New York lesson 2 of 6
Service of process and registered agents
Most states require you to appoint a registered agent. New York does something different, and misunderstanding it is how owners end up with a default judgment they never saw coming.
The Secretary of State is your agent by law
Under New York law the Secretary of State is designated as the agent for service of process for every LLC formed in the state. That designation cannot be waived. In your Articles of Organization you give an address to which the Secretary of State will mail any process served on the LLC.
That forwarding address becomes public. If you use your home address, it stays on the New York register and in commercial databases.
Optional additional registered agent
You may also appoint a registered agent in New York. This does not replace the Secretary of State designation, but it gives you a second, monitored point of delivery and lets you keep a private residential address off the public filing. For owners who travel, or who are outside the United States, that reliability matters more than the small annual cost.
Keeping the address current
If the forwarding address changes and you do not update it, the state still forwards process there and the LLC is treated as served. Update it through the Department of State promptly, and again on the next Biennial Statement.
Key takeaways
- The New York Secretary of State is always your agent for service of process.
- The forwarding address you supply is public record.
- An additional registered agent is optional but improves reliability and privacy.
Official sources
Or let us file your New York LLC for you
Everything above is yours to use for free. If you would rather hand it over, we prepare and file the Articles of Organization, act as your registered agent, and track your ongoing deadlines.
Last reviewed: September 2026 - reviewed by Gullia Filing Legal & Formation Team