LLC questions
Yes, in every state, if three things are true: you have a street address in that state, you are there in normal business hours, and you are happy for that address to be public. If any one isn’t true, you need a registered agent service.
Yes. Every LLC has to name a registered agent in the state where it is formed, and in every other state where it registers to do business. The state sends official letters there, and anyone suing the LLC delivers the papers there. If nobody is there to receive them, the case can go ahead without you hearing about it in time to answer.
A real address where someone can hand over papers in person. A PO box doesn’t count, and nor does an address in another state.
Someone has to be able to accept papers during normal office hours, every working day. Long trips and irregular hours are a problem.
The agent’s address goes on the state’s public record. If that is your home, your home address is online.
You can’t be your own agent in a state where you don’t live, so forming in Wyoming or Delaware from elsewhere always means paying one. Beyond that, people use a service to keep their home address off the record, or because they travel. Prices run from $125 to $249 a year after the first: see what each registered agent charges.
You can switch later. Changing your registered agent is a short filing with the state, usually with a small fee.
To see what an agent adds to your total, pick “Use a service” in the LLC cost calculator.