Registered agent for an Alabama LLC
Data last updated: Apr 22, 2026The quick read on Alabama registered agents
Every Alabama LLC is legally required to maintain a registered agent with a physical street address in the state. The role is to receive service of process (lawsuit papers), state tax notices, and other official government mail on the LLC's behalf. You can serve as your own agent if you live in Alabama and meet the requirements, or hire a commercial service for typically $99 to $299 per year.
Alabama-specific rules matter. The statute is Ala. Code § 10A-1-5.31 through § 10A-1-5.35. The registered agent's address goes on the public state record, so most owners who want privacy use a paid service to keep their home address off the record. Owners who live in the state and don't mind the public listing often save $100 to $250 per year by serving as their own agent.
Who can serve as a registered agent in Alabama
Alabama allows an individual Alabama resident at least 18 years old with a physical Alabama street address, or an entity authorized to transact business in Alabama, to serve as registered agent. PO boxes and private mail-drop services do not qualify. The agent must be available during normal business hours to accept service of process, and the designation must be on file with the Secretary of State under Ala. Code § 10A-1-5.31.
Alabama does not operate a commercial registered agent registry, so any qualifying individual or entity can serve without pre-registration. The LLC's own member or manager can serve as registered agent if they meet the residency and availability requirements. For context on the full formation process, see our Alabama LLC formation guide.
What Alabama requires of a registered agent
- Physical street address in Alabama
Not a PO box, not a mail-drop. The address becomes part of the public record visible on the Secretary of State's business entity search.
- Available during business hours
Typically 9 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday. The agent has to be physically present (or have staff present) to accept service, not just reachable by phone or email.
- At least 18 years old and a resident or registered entity
Individual agents must be 18+ and reside in Alabama. Entity agents must be registered to transact business in Alabama.
- Written consent on file
Alabama requires the registered agent to consent in writing to serve. Formation services handle this automatically when you sign up. For an individual agent, a simple signed consent letter suffices.
Alabama statute and change-of-agent rules
| Statute | Ala. Code § 10A-1-5.31 through § 10A-1-5.35 |
| Change of registered agent form | Statement of Change of Registered Agent/Registered Office by a Represented Entity |
| Change filing fee | $25 |
| Online filing | Not accepted (mail only) |
| Processing time | 10 business days |
| Commercial agents must register separately | No |
Choosing the right registered agent in Alabama
If you live in Alabama and run the LLC from a fixed office or home address, self-serving is a legitimate way to save $100 to $250 per year. The tradeoff is that your address becomes part of the public Secretary of State record, and the 9-to-5 availability rule effectively rules out frequent travel or full-time nomadic work.
Non-resident owners filing an Alabama LLC have no real choice. A commercial service is the only option. National options run $99 to $149 per year at Bizee and Northwest, or closer to $249 at LegalZoom without meaningfully better service. Northwest at $125 per year with price-lock is the default pick. Alabama does not have the dense boutique RA market that Wyoming and Delaware enjoy, so local-only services tend to be thin on features.
Registered agent services that operate in Alabama
National commercial registered agent services operate in all 50 states plus DC, so every provider below accepts Alabama LLCs. Sorted by annual renewal cost. Click the service name for the full review.
| Service | Annual renewal | Trustpilot | Review count |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZenBusiness | $99/yr | 4.8 | 28,984 |
| Bizee fka Incfile | $119/yr | 4.7 | 25,227 |
| MyCorporation | $120/yr | 3.7 | 279 |
| Northwest Registered Agent | $125/yr | 3.8 | 217 |
| CorpNet | $149/yr | 4.9 | 1,205 |
| doola | $197/yr | 4.6 | 2,005 |
| Tailor Brands | $199/yr | 4.7 | 14,203 |
| BizFilings | $220/yr | 4.5 | 170 |
| Inc Authority | $249/yr | 4.9 | 46,831 |
| LegalZoom | $249/yr | 4.6 | 30,014 |
| Rocket Lawyer | $250/yr | 4.5 | 9,717 |
| Firstbase | $299/yr | 4.8 | 1,045 |
If you let your Alabama registered agent lapse
Under Ala. Code § 10A-1-5.34, the Secretary of State can begin administrative dissolution against an Alabama LLC that fails to maintain a registered agent for 60 consecutive days. Reinstatement requires filing an application with a $100 state fee plus any unpaid Business Privilege Tax owed to the Department of Revenue. Most small Alabama LLCs owe $0 BPT starting in 2024 under Act 2022-252, but the reinstatement still requires the $100 filing and re-designating a compliant agent. Entity name protection can lapse during the dissolved period.
Alabama filing agency
Alabama Secretary of State, Business Entities Division
- Website
- www.sos.alabama.gov
- Phone
- (334) 242-5324
- business.services@sos.alabama.gov
- Business Entities Division, P.O. Box 5616, Montgomery, AL 36103-5616
- Office
- RSA Plaza, Suite 580, 770 Washington Ave., Montgomery, AL 36104
- Hours
- 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Central, Monday to Friday
Frequently Asked Questions
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Who can serve as a registered agent for an Alabama LLC?
An individual Alabama resident at least 18 years old with a physical Alabama street address, or an entity authorized to transact business in Alabama. PO boxes are not allowed. The agent must be reachable during business hours to accept service of process. The LLC's member or manager can serve if they meet the residency rule.
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How much does an Alabama registered agent service cost?
National services typically charge $99 to $149 per year (Bizee $119, Northwest $125, ZenBusiness $99 first year then $199). LegalZoom prices at $249 per year. Alabama does not have a dense market of local boutique agents, so most filers use a national service. The $125 to $149 tier is the most common choice for Alabama LLCs.
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Can I be my own registered agent in Alabama?
Yes, if you're at least 18, have a physical Alabama street address, and are available during business hours to accept service of process. Your home or office address becomes part of the public Secretary of State record. Frequent travel or full-time remote work usually rules out self-serving because the availability obligation applies every business day.
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What does it cost to change a registered agent in Alabama?
$25 for the Statement of Change of Registered Agent/Registered Office by a Represented Entity, filed with the Secretary of State by mail or in person in Montgomery. Alabama does not accept this change online for LLCs. Processing typically takes about 10 business days. Most commercial services handle the paperwork for free when you switch your RA to them.
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What happens if my Alabama LLC's registered agent resigns?
You have 60 days to designate a replacement before the Secretary of State can begin administrative dissolution under Ala. Code § 10A-1-5.34. Reinstatement costs $100 plus any unpaid Business Privilege Tax owed to the Department of Revenue. Most small Alabama LLCs owe no BPT after the 2024 exemption kicked in, but the $100 reinstatement fee still applies and the LLC name protection can lapse.
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Does Alabama operate a commercial registered agent registry?
No. Unlike Delaware and Wyoming, Alabama does not maintain a separate commercial registered agent registry. Any individual or entity meeting the basic requirements (Alabama street address, availability during business hours) can serve without pre-registration. National services like Northwest and CT Corporation maintain Montgomery or Birmingham addresses to satisfy the in-state rule.
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Does the Alabama registered agent affect the county formation fee?
Yes, indirectly. Alabama's $200 LLC formation fee splits $100 to the state and $100 to the county of the registered agent's address. The total fee doesn't change. But the registered agent's county gets recorded on the formation filing, and changing the RA later to an agent in a different county does not refund or redistribute the original $100 county fee.
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Do I need a registered agent for a Alabama LLC?
Yes. Alabama law requires every LLC to designate a registered agent with a physical street address in Alabama and availability during business hours. There is no exception for inactive or small LLCs. If the LLC loses its registered agent and doesn't designate a replacement within the state's grace period, Alabama begins administrative dissolution of the entity.
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How much does a registered agent service cost in Alabama?
National services range from $99 per year (ZenBusiness) to $299 per year (Firstbase). The $190 average is close to the market median. Alabama-based local registered agent services also operate in the state, typically pricing between $50 and $150 per year.
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How do I change my registered agent in Alabama?
File Statement of Change of Registered Agent/Registered Office by a Represented Entity with Alabama Secretary of State, Business Entities Division. The fee is $25. Processing takes about 10 business days. Most formation services handle this paperwork for free when you sign up.
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Is the registered agent fee tax deductible?
Yes. Registered agent fees are an ordinary and necessary business expense deductible on the LLC's federal tax return (Schedule C, Form 1065, or 1120/1120-S depending on tax treatment). Alabama state tax treatment follows federal on this deduction. Keep the invoices with your tax records.
Related
Sources
- Statute: law.justia.com/codes/alabama/title-10a/chapter-1/article-5/ · verified April 22, 2026
Alabama Business and Nonprofit Entity Code, Title 10A, Chapter 1, Article 5 governs registered agents for all Alabama business entities including LLCs. Sections 10A-1-5.31 through 10A-1-5.35 cover qualifications, change of agent, resignation, and service of process. - Change of agent: www.sos.alabama.gov/business-entities/filing-fees · verified April 22, 2026
Alabama Secretary of State filing fee schedule. Statement of Change of Registered Agent for a represented entity is $25. Filing is made by mail or in person at the Montgomery office; Alabama Interactive does not offer this specific change form online for LLCs. - Penalty: law.justia.com/codes/alabama/title-10a/chapter-1/article-5/section-10a… · verified April 22, 2026
Ala. Code § 10A-1-5.34 authorizes administrative action including dissolution against entities that fail to maintain a registered agent or office. Reinstatement application fee is $100.