Do You Need a US Address to Form an LLC? A Guide for Non-Residents

You do not need to live in the United States to form a US LLC, and you do not need an office there either. What you do need is an address in the state where the company is formed, for one specific job: receiving legal papers and official mail. This guide explains which addresses an LLC has, which one must be in the US, and the choices you have if you live abroad. For the whole process, read the guide to starting an LLC.

The addresses on an LLC

1. The registered agent's address. This is the one that must be in the state of formation. It has to be a physical street address, not a PO box, where someone can accept legal papers during business hours.
2. The principal office address. Where the business is run from. Many states let you list an address outside the state, or outside the US, but check the form for the state you choose.
3. The mailing address. Where the state sends ordinary mail. It can be different from the other two.

What if you live outside the US?

You have three common choices for the address in the state:

• A registered agent service. The agent's street address goes on the public record and the agent receives and forwards your mail. This is the simplest option. Read registered agent for a US LLC: do you need one.
• A friend or relative who lives in the state. It works only if they agree to be available at that address during the day, and their address becomes public.
• Your own office. Only if you have one in the state.

An owner who lives abroad cannot normally act as their own registered agent, because the agent must be in the state.

Is a mailbox or virtual address enough?

For the registered agent address, a PO box is not accepted. Some banks and payment providers also reject certain mailbox or virtual addresses as a business address, so ask the one you plan to use before you rely on it. See US business bank account for non-residents.

Why the address matters

• Lawsuit papers and state notices go to the registered agent. Missing one can lead to a default judgment or a company that loses its good standing.
• The agent's address is on the public record. A home address there is visible to anyone.
• Your state's annual report reminder is usually sent to the agent, so keep your contact details with them current.

Getting a US address with us

We act as registered agent with a physical street address in the states listed on our registered agent page, for example California, and we scan the mail we receive into your online portal. If you are forming the company with us, the first year is included in our LLC formation for non-residents. This is general information, not legal advice.