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

Or, if you decide to use LegalZoom as your registered agent, we will file for you and cover the filing fee. 

Why choose LegalZoom as your New York registered agent?

LegalZoom’s registered agent service can help keep your business compliant while giving you the freedom and flexibility to focus on other tasks. We’ll send you timely alerts when we receive important notices that need your attention, and scan, upload, and store important documents in our secure cloud for you to access from anywhere.

Here are some of the perks of using LegalZoom as your NY registered agent: 

• Added privacy. Critical legal notices come to our address instead of your home or workplace.
• Time-sensitive alerts. You’ll receive alerts for important and time-sensitive mail.
• Guaranteed availability. Our Brooklyn office is fully staffed and open during normal business hours to meet legal requirements.
• Digital storage. Our service includes secure cloud storage so you can access critical business documents anytime, from anywhere.
• Junk mail filtering. You only get the information that matters, saving you time and effort.
• Seamless transition. If you make us your new registered agent, we'll pay the fees and take care of that paperwork at no cost to you.

FAQs about registered agents in New York

Can I be my own registered agent in New York?

You can be your own registered agent in New York, or even appoint your spouse or an employee to act as the agent. This route can save money, but remember that it can be a hassle to keep track of legal notices and deadlines yourself. 

Your registered agent will also have to commit to being available at a set location during regular business hours since they must be present to receive important documents, and the address where they can be reached will become public record.

What happens if my registered agent misses an important legal document?

If your registered agent fails to accept service of legal documents, courts may issue default judgments against your company, and you may lose your chance to defend yourself in court. 

How often do I need to update my registered agent information?

You will need to update your registered agent information with the state every time you change your agent. You’ll also need to file a biennial statement with the Department of State every two years, and you can change your registered agent during that filing as well if you’d like. 

Do foreign entities need a New York registered agent?

Any business that is registered to conduct business in New York needs a registered agent, including foreign entities (businesses formed outside New York).

Can my registered office also be my business address?

Yes, your registered office can be the same as your business address, but it must be a street address where someone is available during regular business hours to accept legal documents.

What's the difference between using the Department of State vs. a private registered agent?

The New York Department of State serves as the default registered agent at no additional cost, but they only forward documents to an address you provide (which becomes public record). A private registered agent offers additional services like immediate notifications, document scanning, compliance reminders, and privacy protection by using their address instead of yours.

How much does a registered agent cost?

New York registered agent costs will vary depending on who you appoint. If you use the Department of State or designate yourself as the agent, you won’t need to pay anything. But if you hire a professional New York registered agent or service, you could expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $500 a year.

LegalZoom’s registered agent service costs $249 per year and includes unlimited cloud storage for storing all your important legal documents. Plus, LegalZoom will cover any state fees related to switching your registered agent.

What happens if my registered agent goes out of business?

If your registered agent service goes out of business or stops providing services, you should immediately file a certificate of change to appoint a new registered agent. The New York Department of State will revert to serving as your default registered agent, but you'll need to provide them with a current forwarding address. It's important to monitor your registered agent service's status and have a backup plan.

Shannon Grilli and Edward A. Haman, Esq. contributed to this article.