Frequently Asked Questions

What is an agent for service of process?

An agent for service of process is a person or business designated to receive legal documents, service of process, and official correspondence on behalf of your New York business. The agent must have a physical address in the state and be available during regular business hours to accept documents.

How is New York different from other states?

New York automatically designates the New York Secretary of State as the default agent for service of process for all businesses—this is mandatory and happens by law. Unlike most states, you can optionally designate an additional private agent. Many businesses do this to get faster document forwarding and additional privacy.

Why would I designate a private agent if the Secretary of State is already my agent?

Speed is the main reason. When documents are served to the Secretary of State, processing and forwarding can take time. A private agent scans and forwards documents the same day you receive them, getting critical information to you much faster. You also get better tracking, immediate notifications, and the ability to use our address for additional privacy.

Who can serve as an agent for service of process in New York?

Individuals must be New York residents or have a New York business address. Business entities must be authorized to operate in the state. Your business entity cannot serve as its own agent for service of process in New York.

Can I be my own agent for service of process?

If you're a New York resident or have a New York business address, you can serve as your own agent. However, this means your personal address appears on public records, and you need to be available during regular business hours to accept legal documents and service of process.

What documents will I receive?

You may receive service of process, legal summons, tax notices, compliance notifications from the New York Secretary of State, biennial statement reminders, and other official correspondence. We scan and forward all documents to you the same day we receive them, so you're always informed quickly.

How do I change or designate an agent for service of process in New York?

You file a designation or change form with the New York Secretary of State. The filing fee is $5 if an agent is changing their own address, or $30 if an entity is changing or designating an agent. When you sign up with us, we handle all the paperwork and confirm when the state processes the filing.

What is New York's biennial statement?

New York businesses file a biennial statement (similar to an annual report, just every two years instead of annually). The filing fee is $9. We send reminders before your deadline to help you stay on track.

What is the publication requirement?

Within 120 days of forming your LLC in New York, you generally need to publish notices in two local newspapers for six weeks. This can cost anywhere from $300 to over $1,500 depending on your county. After publication, you file a Certificate of Publication with a $50 fee. We'll remind you about this deadline, but the publication itself is separate from our registered agent service.

How much does your service cost?

We charge $99 per year with no hidden fees. This includes your address in Albany, same-day document scanning and forwarding, compliance reminders about your biennial statement and publication deadline, online portal access, and privacy protection. The state's designation filing fee ($5 or $30 depending on your situation) is separate.

What's included in the $99 annual fee?

Everything you need: a physical address in New York, same-day scanning and forwarding of all documents, compliance alerts about deadlines, access to your secure online document portal, and privacy protection through use of our address on public filings.

How quickly do you forward documents?

We scan and forward documents the same day we receive them. Speed matters with legal documents, so you'll get an email notification with the scanned document right away. It's also available in your online portal immediately.

What happens if I receive legal papers?

We accept service of process on your behalf during regular business hours, scan the documents immediately, and forward them to you the same day. You're responsible for responding to legal matters according to the deadlines in the documents. We handle receipt and fast notification—not legal advice or representation.

Can I use your address for general business mail?

Our address serves as your designated address for service of process and official legal correspondence. For general business mail, packages, or other purposes, you may need separate arrangements. Contact us if you have questions about using the address for specific purposes.

How long does setup take?

Sign-up takes just a few minutes online. After you enroll, we file the necessary paperwork with the New York Secretary of State. The state typically processes filings within several business days. You'll receive portal access and can start using your designated address once the filing is complete.

What are the costs of forming an LLC in New York?

New York charges $200 to form an LLC, plus a $5 copy fee for a total of $205. You'll also need to handle the publication requirement within 120 days ($300-$1,500+ depending on county, plus $50 Certificate of Publication fee). And you'll need an agent for service of process, which is where our $99 annual service comes in.

Are there special tax considerations for NYC-based LLCs?

If your LLC is based in New York City, you may be subject to the Unincorporated Business Tax in addition to other state and federal tax obligations. Consult a tax professional about your specific situation.

Do you provide service in other states?

We specialize in New York agent for service of process, which allows us to understand New York's unique requirements and get documents forwarded to you fast. If you need registered agent service in multiple states, contact us to discuss your needs.

How do I contact you with more questions?

Email us at support@nyregisteredagent.org or call during business hours (Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm Eastern Time). You can also visit our contact page for more information.