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A registered agent lookup takes one step: find the company on the state business register and read the agent's name and address from its record. Every LLC and corporation must keep an agent with a physical address in each state where it is formed or registered. That agent accepts lawsuits and official notices for the company.
How to find the registered agent
- Choose the state. Use the state where the company was formed, or the state where you need to reach it. A company that registered as a foreign entity in your state has an agent there too.
- Search the register. Open the state's search from our Secretary of State business search guide or the state guide, and search the company name without the ending.
- Open the right record. Match the entity number, formation date and address, because look-alike names are common.
- Read the agent section. It shows the agent's name and street address in that state. Some states also show the date the agent was appointed.
- Check the filing history. A recent change of agent or a resignation appears there.
Searching by agent name
Some states let you search the register by agent. Florida's Sunbiz has an officer and registered agent search, and Texas lists the registered agent as a search option. This is useful when:
- you know a person runs several companies and want to see them all;
- you want to check whether an address is a commercial agent service or a home;
- you are tracing a company that changed its name.
A national agent service can appear on a very large number of records in a state, so an agent search is most useful for individual agents and small firms.
Commercial agents and individual agents
A commercial registered agent is a business that acts as agent for many companies. Some states keep a list of them. Their address tells you where to send papers, but nothing about who owns the company.
An individual agent is a person, often an owner, an officer or the company's lawyer. Their name can help with a business owner lookup, but treat it as a lead.
When the agent cannot be found
Records go stale. If the agent's address no longer works:
- Check the status. A company without a valid agent may be marked delinquent, revoked or administratively dissolved. Our status guide explains the terms.
- Look for a resignation filing. Many states let an agent resign by filing a statement, and the company then has a set time to appoint a new one.
- Ask about substitute service. Many states allow papers to be served on the Secretary of State or another state office when a company has no agent. The steps and fees differ by state, so check the state's guidance or ask an attorney before you rely on it.
Agent records in other states
A company formed in Delaware that trades in Texas usually has two agents on two records. If you need to serve it in Texas, use the Texas record. If the company never registered in your state, you may need to serve its agent in the home state. An attorney can confirm what counts as proper service.
Changing your own agent
If you own the company, you change the agent by filing a statement of change with the state, usually online. Some states charge a fee and some do not. The Florida guide and other state guides link the official form. Make sure the new agent agrees before you file, and update every state where you are registered.
Choosing an agent for your own company is a different question. Our registered agent guide explains who can serve and links the rules for the main formation states.
If papers reach a company through the agent on record, see service of process.