Every Texas LLC is legally required to maintain a registered agent — a person or business with a physical Texas address available during business hours to receive legal notices on your behalf — at all times without exception. If your registered agent resigns, moves, or becomes unreachable and you don't update the record, you risk missing a lawsuit served to your old address, which can result in a default judgment you never had the chance to contest. There's no annual fee from the state for this requirement, but neglecting it carries serious consequences.

Step 1: Understand what a registered agent does

A registered agent (also called a "registered office" in Texas) serves one primary purpose: receiving service of process — lawsuits, subpoenas, and official regulatory notices — on behalf of your LLC during normal business hours.

Your registered agent must:

• Have a physical street address in Texas — P.O. boxes and mail-forwarding-only addresses do not qualify
• Be available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. to accept documents in person
• Promptly forward any received documents to you

The registered agent's address is part of the public record through the Texas Secretary of State — anyone can look it up. If your personal home address is listed, it is publicly visible.

Step 2: Choose your registered agent

You have two options:

Option A: Self-serving registered agent (free)

Any member or manager of your LLC with a physical Texas street address can serve as the registered agent. Your home address qualifies. Cost: $0.

Downsides: Your home or office address becomes public. You must be consistently available during business hours — frequent travel or remote work arrangements create gaps. If your situation changes, you'll need to update the SOS record promptly. For a detailed look at the requirements, privacy trade-offs, and when self-serving makes sense, see Can I be my own registered agent in Texas?

Option B: Commercial registered agent service ($50–$300/year)

Services like CT Corporation, Northwest Registered Agent, and Registered Agents Inc. maintain a permanent Texas address, accept documents professionally, and forward them immediately — usually by scan and email. Many also provide compliance reminders as a bonus.

Benefits: Your personal address stays private. The service guarantees daytime availability. If you expand to other states, most services cover all of them under one account.

Common mistake: Using a virtual office or mail-forwarding service as your registered agent address. These do not satisfy Texas law. The agent must be capable of accepting service of process in person — not just forwarding mail.

This decision should take about 15 minutes.

Step 3: Designate your registered agent at formation

When you form your Texas LLC, you designate the registered agent on Form 205 (Certificate of Formation — Limited Liability Company), filed with the Texas Secretary of State.

The form requires:

• The registered agent's full legal name (individual or entity name)
• The agent's Texas street address (not a P.O. box)

If you're using a commercial service, they'll provide you with the exact name and address to enter on the form. File online through SOSDirect at sos.state.tx.us or by mail.

Step 4: Change your registered agent when needed

If your registered agent resigns, moves, or you simply want to switch to a different service, you must file Form 401 (Statement of Change of Registered Agent and/or Registered Office) with the Texas Secretary of State.

1. Download Form 401 from sos.state.tx.us/corp/forms_option.shtml.
2. Enter your LLC's exact legal name, SOS file number, and the new agent's name and Texas street address.
3. File online through SOSDirect or mail to: Secretary of State, P.O. Box 13697, Austin, TX 78711-3697.
4. Filing fee: $15.

Processing time is typically 1–3 business days for online filings, 5–7 days for mail.

Common mistake: Assuming the SOS record updates automatically when your agent changes address or you switch providers. It does not. Until you file Form 401, your old agent information is the official record — meaning important legal documents could go to the wrong place.

This step takes about 20 minutes.

Step 5: Keep your agent current on an ongoing basis

Registered agent maintenance is continuous, not annual. You don't renew a registration — you simply ensure the listed agent is always valid.

Review your registered agent record whenever:

• You move your office or home address
• Your registered agent service notifies you of an address change
• You receive a resignation notice from your registered agent
• You are considering switching from self-serving to a commercial service

Log into SOSDirect (sos.state.tx.us) at least once a year to verify your agent information is still accurate in the public record. It takes about five minutes and is free to view.

Registered agent maintenance is one of several ongoing Texas LLC compliance obligations. For the complete list, see the Texas LLC compliance checklist.

Quick Reference

Frequently asked questions

What happens if my Texas LLC doesn't have a registered agent?

If your registered agent resigns or becomes invalid and you don't replace them, the Secretary of State becomes the default recipient for service of process. You may never receive notice that a lawsuit was filed against your LLC — and a default judgment could be entered before you know anything happened. Additionally, the SOS may administratively forfeit your LLC's right to transact business in Texas for failing to maintain a registered agent.

Can I be my own registered agent for my Texas LLC?

Yes. Any member or manager of the LLC can serve as the registered agent as long as they have a physical Texas street address and are consistently available Monday through Friday during business hours to accept documents. If you travel frequently, work remotely from multiple locations, or prefer to keep your home address private, a commercial registered agent service is the better choice.

How do I change my registered agent in Texas?

File Form 401 (Statement of Change of Registered Agent and/or Registered Office) with the Texas Secretary of State, online through SOSDirect or by mail. The fee is $15. The change takes effect when the SOS processes your filing. Commercial services handle the consent paperwork on their end automatically; if you're naming an individual, confirm their agreement before filing.

What if my registered agent resigns or moves without notice?

Registered agents are required to notify both the entity and the SOS if they resign. If your agent simply disappears without notifying you, check your registered agent's status through SOSDirect. File Form 401 as soon as you discover the issue. For commercial services, your account dashboard will usually alert you to address changes or pending expirations.

Last verified: 2026-04-27

Sources: Texas Secretary of State — Registered Agents · Form 401 · Form 205 — Certificate of Formation