Alabama LLC Registered Agent — Step 2 of 8
Every Alabama LLC must name a registered agent with a physical in-state address — the person or company who receives lawsuits and official state mail on your behalf. Alabama law allows any member or manager to serve as their own agent, but there's a real privacy trade-off to weigh first.
An Alabama registered agent must have a physical Alabama street address (no P.O. boxes) and be available during normal business hours. Any LLC member or manager can serve as their own agent for free, or you can hire a commercial registered agent for roughly $100–$200/year. Your registered agent's name and address become part of the public record either way.
- Address required
- Physical AL street
- P.O. boxes
- Not allowed
- Can I self-serve?
- Yes
- Commercial cost
- $100–$200/yr
- Who can be agent
- Any member/manager
- Listed where
- Cert. of Formation
- Next step
- Step 3 →
Alabama Registered Agent Requirements
Under Code of Alabama § 10A-1-5.31, your registered agent must:
- Have a physical Alabama street address — a P.O. box alone doesn't qualify.
- Be available during normal business hours to accept service of process and official state mail.
- Be an individual Alabama resident, or a business entity authorized to do business in Alabama.
- Accept and forward documents promptly — including any lawsuit notices — so you don't miss a deadline.
Alabama law specifically allows any LLC member or manager to serve as the registered agent, as long as they meet the address and availability requirements — no separate license or registration is needed to act as your own agent.
DIY or Hire? Agent Decision Finder
Check anything that applies to you and we'll suggest whether to be your own agent or hire a commercial service:
Be Your Own Agent vs. Hire a Service
Your registered agent address is searchableWhatever you choose here, your registered agent's name and address get indexed in Alabama's public Business Entity Records — the same database anyone uses to search your LLC. If you act as your own agent from a home office, that address is what shows up when someone looks up your business.
- ✓Forms your Alabama LLC for $39 + the $228 state fees
- ✓Free Alabama registered agent the first year
- ✓Keeps your home address off the public record
- ✓No upsells · No data selling · Privacy by Default
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Alabama LLC Registered Agent — FAQ
Ahmad Adil is the founder and CEO of LLC School. The requirements here — the physical Alabama street address, member/manager self-service allowance, and typical commercial pricing — reflect Code of Alabama § 10A-1-5.31 and current Secretary of State guidance. This is educational information, not legal advice.
About Ahmad Adil → Alabama LLC Overview →