A registered agent is the person or company a business designates to receive legal documents and official government notices on its behalf. Nearly every jurisdiction requires one, with a physical address in that jurisdiction, as a condition of registration.
The agent accepts service of process (lawsuit papers) and correspondence from the registry, then forwards it to the company. This ensures there is always a reliable point of contact.
The agent's name and address are part of the public record, which is why they often appear on a company profile.
Related terms
- Jurisdiction — Jurisdiction
- Entity status — Entity status
- Foreign qualification — Foreign qualification