Texas Registered Agent
Every LLC in Texas must appoint a Texas registered agent to accept service of process.
You can be your own registered agent but most businesses choose to work with a professional registered agent service. Using a service can go a long way in:
- Reducing risk
- Increasing privacy and flexibility
- Ensuring your documents are stored safely online
We'll help you choose the best option for your small business.
Recommended: Northwest Registered Agent offers free registered agent services with LLC formation for $29 (plus state fees).
Choosing a Registered Agent in Texas
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When you choose a registered agent in Texas, that person or business entity serves as the point of contact for state authorities and can also be contacted by individuals who may serve your business with a lawsuit (i.e., deliver service of process).
Texas registered agent can be an individual or a service, so long as the individual is:
- 18 years old or older.
- Has a Texas business address (has to be a physical address)
- Always available during regular business hours at the provided address.
Registered Agent Services
- Convenience — You won’t have to wait at your place of business during business hours on the off-chance you are served legal papers. Your agent will receive service of process on your behalf and scan and mail those notices to you in an expedited fashion.
- Privacy — Your name and address can stay private since you’ll be listing your agent’s address on your formation docs.
- Compliance and Online Storage — A Texas registered agent service will upload your legal documents online so that you can access them anytime, which ensures that you will stay legally compliant.
Let’s Find the Right Registered Agent for Your Business
We’ve tested and reviewed the most popular registered agent services.
Can You Be Your Own Registered Agent?
Technically, you can act as your own registered agent, though most businesses tend to use a service instead.
The main benefit of being your own registered agent is the lower cost. Texas registered agent services average $130 annually, or $10 per month. Being your own agent lets you allocate this $10 somewhere in another area of your business.
For businesses that are just starting out, this expense can be too much.
Having said that, we believe that the benefits of hiring a reliable Texas registered agent far exceed the small cost. For example:
- You'll need to go to the given address during normal business hours, daily, should a state or legal representative need to deliver service of process.
- Managing paperwork and legal mail can be time-consuming and can take you away from growing your business.
- Fines, penalties, and other legal ramifications may ensue from errors or delays in completing the required paperwork.
When forming a new LLC, hiring a formation service that includes a free year of registered agent services makes sense. This is particularly the case when considering that some respectable providers charge as little as $29 for their services (plus state fees).
If you are forming an LLC but prefer to file the paperwork yourself and act as your own registered agent, take a look at our How to Start an LLC in Texas guide.
Best Texas Registered Agent Service
If you're in Texas and either looking to form a new LLC or switch your existing registered agent, it's crucial to consider factors like cost, range of services, reputation, and customer support.
Many people seek registered agents offering features like mail forwarding, document scanning, and compliance monitoring.
Northwest Special Offer
If you haven't formed your LLC yet, consider Northwest's LLC formation package for $29 plus state fees, which includes a free first year of registered agent service.
- Premium customer service
- Streamlined ordering
- Robust privacy features
To help you make an informed choice, we've compiled a table comparing the top 5 Texas registered agent services below.
 |
Best Registered Agent Services |
|
|
Northwest
4.7/5 |
BEST REGISTERED AGENT SERVICE
|
VISIT SITE |
|
LegalZoom
4.5/5 |
TRUSTED AND WELL-KNOWN COMPANY
|
VISIT SITE |
|
ZenBusiness
4.3/5 |
|
VISIT SITE |
|
Bizee
4.1/5 |
|
VISIT SITE |
|
Rocket Lawyer
3.9/5 |
|
VISIT SITE |
Whether you're starting a new business or considering a change, it's crucial to weigh factors like pricing, services, reputation, and customer support when choosing a registered agent in Texas. Compare quotes and read online reviews to find the best fit for your needs.
Benefits of Using a Registered Agent Service
Many businesses choose to use a registered agent service when they form an LLC. This is because it can offer a number of benefits, including:
- Legal compliance: A registered agent service will ensure that you do not miss an important legal document or notification (e.g., service of process, etc.) as a result of not being in your office (or as a result of a human error).
- Improved privacy: If you act as your own agent, your name and address will become public record on the Texas Business Search website. Using a Texas registered agent service will help keep your information private.
- Discretion: When it comes to legal disputes, you will want to avoid receiving lawsuit-related documents in front of your clients and/or some employees. We recommend that you use a service so you can use a registered agent’s address instead of your own.
- Better storage: Your service will generally accept service of process, scan all documents received and upload them online in PDF form. This means that you will always be able to access them online, and won’t have to worry about an employee accidentally losing an important document.
A commercial registered agent service can also be beneficial if you plan to expand into other states as a foreign LLC. This is because, otherwise, you would need to find an individual or business entity that is a resident — or is allowed to transact business — in each state that you want to register in.
How to Elect a Registered Agent in Texas
For your LLC in Texas, you will be required to elect your registered agent when you complete your LLC’s Certificate of Formation. The Articles of Organization is the main LLC formation document in Texas.
Electing a Registered Agent Online
You can form your Texas LLC online at the Texas Secretary of State website ($300 filing fee required). You’ll gain access to all the resources you need to appoint a registered agent and form your LLC online.
Electing a Registered Agent by Mail
To form your Texas LLC by mail, download the Certificate of Formation form ($300 filing fee), fill out the required fields, and submit a physical copy to the Texas Secretary of State. Your registered agent’s name and contact information will be requested in Article 2.
How to Change Your Registered Agent in Texas
To change your Texas registered agent, simply fill out Form 401: Change of Registered Agent/Office and submit it to the Texas Secretary of State along with the $15 filing fee.
This can be done by mail, in person, or by fax.
Mail:
Secretary of State
P.O. Box 13697
Austin, TX 78711-3697
In-Person:
James Earl Rudder Office Building
1019 Brazos St.
Austin, TX 78701
Fax:
(512) 463-5709
For more information read our how to change Texas registered agents guide.
Texas Registered Agent Consent to Appointment
Your registered agent also will need to consent to their appointment. To do so, they can complete Form 401-A — Acceptance of Appointment and Consent to Serve as Registered Agent. While you don’t need to file this form with the Texas Secretary of State, you can do so if you prefer for a $15 filing fee. You should keep a copy of the form in your internal records.
The form includes the following information:
- Name of the company
- Name of the registered agent
- Signature of the registered agent
- Date
If you appoint a registered agent without their consent, you could be subject to certain penalties related to making a false statement. If a registered agent wants to reject an appointment, they can file Form 428 — Rejection of Appointment.
FAQ
Yes, you can.
Having said that, there are certain requirements that must be met before you can do so. It is also not the most time-efficient method available.
For these reasons, most businesses use one of the many Texas registered agent services that are available instead.
For more information, see our Can I Be My Own Registered Agent article.
Forming a Texas LLC requires the appointment of a registered agent. This provides the Texas Secretary of State with an address in the state where official documents can be served on behalf of the LLC.
It also serves as an intermediary between the LLC and third parties, such as creditors or claimants who may wish to contact the company regarding potential legal action.
The salary range for registered agents in Texas varies greatly depending on experience, qualifications, and the size of the company that you are representing. A basic hourly rate can range from $15–$20 an hour; however, there may be additional compensation available depending on other factors, such as travel expenses and overtime hours.
To register as a registered agent in Texas, you’ll need to complete Form 706: Appointment of Statutory Agent; this can be found online on the Texas Secretary of State website.
The form requires information such as the name, Texas registered office address and signature of the designated agent, along with contact information.
The cost of a registered agent in Texas can vary widely depending on which service provider you choose, as well as what additional services they may offer. Generally, prices range from $50–$300 annually and can include features such as access to online portals for managing documents and customer support via email or telephone.
A registered agent is mandatory for businesses operating in Texas. By law, all foreign and domestic business entities must have an appointed registered agent that is authorized to accept legal papers on the company's behalf. The purpose of this mandatory requirement is to ensure that businesses are held accountable for their activities in accordance with Texas’s state law.
The cost to change a registered agent varies depending on the type of entity and how it is filed.
For example, domestic corporations and LLCs pay $15, whereas nonprofit organizations pay $5.
Keep in mind that you’ll need to fill out and submit Form 401: Statement of Change of Registered Office/Agent in order to change your registered agent.