What is a Registered Agent?
On this page
Registered Agent
A New Jersey Registered Agent provides a variety of services, such as accepting formal documents and correspondence from the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services, which is part of the New Jersey Department of Treasury.
Your LLC is required to have a Registered Agent at all times. You must appoint one when you start your NJ business. You can also replace your existing agent at a later date, provided there is a smooth transition between the old and new agents.
Note: In most states, business creation and management is administered by the Secretary of State. In New Jersey, it's handled by the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services, which falls under the New Jersey Department of Treasury, but the NJ SOS does provide some resources and support through its Business Action Center.
New Jersey Registered Agent Requirements
- Every domestic and foreign LLC is required to have a Registered Agent with a registered office located in the State of New Jersey at all times.
- During normal business hours, the Registered Agent must be available in person to sign for any correspondence.
- A Registered Agent can be a natural person or a domestic or foreign (licensed to transact business in this state) business entity (such as a Corporation, LLC, LP or LLP).
- If your Registered Agent is a person, they are required to reside in New Jersey.
- If the Registered Agent is a business, they are required to be able to conduct business in New Jersey.
- The Registered Office needs to be located at a street address (a P.O. Box alone isn’t acceptable) in New Jersey.
The address for your New Jersey Registered Agent does not need to be the same as your business address. In fact, you can use a New Jersey virtual mailbox for your business address.
Important: A virtual mailbox is not a replacement for a Registered Agent. They perform completely separate functions and per state law, you are required to have a Registered Agent at all times.
What a New Jersey Registered Agent Does
A Registered Agent’s main function is to accept official documentation and correspondence.
This includes:
- State and federal government notices and correspondence
- Correspondence from the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services
- Tax forms and requests to complete permits, company filings and reports
- Service of process notices (e.g., if your LLC is sued or otherwise required to appear in court)
Having a Registered Agent also proves to the state that your business exists.
Bizee Provides Free New Jersey Registered Agent Service for the First Year
Bizee provides complete New Jersey Registered Agent service for any LLC formed in the state. Even better, if you create your NJ business through Bizee, your Registered Agent is completely free for the first year and only $119 a year after that.
Bizee is authorized to conduct business in New Jersey and can legally act as your Registered Agent.
Here’s what you get with our Registered Agent service:
- A New Jersey Registered Agent who is always available to receive correspondence, documents and legal notices on your LLC’s behalf
- A real-time dashboard where you can access, store and retrieve any information we’ve received for your business
- Email notifications when we receive documents for your business
- Automatic forwarding of all legal correspondence, documentation and information directly to you
Appointing a Registered Agent for Your LLC
When you form your LLC, you'll assign a Registered Agent, which you can change at any time after that. Here’s how.
Assign a Registered Agent When You Form Your LLC
Your business needs to have a Registered Agent Service as soon as it’s formed. You can achieve this through one of the following methods.
File a Business Registration Application with the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services
You'll include your Registered Agent's details on your Business Registration Application when you form your LLC in New Jersey.
Form Through Bizee and Get a Free Registered Agent
When you form your NJ business through us, we'll complete and file your Business Registration Application for you. We'll also provide free Registered Agent Service for the first year.
Change Your Registered Agent After Formation
You can assign a new Registered Agent after you’ve formed your LLC. There are a couple of ways to do this.
Choose a New Registered Agent and File Online with the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services
Once you’ve chosen a new Registered Agent, you can file the change online. You'll need to pay a fee of $25. If you prefer, you can also file a form via postal mail.
We’ll File the Change on Your Behalf
When you use our Registered Agent service, we'll fill out and file all the forms for you, then send them to the New Jersey Department of Treasury on your behalf. We’ll notify you once we officially become your Registered Agent.
New Jersey Registered Agent Search
In some situations, you might want to know the name of the Registered Agent who represents another LLC in New Jersey. If so, you can search the state's business records database.
If the Registered Agent information isn’t available in the registry, contact the New Jersey Division of Revenue directly to request the information.
What Happens If You Don’t Assign a Registered Agent?
If you don’t select a Registered Agent and provide details to the state, you'll be taking a few risks, including:
- Losing your status as an LLC in New Jersey. A Registered Agent is evidence to the state that your business exists. Without it, you could lose your business entity protections and your LLC may be dissolved.
- Falling out of good standing with the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services. The state may revoke your right to do business if you don’t respond to certain correspondence (such as a request for your annual report).
- Getting sued or served and not knowing about it. You could lose to a default judgment in your absence if your LLC is sued and you don’t respond.
Acting as Your Own Registered Agent
You're permitted to be the Registered Agent for your New Jersey LLC if you maintain a business office in the state. However, you may encounter some drawbacks in doing this:
- The Registered Agent must have a physical street address in New Jersey. If you’re forming an LLC outside the state, you’ll need to use an in-state Registered Agent.
- Someone must always be available during business hours at the New Jersey address to sign for important documents.
- The Registered Agent’s name and address are part of the public record and available through the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services website. If you prefer to keep your name and address private, opt for a Registered Agent service.
- If you change your business address or move out of state, you need to file additional documentation with the state for the new address. This won't be necessary if you use a Registered Agent service, making a move or address change much simpler.
Other Useful Resources
FAQs About New Jersey Registered Agents
Do I Need to Appoint a New Jersey Registered Agent?
Yes. All business entities in the state are required to have a Registered Agent. This is mandated by the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services. You'll find more information above.
When Do I Need to Assign a New Jersey Registered Agent?
You need to assign a Registered Agent when you form your business. You can also change your agent afterward by filing the correct form. Find more information above.
Can I Be My Own New Jersey Registered Agent?
Yes, but we don’t recommend it for the reasons listed above.
Does the Registered Agent Need to Have an Address in New Jersey?
Yes. Additionally, if they are a business providing Registered Agent services, they must be legally able to conduct business in your state. You'll find more information above.
incorporate now
Launch your business with bizee
No Contracts. No Surprises. Only $0 + State Fee to Launch Your Business.