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

The New York Department of State serves as the default registered agent for NY businesses, but there are many reasons why you may choose to get your own.

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Updated on: January 29, 2025
Read time: 6 min

If you will be organizing a business, or conducting business, in New York, you need to know about designating a registered agent. New York requires a registered agent for every corporation, limited liability company (LLC), limited liability partnership (LLP), or limited partnership that is either organized in New York or does business in the state.

Registered agents are required for businesses in most states, but the process for assigning a registered agent in New York differs slightly. Here’s what to know about registered agents and their specific requirements in the state of New York.

Close up on a notary's hand stamping a form.

What is a registered agent and what do they do?

A "registered agent" (also called an agent for service of process) is designated by a business for the purpose of receiving official legal notices, such as lawsuit documents, subpoenas, wage garnishments, and other official legal papers. In New York, a registered agent would be expected to complete the following duties:

  • Maintain a street address in New York (not a P.O. box or a private mailbox or mail service)
  • Be available during regular business hours to receive service of process for the business
  • Receive other official papers on behalf of the business that are mailed or delivered, such as notices of license renewals
  • Promptly forward any legal notices received to the business owner

Some business owners will act as their own registered agent, but many choose to hire a New York registered agent. Professional registered agents sometimes offer additional services, which may include:

  • Preparing and filing business formation documents
  • Sending time-sensitive mail alerts, such as reminders when annual reports or license renewals are due
  • Scanning and keeping documents
  • Forwarding mail
  • Maintaining virtual inboxes and filtering junk mail

A New York registered agent must be an individual person who is a New York resident, or a business entity that is registered and authorized to conduct business in New York. The agent must maintain a New York street address and be available during regular business hours to receive important notices for the business.

Why should you hire a registered agent?

Your company's RA can be you, a co-owner, an employee, or any other individual or entity that meets the requirements. But there can be many benefits to hiring a professional registered agent or registered agent service for your business:

  • Privacy. Your registered agent's address will be a part of public record, so using a professional agent or service means you don’t have to give out your own address or the address of one of your employees. It also creates more separation between your personal and business lives.
  • Legal compliance. Using a professional registered agent service can provide you with peace of mind since you won’t have to worry about missing essential notices or deadlines.
  • Ease of use. Registered agents need to be available at their registered address during normal business hours every day, which can limit your ability to move freely during the week and may keep you from performing other vital business functions. If you have business locations in multiple states, using a registered agent service could save you the hassle of having to assign individual agents with addresses in each state.

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.

How to assign a registered agent in New York

In most states, you designate a registered agent when you register your business with the state. However, in New York, the Department of State is the default agent for all registered businesses.

If you’d like to use your own registered agent or hire a service, you have the option to assign one by following the steps below.

Option 1: Assign an agent on your initial registration

Forming a corporation, limited partnership, LLC, or LLP in New York requires filing some type of document with the New York Department of State, Division of Corporations. Depending on which type of business entity you’re forming, this may be a certificate of incorporation, articles of organization, certificate of limited partnership, or certificate of registration. Registering a foreign entity in New York requires filing a notice of registration (for an LLP), or an application for authority (for all other foreign entities).

You can assign a registered agent on your business formation document. If you do not assign one, the New York Department of State will be your business entity's agent for service of process and you will need to provide an address where the Department of State will forward any legal papers it receives (which can be a P.O. box or an out-of-state address).

Option 2: File a certificate of change

If the Department of State is your registered agent or you’d like to change your current registered agent, you have the option to change it at any time. You can select a qualified individual to be your registered agent, but remember that using a professional New York registered agent or registered agent service can have its benefits.

Once you’ve identified your desired registered agent, you can file a certificate of change with the New York Department of State’s office. You will need to provide basic information about your new registered agent or registered agent service and pay a $30 filing fee.

To file a certificate of change, mail the completed document and payment to:

  • New York Department of State
  • Division of Corporations
  • One Commerce Plaza, 99 Washington Ave.
  • Albany, NY 12231

Option 3: Work with LegalZoom

If you decide to hire LegalZoom as your registered agent service, we’ll take care of the certificate of change paperwork for you—and cover the filing fee. Plus, you’ll get reminders about important compliance deadlines and unlimited cloud storage for your business documents and important mail.

FAQs

Can you change registered agents?

You can change a registered agent anytime by filling out a certificate of change with the New York Department of State and paying the $30 change fee. You’ll also need to file this certificate if your registered agent has a change of address at any point.

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 the registered agent must be present to receive important documents. Hiring a professional New York registered agent service could be well worth the money in terms of time savings and peace of mind.

Should you hire a registered agent before forming an LLC?

When you’re forming an LLC in New York, you’ll need to hire a registered agent before you can file your articles of organization with the Department of State, unless you plan to provide a mail forwarding address to the Department of State instead of appointing a registered agent.

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 safeguarding all your important legal documents. Plus, LegalZoom will cover any state fees related to switching your registered agent.


Edward A. Haman, Esq. contributed to this article.

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This article is for informational purposes. This content is not legal advice, it is the expression of the author and has not been evaluated by LegalZoom for accuracy or changes in the law.

44 days ago
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Aditya was incredibly helpful and…

Aditya was incredibly helpful and professional throughout our conversation. He guided me through the payment process for the Registered Agent Service and explained everything clearly and thoroughly. He made sure all my concerns were addressed and was very patient the entire time. He also had a very nice and calming voice, which made the whole experience even better. Honestly, with the way he handled the call—with confidence, clarity, and excellent customer service—I believe Aditya has what it takes to be a manager. He’d be a great asset in a leadership role. Thank you again, Aditya!

Myrjean Aquino
101 days ago
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Legal Zoom always saves the day

Legal Zoom always saves the day. As me registered agent for 14 years they have been a lifesaver.

Genevieve Pavitt
139 days ago
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Keen was very supportive and helpful to…

Keen was very supportive and helpful to help me sign in for a registered agent

Marta Salerno
146 days ago
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Legal Zoom made it very simple and easy…

Legal Zoom made it very simple and easy to set up my LLC and having them as my registered agent it keeps my company on time for Legal document filings and they notify me if something is coming up that needs my attention to keep on track.

Townline Bus LLC
204 days ago
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Rene was super helpful in making legal Zoom, my company's registered agent

Rene was super helpful in getting Legalzoom setup as registered agent for all my companies, and help me get everything organized so that I know when to file my statements of information. Excellent customer service!

Scott Clift
205 days ago
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My registered agent Oliver was the best!…

My registered agent Oliver was extremely knowledgeable and very helpful.

Robert Mckay
228 days ago
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Highly Satisfied with service!

Yes, I am highly satisfied with the customer service provided by Alex. And I am highly satisfied by Legal Zooms services filling my Annual Report + Registered Agent with compliance essentials. I've been a client of Legal Zoom for many years.

Wilma Connell
245 days ago
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Very professional and knowledgeable

I initially called concerning my registered agent account with my company. Jonar was the agent that assisted me with the my concerns and nailed it with his professionalism and knowledge provided he answered all my questions and we released the line with me being fully confident in making LegalZoom my choice to do business.

Quinten Lee
522 days ago
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Legal Zoom Service Legal Zoom is the…

Legal Zoom is the registered agent for our company. They are incredibly helpful and knowledgeable! We never have to worry about compliance or our end of year report. In addition, the new BOI report was included with our annual report!

Connie Cochrane
856 days ago
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I have been a client of LZ since 2007

I have been a client of LZ since 2007. They have been a very good registered agent. I very much appreciate talking with a "real human" Their team has always been friendly, knowledgeable, efficient and professional. Thanks, JB

Jeffrey Bartlett
885 days ago
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The representative was friendly and helpful…

The representative was friendly and clear with information to become my business 'Registered Agent'. The process was also quick and easy.

Daleen
1298 days ago
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Very helpful for first-time entrepreneurs

Legal zoom has been my Registered Agent for over a year. They've been very helpful to me as a first-time, new business owner. Without them, I'd have had a very hard time understanding my obligations to the state as a business owner. They've kept me well-informed and ensured I don't miss important filing deadlines. And their customer service is super helpful if you ever need to talk to someone.

Ashley A
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