North Carolina lesson 2 of 6
Appoint your North Carolina registered agent
North Carolina law requires every LLC to continuously maintain a registered office and a registered agent in the state, from the day the Articles of Organization are filed onward.
Who can serve
The agent is either an individual who resides in North Carolina and whose business office is identical to the registered office, or a domestic corporation, nonprofit corporation or LLC whose business office is identical to the registered office, or a qualified foreign entity authorized to do business in the state on the same basis. The registered office can be the same as one of your business locations.
What the agent actually does
The registered agent's sole statutory duty is to forward to the LLC, at its last known address, any notice, process or demand served on the agent. It is a narrow but important job: lawsuits and official state notices are delivered here.
The registered office address is public record. If you use a home address, expect it to remain searchable long after the LLC is dissolved.
Changing the agent
A change of registered agent or registered office is filed with the Secretary of State for a $5 fee. Keep this current, since a lapsed or incorrect address does not excuse missed service of process.
Key takeaways
- A North Carolina registered office and agent must be maintained continuously.
- Individual agents must reside in North Carolina; entity agents must be authorized to do business there.
- Changing the agent or office costs $5 and should be done promptly.
Official sources
Or let us file your North Carolina 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 (Form L-01), act as your registered agent, and track your ongoing deadlines.
Last reviewed: September 2026 - reviewed by Gullia Filing Legal & Formation Team