If you put your home address on your LLC’s filings, it can end up on a state website for anyone to read. To keep home address off LLC public record, you need two separate tools: a registered agent and a business mailing address.
A registered agent puts their in-state physical address on your filings in place of yours. A virtual mailbox or business address gives you a non-home address for everyday mail, your website, and bank or vendor paperwork. One does not replace the other. And neither is automatic, because you still have to check each form and use the right address in the right field.
Last updated: November 8, 2026
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Key Takeaways
- A registered agent’s address replaces yours in the registered agent field. It doesn’t cover every form.
- A virtual mailbox handles daily mail, but it is not a substitute for a registered agent address where a state prohibits PMBs. Washington is one of those states.
- Other filings can still expose you. In Texas, officer and director information from the annual Public Information Report shows up in the Comptroller’s Taxable Entity Search.
- Our three partners charge $125 to $149 a year for registered agent service, and some include a free first year with formation. LegalZoom lists $249 a year.
- Your state’s filing fee is unavoidable. The privacy tools are optional extras.
A quick note on “free”: your state’s filing fee goes to the state, and it isn’t going away. The privacy tools below are extras you pay a company for. They don’t get you around state fees.
Registered Agent: The First Tool to Keep Home Address Off LLC Public Record
Every LLC must name a registered agent. According to the Washington Secretary of State, the registered agent receives legal documents such as summons, complaints, and official notices on behalf of the business.
If you list yourself, your home address typically becomes the address of record. If you hire a commercial agent, the agent’s address appears instead. LegalZoom’s registered agent page states the same principle: its address is listed as the registered agent on the public record, not yours.
Why the Address Rules Matter
Here’s the part people always miss. The Washington Secretary of State says a registered agent must maintain a physical address in Washington State, and PO boxes and PMBs (private mailbox services) are prohibited. It adds that if your business lacks a physical address in Washington, you may hire a Commercial Registered Agent.
That’s why a virtual mailbox is not a substitute for a registered agent address where the state prohibits PMBs. Check your own state’s Secretary of State, or equivalent filing office, before putting any mailbox address in the registered agent field. If you’re forming in Washington, our Washington LLC guide covers the state’s setup.
Virtual Mailbox: The Second Tool for Everyday Mail
A registered agent address is meant for legal notices. It isn’t for your daily mail. For vendor invoices, your website footer, bank applications, and customer letters, a virtual mailbox gives you a non-home address and scans what arrives. If you’re still choosing a bank, see our guide to business bank accounts for new LLCs so you know what address paperwork to expect.
What Else Can Become Public
The registered agent field is only part of the picture. The Texas Comptroller states that each LLC organized in Texas or with nexus in Texas must file Form 05-102, the Texas Franchise Tax Public Information Report (PIR), annually. It also states that officer and director information from processed PIRs is displayed in the Comptroller’s online Taxable Entity Search. If you’re listed as an officer or director, that information can be visible there.
Other state forms may ask for a principal office or mailing address. Read the instructions on your state’s form. Where the state allows it, use a business address instead of your home address.
Annual filings are where many owners slip. Our LLC annual report fees and deadlines by state page shows when each one comes due.
Registered Agent and Virtual Mailbox Prices Compared
All figures come from each company’s own website, as of the date above.
| Provider | Registered agent | Business address / mail | Formation notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| BusinessAnywhere | $147/yr, flat, every state; first year free if you form through BusinessAnywhere | Virtual mailbox: Basic $25/mo + $25 sign-up, or $20/mo billed annually with no sign-up fee; Premium $40/mo; Advanced $85/mo | Unlimited scanning, each envelope scanned within 2 business days; forwarding $2 packing + carrier cost |
| Northwest Registered Agent | $125/yr, including a free business address and free scanning of state and legal mail plus up to 10 scans of regular business mail a year; $100/yr per state for five or more states | Included with registered agent service | $39 formation (per its Texas page) with Privacy by Default, plus a year of registered agent service; state fees are separate |
| Bizee | Free first year with LLC formation, then $149/yr standalone | Virtual address ($29/mo value) free for the first month; optional to continue | Packages of $0, $199, or $299 are one-time formation fees; Standard ($199) adds EIN, operating agreement, and faster processing |
For reference, LegalZoom’s own site lists registered agent service at $249/year, auto-renewing.
Plan Details Worth Knowing
- BusinessAnywhere mailbox tiers: Per BusinessAnywhere, Basic covers up to 2 mail recipients, Premium up to 5, and Advanced up to 20. A solo owner may only need Basic.
- Northwest: The $125 price includes a free business address and legal forms, and Northwest scans state and legal mail plus up to 10 scans of regular business mail a year for free. Northwest says it hasn’t raised the price in 20 years and charges no per-document fees.
- Bizee: Registered agent service is free for the first year with formation, and the virtual address is free for the first month. Bizee says both are optional to continue, but its cancellation policy also says the registered agent service may renew automatically. Put a reminder on your calendar before the first year ends.
Want the full price-over-time picture? See our registered agent services comparison or the Bizee vs Northwest breakdown.
How to Keep Home Address Off LLC Public Record in 5 Steps
Step 1: Pick a Registered Agent
Choose a commercial registered agent with a physical address in your state. Compare the renewal price, not just the first-year offer. Registered agent service is generally a recurring annual cost, so budget for it.
- BusinessAnywhere fits if you want the registered agent and the virtual mailbox from one provider. It charges $147/yr in every state, and the first year is included if you form your company through it.
- Northwest Registered Agent bundles a business address and free scanning of state and legal mail plus up to 10 scans of regular business mail a year into its $125/yr price. That may suit owners who want a lower recurring cost and don’t get much mail.
- Bizee offers a free first year of registered agent with formation, then $149/yr. That can suit owners who want a low upfront cost and are comfortable tracking the renewal.
Step 2: Get a Business Mailing Address
Select an address for day-to-day mail. If your registered agent plan includes one, as Northwest’s does, you may already have it. Otherwise, a virtual mailbox such as BusinessAnywhere’s can cover it.
Say you’re sure you’ll keep the Basic plan for a full year. Annual billing at $20/mo costs less per month than monthly billing at $25/mo plus the $25 sign-up fee.
Step 3: Use the Right Address on Each State Form
Read each form field by field.
- Registered agent field: Enter your agent’s name and in-state physical address.
- Principal office or mailing address: Where your state allows it, use your business address. If the state prohibits PMBs or requires a physical street address for that field, follow the state’s rule.
- Officer, director, or member/manager listings: Check whether the form asks for an address at all, and whether the information will be displayed publicly, as the Texas Comptroller describes for PIR officer and director information.
Step 4: Update Existing Filings
If your home address is already on file, contact your state filing office, usually the Secretary of State. Ask how to amend your registered agent or address information and whether a fee applies. Amending may not remove copies of older filings already published or archived, so ask what remains viewable.
Then check every other place you listed your address: your bank, the IRS, licenses, and your website. Our EIN guide is a good reminder of where your address shows up in federal paperwork.
Step 5: Keep the Address Consistent
Use the same business address across your bank account, vendor accounts, licenses, and website. Mismatched addresses can create confusion with your bank or licensing offices.
Put your registered agent renewal date and your mailbox billing date on your compliance calendar. Make sure your agent has your current contact details so legal notices reach you promptly.
When Paying for Privacy Is Worth It
The do-it-yourself route is to list yourself as registered agent through your state’s own filing website. That avoids a middleman fee but puts your address on the record. If privacy is your goal, a commercial agent is the practical way to change that.
Paying for a mailbox on top is worth it mainly if you want scanned mail and a non-home address for business correspondence. If you’re still forming from scratch, our step-by-step guide to incorporating yourself shows where these choices fit.
FAQ
Does a registered agent keep my home address completely private?
No. A registered agent replaces your address in the registered agent field. Other forms, such as annual reports or the Texas PIR, may ask for other addresses or officer information, so review each form.
Can I use a virtual mailbox as my registered agent address?
Not necessarily. According to the Washington Secretary of State, PO boxes and PMBs are prohibited for the registered agent address in Washington. Check your state’s rule before using a mailbox address in that field.
Do I have to pay for a registered agent every year?
If you hire a commercial agent, it’s generally an annual service. BusinessAnywhere charges $147/yr, Northwest $125/yr, and Bizee $149/yr standalone. Some formation offers include a free first year.
What information from the Texas PIR is public?
According to the Texas Comptroller, officer and director information from processed PIRs is displayed in the Comptroller’s online Taxable Entity Search.
Can I change my address if it’s already on the public record?
You can usually file an amendment or update with your state filing office. Ask the office about the process, fees, and whether earlier filings stay viewable.
Your Next Step
Start with the numbers. Open our registered agent price and renewal comparison, pick your agent, and then add a business mailing address. If you want one provider for both, BusinessAnywhere is our top pick. Northwest and Bizee are solid alternatives.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Business formation rules, fees, and deadlines vary by state and change often. Always consult a qualified attorney, CPA, or tax professional before making decisions about your business.
