Can I Be My Own Registered Agent in New York?

Yes. Under N.Y. Ltd. Liab. Co. Law § 301, an LLC member can serve as a registered agent. You must maintain a New York street address for service of process. The Secretary of State automatically serves as your statutory agent under § 302, but you may designate yourself as an additional registered agent.

How to Designate Yourself

List yourself as the registered agent in your Articles of Organization when filing with the New York Department of State. Provide your New York street address—a P.O. box does not qualify. No written consent form is required. File online at https://filing.dos.ny.gov/ or by mail to One Commerce Plaza, 99 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12231.

To change your registered agent after formation, file a Certificate of Change with the Department of State. The filing fee is $30.00.

Key Requirements

Your registered agent address must be a physical New York location where you can receive legal documents during business hours. You cannot use an out-of-state address. If you relocate outside New York, you must designate a replacement agent with a New York address.

The Secretary of State remains your statutory agent automatically—this dual structure is standard in New York and provides backup service of process protection.

Important Considerations

Availability matters. As your own agent, you're personally responsible for accepting service of process. Missing legal documents can result in default judgments against your LLC.

Keep it current. If your address changes or you can no longer serve, file a Certificate of Change immediately. Delays expose your LLC to liability.

Professional alternative. You can hire a registered agent service instead. This is optional but common for multi-location businesses or absentee owners.

Next Steps

Include yourself as registered agent in your Articles of Organization
Provide your New York street address
File with the New York Department of State at https://filing.dos.ny.gov/
Monitor that address for legal documents

For filing questions, contact the Division of Corporations at (518) 473-2492 or visit https://dos.ny.gov/.

This is general information, not legal advice.