Updated on November 17, 2023
A California registered agent acts as the official point of contact for a business, specifically regarding such legal matters as receiving summonses and other documents. Corporations are required by state law to designate a registered agent. Also known as an agent for service of process, the agent must be a resident of California or a corporation that meets specific criteria.[1][2]
Top Registered Agents (7)
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| Incfile 4.7 out of 5 – 15,944 reviews | $119/year | Yes | $0 | $0 | – |
Harbor Compliance 4.0 out of 5 – 17 reviews | $99/year | Yes | $50 | $0 | – |
Northwest Registered Agent 3.5 out of 5 – 62 reviews | $125/year | 15/year | $0 | $0 | – |
InCorp Services 2.2 out of 5 – 16 reviews | $129/year | Yes | $0 | $49 | iOS |
California Corporate Agents 0 reviews | $50/year | Yes | $45 | $0 | – |
| California Registered Agent 0 reviews | $50/year | Yes | $25 | $0 | – |
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Registered Agent Search
Step 1 – Go to the California Secretary of State website and click “Search” in the left-hand column. Enter the name of the agent.
Step 2 – The search results will list the agent’s name and information associated with the entity that the agent represents, including its filing date, status, and type.
Who can be a Registered Agent?
An individual or corporation can be an agent for service of process in California. An individual must reside in the state, and a corporation must be active and have a current Corporate Registered Agent (1505) Application on file with the California Secretary of State.[3]
Registered corporate agents should be aware that their names and addresses are public information.
Can I be a Registered Agent?
Registered agents can be individuals or active corporations. An officer or director of a business can be the entity’s agent, but in California, the business itself cannot act as its own agent. The most common way to become an agent for service of process in California is to include a name and contact information in the documents filed to form the corporation.
- Corporation
- Domestic: File Online | Paper Filing
- Foreign: File Online | Paper Filing
- LLC
- Domestic: File Online | Paper Filing
- Foreign: File Online | Paper Filing
- Partnerships
- General Partnership (GP): Paper Filing
- Limited Partnership (LP): Domestic | Foreign
- Limited Liability Partnership (LLP): Paper Filing
Changing or Updating a Registered Agent
A business in California can change its agent for service of process by submitting a form. Some forms can be submitted online; others must be submitted on paper.
Online forms are available for:
- Stock Corporation and Out-of-State Corporation: Statement of Information for a Corporation
- Nonprofit Corporation: Statement of Information (Nonprofit)
- Limited Liability Company: Statement of Information for an LLC
- Limited Partnership: Amended Certificate of Limited Partnership
The following forms must be submitted by mail to the Secretary of State’s office in Sacramento. Filings should be sent to a specific PO box.
- Foreign Limited Partnership: Amendment to Application for Registration (Form LP–6)
- General Partnership: Statement of Amendment/Cancellation (Form GP–7)
- Limited Liability Partnership: Amendment to Registration (Form LLP–2)
- Unincorporated Association: Statement by Unincorporated Association (Form UA–100)
- Foreign Partnership (other than a foreign limited partnership): Statement by Foreign Partnership (Form LL–27)
Resigning as a Registered Agent
A registered agent can resign by:
- Completing Form: Resignation of Agent For Service of Process (RA-100)
- Filing Form: Either file online or send a completed copy of RA-100 to Secretary of State, Business Entities, P.O. Box 944260, Sacramento, CA 94244-2600
If the form is filed in person, there is a $15 handling fee.