HBS Staff replied: Monday, September 14, 2020Generally, you should only use your virtual office address as an address at which to receive mail. Your business address will typically be your actual, physical address where you are operating. Please contact our Mail Center if you have additional questions.
pierre sakr said: Thursday, April 9, 2020Hi , i registered LLC company and i got the EIN n using your services , now i am building my ecommerce website using "shopify" and cause i filled my Lebanese address as company address i lost the ability to use the shopify gateway payment as it is not available in my country Lebanon plz advise
HBS Staff replied: Thursday, April 9, 2020Thank you for reaching out. Unfortunately we cannot comment or advise on Shopify's rules and requirements. You may want to reach out to them directly to see if they can suggest a solution.
Michael Scott said: Thursday, March 5, 2020If I were to use my home address as the physical location of my LLC when filing for an EIN number, does that make my address in anyway liable for anything that happens to my LLC?
HBS Staff replied: Friday, March 6, 2020It is not uncommon for home-based business and new business that don't have an office space yet to use a home address for the EIN application. We unfortunately cannot advise on the possible legal ramifications of using a home address, but an attorney would be able to tell you if there are any associated legal risks.
Gayathri said: Thursday, April 18, 2019Thank you for the information, Is obtaining an EIN a must for selling physical products alone. In case there is no specific company as such and the work are done by freelance then what should one do?
HBS Staff replied: Thursday, April 18, 2019Gayathri, generally if no company is officially formed, the business is considered a sole proprietorship and income is reported on personal tax returns. If you wish to form an LLC or corporation, an EIN is typically required. You can find additional information at: https://www.delawareinc.com/blog/disadvantages-of-a-sole-proprietorship/
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