I'm forming a small LLC in Mississippi (consulting, mostly online) and plan to run it from my apartment. Do I need to set up a separate mailing address, or can I just use my home address for the formation documents and the registered agent? I'd rather not have my apartment address plastered all over the Secretary of State website if I can help it. Any practical advice would be great.
LLC
Does a Mississippi LLC need its own mailing address?
The registered agent address is public record. If you use your apartment, yes, it's on the SOS site. Many people use a registered agent service or a UPS Store box. But note: a PO box alone usually isn't acceptable for the registered agent.
You can have a separate mailing address for the LLC wihle still using your home for the registered agent, but the registered agent address is what gets published. So if privacy is the goal, get a registered agent service. The mailing address on the annual report can be a PO box, i think.
I just used my house. Nothing bad happened. But I'm not hiding from anyone either.
Wait, does a Mississippi LLC even need a separate mailing address from the registered agent? I thought the registered agent address was the official one. I'm confused now.
There's a distinction between the registered agent's address (where legal papers go) and the principal office/mailing address. The SOS wants both. But for privacy, the registered agent is the one that's truly public. You can often use a PO box for the principal mailing address.
Get a UPS Store box. They give you a street address, not just a PO box, so it looks more legit and you can receive packages. Costs like $20-30 a month. Worth it for not having randos know where you live.
Or just use your home and stop being paranoid. If someone wants to find you, they will.
That's a bit dismissive. Privacy is a legitimate concern, especially for home-based businesses. OP, I'd recommend a registered agent service that includes a business address. Some will forward mail too. Just read the fine print.
I used a virtual office for a while. It worked fine for the SOS but the bank wanted a physical address. So keep that in mind if you're opening a business bank ccount.
Good point about the bank. I hadn't thought of that. I'll check with my bank what they require.
This is all very helpful. I'm in the same boat. Thanks for asking this, KudzuKeeper.
One more thing: if you use a PO box, make sure you use the full format with the # sign. The SOS can be picky.
Also, your annual report has a field for principal address. You can change it later if you move, but there might be a fee. Just a heads up.
I still say just use your home. It's simpler and cheaper. But you do you.
Simplicity has its place, but so does privacy. For a few hundred bucks a year, a registered agent service gives you peace of mind.
Has anyone actually had a problem using their home address? I'm curious.