California Registered Agent for Service of Process: What to Know

Why should you hire a California agent for service of process?

While you can appoint yourself or someone within your company to act as an agent, you might want to hire a professional for the following reasons:

Legal compliance

As discussed, an agent for service of process must be available at their listed physical address during all business hours. Professional agents have staffed offices specifically to meet this requirement. This is especially helpful if:

• Your business is organized in another state, and you will be doing business in California but do not have a regular office there.
• You travel frequently.
• Your business operates outside normal hours.

Put simply, a professional outside agent knows how to comply with California laws (plus, your clients and employees won’t be present if any legal papers are served).

Privacy

When you file documents with the California SOS, the information becomes public record—including the name and address of your registered agent. While the risk of this information being used maliciously is relatively low, publicizing your personal details can still lead to unwanted consequences. 

Most commonly, business owners who list their personal information open themselves up to junk mail and business solicitations. With a professional agent for service of process, however, you can keep your personal information more private. 

Separation between your business and personal life

A professional agent helps maintain a clear line between your company and personal affairs. Legal documents, court summons, and other official correspondence go directly to your agent—eliminating awkward moments when sensitive paperwork arrives at inconvenient times or places, such as in front of customers and clients.

Added services and benefits

As discussed, professional services typically bundle in valuable extras that you wouldn't get by appointing yourself or someone you know. For reference, LegalZoom’s Registered Agent Services come with the following perks: 

• Instant alerts when important documents arrive
• Secure cloud storage and digital document access
• Built-in compliance tracking with automatic filing deadline alerts

Who should hire a professional registered agent?

Business owners who value any of the following benefits might consider hiring a professional agent for service of process: 

• Convenience. You prefer having a professional service to handle your legal documents and notifications.
• Boundaries and privacy. You want to keep your business matters at your California registered office and away from your personal life. 
• Reliability. You want the peace of mind that comes with a professional service. 

Still, there’s always the option to act as your agent or appoint someone you know. 

How to hire a California registered agent

LegalZoom makes it easy to get an agent for service of process in California. Simply tell us your business name, share some basic information, and let us handle the paperwork with the California SOS. Plus, we’ll cover the extra costs if you’re switching from your current agent. 

FAQs

Can I be my own registered agent in California?

Yes, you can serve as your own registered agent (known as an agent for service of process in California) if you’re a state resident with a physical street address. However, you must be available during regular business hours to accept legal documents, and your address will become public record. 

How much does a registered agent cost in CA?

Professional agent services in California range in price depending on the features. For reference, LegalZoom offers Registered Agent Services for $249 per year, which includes document management, compliance alerts, and privacy protection for your personal information.  

How do I change registered agents in California?

If you need to update your agent's information or if you decide to change agents, you will need to report that change to the Secretary of State. To change your agent, you must file a Statement of Information, which happens every two years. If you need to change your agent outside of that time frame, there may be a fee for making the change.

Who can accept service of process for a corporation in California?

The registered agent for service of process is the primary person authorized to accept legal documents. While certain corporate officers may also have this authority, the California SOS recommends following specific guidelines for proper service of process. 

Should you hire a registered agent before forming an LLC?

If you plan on hiring a California registered agent service, then you can hire one at the time that you file your LLC. Your articles of organization must include your agent’s information at the time of filing with the California SOS

Edward A. Haman, Esq. contributed to this article.