What the agent actually does
Receives service of process (lawsuits), state notices, and compliance mail at a physical address during business hours — then forwards them to you. For non-resident owners, a commercial agent is effectively mandatory.
Why it matters more than it looks
- Miss a lawsuit delivered to a dead address and you can lose by default judgment
- States revoke good standing for lapsed agents
- Your agent's address is public — using a commercial agent keeps your home address off the record
Cost
Commercial agents run roughly $50–$150 per state per year, and one is needed in every state where you're registered, not just where you formed.
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