Serving as your own registered agent might seem like a smart way to save money, especially for new business owners trying to keep startup costs low. But using your home address as your registered agent address comes with significant downsides, including loss of privacy, legal exposure, and compliance headaches.
Let’s take a closer look at why listing your home address as your business’s registered agent address isn’t the best move.
1. Your Home Address Becomes Public Record
When you designate yourself as your company’s registered agent, your listed address — whether it’s your home or office — becomes public information. This means:
- Anyone can search for your name and address in state databases.
- Your personal address is accessible to marketers, solicitors, and potentially bad actors.
- You may receive an increase in junk mail or uninvited visitors.
If you value your privacy, especially if you operate a home-based business, using your home address as a registered agent puts that at risk. Learn more about how a professional registered agent protects your privacy.
2. You Must Be Available During Business Hours
A registered agent is legally required to be available at the listed address during regular business hours (typically 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday). If you’re out meeting clients, traveling, or even just running errands, you’re technically noncompliant.
Failing to meet this availability requirement could result in:
- Missed legal notices or service of process
- Administrative penalties or loss of good standing
- Delays in legal proceedings
Professional registered agents ensure availability without you needing to stay glued to one location all day.
3. Risk of Getting Served in Front of Others
Service of process, which is the legal delivery of documents like lawsuits or subpoenas, is the primary reason registered agents exist. If you’re served legal papers at your home, that becomes a very personal matter. If it happens at your business (which may be your home), it could:
- Embarrass you in front of family, neighbors, or clients
- Harm your business reputation
- Cause unnecessary stress and confusion
Using a professional registered agent prevents these awkward or damaging encounters.
4. It Doesn’t Work for Multi-State or Online Businesses
If your LLC or corporation operates in multiple states, or primarily online, you still need a registered agent with a physical address in each state where you do business. You can’t legally be present in two places at once, and states require that your registered agent be located within state lines. Learn more about registered agent requirements for multistate businesses here.
Professional services solve this by providing physical addresses across all 50 states, including states where you may not have a physical presence.
5. It’s Not Worth the Risk
You may think you’re saving a few dollars each year by serving as your own registered agent, but consider the risk:
- Loss of privacy
- Missed legal documents
- Potential noncompliance penalties
For a nominal annual fee, you can protect your time, reputation, and legal standing by hiring a professional registered agent.
Why URA Is the Smarter Choice
At URA, we serve as registered agents in all 50 states. We accept service of process on your behalf, maintain compliance with availability laws, and protect your privacy.
Whether you’re forming a new business or thinking about switching from your home address, we make the process easy.
Talk to our team today to set up registered agent service or get started with our registered agent services now.
