America's Leading Provider of Registered Agent Services
Trusted by lawyers and more than 300 000 businesses, CT has been America's leading provider of registered agent services since 1892.
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What is a Registered Agent
A Registered Agent is your official point of contact with the state. Every LLC and corporation must have a Registered Agent to accept service of process, legal notices, and other crucial state documents and relay these communications to your business.
Protect Your Business With The #1 Registered Agent
Registered Agent Services
Rely on CT to handle important legal documents promptly and correctly
Your Service Includes
- A registered agent address location within the state
- A dedicated team to receive and forward all service of process and legal notifications
Registered Agent Premium
Keep your business in good standing with the state requirements
Your Package Includes
Registered agent services
Annual Report eFiling - Submit your annual report filing with CT’s online tools
Business License Research - We assemble a PDF package of all the licensing applications you need
Expansion Plus
Legally expand and register an existing business to another state
Your Package Includes
Registered agent services
Name availability check & reservation with the State
Preparation and filing of all qualification documents with the state
Why do states require companies to have a Registered Agent?
Almost every state requires you to designate a Registered Agent to serve as an official contact for your business. State agencies and courts send your company important compliance information and official correspondence through your Registered Agent. For most businesses, this correspondence consists of annual report, tax filing correspondence, and service of process.
What happens to my business if I don't have a Registered Agent?
Because a Registered Agent is required by law, failing to have one can cost your company its good standing in that state. This means you could lose the ability to secure loans and initiate lawsuits in your state of business. It might even endanger your limited liability protection.
Registered Agent Services
Registered Agent - Easily appoint CT as your registered agent to handle important legal and state documents promptly and correctly in all 50 states. Order Online
Change of Registered Agent - Change your Registered Agent to CT, and we will pay your state change of agent fees.
International Registered Agent - We can help with your global representation needs.
Specialized Services
Representation Services - Customizable Service of Process solutions, from Statutory Representation to Contract Agency.
Independent Director Services - Independent Director Services available for financial projects and transactions.
Federal Motor Carrier Act Services - FMCA registered agent and BOC-3 blanket process agent in all 49 jurisdictions.
SOP Enterprise Connector - Integrate your internal matter management and legal e-billing solutions with our SOP management platform.
Your Registered Agent Service Includes:
Address Location
Registered Agent address location within the state
Dedicated Team
Dedicated team to receive and forward all service of process and legal notifications
Online Portal
Access to our online compliance portal to easily file your legal documents
"I strongly recommend CT as a reliable corporate compliance partner."
Walters-Morgan Construction, Inc.
"Responsive, great, and knowledgeable customer service."
Children International
How To Keep Your Business in Compliance: Registered Agent & Annual Report
In addition to appointing a Registered Agent, businesses also need to stay on top of your annual report filings. Nearly every state requires a periodic report that updates an LLC’s or corporation’s basic information, such as the principle business location, officers’ (or managers’) names, and the name and address of the registered agent. Most states have an annual requirement, although a few require a report only every other year. In some states, the franchise tax requirement is tied to the annual report filing requirement.
How to choose a Registered Agent
A step-by-step guide to help you make the final call.
Registered Agent Services in all 50 states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
Talk to a Specialist
Have a specific question about a product? A CT Specialist will follow up with a custom quote along with a comprehensive assessment of your needs.
Why LLCs and corporations must have a Registered Agent?
A registered agent is an individual or a company that is appointed by an LLC or corporation to receive service of process, legal documents, and important state communications on behalf of the business. Every corporation or LLC must have an in-state registered agent in its formation state and in every state where it is registered to do business. Failing to appoint and maintain a registered agent can result in severe penalties for the LLC or corporation, and sometimes, its owners.
CT Tip: This agent is referred to as a “registered agent” in most states. However, some states use the term resident agent, which serves to emphasize that the agent must be a resident of the state. “Statutory agent” is another term that may be used, highlighting the fact that an entity is required by statute to appoint and maintain an agent for service of process.
What is a Service of Process?
Service of process is notice that there is a lawsuit filed against the LLC or corporation. Usually, this involves serving the defendant with a summons. In the case of an LLC or corporation, the summons is served on the registered agent. By serving process on the registered agent, the court obtains jurisdiction over the corporation or LLC. In addition to receiving service of process in connection with a lawsuit against the business directly, the registered agent receives other mission-critical documents, such as:
- notice of garnishment proceedings against an employee
- litigation documents once the lawsuit is underway, including motions or requests to produce documents
- legal notices
- government correspondence, such as notices of annual report deadlines and tax notification other compliance-related documents
Although these documents might be very different, they all have one common element. Each one contains vital, time-sensitive information.