ForumsStarting a Business

A registered agent is almost always required if you're incorporating in a state other than the state you reside in. If you are incorporating in your home state, however, you can be the registered agent (in most states). Some business owners choose not to do that and pay the annual fee for a registered agent service anyway. A couple of reasons include: 1) you have to provide a physical address for service of process, and that address becomes public record -- a registered agent can provide his/her address, and then ignore all useless communication and unsolicited visits that come from people who see that a new corporation was registered and got the address that way; 2) if you move to a different apartment, you'll have to file with the state to change your corporate address, and that involves time and a fee -- if you move often, it adds up.

A lot of registered agent service package a virtual office with phone system, a mailbox with forwarding, and resident agent services for one annual fee. Check around to see if the price you're being offered is competitive or just an upsell.

Congratulations on your new business, and best of luck!