Michigan Registered Agents: How, Why, and When to Get One

What is a registered agent?

A registered agent is a person or company assigned to receive legal documents and other official correspondence for your business. In Michigan, this role is also referred to as a resident agent.

Your Michigan registered agent serves several critical functions, but the most important is accepting critical communications from the government and court, including:

• Service of process: Legal documents such as lawsuits, subpoenas, and court notices
• State compliance notices: Correspondence from the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) and the Corporations Division
• Official business mail: Cease and desist letters, tax notices, and other time-sensitive documents

Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL) § 450.4207 for LLCs and MCL § 450.1241 for corporations mandate that all business entities include both a resident agent and a registered office address in their formation documents filed with LARA.

Who can be a registered agent in Michigan?

A business or individual can be a registered agent in Michigan as long as they meet the state requirements:

• Individuals acting as a resident agent must be at least 18 years old and reside in Michigan.
• Businesses providing registered agent services must be licensed to transact business in Michigan.
• Individuals and businesses must have a physical street address in Michigan (a P.O. box is not sufficient).
• Individuals and businesses must be available during normal business hours (usually 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday through Friday) to receive and sign for deliveries.

Can I be my own registered agent in Michigan?

Yes, according to Michigan state requirements, you can serve as your own registered agent as long as you meet the eligibility criteria. However, this decision comes with both benefits and significant limitations.

Benefits of being your own registered agent

• Cost savings. Being your own agent eliminates annual registered agent service fees, which typically run $100–$300 per year.
• Direct control. You’ll have immediate access to all legal documents and correspondence and don’t need to rely on a third party.

Risks and limitations

• Availability. You must be physically present at your registered address during all business hours.
• Privacy. Your business address becomes part of public record. If you operate out of your home, this means your home address.
• Service of process exposure. You may be served with legal documents at your home or business location in front of customers or employees.
• Travel restrictions. You may miss essential communications while traveling or working off-site.
• Missed deadlines. If you miss correspondence, you risk missing time-sensitive legal documents that require immediate response.

How to appoint a registered agent in Michigan

Appointing a registered agent in Michigan is required before you can file your business formation documents with LARA. Here's the step-by-step process:

Step 1: Choose your registered agent

Decide whether you'll serve as your own registered agent or hire a professional service. Ensure your chosen agent meets all Michigan requirements.

Step 2: Complete formation documents

When filing your articles of organization (LLC) or articles of incorporation (corporation), you must include:

• Resident agent name: Full legal name of the individual or business entity serving as your agent
• Registered office address: Complete physical street address in Michigan
• Mailing address: Address where the agent can receive service of process, if different from the business street address

Step 3: File with Michigan LARA

Submit your formation documents to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. You can choose to use LARA's online filing system at michigan.gov/lara. Or, you can mail your completed forms to: