What Is a Texas Registered Agent?

A registered agent is the person or entity that a Texas business designates to receive service of process and official documents from the state. The Texas Business Organizations Code (BOC) requires every filing entity — LLCs, corporations, limited partnerships, and others — to maintain a registered agent with a registered office in Texas.

What the Registered Agent Does

Accepts Service of Process The most important function. If someone sues your Texas entity, the lawsuit must be served on your registered agent. Missing service can result in a default judgment — the court rules against you because you did not respond to a complaint you never received.

Receives Secretary of State Notices The Texas SOS communicates through your registered agent's address. Filing confirmations, compliance warnings, and administrative notices all go to that address.

Receives Comptroller Correspondence Franchise tax notices and Public Information Report reminders from the Texas Comptroller may be directed to your registered agent.

Who Can Be a Registered Agent in Texas

Individuals: Any Texas resident with a physical street address in the state. The person must consent to the appointment and be available during business hours.

Organizations: A domestic or foreign entity authorized to transact business in Texas may serve as a registered agent if it maintains a Texas business office.

Who Cannot Serve:

• The entity itself — your Texas LLC or corporation cannot be its own registered agent
• Anyone without a physical Texas address
• Anyone who has not consented to the appointment

Registered Office Requirements

Texas law requires both a registered agent and a registered office. The registered office must be:

• A physical street address in Texas (not a PO box)
• Located at a place where the registered agent can be found during business hours
• The agent's business office or the entity's business office

The registered office address is public record, searchable through the Texas Secretary of State's SOSDirect database.

Consequences of Not Having a Registered Agent

If your Texas entity lacks a valid registered agent:

• Forfeiture: The Secretary of State may forfeit your entity's right to transact business in Texas
• Default judgments: Courts may authorize substitute service, leading to judgments entered without your knowledge
• Tax consequences: Missing Comptroller notices can lead to franchise tax delinquency
• Reinstatement burden: Reviving a forfeited entity requires fees, back filings, and sometimes tax clearance from the Comptroller

Why a Professional Agent Makes Sense

Serving as your own registered agent means:

• Your personal address goes on the SOS public record
• You must be physically present during all business hours
• A missed delivery could cost you a lawsuit

A professional registered agent solves each of these problems. We maintain a staffed Texas address, scan documents the same day they arrive, and keep your personal address private.

$99/year, everything included.

Get Started — $99/year

Learn more about forming a Texas LLC or changing your agent.