Frequently Asked Questions
Registered Agent FAQ
Everything you need to know about registered agent service in California & Nevada
Why businesses use Barth Agency Services as their registered agent
- One agent, two states — a single vendor covers both your California and Nevada entities, so nothing falls through the cracks between providers.
- Privacy protection — our street address goes on the public record instead of your home or office address.
- Nothing missed — service of process and state notices are received and forwarded to you promptly.
- Compliance reminders — heads-up before key deadlines like California's Statement of Information and Nevada's Annual List / Business License renewal.
- Straightforward service — simple onboarding, and a simple process if you ever need to change agents.
The FAQ below explains how registered agent service works in California and Nevada, and where Barth Agency Services fits in. This is general information, not legal advice — for anything time-sensitive or entity-specific, confirm with the California Secretary of State (sos.ca.gov), the Nevada Secretary of State (nvsos.gov), or your attorney.
A registered agent is the person or business officially designated to receive legal and government documents on behalf of a company — most importantly "service of process" (lawsuit papers), plus tax notices and state correspondence. California and Nevada both require LLCs, corporations, and most other formal entities to keep a registered agent on file as a condition of formation and to stay in good standing. Barth Agency Services fills this role so you always have a reliable, professional point of contact on record.
In many cases, yes — as long as you meet the state's residency and address requirements (see below). The tradeoffs are that your name and street address become public record, and you take on the obligation to be available at that address during business hours to receive documents. Many owners prefer to hand that responsibility to a dedicated registered agent instead.
Either (1) an individual who resides in California, or (2) a corporation that has filed a Corporate Registered Agent (Section 1505) application with the Secretary of State, is currently authorized to do business in California, and is in good standing. Barth Agency Services maintains that standing so your California entity is always covered.
There are two categories. A noncommercial registered agent represents fewer than 10 entities and can be an individual (18+, Nevada resident) or another qualifying entity. A commercial registered agent represents 10 or more entities and must separately register with the Nevada Secretary of State. Barth Agency Services maintains the standing needed to serve reliably in this role.
The agent must have a physical street address in California — a P.O. box, private mailbox, or mail-forwarding-only address doesn't qualify. Barth Agency Services provides that California street address for you.
Yes. An individual agent's name and street address become part of the public record once filed with the state — a key reason business owners use a registered agent service instead of listing a home address.
You name your initial agent when filing formation documents (Articles of Incorporation or Articles of Organization). To switch agents later, an updated Statement of Information is filed online at bizfileOnline.sos.ca.gov — Barth Agency Services can take care of this process for you.
The Secretary of State will reject formation documents that don't name an agent. If your agent information later lapses, the state can assess a $250 penalty after a 60-day grace period, and continued noncompliance can lead to suspension — which puts good standing, contracts, financing, and banking at risk. Keeping a dependable agent on file avoids all of this.
Ready for one registered agent that covers both states?
Barth Agency Services, Inc. maintains a registered address in California and Nevada, so growing businesses get one reliable point of contact instead of juggling two vendors.