What Business Address Should I Use for My LLC?

Renting an office space or using your home address aren't your only options when registering an LLC. Learn how to get a business address for your LLC.

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Chloe Packard
by

Chloe Packard

Allison DeSantis, J.D.
Legally reviewed by

Allison DeSantis, J.D.

Contents

Updated on: January 14, 2026
Read time: 7 min

In most states, you need a valid, legal, physical address to register your business as a limited liability company (LLC), other corporation, or limited partnership. These business entities are required to designate a registered agent with a valid, legal street address at a physical location with a door and a desk. However, your business address isn’t subject to that requirement. In fact, you can use a virtual office and virtual mailing address when registering your business.

We'll discuss how to get a business address for your LLC and the many benefits of using a virtual business address vs. renting a physical office space.

A stack of mail

Do I need to have a physical office to register my business?

No, you do not need a physical office space to register your business, but you do need a physical business address. The good news is that a virtual address qualifies as a valid physical address for LLC registration in most states, giving you flexibility without the overhead of traditional office space.

If you're working from home, you'll still need a business address to set up your LLC. Using your personal address isn't ideal if you're concerned about privacy—but fortunately, getting a virtual address for your LLC is a smart alternative.

What is a virtual address?

A virtual address, also known as a virtual mailbox service, is a subscription service that provides a real physical street address for mailing or business registration purposes. These addresses are "virtual" because you don't need to be physically present to use them—but they qualify as valid physical addresses.

Business registration is one of the most popular reasons people choose to secure a virtual address, as it comes with many benefits.

  • Mail receiving: Accept personal and business mail at your virtual address
  • Multiple carriers: Receive packages from USPS, FedEx, UPS, and other carriers
  • Mail forwarding: Have your mail forwarded to any location you choose
  • Professional credibility: Use a real street address instead of a P.O. box

Why choose a virtual address over a personal address?

There are many reasons to choose a virtual business address for your LLC and even more compelling reasons not to use your home address as an address for your business, even if you have a home-based business. Some of the top reasons for using a virtual business address service involve privacy, zoning laws, and liability.

Privacy

When your home address is your business address, it becomes public record, and anyone can search it through the Secretary of State's website. Your location appears on business cards, your website, and marketing materials. This puts you and your loved ones at risk if you ever deal with a disgruntled customer or vendor.

Zoning laws and homeowners associations

Some regions have laws against operating a business in a residential area. You might risk having an issue with your condo or homeowner's association, landlord, or neighbors if you're running a home-based business unlawfully. Local zoning might be an issue, too, depending on where you live. Be sure to check the rules before you move forward with using your home address for your business.

Liability

If you use your home address as your LLC's primary business address, you might face complications if you're ever sued. Creditors have the right to seize business assets, but not personal assets, which gets murky when addresses overlap. Using a virtual business address helps keep your real street address and personal assets protected.

Benefits and drawbacks of a virtual business address

Now, let's discuss some benefits and drawbacks of establishing a virtual business address for your LLC.

Benefits

The benefits of using a virtual address for business often outweigh the drawbacks. While there are many perks to using a virtual address, the most important ones involve the service's flexibility, scalability, and advanced features.

  • Flexibility. A virtual address service gives you access to addresses in just about every major city in the country, including New York, Houston, San Francisco, and beyond. If you move, you won't have to change your address for your business, and if you're a globetrotter, you can be anywhere in the world and still access your postal mail.
  • Scalability. If you're growing your business operations and entering new markets, you can set up additional virtual business addresses in those regions to build trust and capture new customers. Plus, a virtual address enhances your business identity, as your address is a critical component of your professional image and reputation. Business addresses that are more than P.O. box numbers ground your business and lend credibility.
  • Advanced services. As for your business mail, virtual address providers, like LegalZoom’s mail service, offer postal mail services as well as mail forwarding, shredding, and digitization. We receive postal mail on your behalf and scan the contents. You will then receive a digital, shareable copy of your postal mail in your inbox. That includes tax documents, which are vital to running a legal business.

Drawbacks

The good news is that using a virtual address for business has few drawbacks. Perhaps the biggest concern is the costs associated with maintaining a virtual office address.

  • Cost. You must pay for virtual business address service, so remember this when creating your budget and calculating business costs. That said, acquiring a virtual business address is still less expensive than renting a physical office.
  • Dependence. Reliable though they may be, virtual mail services are still a third-party entity, meaning you’ll need to rely on them to make sure your mail is delivered correctly.

Virtual address vs. physical office: Quick comparison

Factor Virtual Address Physical Office
Cost Low monthly fee High rent and utilities
Privacy Home address stays private Business address is separate
Flexibility Work from anywhere Location-dependent
Scalability Add addresses in new markets easily Requires new lease agreements
Mail handling Digital scanning and forwarding Manual pickup required

How to register your business with a virtual address

If you’re ready to get the ball rolling on your business formation, you're probably wondering how to get a virtual business address and what to look for in a service.

Here are a few questions you might consider before deciding on which address to use:

  • How much business mail do you expect to receive?
  • Will you receive payments by check, and will they come to that address?
  • Do you have other employees? And if so, will they receive mail as well?
  • Will you require physical or digital mail forwarding?
  • Do you receive large amounts of paper, such as contracts?

Think realistically about how your business will run at first and what it may look like in the future. Some virtual address providers offer a variety of services for different needs, while others are simpler or more straightforward.

Step-by-step guide to registering your business with a virtual address

With the answers to the above questions in mind, follow these steps to register your business with a virtual address:

  1. Find a provider. Choose the virtual business address plan that suits your needs. LegalZoom offers mailbox plans suitable for solo operations and small organizations, and mailroom plans for larger businesses and enterprises.
  2. Choose your address. Next, you'll choose a virtual address in the state where you're registering your business. You will need to fill out USPS Form 1583: Application for Delivery of Mail Through Agent. This authorizes your virtual mail provider to collect and handle your business mail. You must have the form notarized and provide two pieces of identification.
  3. File your registration. Once you have secured your virtual business address, it's time to register your business. You can register with your state, whether that’s through your local Secretary of State's office or through the SBA, or use a one-stop shop like LegalZoom to ensure compliance and take care of everything at once. Then, it's official: Your business is registered.

Other factors to consider

Whether the location is virtual or not, here are some other things to consider when choosing a business address for your LLC.

A separate business address that isn’t a residential address is usually the best choice, but keep it simple. Ideally, a business mailing address doesn’t have too many parts. A physical street address with lots of Es and Ws and long numbers can be hard to read. Simple physical addresses on streets that are easy to spell work best.

Before settling on where your business operates and the address for your business, you should find out if there are any special rules in your state or community. You may also want to consult a lawyer for legal advice to ensure your business operations and address comply with local, state, and federal laws.

Business address FAQs

How do I know what virtual address to sign up for?

Choose a virtual address in the state where you're registering your business, and verify your state allows virtual addresses (most do not allow P.O. boxes). Check requirements with your Secretary of State or consult one of LegalZoom's verified legal partners.

Can I use a P.O. box for my LLC?

No, most states do not let you use a P.O. box as your business address. Therefore, you must provide a physical address, which can include virtual addresses.

How can I change the business address for my LLC?

File a change of address or amendment with your Secretary of State, submit IRS Form 8822-B by mail, and initiate mail forwarding through USPS. You may also need to update your business address with state tax and licensing agencies.

How can I avoid using my home address for my LLC?

The best way to avoid using your home address is by acquiring a virtual business address through a provider like LegalZoom's virtual mail service. Note that a P.O. box typically doesn't qualify as a valid business address for LLC registration.

Does the IRS accept virtual business addresses?

Yes, a virtual business address is considered compliant with IRS regulations and requirements. Therefore, you can use a virtual address instead of your personal address for IRS purposes.

You can also have multiple virtual business addresses for the same company, which may be useful for companies that grow across state lines.

Do you need a business location for an LLC?

Yes, you need a physical street address when registering your LLC, but it doesn't have to be an office where you work. A virtual address qualifies as your official business address.

Jennie L. Phipps 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.