US Address

Does a non-resident need a US address to start an LLC?

Short Answer: No

Long Answer (Read below):

Address Types

Before proceeding, I'll explain the two kinds of addresses a company can have:

1. Legal Address: This must be the registered agent's address.

All states require companies to have a registered agent authorized to accept official legal documents (lawsuits, summonses, or subpoenas) on behalf of the company.

Registered agents don't receive regular mail unless specifically contracted to do so.

You shouldn't use your registered agent's address on your EIN application.

A US resident can serve as their own LLC's registered agent if they form it in their home state; however, they must be present during business hours to receive official legal documents.

This also means they lose some privacy, since the legal address becomes publicly accessible once the company is formed.

There are services available that can act as a registered agent; consider choosing one of these, and expect to spend $50-$100 per year.

2. Company Address: This can be a US address, an international address, or your home address.

To form a Delaware LLC, you need a legal address, but a company address is not required; for other states, it depends on the state's laws.

CMRA Address

A CMRA (Commercial Mail Receiving Agency) address is the street address of a private business that rents out private mailboxes, also known as a mail drop or PMB (Private Mail Box). Customers use this address to receive mail, which is then forwarded or held for pickup, offering more privacy and flexibility than a traditional Post Office Box.

Instead of a PO Box, a CMRA uses a street address and a suite number (the "#xxxx" portion) according to postal regulations. This allows customers to use the CMRA's street address as their publicly known address.

Addresses with "#xxxx" are identified as mailbox addresses and are no longer considered physical addresses.

USPS Form 1583

The USPS Form 1583, or Application for Delivery of Mail Through Agent, is a document that authorizes a Commercial Mail Receiving Agency (CMRA) to handle and receive mail on a customer's behalf.

This form must be completed properly with the correct proof of identity; for non-residents, a foreign passport is required. It must also be notarized and submitted to the CMRA.

Now the Long Answer

Many virtual address providers offer US addresses for a small monthly fee, but most are CMRA addresses shared among hundreds or thousands of customers.

Once you form an LLC, you need two essential things to run the business: an EIN and a bank account.

The EIN is issued by the IRS, and you can obtain one without a US address because the IRS allows foreign addresses.

However, online banks and financial technology companies such as Mercury and Wise do not accept CMRA addresses, regardless of how much virtual address providers advertise.

So you can manage with the absolute essentials without having a US address.

Therefore, a US address is not mandatory to start and run a US LLC.

Nevertheless, there are good reasons to consider getting and using one:

• You expect to receive physical mail in the US
• You expect to receive checks from US clients (some virtual address providers can deposit checks on your behalf)
• To keep your home address off public records for privacy reasons (while Delaware and Wyoming don't collect company addresses, some other states may. Also, check if your state's laws allow the use of a virtual address for a company address)
• To enhance your company's credibility by including a US address on invoices, your website, terms and conditions, and privacy policy
• To have mail forwarded to your home country (some address providers offer international mail forwarding)

If you decide to get a US address, consider which services you need:

• Check deposit
• Mail shredding
• Digital copies of mail
• International forwarding
• Security compliance

Recommendations

If you decide to go with a virtual address provider, you may choose Stable. They take care of USPS Form 1583 and offer an affordable plan for early-stage startups, including all the aforementioned benefits.

Stable allows you to cancel the service and resume it later. They provide an address with a #xxxx format, which is considered a CMRA address—not an actual physical address—by USPS.

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Disclaimer: All content here is for general informational purposes only and not intended as legal, tax, or financial advice. Always consult a qualified professional before taking any action. Use at your own risk; the author assumes no liability.