If you're forming a limited liability company (LLC) or corporation in the Cowboy State, you must hire a Wyoming registered agent to comply with state law. A registered agent is responsible for overseeing official communication on behalf of your Wyoming business. While you can legally appoint yourself or someone you know as your registered agent, we recommend hiring a professional with the skills and expertise to properly manage your mail, accept service of process, and maintain your tax records and official documents.
Follow along to learn more about what a Wyoming registered agent service offers and how to hire one to help ensure your Wyoming business is compliant.
What is a Wyoming registered agent?
A Wyoming registered agent is an individual or company that serves as your business' official point of contact for receiving legal documents, government correspondence, and service of process on behalf of your business. You designate your registered agent when you file your articles of organization or articles of incorporation with the Wyoming Secretary of State, and you change it at any time.
Your registered agent provides a physical address for receiving official mail and be available during normal business hours. They are responsible for staying on top of communication to ensure nothing gets lost and that your business complies with everything from subpoena requests to annual report deadlines. It's important to emphasize that these agents are meant to receive legal and official government notices, not general mail, such as bank account statements and personal letters.
Does Wyoming require a registered agent?
Yes, under Wyoming Statute § 17-28-101, every business entity registered in Wyoming must maintain a registered agent with a physical address in the state. This requirement applies to LLCs, for-profit and nonprofit corporations, limited partnerships (LPs), and limited liability partnerships (LLPs), including both domestic entities (in-state) and foreign entities (out-of-state conducting business in Colorado).
Consequences of noncompliance
Failure to comply with the law can result in serious consequences for your business. If you don't have a Wyoming registered agent, the state can take action. It can:
- Revoke your good standing. Your business may fall out of good standing with the state, affecting your ability to conduct business.
- Dissolve your business. The Wyoming Secretary of State has the authority to administratively dissolve your LLC or corporation.
- Revoke your certificate of authority. Foreign entities with a certificate of authority to operate in Wyoming can lose this legal status and will be unable to conduct business.
The Wyoming Secretary of State maintains strict enforcement of registered agent requirements, making compliance essential for maintaining your business's legal status in the state.
Wyoming registered agent requirements
Your Wyoming registered agent must comply with the rules established by the state’s business statutes, including residency or registration with the Washington Secretary of State, as well as physical address requirements.
Who can serve as a registered agent
You can appoint either an individual or another business entity as a registered agent in Wyoming, as long as they meet the criteria.
- Individual resident: An individual who is a Wyoming resident and at least 18 years old
- Business entity: A business entity that is authorized to conduct business in Wyoming and is registered with the Secretary of State
Physical address requirements
The registered office is the address you list where your documents can be delivered. Whether you choose an individual or a business entity as your registered agent, Wyoming law mandates specific address requirements:
- Must provide a physical street address in Wyoming. Individuals must be residents of Wyoming. If you appoint a business entity, the registered office address must be the same as their business office. P.O. boxes are not acceptable for either type of agent.
- Address must be accessible during normal business hours. The location must allow for personal service of legal documents, typically Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Address becomes part of public record. The registered agent's address is listed in your business filing with the Wyoming Secretary of State.
Availability and consent requirements
Wyoming registered agents must meet specific availability standards:
- Be available during normal business hours. There must be someone available at the registered office address during business hours, typically Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Maintain a valid email address. Under section 17-28- 101(e) of the statutes, registered agents must also provide and maintain an email address for electronic communication regarding your business.
- Provide written consent. The individual or entity must sign a form provided by the Wyoming Secretary of State consenting to serve as your registered agent.
How to appoint a Wyoming registered agent
When forming your business in Wyoming, you'll appoint your initial registered agent when you file your formation paperwork. To start an LLC in Wyoming, you’ll fill out articles of organization, while for Wyoming corporations, you’ll fill out articles of incorporation. Foreign entities complete a separate form, known as a certificate of authority. The process is similar for all entities:
- Go to the Wyoming Secretary of State’s Business Center website and choose your business entity type.
- You will be prompted to complete the appropriate formation document, including the full name, street address, and consent of your registered agent.
- Submit your form and pay the required filing fees ($100 for most domestic entities, $150 for foreign entities).
- Online filings are processed immediately, and a copy of your form along with a certificate will be available to download after you complete the process.
Filing by mail can take up to 15 business days. For this reason, Wyoming encourages online filings, but you can mail your forms to:
Wyoming Secretary of State
Business Division
Herschler Building East, Suite 101
122 W 25th Street
Cheyenne, WY 82002-0020
How to change your Wyoming registered agent
If you need to change your registered agent, you will need to do so by mail, as Wyoming does not yet have this service online:
- Ensure your new agent agrees to serve and meets Wyoming requirements.
- Go to the Secretary of State’s Registered Agents page and download the form you need.
- Complete theAppointment of New Registered Agent and Office form using the fillable fields in the PDF, including both current and new registered agent information.
- Sign the form (it must be signed by an authorized representative of your business).
- Get a check or money order for the $5 filing fee, made payable to the Wyoming Secretary of State.
- Mail your form to the Business Division at Herschler Building East, Suite 101, 122 W 25th Street, Cheyenne, WY 82002-0020.
If you need to change your registered agent’s information (for example, if the agent is not changing but they have a new address), you’ll need a Registered Agent Information Update. This follows the same process, but your registered agent needs to fill it out and sign it. Also note that because it is a mail filing, it can take up to 15 days to process.
If you choose LegalZoom as your registered agent, we’ll take care of the paperwork and filing fee at no additional cost to you.
Can I be my own Wyoming registered agent?
Yes, you can serve as your own Wyoming registered agent if you meet the state's eligibility requirements: You are at least 18 years old, a Wyoming resident with a physical address in the state, and are available to receive documents during business hours. However, this decision involves important trade-offs.
For example, serving as your own registered agent in Wyoming can raise privacy concerns. Your personal address becomes part of the public record, making it easy to find in the Secretary of State’s database. All business and legal mail will be sent to your home, which can blur personal and business boundaries, and using a home address may not give your company the professional image you want.
You’ll also need to comply with the strict availability requirements. You must be at your address during normal business hours to receive service of process, which limits flexibility for travel or time away. Missing even one delivery could have serious consequences, and without professional support, you’re responsible for organizing and responding to all official correspondence on your own.
Wyoming registered agent cost
If you serve as your own registered agent or appoint someone you know, you may not have to pay for their service. However, many businesses choose to use a professional registered agent service because of the other features and benefits they offer. Registered agent services typically range from $100–$300 per year.
What's included in registered agent services
Professional Wyoming registered agents may offer many services beyond accepting your official mail, so it’s best to know what extra services you may want.
- Compliance notifications: Alerts about annual report deadlines and other compliance matters
- Mail forwarding: Sending important documents to your preferred address
- Document scanning: Digital copies of important documents uploaded to the cloud for access from anywhere
- Document storage: Secure storage of your documents in the cloud.
- Privacy protection: Keeping your personal information private from public records
- Additional services: Business formation services, document preparation, and virtual mailboxes
DIY vs. professional service comparison
| Option | Pros | Cons |
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| DIY (Serve as your own agent) |
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| Professional service |
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When a professional agent makes sense
Here’s when to consider hiring a professional Wyoming registered agent service.
- You value privacy: You want to keep your personal address off public records.
- You travel frequently: You need reliable mail handling when you're away from Wyoming.
- You operate from home: You prefer to separate business and personal mail delivery.
- You have multiple entities: Managing registered agent duties for several businesses becomes complex, especially if you operate in multiple states.
- You live outside Wyoming: You cannot serve as your own agent if you're not a Wyoming resident.
How to choose a Wyoming registered agent service
There are several key factors to selecting the Wyoming registered agent service that best meets your business needs. When evaluating Wyoming registered agent services, consider these key factors.
First, you need a registered agent you can count on to handle important legal and business documents without interruption. Look for the following to find an experienced, dependable provider.
- Years in business: Look for established companies with proven track records.
- Wyoming-specific experience: Ensure familiarity with state requirements and procedures.
- Business hour availability: Confirm coverage during all required hours.
- Backup procedures: Ask about contingency plans for staff absences or emergencies.
Reliable systems keep you informed in real time and make it simpler to manage your account. Consider your preferences on the following while exploring your options.
- Notification methods: Email, phone, or text alerts when documents are received
- Online portal access: Digital platform for viewing correspondence and managing your account
- Document scanning quality: High-resolution digital copies of important documents
- Unlimited storage: Ability to store and organize unlimited documents.
Missing a deadline or overlooking a regulatory change can put your business at risk. A service with features that help you stay current makes it easier to remain in good standing with the state, because they can stay on top of important matters for you.
- Compliance reminders: Automated alerts for state filing deadlines
- Regulatory change notifications: Updates about new Wyoming business law requirements
- Filing assistance: Help with state compliance documents and procedures
- Good standing monitoring: Tracking your business entity's status with the state
LegalZoom is a trusted provider that offers comprehensive Wyoming registered agent services, combining reliable mail handling with annual report compliance reminders and professional expertise to help ensure your business remains in good standing with the state. Our Casper office meets all state requirements and is open during normal business hours.
FAQs about Wyoming registered agents
Does Wyoming require a registered agent for LLCs and corporations?
Yes, Wyoming law mandates that every LLC and corporation maintain a registered agent with a physical address in the state. This requirement applies from the moment you file your articles of organization or incorporation with the Wyoming Secretary of State and continues throughout your business entity's existence.
Can I use a P.O. box as my registered office in Wyoming?
No, Wyoming law requires registered agents to provide a physical street address within the state. P.O. boxes, private mailbox services, and mail forwarding addresses are not acceptable for registered agent purposes. The address must be a location where legal documents can be personally served during normal business hours.
Is the registered agent's address public in Wyoming?
Yes, your registered agent's name and address become part of the public record when you file your business formation documents with the Wyoming Secretary of State. This information is accessible through the Secretary of State's online business entity database and is available to anyone who searches for your business.
Where do I find Wyoming Secretary of State forms for registered agents?
Official forms are available through the Wyoming Secretary of State website at sos.wyo.gov. Key forms include:
- Form RA-1: Statement of Change of Registered Office or Registered Agent
- Form LLC-1: Articles of Organization (for LLCs)
- Form Corp-1: Articles of Incorporation (for corporations)
What happens if I miss service of process in Wyoming?
Missing service of process can create serious legal problems for your business. If you don’t respond, a court may issue a default judgment against you, leaving you with no chance to defend yourself. You could also lose important legal rights, making it harder to protect your business in future disputes. Fixing the mistake often comes with costly legal procedures, and unresolved issues can disrupt operations or even damage your business credit.
What if my Wyoming registered agent resigns?
If your registered agent resigns, you must appoint a new registered agent immediately. File the Appointment of New Registered Agent and Office form with the Secretary of State within 30 days of the resignation. Coordinate the timing carefully so there’s no gap in service, and update your business records with the new agent’s information. Failure to maintain a registered agent could cause your business to lose its good standing with the state.
Chloe Packard contributed to this article.
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