Massachusetts LLC Registered Agent
These are persons or entities that agree to accept service of process and official mailings on behalf of your Massachusetts LLC.
When you are sued against, Service of Process or legal papers will be sent to your Registered Agent for LLC. The state may also send reminders and notices to your LLC via the Registered Agent.
A Massachusetts Registered Agent is required to provide a normal business hours (9-5) M- F address.
You can have the address of someone at the law firm on records and designate this person as a registered agent if you wish; other states allow P, O. Box for LLC Registered Agents but not Massachusetts No PO Box Addresses.
đź”” Special Offer!
Set up your LLC with Northwest Registered Agent for $39+ state fees and get a free year of Registered Agent service.
(Discover why Northwest is a top choice check out our Northwest Registered Agent review)
Do You Need a Registered Agent in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts requires all business entities to have a Registered Agent when forming an LLC. Also, keep in mind that a Registered Agent has to stay on file with the state as long as you have an LLC.
Why Do You Need a Registered Agent in Massachusetts?
A Registered Agent handles the service of process when your company is sued and will see to it that the LLC receives proof of delivery for legal documents.
Thus, all companies such as corporations and LLCs are obligated to have a Registered Agent on file with the state.
Or the Registered Agent of your LLC if you want to get someone involved in legal stuff. Massachusetts requires an LLC to name a Registered Agent for each one so that courtroom files can be accurately served and tracked.
đź’ˇ Tip:
Choosing a professional Registered Agent Service can help keep your address private and off public records.
Who can serve as my Massachusetts Registered Agent?
Massachusetts Registered Agent: You have 3 options for who your registered agent will be.
- You
- A friend or family member.
- Massachusetts Registered Agent Service
While it may be cheaper to act as your Registered Agent, doing so does have its drawbacks.
What are the risks?
If you do decide to act as your own Massachusetts Registered Agent, there are many pitfalls you may encounter such as:
- Missing vital state notifications
- Subject to administrative dissolution
- Service of Process (Loose Legal Cannon)
The problem is worse if you:
- Move without updating your residential address with the state
- You often travel or are away from home for many hours
- No address you can trust
- Neglect to observe your mail daily
⏳ Looking to Save Time?
Save time with professional help Northwest Registered Agent offers LLC formation services starting at $39+ state fee.
Not posting an important notice from the state
The Secretary of the Commonwealth: The Corporations Division of Massachusetts or other agencies in the state are going to need a fast way to send important notices to your business.
These notices will often require certain actions by your LLC on specific deadlines. Not meeting these deadlines could result in costly penalties and fees.
Administrative Dissolution
If your LLC is dissolved by the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth: Corporations Division, this will lead to numerous consequences.
The state does not peek at your LLC every day, but if it finds that you are overdue for renewal and unable to reach you due to an incorrect address listed on the record.
Default Judgment
The process server will make several attempts of service to your business, in case it involves an LLC lawsuit.
This indicates that the assumption from which we were referring earlier — also known as piercing of the corporate veil, it gives rise to an expectation that doing so is easier than previously believed — applies in reverse and can lead someone who has brought litigation against your LLC on his behalf defenselessly. Typically, your LLC gets slapped with a default judgment as well.
The person you are suing with your LLC does not need to defend itself in the presence of yourself. This generally ends in a summary judgment against you as well as your LLC.
Contempt of Court
If you have an LLC that is involved in a lawsuit, expect to receive a subpoena. Requesting your testimony or records.
And if you fail to reply, you can be held in contempt of court. This approach can result in fees or the issuance of a bench warrant, through which the sheriff gets your data IOR makes you go to court.
đź“ť Note:
Your Registered Agent's information is part of the public record, which means your address could appear on multiple websites.
Do YOU need to be your Registered Agent?
In Massachusetts, you are allowed to be your Registered Agent. When there are risks, they tend to be rare and you should pay for savings with a bit more time penning the index directly.
However, there are benefits to a professional Registered Agent Service as well, such as keeping your home address private.
Massachusetts Registered Agent Information is Public
You can just as easily appoint a friend or family member to be the Registered Agent of your LLC. However, that means the public can soon stroll up to your front door.
The information you provide in your Articles of Organization, including the Registered Agent address will be held on file with the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth: Corporations Division and available to anyone who wants it.
Listing your address as the LLCs Registered Agent Address will make it public and can be potentially to multiple websites.
Once this info pops up on another site – it propagates, by now your address can be slammed into Google.
We can assist in hiding your address if you do not wish for it to be publicly known.
đź”” Special Offer!
Set up your LLC with Northwest Registered Agent for $39+ state fees and get a free year of Registered Agent service.
(Discover why Northwest is a top choice check out our Northwest Registered Agent review)
Protect Our Address from Public Records
While in many cases business owners throughout Massachusetts work from their homes, remember that the address of your Registered Agent (if you use a service) will be visible on public records via the address listed on LLC Articles of Organization.
Hire a Massachusetts Registered Agent Service to keep away your residential address Your address will not necessarily appear on the public record for your Articles of Organization (just theirs, if they are available.
Which is the Best Massachusetts Registered Agent?
Which Massachusetts Registered Agent is best for your business depends on a few different factors.
You:
If you meet all of the following requirements to be your Registered Agent in Massachusetts.
- You live in Massachusetts
- You use an Massachusetts physical address
- Just remember, your address will be displayed on public records.
Why choose this? The same is a good option to save some money as you do not have to pay for Registered Agent Service.
Friend or Family:
Anyone Can Be Your Massachusetts Registered Agent if you are:
- They live in Massachusetts
- They are relatively new (not always) and have an address on a street in Massachusetts.
- They must also be willing to disclose their address on public records.
Why choose this? That is a great thing to take advantage of if you do not live in Massachusetts and want to save some money by skipping the Registered Agent Service hiring process.
Massachusetts Resident Agent Service:
The price of membership with such services tends to fall in the $100-$300/year range. They will then forward the mail they receive to you or, in some cases (if digital), upload it directly to an online account.
Why choose this option? It's a good choice if you:
- Don't live in Massachusetts
- No Friend Or Family Whose Address You Can Use
- Unavailability for normal business hours mail delivery
- Do Not Want Your Address Listed in the Articles of Organization
đź’ˇ Tip:
Choosing a Registered Agent Service not only ensures compliance but also helps you maintain privacy and avoid legal complications.
Massachusetts Registered Agent FAQs
Is a Registered Agent required in Massachusetts?
Yes, all LLCs in Massachusetts must have a Registered Agent listed with the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth. You need to appoint a Registered Agent when you file your LLC formation documents and maintain one throughout the existence of your LLC. The role of the Registered Agent is to receive and track Service of Process, ensuring that your LLC remains in good standing with the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
It's important to note that while some states use the term "Statutory Agent" or "Resident Agent," they all refer to the same role. In Massachusetts, the term "Resident Agent" is used, but these terms will be used interchangeably.
How much does a Registered Agent cost in Massachusetts?
If you choose to be your own Registered Agent or appoint a friend or family member, there won’t be any cost associated with it. However, if you decide to hire a professional Registered Agent Service in Massachusetts, it will typically cost between $100 and $300 annually.
How do I find a Registered Agent in Massachusetts?
Some states provide a list of Registered Agent companies, but these lists often only include contact information, which may not be particularly useful. A better approach would be to search online for "Registered Agent in Massachusetts," read reviews, and contact the companies directly to determine if their services align with your LLC's needs.
To simplify the process, we've reviewed the top Registered Agent Services in Massachusetts for you. Check out the FAQ below to find the best Registered Agent Service for your LLC.
What is the best Registered Agent Service in Massachusetts?
After reviewing the leading Registered Agent Services in the industry, we believe the top choices in Massachusetts are:
- Northwest Registered Agent (our top recommendation for privacy)
- ZenBusiness
- MyCompanyWorks
- Harbor Compliance
- IncFile
- Rocket Lawyer
- LegalZoom
For a detailed comparison of these companies, you can refer to our guide on the Best Registered Agent Services in Massachusetts. It's worth noting that if you want to save on costs, you can act as your own Massachusetts Registered Agent.
Is a Registered Agent a Member of an LLC?
A Registered Agent can be a Member of a Massachusetts LLC, but this is not a requirement. Simply serving as a Massachusetts Registered Agent does not automatically make someone a Member of the LLC.
How do I change my Registered Agent in MA?
If you need to update your Registered Agent’s address or appoint a new Registered Agent, you can do so at any time by filing a Statement of Change of Resident Agent/Resident Office with the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth.
This form can be submitted online or by mail. There’s no filing fee if you file the form online, but if you file by mail, there is a $25 fee.
Can a family member be a Registered Agent in Massachusetts?
Yes, a family member can serve as your Registered Agent in Massachusetts as long as they meet the legal requirements. This means they must have a physical address in Massachusetts (PO Boxes are not permitted), be available at that address during normal business hours, and fulfill all other state-specific criteria.
Can the sole Member of an LLC be the Registered Agent?
Yes, the sole Member of an LLC can serve as the LLC’s Registered Agent in Massachusetts, provided they have a physical street address within the state, are available during standard business hours, reside in Massachusetts, are at least 18 years old, and are comfortable with their address being part of the public record.
Is LegalZoom a good Registered Agent?
LegalZoom is a well-known option for Registered Agent services, but that doesn’t necessarily make them the best choice. They charge $299 annually, don’t provide address privacy, and there are numerous online reviews highlighting difficulties with canceling their services. While LegalZoom has strong brand recognition, there are better alternatives available at a lower cost.
For instance, Northwest Registered Agent offers more affordable pricing and includes address privacy. If you’re interested in switching from LegalZoom to another company, you can file a Change of Registered Agent form with the state to update your information.