Massachusetts Registered Agent (Resident Agent) Rules

Every Massachusetts LLC must continuously maintain an agent for service of process in the commonwealth. The statute, M.G.L. c. 156C § 5, calls this role the resident agent; the rest of the country says registered agent, and the two names describe the identical job. We use registered agent as the primary term and keep resident agent in view because it is what Massachusetts forms and clerks will say back to you.

Who May Serve

Under c. 156C § 5, as implemented by 950 CMR 112.13, the agent may be:

• an individual who is a resident of Massachusetts,
• a domestic corporation,
• a foreign corporation authorized to do business in the commonwealth, or
• another domestic or foreign business entity authorized by law and qualified to do business in Massachusetts, a category the regulation adds on top of the statute.

The Address Rule, in the Regulation's Own Words

950 CMR 112.13 is unambiguous about where an agent may sit: the office address of the resident agent must be a street address, and "A post office address is not sufficient." No PO boxes, no mail-forwarding stand-ins.

Separately from the agent, c. 156C requires the LLC to maintain an office in the commonwealth where its required records are kept. They are two distinct obligations that can share an address but do not have to; plenty of Massachusetts LLCs keep records at a business office and place the agent role with a professional service.

Changing Agents Is Free Online

Changes are governed by c. 156C § 5A and made on the Statement of Change of Resident Agent/Resident Office. The pricing is unusual for this state: $0 filed electronically, $25 on paper, and $6 more by fax. In a fee schedule built around $500 line items, the free online agent change stands out, and it means there is never a state-fee reason to stay with an agent who is not working out.

What the Agent Actually Does

The agent is the commonwealth's guaranteed point of contact for your LLC: lawsuits get served there, and official notices land there. The address is public record in the Corporations Division database, which is why many owners prefer a professional's address over their own storefront or home. What matters operationally is simple: someone reliable at a Massachusetts street address, and a fast pipeline from that address to you.

Our Massachusetts Registered Agent Service

We provide registered agent coverage for Massachusetts LLCs at $99 per year. Form your LLC through our $199 formation service and the first year of agent coverage is included in that price. Either way the service delivers:

• a compliant Massachusetts street address on your public filings
• same-day scanning of served documents and state mail, delivered to your inbox with the originals available
• a reminder ahead of your annual report anniversary, the deadline that is different for every LLC in the state
• online access to everything we have ever received for you

Switching to us from another agent uses the free electronic change filing, and we handle the paperwork.

Get Resident Agent Service