A Massachusetts LLC must name a resident agent that is a Massachusetts resident individual, a domestic corporation, or a foreign corporation authorized here, and include the agent's written consent (c. 156C, §§ 5, 12). A corporation must keep a registered agent at a Massachusetts street office (c. 156D, § 5.01). Changing agents is free online and $25 on paper or fax.
M.G.L. c. 156C, § 5M.G.L. c. 156D, § 5.01M.G.L. c. 156C, § 12Massachusetts General Laws chapters 156C, 156D, 180 and 110 and the Corporations Division Filing Fees page reviewed November 11, 2026. Confirm current fees with the Secretary of the Commonwealth before filing.
Heads up: we are an independent company that prepares and submits Massachusetts filings for owners. We are not the Secretary of the Commonwealth or its Corporations Division, and we do not give legal advice. Every state charge passes through at the exact amount billed, shown separately from our service fee.
- Filed with the Massachusetts Corporations Division
- We track your Massachusetts annual report
- Cited to M.G.L. chapters 156C and 156D
- Talk to a filer: (386) 465-3937
The forks in the road.
LLC resident agent
Individual Massachusetts resident, domestic corporation, or foreign corporation authorized to do business in Massachusetts (c. 156C, § 5).
M.G.L. c. 156C, § 5Corporate registered agent
Individual whose business office is the registered office, a domestic business or nonprofit corporation, or a qualified foreign corporation (c. 156D, § 5.01).
M.G.L. c. 156D, § 5.01Street address
The registered office must be a Massachusetts street address; a post office box is not enough.
M.G.L. c. 156D, § 5.01Consent
The LLC certificate includes the agent's consent (c. 156C, § 12). Our service signs it.
M.G.L. c. 156C, § 12Change fee
No state fee electronically; $25 on paper or fax.
Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations DivisionWhat to have ready
- Decide whether you want your address on the public record
- Confirm the agent is available during business hours
- Collect the agent's signed consent
- Use a street address, not a box
- File the change before moving
- Update the next annual report
Massachusetts Resident Agent and Registered Agent Rules for LLCs and Corporations
Massachusetts Resident Agent and Registered Agent Rules for LLCs and Corporations
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Resident agent versus registered agent
Massachusetts uses two terms. LLC law says resident agent (c. 156C, § 5); corporation law says registered agent (c. 156D, § 5.01). The job is the same: accept service of process and official notices at a Massachusetts address during business hours, and pass them on promptly. The list of who qualifies is slightly different, which is why our service is set up to qualify under both chapters.
Source: malegislature.gov
Serving as your own agent
A Massachusetts resident owner can serve as the LLC's resident agent. The trade-off is privacy and availability: your address goes on the public record, and you need to be reachable when a process server arrives. If you travel or work from job sites, a missed delivery can mean a missed court deadline.
Source: malegislature.gov
What the agent does not do
The agent does not file your annual report or pay taxes. It receives documents. Our service adds a reminder for your annual report date because that is when most Massachusetts companies fall behind.
Source: malegislature.gov
Out-of-state owners
Owners outside Massachusetts cannot serve as the resident agent of an LLC because the statute requires a Massachusetts resident individual or a qualifying corporation. A commercial agent is the usual answer for remote founders and foreign companies.
Source: malegislature.gov
Consent in writing
The agent must consent to the appointment (c. 156C, § 5). When we serve as your agent, our consent is part of the filing package, and we keep a copy with your order.
Source: malegislature.gov
Massachusetts law and Corporations Division rules behind this.
| Topic | Massachusetts rule | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| LLC resident agent | Individual Massachusetts resident, domestic corporation, or foreign corporation authorized to do business in Massachusetts (c. 156C, § 5). | M.G.L. c. 156C, § 5 |
| Corporate registered agent | Individual whose business office is the registered office, a domestic business or nonprofit corporation, or a qualified foreign corporation (c. 156D, § 5.01). | M.G.L. c. 156D, § 5.01 |
| Street address | The registered office must be a Massachusetts street address; a post office box is not enough. | M.G.L. c. 156D, § 5.01 |
| Consent | The LLC certificate includes the agent's consent (c. 156C, § 12). Our service signs it. | M.G.L. c. 156C, § 12 |
| Change fee | No state fee electronically; $25 on paper or fax. | Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations Division |
Related Massachusetts reading.
Heads up: we are an independent company that prepares and submits Massachusetts filings for owners. We are not the Secretary of the Commonwealth or its Corporations Division, and we do not give legal advice. Every state charge passes through at the exact amount billed, shown separately from our service fee.
What Massachusetts owners ask us
An LLC is not on the list in chapter 156C, § 5. Use an individual resident or a corporation that qualifies.
M.G.L. c. 156C, § 5Yes. Its registration appoints a resident agent (c. 156C, § 51).
M.G.L. c. 156C, § 51Appoint a new one quickly; missing state mail is how most companies fall behind.
Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations DivisionYes. Corp USA prepares and submits your Massachusetts filing with the Corporations Division for you. The state fee is passed through at cost and our service fee is shown separately at checkout, so you never have to work through the state's filing system yourself.
Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations Division