New Jersey Registered Agent
You'll need to appoint a New Jersey registered agent when you register your business as a limited liability company (LLC) or corporation.
Registered agents receive important legal documents on behalf of your business (e.g., service of process, etc.).
You can act as your own agent, but many small businesses choose to hire a commercial registered agent service. This is because services offer a higher degree of flexibility and security.
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 New Jersey
A New Jersey registered agent serves as your business’s primary point of contact with the state, as well as with any entity that may wish to provide notice of a impending lawsuit (ie. deliver service of process).
Appointing a registered agent is a legal requirement in New Jersey for LLCs and corporations. This can be a registered agent service, yourself, or another individual, so long as they:
- Are at least 18 years old.
- Have a physical street address in the state of New Jersey.
- Are always available during regular business hours at their registered office address.
New Jersey Registered Agent Services
- Convenience: Hiring a third-party service will improve your flexibility on a day-to-day basis as it will mean that you will not need to be present in your business’s address during normal business hours.
- Privacy: Since your business’s registered agent address and name will become publicly available as soon as it is formed, hiring a third-party service can be an affordable way of protecting your privacy from the general public.
- Compliance and Online Storage: Most premium third-party services scan clients’ legal documents and upload them online. This will ensure that you do not accidentally lose an important compliance-related document.
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.
Being your own agent can be a good choice if you are a microbusiness that will struggle to pay the $150 per year fee of hiring a commercial third-party service.
Having said that, we recommend avoiding this approach unless absolutely necessary due to the fact that:
- It is relatively time-inefficient
- It will not save you a significant amount of money
- It does not protect your privacy from the public
If you are planning to form a new LLC, it will make sense to hire a formation service that includes a free year of registered agent services. These services can charge as little as $29 per formation (plus state fees).
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 New Jersey guide.
Best New Jersey 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 as your registered agent service, you'll get an online account to access essential 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 use a professional registered agent service when they form an LLC. This is because it can offer a number of benefits, including:
- Legal compliance: A 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 New Jersey Business Entity Name 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 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 New Jersey
For your LLC in New Jersey, you will be legally required to appoint a registered agent when you complete your LLC’s Certificate of Formation.
This is the main formation document that you will need to file with the Secretary of State in order to form your LLC.
Electing a Registered Agent Online
You can form your LLC online by creating an account through the State of NJ Online Business Entity Filing website ($125 filing fee required). You’ll add your registered agent’s information after entering your business’s primary information (i.e., name, principal address, and purpose).
Electing a Registered Agent by Mail or In Person
To form your LLC by mail or in person, download the Business Registration Packet, fill out the required fields on the Public Records Filing for New Business Entity, and submit a physical copy to the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services. Your registered agent’s name and address will be requested on page 23, Section 8.
How to Change Your Registered Agent in New Jersey
If you want to appoint a new agent, you will need to visit the New Jersey Department of Treasury’s Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services website.
The filing fee for this is $25.
Check out our full guide on how to change registered agents in New Jersey.
New Jersey Registered Agent FAQs
Can I be my own registered agent in New Jersey?
Yes you can, although this is generally not recommended.
This is because being your own agent is a relatively time-inefficient approach, and it will also not save you a significant amount of capital (e.g., between $90 and $300 per year).
See our New Jersey Registered Agent article for more information.
What is registered agent service?
A registered agent service is a third-party service that acts as your business’s primary point of contact with the New Jersey Secretary of State.
These types of services generally cost anywhere between $90 and $300 per year but can actually come completely free of charge if you use an LLC formation service (for the first year post-formation).
How do I find a registered agent in NJ?
You can find a third-party service through our review of the Best Registered Agent Service in New Jersey.
If you want to be your own agent, you will be able to appoint yourself when you are completing your LLC’s Certificate of Formation.
Who can be a registered agent?
In New Jersey, anyone can be a registered agent as long as they satisfy the following requirements:
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- Must have a physical address in New Jersey.
- Must always be available at their registered office address during normal business hours.
See our What is a Registered Agent article for more information.
How do I become a registered agent for an LLC in NJ?
You can become your business’s registered agent by writing down your own details when you are completing your Certificate of Formation (sections 8 and 9).
This is the formation document that you will need to file with the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services in order to form your LLC.