A registered agent (also known as statutory agent, agent for service of process, or resident agent) is an individual or company designated to receive legal documents, government notices, and compliance correspondence on behalf of your business. Most U.S. jurisdictions require that every LLC, corporation, or other registered entity designate one. Without a registered agent, your business could miss important deadlines, incur fines, or risk being administratively dissolved.

Yes — in many states, you (or another responsible individual) may serve as your own registered agent if you maintain a physical street address (not a PO Box) in the state and are available during normal business hours to accept service of process. However, this approach has drawbacks: your personal address becomes public record, you must reliably be available, and missed notices can have serious consequences. Many businesses prefer a professional service for consistency, privacy, and peace of mind.

At Compass, we handle:

• Accepting service of process (lawsuits, subpoenas) on your behalf
• Receiving official correspondence and state notices
• Scanning and digitally delivering accepted documents (same-day where possible)
• Providing compliance reminders (annual reports, state filings)
• (Optional) Virtual office / mail forwarding services
• (Optional) White-label support for attorneys or CPAs who want to list themselves as RA while we handle backend processing

Whenever possible, we use our address on public filings so your personal or business address doesn’t appear in public records. This helps reduce unsolicited mail or contacts. (This is similar to a “Privacy by Default” approach used by other providers.) You retain control over who sees your underlying contact information.

Compass tracks your state’s annual report and renewal deadlines automatically. We’ll send you reminders ahead of due dates and, if you choose, handle the filing for you. This ensures your business stays in good standing and avoids late fees or administrative dissolution.

When we receive service of process, we sign or accept delivery at our physical address (as required by law). We then scan the documents and upload them to your secure client portal (or send via your chosen delivery method). We notify you promptly (commonly via email and portal notification) so you can take action.

We strive to scan and deliver documents on the same day that we receive them wherever feasible. For letters not related to service of process (e.g. routine state correspondence), delivery timelines may vary depending on volume and state.

Yes. You can switch to Compass by filing a change of agent (or amendment) with your state’s Secretary of State (or equivalent) and obtaining our consent. We can assist you with the necessary paperwork in most states. Be sure to check for state-specific forms, fees, and deadlines.

If your entity is “foreign qualified” (i.e. registered) in multiple states, yes — you must maintain a registered agent in each jurisdiction where you are registered. With Compass, we support multi-state coverage so you can manage all your registered agents via one platform.

Our pricing is transparent and uniform. (fill in numbers.) There are no hidden fees. Multi-state discounts, volume pricing, or white-label arrangements may be available for high-volume clients. Renewal prices remain consistent and do not spike unexpectedly.

If your company is served with a lawsuit or legal notice, Compass will immediately scan and upload the documents to your secure client portal and send an alert. You’ll have quick, verifiable access to the documents so you can forward them to your attorney or legal representative without delay. We never miss or delay service of process — that’s our core job.

• Privacy-first filings: We use our address where permitted so yours stays off public record.
• Fast document delivery: We scan and forward legal mail quickly (typically within 1 business day).
• Regular alerts: We send regular alerts reminding you of key deadlines only as needed. We never clutter your inbox! 
• Built for volume: Manage multiple companies/states from one account with consolidated billing.
• Transparent pricing: Flat, predictable fees with no surprise renewals or junk add-ons.
• Friendly, U.S.-based support: Real humans during business hours when you need help.
• Attorney/CPA program available by request (white-label/back-office support)