How to Keep Your Home Address Private on LLC and Trademark Filings
If you’re forming an LLC, registering a corporation, or filing a trademark, the forms will ask for at least one physical address and one mailing address. Here’s what you need to know and what options you have to protect your privacy.
1. Can I use my home address?
Yes, you can — and it’s very common for small businesses to start this way. However, be aware that depending on the filing, your address may be publicly visible. For example, LLC and trademark records are searchable online. If you have privacy concerns, you may want to explore alternatives such as a virtual address or a registered agent’s address.
2. I want to keep my address private. What are my options?
When you register an LLC, corporation, or trademark, you’ll usually need to provide:
A physical address: This cannot be a P.O. Box. For most purposes, it’s just an address on file associated with the owner, and doesn’t have much implication beyond that. If you are a client of ours, you may be able to use our address for the physical address, depending on the filing and with our confirmation.
A mailing address: This is where you receive mail. This can be a P.O. Box or a virtual address. Here, you’ll want to choose a location where you can reliably receive correspondence.
3. What is a virtual address?
A virtual address is a service that gives your business a street address you can use for filings, correspondence, and even marketing materials. Many services also include mail scanning, forwarding, and storage options.
As business owner, you may regularly need to share your address with government agencies, clients, and vendors. So, this may be the cleanest long term solution: you get privacy, professionalism, and flexibility for a small monthly fee (often $5–$10+).
4. Can you recommend any virtual address providers?
Below are some common options listed online. Note, I may not have direct experience with these vendors and am not expressly endorsing them, but they are shared for reference:
iPostal1 – Nationwide network of virtual business addresses with mail scanning and forwarding options.
Anytime Mailbox – Virtual mailbox services with international locations and mobile app access.
Regus – Offers virtual offices and business lounges in addition to mailing addresses.
Opus Virtual Offices – Includes phone answering and business address services.
These services vary in cost, features, and coverage, so it’s best to compare them to see which aligns with your needs.
5. What’s an agent address?
When forming an LLC or corporation, you must also designate a registered agent to receive official paperwork on your behalf in the event of a lawsuit.
You can list yourself as your own agent, but this can cause problems if you’re not physically available at that address during normal business hours.
Many businesses hire a third-party registered agent, usually at a very reasonable cost ($25–$49/year in many states).
In California, our firm can serve as your registered agent. In other states, we can help arrange a trusted third-party agent.
Registered agents often let you use their address as your company’s address of record and may also offer mail forwarding services.