Jake Lawson here. After helping over 1,200 entrepreneurs navigate LLC formation, I get this question weekly: “Can I skip the registered agent fee and do it myself in New Hampshire?” The short answer? Absolutely. But before you jump in, let me walk you through the full picture—including the gotchas most formation services won’t mention.
The Bottom Line Up Front
Yes, you can absolutely serve as your own registered agent in New Hampshire. The state doesn’t care if you’re the business owner, your cousin, or a paid service—as long as someone meets their basic requirements.
But here’s what the formation companies don’t want you to know: being your own registered agent isn’t always the smartest move, even when you’re trying to save money.
What Exactly Is a Registered Agent? (No Legal Jargon)
Think of a registered agent as your LLC’s official mail collector. They’re the person (or company) who:
- Receives legal documents on behalf of your business
- Accepts lawsuit papers if someone decides to sue your LLC
- Gets official state notices about compliance deadlines
- Handles any formal correspondence from New Hampshire’s Secretary of State
Some states get fancy and call them “resident agents” or “statutory agents,” but it’s all the same thing. I keep it simple—registered agent, period.
Who Can Fill This Role in New Hampshire?
You’ve got three realistic options in the Granite State:
Option 1: You Handle It Yourself
As long as you meet New Hampshire’s requirements (we’ll cover those next), you can absolutely be your own registered agent. I’ve seen plenty of successful LLCs go this route.
Option 2: Recruit a Friend or Family Member
Got someone reliable in New Hampshire? They can serve as your registered agent. Just make sure they understand what they’re signing up for—this isn’t a honorary title.
Option 3: Hire a Professional Service
This is where companies like Northwest Registered Agent, ZenBusiness, or LegalZoom come in. You pay them, they handle the paperwork flow.
New Hampshire’s Registered Agent Requirements (The Fine Print)
New Hampshire doesn’t mess around with their requirements. Here’s what you need to know:
For Individual Registered Agents:
- Must be 18 or older (seems obvious, but some states are different)
- Must have a physical New Hampshire address (no P.O. boxes—the state wants a real street address)
- Must be available during normal business hours (roughly 9 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday)
For Company Registered Agents:
- Must be authorized to conduct business in New Hampshire (they need proper state licensing)
- Must maintain that physical address requirement
Here’s the part that trips people up: this address becomes public record. Anyone can look up your LLC and see exactly where your registered agent receives mail.
Should You Be Your Own Registered Agent? My Honest Take
After 15+ years in this business, I’ve seen this decision go both ways. Let me break down the real pros and cons:
The Upside of Going Solo
You Save Money: Professional registered agent services typically run $100-300 annually. Over the life of your LLC, that adds up.
Direct Document Flow: When important papers arrive, they come straight to you. No waiting for a service to scan and forward documents.
One Less Vendor to Manage: Fewer passwords, fewer accounts, fewer moving parts in your business setup.
The Downside (And Why I Sometimes Recommend Against It)
Your Address Goes Public: This is the big one. Your registered agent address gets published in state records. That means:
- Junk mail companies can find you
- Competitors can see where you operate
- Anyone can show up at your address to serve papers
Travel Becomes Complicated: Miss an important legal notice because you were on vacation? That’s on you. I’ve seen LLCs get into compliance trouble because the owner didn’t check mail for two weeks.
Business Hour Availability: If you work nights or travel frequently, you might miss time-sensitive documents.
When I Tell Clients to Skip the DIY Route
You shouldn’t be your own registered agent if:
- You don’t live in New Hampshire (obvious, but worth stating)
- You value privacy and don’t want your home address searchable online
- You travel frequently for business or personal reasons
- You run a controversial business where protesters might show up at your address
- You operate from a home office and don’t want business documents mixing with personal mail
The Professional Route: What to Look For
When I evaluate registered agent services for clients, here’s my checklist:
Document Handling
- Do they scan and email documents immediately?
- How quickly do they forward physical mail?
- Can you access documents through an online portal?
Pricing Transparency
- What’s the annual fee? (Avoid services with monthly billing—it’s usually more expensive)
- Are there setup fees?
- What happens if you need to change your address?
Additional Services
- Will they handle your annual reports?
- Do they offer compliance calendars?
- Can they form your LLC if you haven’t done it yet?
Privacy Protection
Some services (like Northwest) let you use their address for multiple LLC fields, not just the registered agent line. This can keep your personal information completely off public records.
My Top Pick for New Hampshire
I’ll be straight with you—I recommend Northwest Registered Agent for most clients. Here’s why:
- 20+ years in business (they’re not going anywhere)
- Excellent customer service (I’ve tested this personally)
- Privacy-focused approach (you can use their address for multiple LLC fields)
- Transparent pricing ($125/year, no hidden fees)
- Document scanning included (you get immediate email notifications)
Full disclosure: I use Northwest for my own LLCs. When my money’s on the line, that’s where it goes.
Frequently Asked Questions (The Real Ones)
“If I’m the registered agent and someone sues my LLC, am I personally liable?”
Nope. Being a registered agent just means you receive the papers. You’re not automatically liable for the LLC’s debts or legal troubles. That’s the whole point of forming an LLC in the first place—liability protection.
“Can my registered agent also be an owner of my LLC?”
Absolutely. In fact, this is the most common setup for single-member LLCs. You can wear both hats without any issues.
“What if I want to change my registered agent later?”
Easy enough. New Hampshire lets you change registered agents by filing a simple form with the Secretary of State. Most services charge $25-50 for this, or you can do it yourself for the state filing fee.
“Do I need to tell my registered agent about every business decision?”
Not at all. Your registered agent only needs to know about address changes and when you’re dissolving the LLC. They’re not involved in day-to-day business operations.
The Privacy Factor (Why This Matters More Than You Think)
Here’s something I learned the hard way: once your personal address is in state records, it’s incredibly difficult to remove it from the internet.
I had a client who used his home address as the registered agent for his consulting LLC. Within six months, he was getting:
- Vendor solicitations at his home
- Tax prep companies cold-calling
- Business credit card offers in his mailbox daily
The solution? He switched to Northwest and used their address for all LLC fields. Problem solved.
Making Your Decision: A Simple Framework
Ask yourself these three questions:
- Do you value privacy over saving $125/year? If yes, hire a service.
- Are you disciplined about checking mail and available during business hours? If no, hire a service.
- Do you plan to move in the next few years? If yes, a service might be easier (one less address to update).
Bottom Line
Can you be your own registered agent in New Hampshire? Absolutely. Should you? It depends on your specific situation.
For most entrepreneurs I work with, especially those just starting out, I recommend trying the DIY route for the first year. If it becomes a hassle—too much junk mail, travel complications, privacy concerns—you can always switch to a professional service later.
The key is making an informed decision, not just defaulting to whatever the formation company tries to upsell you.
Ready to form your LLC? Whether you choose to be your own registered agent or hire a service, make sure you understand all your options before filing those papers. Your future self will thank you.
Need personalized advice for your LLC formation? I’ve helped over 1,200 entrepreneurs navigate these decisions. Every situation is different, and what works for your neighbor might not work for you. The key is getting the facts—then making the choice that fits your specific needs and timeline.