Key Takeaways

  • An Alabama registered agent is required for all LLCs and corporations and serves as the state’s official contact for legal and compliance documents.
  • Business owners may act as their own agent, but privacy, availability, and compliance risks often make hiring a commercial agent a better option.
  • Registered agents in Alabama must have a physical street address in the state and be available during normal business hours.
  • Professional registered agent services typically cost between $100–$300 annually and often include compliance reminders, document storage, and privacy protection.
  • Changing your Alabama registered agent requires filing a form with the Secretary of State and paying a $25 fee.

An Alabama registered agent is either a person or a company that has been legally appointed on behalf of another business to accept service of legal documents in the event that business is sued. The agent also receives notices and official mail sent to the business in Alabama on behalf of the business. This can include tax documents and annual report notices in addition to documents related to litigation.

Any LLC or corporation that conducts business in Alabama is required by the state to have a local registered agent. The registered agent is the reliable point of contact for the state courts and the Secretary of State.

Are You Required to Hire a Registered Agent in Alabama?

You are not required to hire a separate agent in Alabama. In fact, many small business owners are their own registered agents. However, it can make your life simpler to have a separate registered agent because they will keep your legal documents stored in one place, in a secure online account, and then send you notifications when action from you is required. This reduces the amount of paperwork you have to deal with and allows you to retain focus on your business.

One disadvantage of not hiring an agent is you will likely have to list your home address as the point of contact, which can subject you to more junk mail and solicitors. Your privacy could also be compromised, subjecting you to data hackers and spammers who scrape the Secretary of State's website. This is a concern with online businesses who maintain no physical address, as this means your personal address is the point of contact unless you opt to hire a registered agent. Otherwise, anyone who searches for your business on the Secretary of State's website in Alabama will be able to see your real name and address.

Benefits of Hiring an Alabama Registered Agent

While Alabama law allows business owners to serve as their own registered agent, hiring a professional service offers key benefits:

  • Privacy Protection: Using a registered agent keeps your personal address off public records, shielding you from junk mail and solicitors.
  • Compliance Reminders: Many services provide alerts about annual reports, franchise tax deadlines, and other state requirements.
  • Flexibility: Business owners can travel, move offices, or change work hours without worrying about missing legal notices.
  • Professional Handling of Legal Documents: Commercial agents are trained to handle sensitive lawsuits and official notices promptly, reducing the risk of default judgments.

Requirements to be an Alabama Registered Agent

Alabama State Code Section 10-2B-5.01 mandates the requirements to be a registered agent in the state. Criteria include:

  • They must have a physical address in Alabama where they will accept and receive service of process, like a lawsuit;
  • They must be open and available during regular business hours; and
  • They must accept documents on behalf of the business and ensure they are delivered promptly.

Who Can Serve as an Alabama Registered Agent?

In Alabama, the following individuals or entities can serve as a registered agent:

  • A business owner or officer of the company.
  • A trusted employee or colleague with a physical Alabama address.
  • A professional registered agent service authorized to operate in Alabama.

It’s important that whoever is appointed is consistently available during business hours to accept service of process. If a business fails to maintain a valid registered agent, it risks losing good standing status or even administrative dissolution.

Commercial Registered Agent

A company that specializes in receiving service of process on behalf of your Alabama LLC is known as a commercial registered agent. Fees are typically between $100 and $300 per year. If there is an issue reaching your LLC's registered agent about a lawsuit after several attempts, the case may proceed in your absence which could result in a default judgment. If the state cannot reach your LLC's agent, you could lose your good standing status, and the Alabama Secretary of State could dissolve your LLC entirely.

Hiring a commercial agent can alleviate these issues and allow you some peace of mind and allow you to take vacations or move without having to change your address. Many commercial registered agents will also assist to keep your LLC in full compliance by sending you a reminder about the annual report due dates.

Costs and Services of Alabama Registered Agents

The cost of a commercial Alabama registered agent generally ranges from $100 to $300 per year. For this fee, businesses often receive:

  • A dedicated Alabama street address for service of process.
  • Scanning and secure online storage of important legal documents.
  • Compliance monitoring and deadline reminders.
  • Immediate notification when lawsuits or state correspondence are received.

Some providers may also bundle registered agent service with business formation packages, offering discounted rates for new LLCs or corporations.

Steps to be Your Own Registered Agent

If you already have a business in Alabama and want to become your own registered agent, you start by filing a change of registered agent form. This is called the Change of Registered Agent or Registered Office by Entity, and it can be downloaded from the Secretary of State's website. You will need to fill in the prior registered agent's information and then list yourself as the new one. Other steps include:

  • You will need to list your own street address as the registered office, but you can also list a mailing address if you have one that is different from your physical street address.
  • Sign the form showing you are the new registered agent on behalf of your business.
  • Then you will need to mail two copies of the form and the current $25 filing fee. You can also fax or e-mail the change of registered agent form.

Once the form is filed with the Secretary of State, your registered agent office address becomes public information and will be the address where all official mail and service of process are sent.

How to Change Your Alabama Registered Agent

If your business decides to switch registered agents, you must file the Change of Registered Agent or Registered Office by Entity form with the Alabama Secretary of State. The process includes:

  1. Completing the form with the current and new agent’s details.
  2. Paying the $25 filing fee by mail, fax, or email.
  3. Submitting two copies of the form to the Secretary of State.

Once processed, the new agent’s address becomes the official location for service of process and state correspondence.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Is an Alabama registered agent legally required?
    Yes. All LLCs and corporations in Alabama must designate and maintain a registered agent with a physical street address in the state.
  2. Can I be my own registered agent in Alabama?
    Yes. You can act as your own registered agent, but you must list your personal address and be available during regular business hours.
  3. How much does an Alabama registered agent cost?
    Most commercial registered agents charge between $100 and $300 per year, depending on services offered.
  4. What happens if I don’t have a registered agent in Alabama?
    Your business may fall out of good standing, face penalties, or risk administrative dissolution by the Secretary of State.
  5. How do I change my Alabama registered agent?
    File the Change of Registered Agent or Registered Office by Entity form with the Alabama Secretary of State and pay the $25 fee.

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