One of the most basic requirements of setting up a business or nonprofit is appointing a registered agent for service of process. When you register a legal entity in any U.S. state, you are required to list a physical address where courts, government agencies, and process servers can get in touch with you, the business owner. The registered agent’s job is simple: be available to receive legal and government notices during regular business hours, then forward them to you so that you have enough time to respond.