California Registered Agent (Agent for Service of Process)

What California requires

Per Corporations Code § 17701.13, every LLC must continuously maintain an Agent for Service of Process with a California street address (no PO Boxes). The agent’s name and address are public.

Who can serve

• An individual who is a California resident with a physical street address
• A corporate agent that has filed a Form 1505 with the Secretary of State
• The LLC member or manager themselves, if they meet the residency requirement

Cost

DIY (serving as your own agent): $0. Professional registered agent services in California typically cost $100–$300 per year. Higher-end providers include compliance reminders, mail forwarding, and out-of-state operator support.

How to change your agent

File a Statement of Information (Form LLC-12) noting the new agent. There is no separate fee if filed during a normal Statement cycle; otherwise it costs $20.

Why use a professional service

If you do not have a stable California address, work irregular hours, or want to keep your home address off the public record, a commercial registered agent is worth the annual cost. Service of process must be accepted in person during business hours, so a missed delivery can result in a default judgment.