Registered Agent Services in All 50 States

What is a Registered Agent?

A Registered Agent is the liaison between your company and the state in which it is incorporated or registered to do business in. The job of the Registered Agent is to receive and forward lawsuits that may be served against the company and inform you when the Franchise Tax or Annual Report is due. Every state requires that you have a Registered Agent if you do not have a physical address within that state.

In most cases, you have formed your company in the state of Delaware and now need to foreign qualify your business in the state in which you are physically operating (for example, you have an office location, employees or bank account located in that state), to stay in compliance. When applying for Foreign Qualification, also known as Certificate of Authority, you will be required to name a Registered Agent. Harvard Business Services is able to offer Registered Agent services in all 50 states, so you can manage all of your filings and maintenance through us and focus on the more important matters.

Registered Agent Costs:

Our pricing for Registered Agent service is very straightforward and economical.

• Cost for Delaware Registered Agent service: $50/year
• Cost for Registered Agent service in any other state: $99/year

That’s it! No hidden costs or surprises. You can even compare Registered Agent fees to see how much you'll save.

Please note: You will still be responsible for any applicable taxes and fees to be paid to each state, but there are no other costs involved with the Registered Agent service.

Why is the cost of Registered Agent service different outside of Delaware?

Even though Harvard Business Services, Inc. can be your Registered Agent in all 50 states, our headquarters is located in Lewes, Delaware. In this state we offer our Registered Agent service for the very low price of $50 per year.

The reason our price is $99 for Registered Agent in other states is because we partner with another vendor to provide this service, as we don’t have any physical locations other than our Delaware headquarters. Even at $99, our price is lower than most other providers and comes with the same level of customer service we’re known for.

What happens if you don’t have a Registered Agent?

When applying for a Certificate of Authority, your application will be denied if you do not identify your Registered Agent for the state. Once approved, you must maintain a Registered Agent at all times for the life of your company. Failure to do so will likely result in your Foreign Qualification being rescinded and/or not renewable.

However, you can change your Registered Agent at any time without penalty. To sign up for our Registered Agent services, use our quick and easy order form.

Who Can Be a Registered Agent?

A registered agent can be either an individual or a business entity that has a physical street address (not a P.O. Box) in the state where the business is registered. The business or individual must be a resident of the state and must be available during normal business hours to receive documents. If your registered agent is a business entity, it must also be authorized to do business in the state.

Can I be my own Registered Agent?

You are allowed to be your own Registered Agent if you have a physical address in the state you are doing business. For example, if you live in California and start a Delaware company with a physical office in California, you would need a Registered Agent in both states. You would be permitted to use your home address or office address to serve as your own agent in California, but would still need to appoint a third party to be your Delaware Registered Agent. This also means that a P.O. mailbox can't be used if you choose to be your own Registered Agent.

In addition, you may opt to use a third party even when you do have a physical address in the state. Appointing another company as your agent can help to ensure you don’t miss important correspondence from the state, such as service of process. Additionally, in Delaware, the Registered Agent’s name and address is included on the public record. By being your own agent, you negate the benefit of excluding this information from public view.

Can I Change My Registered Agent?

Yes. You can change your Registered Agent at anytime as long as the company is in good standing with all annual Delaware franchise tax fees. The process of changing your registered agent typically involves filing a Change of Agent form and paying an associated filing fee. You can change your registered agent directly through the Delaware Division of Corporation or with Harvard Business Services, Inc. by completing our online form.

How to appoint Harvard Business Services as your Registered Agent

If you need Registered Agent service, you can appoint us quickly and easily online.