A registered agent address can serve as your business's legal address on Relay, but you also need a separate operating address showing where day-to-day business activity happens.
Can I use a registered agent address for my business?
Yes, a registered agent address may serve as your business's legal address on Relay, including for non-U.S. residents establishing a U.S. business. It cannot be used as your operating address or your personal residential address.
What is an operating address?
Your operating address is the physical location where your business actually operates day to day. If you use a registered agent address during registration, you still need to provide a real operating address for the business.
Acceptable operating addresses:
Home address, domestic or international
Physical office or workspace where the business is run
Not acceptable as an operating address:
Registered agent addresses
PO Boxes
Virtual mailboxes or mailbox rental services
Why do I need to provide an operating address if I'm using a registered agent?
Relay collects an operating address because a registered agent address is only a legal mailing address and does not show where your business actually operates. Two things drive this requirement:
Know Your Customer and anti-money laundering rules. Regulators require Relay to verify the real-world location of the business, not just where legal mail is sent.
Principal place of business. A registered agent address does not confirm that the business has an actual footprint. The operating address is what confirms that.
What if my operating address is different from my personal address?
If your operating address is different from your personal residential address, Relay may ask for a proof of address document to verify the business location. Documents that verify a business location typically include a utility bill, lease agreement, or bank statement in the business's name.
Do I still need to provide a personal address?
Yes. Every business owner on the account must provide a verifiable personal residential address, even when the business uses a registered agent. U.S. banking regulations require Relay to verify owner identity through a real residential address, and supporting documentation such as a utility bill or bank statement may be requested.
Acceptable personal addresses:
A real residential address where you live
Not acceptable as a personal address:
Registered agent addresses
PO Boxes
Virtual mailboxes or mailbox rental services
Can I use the same address for everything?
No. Each address type has its own requirements and must meet them independently. A registered agent address cannot double as an operating or personal address, and a personal address cannot be a PO Box or virtual mailbox.
Why does Relay require this address information?
Relay verifies account holder identity and confirms where a business actually operates in order to meet U.S. banking regulations. Accurate, verifiable address information also helps your application move through review faster.
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