agent for service of process

An agent for service of process is the person designated by a business entity, such as a corporation or limited liability company (LLC), to receive legal documents and lawsuits on behalf of the business entity within the state in which the agent's address is located. The person may be an officer of the corporation or a third party, such as the corporation's lawyer. Each state’s law for business entities requires the company or corporation to assign an agent for service of process to receive and accept the service of process on behalf of the company or corporation. The primary reason why an agent for service of process is required is to make sure that the business entity knows if it has been sued and to have notice of that lawsuit. 

Also known as a "registered agent" or “statutory agent” depending on the state you operate or live in.

[Last updated in March of 2022 by the Wex Definitions Team]