Short answer: Must be an individual residing in California or a registered corporate agent. The address must be a physical street address, not a PO box. Changing agents costs $20.
We've pulled these figures from the California Secretary of State's own pages. If something's changed since our last check, the state's portal wins, so it's worth a quick look before you pay.
Who can serve as a California registered agent
Must be an individual residing in California or a registered corporate agent. The address must be a physical street address, not a PO box.
You can be your own agent in California. The catch: your street address lands on the public record, and you need to be there during business hours to accept legal papers.
Paid registered agent services
| Service | Yearly price | What stands out |
|---|---|---|
| Northwest Registered Agent | $125 | Uses its address on your public filings by default; scans state and legal mail |
| Bizee | Free year 1 with formation, then $149 | Says it runs its own offices in all 50 states; sends service of process by tracked FedEx |
| ZenBusiness | $199 | Sold as an add-on, not included with formation |
| LegalZoom | $249 | Sold separately from its LLC packages |
Compare all four in our registered agent rankings, or read the Bizee vs Northwest comparison.
How California compares
California's fee to change registered agents is $20. That's the 21st highest of 45 jurisdictions we track. The national median is $20, right where California sits.
| State | Fee | National rank (1 = highest) |
|---|---|---|
| California | $20 | 21 of 45 |
| Oregon | $0 | 40 of 45 |
| Utah | $17 | 25 of 45 |
| Arizona | $10 | 29 of 45 |
| Nevada | $60 | 2 of 45 |
| Colorado | $10 | 29 of 45 |
California fees that apply here
| Filing | State fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1) | $70 | Applies uniformly whether filed online or via mail, though in-person drop-offs incur an additional $15 special handling fee. |
| Statement of Information (Form LLC-12) | $20 | biennial, Initial within 90 days, then every two years |
| Change of registered agent | $20 | Requires filing a Statement of Information. |
Registered agent rules: California questions
What are the registered agent requirements in California?
Must be an individual residing in California or a registered corporate agent. The address must be a physical street address, not a PO box.
Can I be my own registered agent in California?
Yes, if you meet California's requirements. Your address will appear on public filings, and you'll need to be available during business hours.
How much does it cost to change registered agents in California?
The state charges $20. Requires filing a Statement of Information.
Can a registered agent use a PO box in California?
No. Registered agents need a physical street address in California where legal papers can be delivered in person during business hours.
How much does a registered agent service cost in California?
Commercial services typically charge a yearly fee. Northwest charges $125 a year and Bizee charges $149 a year after a free first year with formation, based on prices we checked. The state doesn't regulate these prices.
What happens if my California LLC doesn't have a registered agent?
You can miss lawsuits and state notices, and the state can eventually move to revoke or dissolve the LLC. Eventual suspension of the LLC's powers by the Secretary of State.
Sources and verification
Last checked against official state sources on . States change fees with little notice, so confirm on the filing portal before you pay. How we verify.
Still being confirmed with the state: state tax.escalating tiers.