Commercial registered agent service
A service whose core job is receiving legal documents at a physical address in each state and forwarding them to you promptly.
Attorney or law firm as agent
Your attorney or firm agrees to serve as the registered agent, receiving service of process at the firm's office.
| Feature | Commercial registered agent service | Attorney or law firm as agent |
|---|---|---|
| Primary role | Document receipt and forwarding as the core service | Legal counsel, with agent service as an accommodation |
| Cost structure | A predictable recurring per-state fee | Commonly folded into the client relationship; terms vary by firm |
| Availability | A staffed address during business hours | Depends on firm office hours and staffing |
| Multi-state scaling | Coverage in all 50 states and DC | Generally limited to states where the firm has an office and agrees to serve |
| Document handling | Same-day scanning and forwarding | Handled through the firm's intake process |
| If the relationship ends | Coverage continues as long as the service is active | A change of counsel usually means a change-of-agent filing |
Best for
Pick Commercial registered agent service
A commercial service typically fits businesses that want predictable pricing, a staffed address, and coverage that scales across multiple states.
Best for
Pick Attorney or law firm as agent
Naming your attorney or firm can fit a single-state business with concentrated legal work at one firm that agrees to serve as agent.
Two roles that work together
A law firm and a commercial registered agent service are complementary, not competing. Your attorney interprets what a legal document means and advises on how to respond, while a registered agent's job is simply to receive that document reliably and forward it to you. Many businesses keep counsel for legal work and use a dedicated service for the agent role. Naming your attorney as the agent is a legitimate choice too; it just blends the two roles.
Where the practical differences show up
The differences are mostly about structure and scale. A commercial service charges a predictable recurring per-state fee and maintains a staffed address, so document receipt does not depend on office schedules. Firm-based arrangements vary by firm and are commonly tied to the client relationship, which means a change of counsel usually triggers a change-of-agent filing. Scaling also differs: a service like Cornerstone covers all 50 states and DC, whereas a firm can generally serve only where it has an office and agrees to act. For a business operating across state lines, that difference points toward a multi-state registered agent service.
Choosing what fits
If your legal needs are concentrated with one firm in one state, naming the firm as agent can be convenient. If you want document receipt handled as a dedicated service with same-day scanning and forwarding across multiple states, a commercial service usually fits better; you can review the scope on the registered agent services page and set coverage up through online self-checkout. Either way, keep your attorney in the picture for the legal questions that follow a document.
Frequently asked
- Can my attorney be my registered agent?
- Yes, if your attorney or firm has a physical office in the state and agrees to serve. It is a legitimate arrangement; it simply combines the counsel role with the document-receipt role.
- What happens if I change law firms?
- If your firm serves as your registered agent and you change counsel, you generally need to file a change of agent with the state. A standalone service keeps the agent role separate from your legal representation, so a change of counsel does not affect it.
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