What are the registered agent rules in North Carolina?
North Carolina requires every LLC to maintain a registered agent under N.C.G.S. §§ 55D-30 and 55D-31. The agent must be either a North Carolina resident individual or a domestic/authorized foreign entity. The agent's business office must be identical to your registered office—a physical street address is mandatory, no PO boxes. The agent must consent to serve.
Who Can Serve as Registered Agent
Your registered agent must meet one of two requirements:
Individual Agent: A North Carolina resident whose business office matches your registered office address exactly. Members of your LLC may serve as registered agents if they meet the residency requirement.
Entity Agent: A domestic business entity or authorized foreign entity with a business office identical to your registered office. This includes corporations, LLCs, and other business entities.
The North Carolina Secretary of State cannot serve as your registered agent.
Physical Address Requirement
Your registered office must be a physical street address in North Carolina—not a mailbox, virtual address, or PO box. This address must match your agent's actual business office location under N.C.G.S. § 55D-31. The agent must be available during business hours to receive service of process and official documents.
Consent and Appointment
Your registered agent must consent to serve in this capacity. Provide written consent when filing your Articles of Organization or when changing agents.
Changing Your Registered Agent
To change your registered agent or registered office, file the Limited Liability Company's Statement of Change of Registered Agent and/or Registered Office with the North Carolina Secretary of State. The filing fee is $5.00. The new agent must consent to the appointment.
How to File
Submit documents online or by mail to the North Carolina Secretary of State, Business Registration Division:
- Online Filing: https://www.sosnc.gov/online_filing/filing/creation
- Phone: (919) 814-5400
- Mailing Address: PO Box 29622, Raleigh, NC 27626-0622
- Website: https://www.sosnc.gov/divisions/business_registration
Verify your registered agent information in the business search database at https://www.sosnc.gov/online_services/search/by_title/search_Business_Registration.
This is general information, not legal advice.