Wisconsin LLC Registered Agent

Wisconsin LLC Registered Agent
LLC Information
Registered Agent

These are persons or entities that agree to accept service of process and official mailings on behalf of your Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin No PO Box Addresses.

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Do You Need a Registered Agent in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin?

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. Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin Registered Agent?

Wisconsin Registered Agent: You have 3 options for who your registered agent will be.

  • You
  • A friend or family member.
  • Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin 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
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Not posting an important notice from the state

The Secretary of State of Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin Secretary of State, 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 Wisconsin, 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.

Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin Secretary of State and available to anyone that 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.

Exclusive Offer

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 Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin Registered Agent?

Which Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin.

  • You live in Wisconsin
  • You use a Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin Registered Agent if you are:

  • They live in Wisconsin
  • They are relatively new (not always) and have an address on a street in Wisconsin.
  • 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 Wisconsin and want to save some money by skipping the Registered Agent Service hiring process.

Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin
  • 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.

Wisconsin Registered Agent FAQs

Can I be my own Registered Agent in Wisconsin?

Yes, you can act as your own Registered Agent in Wisconsin if you are a state resident and have a physical street address.

Does my Wisconsin Registered Agent need to have an address in Wisconsin?

Yes, Wisconsin law mandates that Registered Agents must have a physical street address in the state. PO Boxes or mailbox services are not permitted; the address must be a physical location.

Can a family member be a Registered Agent in Wisconsin?

Yes, a family member can serve as your Registered Agent in Wisconsin, provided they meet the legal requirements. They must have a physical address in Wisconsin (PO Boxes are not acceptable) and be available at that address during normal business hours.

When should I appoint a Wisconsin Registered Agent?

You need to appoint a Registered Agent when you file your Articles of Organization. This applies whether you are acting as your own Registered Agent, using a friend or family member, or employing a Wisconsin Registered Agent Service. All options are included in the same section on the form.

Is there any paperwork I need to do before choosing a Registered Agent?

No additional paperwork is required before selecting a Registered Agent. Wisconsin does not require a separate “Consent of Registered Agent” form. You only need to complete and submit the Articles of Organization.

What is a Registered Office Address?

A Registered Office Address is the location where your Registered Agent receives Service of Process and state notices. This address is recorded with the Department of Financial Institutions and is part of the public record. It can be different from your LLC’s business address, where you conduct operations.

Is a Wisconsin Registered Agent liable?

No, a Wisconsin Registered Agent is not liable for the LLC’s lawsuits or debts. They are responsible only for receiving legal documents on behalf of the LLC. Even if you are both the Registered Agent and the LLC owner, the Registered Agent does not face personal liability. The LLC itself, not its Registered Agent, is subject to lawsuits, protecting the owner’s personal assets.

How do I appoint a Registered Agent in Wisconsin?

You appoint your Registered Agent on your LLC formation paperwork, specifically the Articles of Organization. If you are serving as your own Registered Agent, enter your information in the Registered Agent’s Name and Address fields. If a friend or family member will be your Registered Agent, use their address and details in these fields.


If you are hiring a Registered Agent Service like Northwest Registered Agent, ensure you engage their services before entering their information in the Registered Agent fields. For mail filings, include the Registered Agent’s name and address in Articles 3 and 4 of the Wisconsin LLC mail filing. For online filings, enter the details in Article 3 and Article 4 of the Wisconsin Articles of Organization. There is no additional form or paperwork required to appoint your Registered Agent.

How do I change my Registered Agent in Wisconsin?

You can change your Registered Agent at any time through various methods. Here are the options:


  • File Form 13 with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. The fee is $10.
  • Update your Registered Agent online. This also incurs a $10 fee.
  • Change your Registered Agent when filing your LLC Annual Report. The Annual Report fee is $25, and you can update your Registered Agent without additional cost.

Switching from yourself to a Registered Agent Service: If you have been your own Registered Agent and wish to switch to a Registered Agent Service, the new company will usually handle the paperwork for you. For instance, if you hire a Northwest Registered Agent, they will file the necessary forms to update your Registered Agent.


Switching from one Registered Agent Service to another: If you are changing Registered Agent Services or switching to being your own Registered Agent, first file the change with the state. Afterward, contact your previous Registered Agent Service to cancel their services. For information on new services, check out Best Registered Agent Service in Wisconsin.

How to start an LLC in Wisconsin

Here are the steps to forming an LLC in Wisconsin:


  1. Choose an LLC name and confirm its availability.
  2. Decide who will be your Wisconsin Registered Agent.
  3. File the Wisconsin LLC Articles of Organization.
  4. Complete and sign an LLC Operating Agreement.
  5. Obtain a Tax ID Number (EIN) from the IRS.
  6. Open an LLC bank account.
  7. Determine if you need a business or sales tax license in Wisconsin.