Many businesses wonder if they can use a UPS store as their registered agent.
Unfortunately, a UPS store cannot be a registered agent because it does not meet the requirements of having a physical address and someone available to accept mail during regular business hours.
A PO Box or commercial mail box just doesn’t meet the mandatory requirements.
However, there are other options available for businesses that need a registered agent. The simplest alternative is to sign up with a national registered agent service (here’s our list of the best registered agent services to use).
For a cost of about $100 a year you can get peace of mind through having one of these services take care of this requirement for your LLC and ensure you receive legal documents promptly along with correspondence from the state.
What is a Registered Agent?
A registered agent is a person or entity designated to receive legal and official documents on behalf of a business entity, such as a corporation or limited liability company (LLC).
These documents may include tax notices, annual reports, and legal summons or subpoenas. A registered agent is required in every state, and failure to maintain a registered agent can result in legal and financial consequences.
Registered agents are responsible for receiving and forwarding important documents to the appropriate parties within a timely manner.
This is important because many legal documents have strict deadlines for response or action.
A registered agent must be available at that physical business address during normal business hours to receive these documents, which is why many businesses choose to use a registered agent service rather than using an individual within the company.
Requirements for a Registered Agent
There are several requirements that a registered agent must meet:
- Age: If an individual is used as a registered agent, they must be at least 18 years old.
- Residency: The registered agent must be a resident of the state where the business is organized.
- Physical Address: The registered agent must have a physical address in the state where the business is organized. As discussed, a P.O. Box or rented box at a UPS store is not an acceptable registered agent address.
- Availability: The registered agent must be available during regular business hours to accept mail and legal documents.
See here for more on requirements to be a registered agent. It is important to note that a business owner cannot act as their own registered agent in many states.
Some states require a third-party registered agent, while others allow the use of an individual within the company. It is important to check the specific requirements for the state where the business is organized. Click here to find more info on registered agent requirements and services in your state.
Overall, choosing a registered agent is an important decision for any business owner. Ensuring that the registered agent meets all the requirements and is available to receive legal documents can help prevent missed deadlines and legal issues.
Alternatives to Using a UPS Store as a Registered Agent
While you can act as your own registered agent if you have a business address or even a home address in the state, it is not recommended.
For starters you need to be there year round during business hours and your address goes on company filings meaning you sacrifice privacy. See here for our article on the risks of being your registered agent.
We recommend using a registered agent service to fulfil this mandatory function for forming and operating an LLC.
Here are our recommendations for the best registered agent services to use for establishing and maintaining your limited liability company (LLC).
| Image | Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Best value  | Price: $99 per year
| 9.4 | Visit site |
Best customer service  | Price: $125 per year
| 9.3 | Visit site |
Great value  | Price: $119 per year
| 9.1 | Visit site |
Best no frills  | Price: $99 per year
| 9 | Visit site |
Strong brand  | Price: $299 per year
| 8.9 | Visit site |
Conclusion
Overall, it is not possible to use a UPS store as a registered agent for your business. While it may seem convenient to have a commercial mailbox as your business’s official contact, it does not meet the legal requirements in most states.
Registered agents must have a physical street address in the state where the business is organized, and someone must be available during regular business hours to accept legal documents. A UPS store or PO Box does not meet these requirements.
