Alaska Registered Agent
Limited liability companies (LLCs) and corporations in Alaska are required to appoint a registered agent.
Your Alaska registered agent can be an individual (e.g., yourself, etc.) or a registered agent service.
Most small business owners tend to go with a service; this is because it’s more time-efficient and involves less risk while remaining relatively affordable.
We’ll help you make the best choice for your business.
Recommended: Northwest Registered Agent offers free registered agent services with LLC or corporation formation ($29 plus state fees).
Choosing a Registered Agent in Alaska
Your Alaska registered agent will serve as your business’s point of contact with the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development, and will also be responsible for receiving service of process in the event of a pending lawsuit.
Appointing an agent can be a legal requirement in Alaska, depending on how your business is registered. This can be a registered agent service or an individual.
Keep in mind that all prospective Alaska registered agents need to satisfy the following requirements in order to be elected:
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- Must have a physical address in Alaska.
- Must always be available during normal business hours at their registered address.
Alaska Registered Agent Services
- Convenience — Hiring a third-party service will allow you to operate with more flexibility; this is because you will not be responsible for receiving service of process on behalf of your business, and so you will not need to be physically present in your address during regular business hours.
- Privacy — Your registered agent’s address and name will become publicly available on the Alaska Corporations Database search. This means that you can choose to hire a third-party service in order to protect your personal information.
- Legal compliance — Several third-party services offer additional features that are meant to help you stay compliant with the Department of Commerce. Such features include biennial report reminders and online uploads of documents.
Let’s Find the Right Registered Agent for Your Business
We’ve tested and reviewed the most popular registered agent services.
Can You Be Your Own Registered Agent?
Yes, you can, assuming that you are at least 18 years old, have a physical street address in Alaska, and will always be available for contact during normal business hours.
Having said that, you should keep in mind that acting as your own registered agent carries a certain degree of risk and will also not save you a significant amount of capital (i.e., around $90 per year).
This is because you will be solely responsible for receiving service of process on behalf of your business and will also need to independently go through and store all important documents sent to you from the Department of Commerce.
If you are forming a new LLC, it makes sense to hire an LLC formation service that includes a free year of registered agent services. These can charge as little as $29 per formation — excluding state fees — and will ensure that your corporate filings do not get rejected.
If you are forming an LLC but prefer to file the paperwork yourself and act as your own registered agent, take a look at our How to Start an LLC in Alaska guide.
Best Alaska Registered Agent Service
Northwest is our highest-rated registered agent service based on overall quality and transparent pricing. Northwest offers a seamless user experience and best-in-industry customer service and privacy protection.
When you choose Northwest, you'll get an online account to access essential legal documents, mail forwarding, and business address services.
Northwest’s virtual mailbox service will scan your mail and forward it to you electronically. This means that you can keep track of your mail no matter where you are in the world.
LLC Formation + 1 yr Free Registered Agent Service
One Year Free Registered Agent with LLC Formation $29 (Plus State Fees)
Benefits of Using a Registered Agent Service
Many businesses choose to hire a registered agent business when they form an LLC. This is because it can offer a number of benefits, including:
- Legal compliance: A professional registered agent service will ensure that you don’t miss an important legal document or notification (e.g., service of process, etc.) as a result of not being in your office (or as a result of a human error).
- Improved privacy: If you act as your own agent, your name and address will become public record on the Alaska Corporations Database Search. Using a registered agent service will help keep your information private.
- Discretion: When it comes to legal disputes, you will want to avoid receiving lawsuit-related documents in front of your clients and/or some employees.
- Better storage: Your service will generally scan all documents received and upload them online in PDF form. This means that you will always be able to access them online, and won’t have to worry about losing an important document.
A national registered agent service can also be beneficial if you plan to expand into other states as a foreign LLC. This is because, otherwise, you would need to find an individual or business entity that is a resident — or is allowed to transact business — in each state that you want to register in.
How to Elect a Registered Agent in Alaska
For your LLC in Alaska, you will be required to elect your registered agent when you complete your LLC’s Articles of Organization.
This is the formation document that you will need to file with the Alaska Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing in order to form your LLC (Form 08-484).
Electing a Registered Agent Online
You can form your LLC online at the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development website ($250 filing fee required). Your registered agent’s name and contact information will be requested on the online form:
Electing a Registered Agent by Mail, Fax, or In Person
To form your LLC by mail, by fax, or in person, download the Articles of Organization ($250 filing fee required), fill out the required fields and submit a physical copy with the State of Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing Office. You’ll be asked to provide your Registered Agent’s information under Article 3:
How to Change Your Registered Agent in Alaska
If you want to appoint a new agent, you will need to submit a Statement of Change form, which can be done online, by mail, in person, or via fax.
Keep in mind that you will need to file a different form depending on how your business is registered:
Mail:
State of Alaska
Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development
Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing
P.O. Box 110806
Juneau, AK 99811
In Person:
333 Willoughby Ave., 9th Floor
State Office Building
Juneau, AK 99801-1770
Fax:
(907) 465-2974
For more information read our how to change registered agents in Alaska guide.
Alaska Registered Agent FAQs
Can I be my own registered agent in Alaska?
Yes, you can, although this is generally not recommended.
This is because being your own agent can involve risk, and it will also not save you a significant amount of capital as a small business owner (i.e., between $90 and $300 per year).
For more information, have a look at our Alaska Registered Agent article.
Does Alaska require a registered agent?
It can; this will depend on how your business is registered.
For example, LLCs and corporations are required to appoint an agent to receive service of process in order to be formed.
This is not the case for sole proprietorships and general partnerships.
Who can be a registered agent in Alaska?
Anyone, so long as they satisfy the following requirements:
- Must have a physical address within the state of Alaska
- Must be available for contact during normal business hours at their Alaska registered office address.
- Must be at least 18 years old.
This can be an individual or a registered agent service.
What is the best registered agent service in Alaska?
The five best registered agent services in Alaska are Northwest, ZenBusiness, Incfile, Rocket Lawyer, and LegalZoom.
This is because they offer great customer service, are affordable, and come with a variety of small-business related features.
See our review of the Best Registered Agent Service in Alaska for more information.
What are the main benefits of paying for a registered agent service?
There are several benefits to hiring a registered agent service as a small business owner, including:
- Peace of mind
- More flexibility
- Better privacy
- Compliance-related assistance
All in all, hiring a service involves significantly less risk than being your own agent.
See our review of the Best Registered Agent Services of 2023 for more information.