Get A Business Address
Protect your privacy, look legit, and maintain a permanent address no matter how many times you move. No office required.
How to Get a Business Address
Why You Need a Business Address
For your paperwork. When you start a business, you need an address to list on the public record. If your business is remote or requires privacy, this presents a problem. We recommend against listing your home address on the public record. Once it’s there, you can’t take it back. A business address can protect your privacy.
To save money. If you move, you’ll have to file paperwork to change your address with the state. But not if you have a business address through Northwest. Our address can serve as your permanent business address, and you can move as many times as you need to without filing paperwork and paying fees.
For credibility. If a potential client, customer, or investor looks up your business address online, you want them to see a legit commercial building in your state. Not a residential address. A commercial address helps you look like a serious business, not a scam.
What is a business address service?
A business address service provides a physical address (not a PO box!) in a state of your choosing for use on public documents. When you form an LLC, you’ll need to provide your state government with a street address in your state. This address will be listed on the public record. This creates a real problem for folks who don’t have a dedicated storefront or office and for business owners who want to keep their office location private for safety reasons.
Our business address service provides different levels of support to suit your needs. For all of our clients, we provide a Free Business Address by default. This is an address you can list on public documents, and we’ll scan and upload up to five pieces of mail per year at this address.
But in certain high traffic states, we offer options for both Mail Forwarding and Virtual Office for businesses that need a unique suite number, expanded mail scanning and a phone line.
We offer Mail Forwarding and Virtual Office Service in the following states:
Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming.
Why use a Virtual Business Address?
Stability
We own our buildings. When we provide you with a business address, it’s permanent. If you move, you won’t have to spend time and money updating all of your paperwork. You can move as many times as you’d like and your business address will stay the same.
Privacy
Once you list your home address on the public record, it’s impossible to take it back. You’ll see increased junk mail and maybe even unwanted visitors on your doorstep. But even if you have a dedicated office, using a virtual business address can protect vulnerable clients or employees.
Credibility
Your business address is a key part of your Business Identity. Potential clients and customers are likely to look up your business address, so make sure they see a nice commercial building in your state. That’s what they’ll see if you use our address.
Business Address Vs. Virtual Business Address
While some people define a business address as the physical location where a business operates, this isn’t always the case. Many businesses use a virtual office address as their business address. Here’s why.
Remote or online businesses don’t always operate out of a single location. And sometimes they operate out of the owner’s home. When facing this dilemma, you can use a virtual business address in place of your home address on public documents. This both protects your privacy and helps build credibility with anyone who looks up your business address. We offer a free virtual business address to all our clients.
Some businesses do operate out of a dedicated location, but still want to keep their location off the public record. Businesses that employ or serve a vulnerable population may do this for safety reasons, but you don’t need to justify a desire to keep your location off the internet. These businesses often hire us for Mail Forwarding or Virtual Office so that they can use our address on business cards and list it on their website.
Business Address Vs. Registered Agent Address
When you fill out your formation paperwork (called Articles of Organization or Incorporation in most states), you’ll have to provide two addresses: a registered agent address and a business address.
A registered agent address is the physical address in your state where your registered agent is available during business hours to accept service of process. If your business is ever served a lawsuit or subpoena, a process server will show up in person at this address. That’s why the government requires it to be a street address where your registered agent is present. This address is your business’s legal point of contact.
Your business address or principal office address is where your business operates, with a caveat. Some states do not require you to list the location of your actual business here. In those states, you can use your registered agent address for this field, which can spare you from listing your home address on the public record. Some states have strict rules about whether or not you can use your registered agent address on this line. Wherever we’re allowed, we’ll automatically use our address in place of yours.
Thinking about going Northwest?
Why Choose Northwest?
Privacy By Default ®
Privacy by Default® is the practice of automatically minimizing the exposure of your personal data. We shield your personal information wherever possible and never, ever sell your data to third parties. You don’t have to opt in. It’s automatic.
We’re Just Not Annoying ®
Have you ever waited on hold for a refund for ten years? Or done battle with four chatbots just to talk to a person? We hate that kind of thing. Call us and we’ll pick up. If we don’t, we’ll get back to you in a few hours, tops. And unlike the state, we’ve never charged a late fee.
We Are Corporate Guides ®
Our Corporate Guides® have years of experience navigating state bureaucracy. They’re a mish-mash of paralegals, accountants, advisors, educators, lawyers, and business experts with insider knowledge. They know the ins and outs of every state. And they love talking shop.
We’re Independent, Like You ®
No investors. No debt. No third-party “partners.” We don’t outsource our services to anyone, and we’re beholden to no one but you. Building and owning our own services means we have more control, and that means we can give you more control. Stay independent. Learn more in our Manifesto.
Business Address FAQs
A business address is the address you list on your formation documents to indicate to the state government the location where your business operates. A virtual business address is an professional location that you can use for your business without being present. In many states, you can use a virtual business address as your business address, which can spare you from listing your home address on the public record and help build credibility.