How, Why, and When to Get a Registered Agent in New Jersey

How to appoint a registered agent in New Jersey

When starting a new business, you’ll appoint a registered agent in your initial formation documents. When you file online with DORES, you’ll be prompted to fill in the required registered agent information, following this process: 

1. Complete registered agent information on your certificate of formation (for LLCs) or certificate of incorporation (for corporations).
2. Provide the registered agent's full legal name (individual or business entity).
3. Fill in the New Jersey street address of the registered agent.
4. Confirm the registered agent's consent to serve in this capacity. (This is a checkbox on the business formation document, not an official consent form.)

DORES will reject any formation documents that lack complete registered agent information.

How to change your registered agent in New Jersey

If you need to change your registered agent after your business is formed, you have a few options. You can either update this information when your annual report is due or by filing an amendment.

Annual report. Navigate to DORES’s Annual Reports and Change Services portal, enter your NJ Business Entity Identification Number, select your business type from the drop-down menu, and enter your formation date. This should bring up your business profile, where you can update your registered agent information, including current registered agent, new registered agent, effective date of change, and any required signatures. You’ll then pay the $25 filing fee.

Amendment filing. Visit DORES’s Business Charter Amendment Service to complete the process for filing an amendment to your registered agent information. You can also view forms for specific entities here.

Note that if you are changing your registered agent, you should not wait until your annual report to notify the state. Failing to maintain a registered agent could result in administrative action or lead to legal consequences.

State fees and processing times

• Filing fee: $25–$100, depending on the method (either annual report or amendment filing)
• Processing time: Typically one business day

Once DORES processes your change, you'll receive a confirmation of the filing. Be sure to update any internal business records to reflect the change.

Can I be my own registered agent in New Jersey?

Yes, you can serve as your own registered agent in New Jersey, provided you meet the state's requirements listed earlier in this article. 

Pros of being your own agent

• Cost savings. You won’t have to pay annual registered agent service fees.
• Direct control. You’ll receive all official correspondence yourself.
• No third-party dependency. There’s no risk of service interruption from an external provider.

Cons of being your own agent

• Privacy and professional image concerns. If you work from home, your personal address becomes part of the public record. Using a residential address may appear less professional than a business address.
• Availability requirements. You must be available during business hours at your registered address.
• Compliance risks. Missing important deadlines or legal notices could result in penalties or loss of good standing.
• Travel limitations. It may be difficult to maintain the required availability if you travel frequently.

When to consider a professional service

Consider hiring a professional registered agent service, such as LegalZoom’s registered agent service, if you:

• Value privacy and don't want your personal address in public records
• Travel frequently or maintain irregular business hours
• Want professional assistance with compliance deadlines and document management
• Operate multiple businesses across different states
• Prefer to separate business and personal mail handling

New Jersey registered agent cost

Typical annual registered agent service fees

Professional registered agent services in New Jersey may cost anywhere from $99 to $300 per year. 

The more services they offer, the higher the cost will be. But these additional offerings, such as mail forwarding, document scanning, compliance alerts, and digital storage, can be beneficial to businesses, depending on their needs. 

Avoiding hidden fees

When selecting a registered agent service, it’s important to assess your company’s needs. Pay attention to the following potential hidden fees to avoid any unwanted surprises:

• Setup fees. Some providers charge initial setup costs.
• Mail forwarding fees. Sometimes physical mail forwarding comes at an additional cost.
• Document retrieval fees. Check if there are costs for accessing older documents.
• Cancellation fees. These include penalties for terminating service before a certain date.
• Automatic renewals. If the registered agent renews automatically on a certain date every year, add a reminder to your calendar for a month or two before the renewal date. This is a helpful reminder to evaluate your service and decide if you want to change registered agents.
• State filing fees. You will need to file any registered agent change paperwork with the state if you’re moving to a service from another agent.

Why choose LegalZoom as your New Jersey registered agent

LegalZoom’s Pine Brook-based registered agent service provides comprehensive solutions that go beyond basic compliance requirements.

• Privacy and public records protection. Your personal address remains private—only LegalZoom's business address appears in public records. Service of process is handled professionally at a business location and you maintain separation between your personal and business affairs.
• Compliance alerts and deadline tracking. We’ll track your compliance due dates and send timely reminders for things like your annual report, taxes, license renewals, and more, plus tips for maintaining good standing with DORES.
• Document scanning and secure online delivery. We’ll scan any mail we get and upload it to your unlimited cloud storage account. Plus, we’ll send you an email alert to notify you of the correspondence.
• Multistate coverage. LegalZoom has registered agent services in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia. If you are registered in multiple states, you can access all of your registered agents in one online account.

Appoint LegalZoom as your registered agent service today so that you can focus on what you do best: growing your business.

New Jersey registered agent FAQs

Who can be a registered agent in New Jersey?

A registered agent in New Jersey must be either an individual who is at least 18 years old and a New Jersey resident, or a business entity authorized to transact business in New Jersey. The registered agent must maintain a physical street address in New Jersey and be available during regular business hours.

Do I need a registered agent for my New Jersey LLC or corporation?

Yes, New Jersey law requires all LLCs, corporations, limited partnerships, and limited liability partnerships to have a registered agent. This requirement applies to both domestic entities (formed in New Jersey) and foreign entities (formed elsewhere but doing business in New Jersey). Sole proprietorships and general partnerships are exempt from this requirement.

Does the registered agent need a physical New Jersey address?

Yes, your registered agent must maintain a physical street address in New Jersey. A P.O. box alone is not sufficient, although it may be used in addition to a street address. The address must be accessible during regular business hours for service of process.

What happens if I don't have a registered agent?

Operating without a registered agent in New Jersey can result in:

• Rejection of your business formation documents
• Loss of good standing with the state
• Potential dissolution of your business entity
• Loss of limited liability protections
• Penalties and fines for noncompliance
• Delays in receiving important legal notices and government correspondence

Do foreign LLCs or corporations need a registered agent in New Jersey?

Yes, any foreign LLC or corporation conducting business in New Jersey must register with the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services (DORES) and appoint a New Jersey registered agent. This includes filing a certificate of authority and maintaining continuous registered agent service while doing business in the state.

Will my registered agent address appear on public records?

Yes, your registered agent's name and address become part of the public record when you file your business formation documents with the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services (DORES). This information is accessible to anyone who searches the New Jersey Business Record Service. Using a professional registered agent service helps protect your personal privacy by keeping your home address out of public records.

Can I change my registered agent at any time?

Yes, you can change your registered agent at any time by filing the appropriate amendment form with the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services (DORES) and paying the required filing fee. The change becomes effective once DORES processes and approves the filing. You can also update this information on your annual report.

It's important to ensure that your new registered agent is prepared to receive official correspondence before the change takes effect.

What is the difference between a registered agent and a registered office?

In New Jersey, the registered agent is the person or entity designated to receive official correspondence, while the registered office is the physical address where the registered agent can be found during business hours. Some states use these terms interchangeably, but New Jersey law specifically requires designation of a registered agent who maintains a registered office address.

Chloe Packard and Edward A. Haman, Esq., contributed to this article.