Texas Registered Agent Requirements for LLCs (2026)
What Is a Registered Agent for a Texas LLC?
A registered agent is a person or entity designated to receive legal documents and official notices on behalf of your Texas LLC. Under Tex. Bus. Org. Code § 5.201, you must appoint and maintain a registered agent with a physical address in Texas throughout your LLC's existence. Your registered agent serves as your company's official point of contact with the Texas Secretary of State and ensures you receive critical notices about lawsuits, regulatory changes, and compliance deadlines.
Your registered agent must be available during normal business hours to accept service of process and other official documents. The agent's address becomes part of your public filing record and appears on the Texas Secretary of State's business search database at https://www.sos.state.tx.us/corp/sosda/index.shtml. Failure to maintain a valid registered agent can result in administrative penalties and may affect your LLC's legal standing.
Who Can Serve as Your Texas LLC's Registered Agent
Texas law provides flexibility in choosing your registered agent. According to Tex. Bus. Org. Code § 5.201, your registered agent must be either:
- An individual who is a Texas resident
- A domestic business entity authorized to conduct business in Texas
- A foreign business entity authorized to conduct business in Texas
The Texas Secretary of State cannot serve as your registered agent, even if you request it. This restriction ensures that the Secretary of State maintains its neutral regulatory role.
Your LLC members can serve as registered agents without restriction. Many small business owners choose to act as their own registered agent to save costs, though this requires you to maintain a physical Texas address and be available to receive documents during business hours.
Physical Address Requirements for Texas LLCs
Your registered agent must maintain a physical street address in Texas—not a P.O. Box or mailbox service. This requirement appears in Tex. Bus. Org. Code § 3.201, which mandates that your certificate of formation include "the street address of the initial registered office of the filing entity."
The address must be a legitimate business location where someone can physically deliver legal documents. Virtual office addresses, UPS Store boxes, and mail forwarding services do not satisfy this requirement. If you use a commercial registered agent service, verify that they maintain an actual physical office in Texas.
Your registered office address becomes public information accessible through the Texas Secretary of State's business search at https://www.sos.state.tx.us/corp/sosda/index.shtml. Anyone can look up your LLC and find this address, so consider privacy implications if you're using your home address.
Member-Managed vs. Manager-Managed: Registered Agent Implications
Your LLC's management structure does not affect registered agent requirements. Whether your LLC is member-managed or manager-managed, you must still designate and maintain a registered agent under Tex. Bus. Org. Code § 5.201.
Member-managed LLCs often have a member serve as registered agent, while manager-managed LLCs may designate a manager or hire a professional service. The statute imposes no restrictions based on management structure—only that the agent must be a Texas resident or authorized business entity.
The registered agent's role is purely administrative and relates to receiving legal documents, not to your LLC's internal governance or decision-making authority. Your operating agreement may address who handles registered agent duties, but this is separate from the statutory requirement itself.
Consent Requirements for Registered Agents
Your designated registered agent must consent to serve before you file your certificate of formation. Tex. Bus. Org. Code § 5.201 requires that the agent accept the appointment, though the statute does not specify the exact form this consent must take.
If you're serving as your own registered agent, you're implicitly consenting by filing the certificate. If you designate someone else or a professional service, obtain written consent from that party before submitting your formation documents to the Texas Secretary of State.
Failing to obtain proper consent can create complications if the designated agent later refuses to serve or claims they never agreed to the role. Document your consent in writing and keep records with your LLC formation materials.
How to Change Your Registered Agent in Texas
You can change your registered agent at any time by filing a Statement of Change of Registered Agent/Office with the Texas Secretary of State. This form is available through the Secretary of State's online filing system at https://www.sos.state.tx.us/corp/sosda/index.shtml.
The filing fee for changing your registered agent is $15.00 as of 2026. You can file online, by mail, or in person at the Secretary of State's office located at P.O. Box 13697, Austin, TX 78711-3697.
The change typically takes effect upon filing, though you should allow a few business days for processing. Once approved, the new agent information updates in the Secretary of State's database and becomes publicly searchable. Notify your former agent of the change and ensure your new agent is prepared to receive documents immediately.
Consent Requirements When Changing Agents
Your new registered agent must consent to serve before you file the change form. This requirement applies whether you're replacing an agent with another individual, switching to a professional service, or designating a different member of your LLC.
Include evidence of the new agent's consent with your change filing. If the new agent is a business entity, include documentation showing that entity is authorized to conduct business in Texas. The Secretary of State may reject your filing if consent is not properly documented.
If you're changing agents due to a departure or dispute with your current agent, ensure the new agent's consent is in writing and dated before submission. This protects you if questions arise about the validity of the change.
Professional Registered Agent Services vs. Self-Service
Many Texas LLC owners hire professional registered agent services rather than serving as their own agent. These services maintain physical offices throughout Texas and handle document receipt and forwarding on your behalf.
Professional services typically charge annual fees ranging from $50 to $300 depending on the provider and service level. They provide the advantage of privacy (your home address doesn't appear on public records) and ensure someone is always available to receive documents during business hours.
Self-service registration means you serve as your own agent and maintain the registered office address yourself. This saves the annual service fee but requires you to maintain a physical Texas location and be available to receive legal documents. If you move out of state or change your business address, you must file a change form with the Secretary of State.
Filing Your Registered Agent Information
Your initial registered agent information is included in your certificate of formation when you form your LLC. Tex. Bus. Org. Code § 3.201 requires that your formation documents include "the street address of the initial registered office of the filing entity and the name of the initial registered agent of the filing entity at the office."
File your certificate of formation online through the Texas Secretary of State's website or by mail. The online filing system is available at https://www.sos.state.tx.us/corp/sosda/index.shtml. Filing fees for LLC formation are separate from registered agent fees.
Verify that your registered agent information is accurate before submitting your formation documents. Errors in the agent's name or address can delay processing or create compliance issues. Once your LLC is formed, the registered agent information becomes part of your permanent public record.
Updating Registered Agent Information After Formation
Beyond changing your agent entirely, you may need to update your agent's address if they relocate within Texas. File a Statement of Change of Registered Agent/Office with the Secretary of State to reflect the new address.
If your registered agent is a business entity and that entity's status changes (such as dissolution or name change), you must file an updated statement with the Secretary of State. Failure to maintain accurate agent information can result in missed legal notices and administrative penalties.
Review your registered agent information annually to ensure it remains current. If you've changed your business location or your agent has moved, file the appropriate change form promptly.
Penalties for Failing to Maintain a Registered Agent
Texas law imposes civil penalties for failure to maintain a valid registered agent. Under Tex. Bus. Org. Code § 5.204, a person required to file a change of registered agent commits an offense if they fail to file before the earlier of 30 days after the change or the date the filing is otherwise required by law.
Violations can result in civil penalties up to $2,500 per violation. The Texas Attorney General or county prosecuting attorney may bring suit to recover penalties. Additionally, if someone sues your LLC and cannot locate your registered agent, you may face difficulty defending the lawsuit.
Maintaining a valid, current registered agent is one of the most basic and important ongoing compliance requirements for your Texas LLC. Neglecting this requirement can expose your business to legal and financial consequences.
Registered Agent and Service of Process
Your registered agent is the official point of contact for service of process in lawsuits against your LLC. When someone files a lawsuit naming your LLC as a defendant, they must serve your registered agent with the complaint and summons.
Proper service on your registered agent is considered valid service on your LLC under Texas law. If your registered agent cannot be located or refuses to accept service, the plaintiff may pursue alternative service methods, which can complicate your ability to respond to the lawsuit.
Ensure your registered agent understands their role in receiving legal documents and that they know how to forward these documents to you immediately. Delays in receiving notice of a lawsuit can result in default judgments against your LLC.
Contact Information for Texas Secretary of State
For questions about registered agent requirements or to file forms, contact the Texas Secretary of State:
Phone: (512) 463-5555
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 13697, Austin, TX 78711-3697
Online Filing: https://www.sos.state.tx.us/corp/sosda/index.shtml
Business Search: https://www.sos.state.tx.us/corp/sosda/index.shtml
The Secretary of State's office can provide guidance on registered agent requirements, help you file change forms, and answer questions about your LLC's compliance status. Most filings can be completed online, which typically results in faster processing than mail submissions.
Key Takeaways for Texas LLC Registered Agents
Your Texas LLC must maintain a registered agent at a physical street address in Texas at all times. The agent can be a Texas resident individual, a domestic business entity, or a foreign entity authorized to do business in Texas—but not the Secretary of State.
You can serve as your own registered agent or hire a professional service. Changing your agent requires filing a Statement of Change of Registered Agent/Office with a $15.00 fee. Ensure your agent's information is always current and that your agent understands their role in receiving legal documents on your LLC's behalf.
Failure to maintain a valid registered agent can result in penalties up to $2,500 and may compromise your ability to defend lawsuits. Review your registered agent information annually and update it promptly if your agent or their address changes.