Virtual Address for an LLC: Is It Legal, What It Costs and How to Get One (2026)

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Illustration of a virtual address concept: a folder labeled LLC, documents, and an arrow pointing from a suburban house toward a modern building with a 'Virtual Address' sign.
Explore the legality and benefits of using a virtual address for your LLC, and learn how to set one up for privacy and professionalism.

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Short answer: Yes, you can use a virtual address for your LLC. A virtual address works as your LLC’s principal office, mailing address, IRS address and public business address in every state that accepts a street address for those fields. It cannot replace your registered agent address, which must be a physical street address in your formation state where someone accepts legal papers during business hours. BusinessAnywhere gives your LLC both in one account: a virtual address from $20 a month with unlimited scanning, and registered agent service for $147 a year, free for the first year when you form your LLC with BusinessAnywhere.

Key Takeaways

  • A virtual address is legal for your LLC’s principal office, mailing address, IRS forms, website and invoices.
  • It is not a registered agent address. Every state requires a registered agent with a physical address in the formation state.
  • Most states reject a PO Box for the principal office, and a virtual address gives you a street address with a suite number.
  • At 40 letters a month, BusinessAnywhere costs $264 a year with unlimited scanning, against $514 to $1,275 at six other providers.
  • BusinessAnywhere forms the LLC for $0 plus the state fee, includes the first year of registered agent service and gives you the virtual address in the same dashboard.

Get a Virtual Address for Your LLC With BusinessAnywhere

Most virtual address providers sell only the mailbox. BusinessAnywhere puts the three addresses and filings an LLC needs in one account, so your formation documents, registered agent mail and everyday mail sit in the same dashboard.

Service Price What it covers
Virtual address (virtual mailbox) From $20 a month billed annually, or $25 billed monthly A street address, unlimited mail and unlimited scanning, $2 forwarding handling
Registered agent $147 a year, first year free with LLC formation A physical address in your formation state and scans of legal mail and state notices
LLC formation $0 plus the state filing fee Articles of Organization filed with the state, which charges $35 to $520
EIN application $97 Form SS-4 prepared and filed, with or without a US Social Security number
Online notary $37 per document Notarizes USPS Form 1583 from any country

Virtual address plans differ only by the number of mail recipients: Basic covers up to 2, Premium ($30 a month) up to 5 and Advanced ($65 a month) up to 20. Each LLC and each person counts as one recipient. See the virtual mailbox plans, registered agent service and LLC formation service.

Which LLC Addresses Can Be a Virtual Address?

Your LLC uses several addresses, and each one has its own rules:

Address Can it be a virtual address? Rule to know
Principal office address Yes Most states require a street address and reject a PO Box. The address does not need to be in your formation state.
Mailing address Yes Any address where your LLC receives mail.
Registered agent address No Must be a physical street address in the formation state with someone available during business hours to accept service of process.
IRS address (EIN and tax notices) Yes File Form 8822-B when you change it after your EIN is issued.
Business bank account Depends on the bank Some banks reject CMRA addresses for the business or ask for the owner’s residential address. Ask your bank before you apply.
Website, invoices and business cards Yes Keeps your home address off public materials.
Google Business Profile No Google does not allow virtual offices or mailboxes as a business location unless the location is staffed during business hours.

Is a Virtual Address for an LLC Legal?

Yes. A virtual address is legal at the federal level and in every state when you use it for the right address fields. Three rules make it legal.

1. The provider is a USPS registered CMRA

A Commercial Mail Receiving Agency (CMRA) is a private business that accepts mail from the Postal Service for its customers. A legitimate virtual address provider is registered with USPS as a CMRA, and your address includes a suite or box number that identifies your mailbox.

2. You sign USPS Form 1583

USPS Form 1583 authorizes the CMRA to receive mail for you and your LLC. Each applicant shows a current photo ID and a current ID that shows their address, and the signature is verified in person or by a notary, including an online notary. See the USPS Form 1583 guide.

3. You list it in the right places

A virtual address is legal for your principal office and mailing address. It is not a substitute for a registered agent. If you list a virtual mailbox as your registered office and nobody there accepts service of process, your LLC risks a default judgment in a lawsuit and falls out of good standing with the state.

Formation forms differ by state. Delaware, for example, asks only for your registered agent on the Certificate of Formation, so your virtual address goes on your EIN application, bank account and business materials instead. Check your state’s form before you file, or follow the steps in how to start an LLC.

Virtual Address vs. Registered Agent Address

Most compliance problems come from mixing up these two addresses. They do different jobs:

Feature Virtual address Registered agent address
Purpose Everyday business mail, public address, principal office Service of process, state notices and official legal documents
Location Any state Formation state, and each state where you register as a foreign LLC
Staffing Not required Someone available during business hours
Required by law No Yes, for every LLC
How to change it Update the state on your next filing, plus the IRS, bank and contacts File a change of registered agent form with the state

Most LLC owners use both: a registered agent in the formation state and a virtual address for everything else. Read virtual mailbox vs. PO Box vs. registered agent address.

Virtual Address vs. PO Box vs. Home Address for an LLC

Feature Virtual address PO Box Home address
Street address for the principal office Yes No in most states Yes
Keeps your home off public records Yes Yes No
Read mail from anywhere Yes, every letter scanned No No
Packages from UPS, FedEx and DHL Yes Only with Street Addressing Yes
Works for non-US owners Yes No, ID is checked in person No US home to list
Cost From $20 a month at BusinessAnywhere About $5 to $113 a month $0, with a privacy cost

Read can you use a PO Box for an LLC and the pros and cons of using your home address for an LLC.

Virtual Address for an LLC: Total Cost Compared

Virtual address prices start low, but most providers cap the mail items in each plan and charge for every letter they open and scan. An LLC receives IRS notices, state mail, bank letters and invoices, so the scan fees decide what you pay.

Provider Starting price Mail items included Each extra mail item Each open and scan Forwarding handling
BusinessAnywhere $20 a month billed annually Unlimited $0 $0, unlimited scanning $2 per shipment
Traveling Mailbox $15 a month (Basic) 40 envelopes $0.25 $0.50 per page after 35 pages a month $2 per shipment
PostScan Mail $8.33 a month billed annually (Starter) 30 $0.50 $2 per letter (up to 10 pages) $2 per shipment plus $0.50 per extra item
iPostal1 $9.99 a month (Green) 30 $0.35 $2.25 per letter, or $1.50 with a prepaid bundle Not published
Anytime Mailbox $9.99 a month (Bronze) 30 $0.35 $0.50 per page after 5 pages a month $5 per shipment
US Global Mail $49 a month (Scale) Not stated Not stated $3 per letter after 30 a month Not published
Earth Class Mail (LegalZoom) $39 a month (Starter) 5 $3 Free up to 20 pages $1.25 per shipment plus $1 per item

Here is the total for a typical small business: 40 letters a month, every letter opened and scanned (3 pages on average) and one forwarding shipment a month. Each provider is priced on its lowest-cost plan for that volume. Postage is excluded for every provider.

Provider Plan used Extra fees a month Total a month Total a year
BusinessAnywhere Basic, $20 billed annually $2 forwarding $22.00 $264
Traveling Mailbox Extended, $20.83 billed annually (80 pages included) $20 page scans, $2 forwarding $42.83 $514
PostScan Mail Premium, $25 billed annually (20 scans included) $40 scans, $2 forwarding $67.00 $804
iPostal1 Green, $8.25 billed annually $60 scans, $3.50 extra mail, forwarding not published $71.75 or more $861 or more
Anytime Mailbox Bronze, $9.99 $57.50 scans, $3.50 extra mail, $5 forwarding $75.99 $912
US Global Mail Scale, $49 (30 scans a month included) $30 scans, forwarding not published $79.00 or more $948 or more
Earth Class Mail (LegalZoom) Essentials, $59 (25 items included) $45 extra mail, $2.25 forwarding $106.25 $1,275

iPostal1, Anytime Mailbox and US Global Mail prices vary by location, so the figures above use each one’s lowest advertised price. Prices were checked on each provider’s pricing page on November 9, 2026. Compare more options in the best virtual address providers for LLCs.

Virtual Address Locations for Your LLC

BusinessAnywhere has 30 street addresses in 21 states and Washington, DC, all at the same price. Your principal office does not need to be in your formation state, so pick the city that fits your customers, your bank or your formation state.

State Address guide
Wyoming Wyoming virtual office
Delaware Wilmington virtual mailbox
Texas Texas virtual office
Florida Florida virtual office
New Mexico New Mexico virtual address
California California virtual mailbox

See every virtual mailbox location. For state forms and examples, read the Florida virtual address rules for LLCs, the Georgia virtual address compliance guide, virtual address vs. registered agent in Texas and virtual address vs. registered agent in Colorado.

How to Get a Virtual Address for Your LLC in 6 Steps

  1. Choose a CMRA provider with a real street address. Compare the location, scan fees, forwarding fees and whether the provider also offers registered agent service.
  2. Complete USPS Form 1583. List your LLC and everyone who will receive mail, upload two IDs and complete the notarization with your provider or an online notary.
  3. Appoint a registered agent in your formation state. You can act as your own agent only if you live in that state and stay available during business hours. Non-residents and remote founders hire a professional registered agent.
  4. List the virtual address on your LLC filings. For a new LLC, enter it as the principal office and mailing address on your Articles of Organization. For an existing LLC, update it on your next annual report or with the state’s change of address form. See how to change your LLC business address.
  5. Give the IRS your virtual address. Use it on your EIN application, or file Form 8822-B if you already have an EIN. Read more about a virtual address for your EIN.
  6. Update your bank, licenses and contacts. Change the address with your bank, payment processors, licenses, vendors and clients so every record matches. See how virtual addresses work for business bank accounts.

Virtual Address Setup Checklist

Task Where Done when
Open the mailbox CMRA provider You have a street address with a suite number
Sign Form 1583 and verify ID Provider or notary The provider confirms the mailbox is active
Appoint a registered agent Formation state The agent’s name and in-state address are on file
Update the state record Secretary of State The principal office and mailing address show the virtual address
Update the IRS EIN application or Form 8822-B IRS letters arrive at the virtual address
Update the bank and processors Bank, Stripe, PayPal and others Statements show the new address
Update licenses and permits City, county and state agencies Each license lists the new address
Update public materials Website, invoices, contracts Your home address appears nowhere
Set mail rules Provider dashboard Scan, forward and shred rules are active

Virtual Address for a Foreign-Owned LLC

Non-US owners form US LLCs without a US home, and a virtual address fills the gap. Use it as the LLC’s US mailing address on the EIN application, bank forms and state filings, and pair it with a registered agent in the formation state. A foreign owner applies for an EIN without a Social Security number. Read how to get a US address for an LLC as a non-resident and how to use a US business address as a foreign owner.

One Virtual Address for Several LLCs

One mailbox receives mail for several LLCs. Each LLC is a recipient on the Form 1583 and the plan: Basic covers 2 recipients, Premium 5 and Advanced 20, so a real estate investor with several property LLCs keeps all their mail in one dashboard. Read whether one virtual mailbox can handle multiple LLCs.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Listing a PO Box as the principal office. Most states reject it. A CMRA street address meets the requirement.
  • Using the virtual address as the registered agent address. A mailbox without a staffed agent does not meet state law.
  • Skipping Form 8822-B. IRS notices keep going to the old address, and deadlines pass without you seeing them.
  • Using the address for Google Business Profile. Google suspends profiles that list virtual offices or mailboxes that are not staffed.
  • Letting the mailbox lapse. If you cancel, the state, IRS and bank still have the old address. Update every record before you close the mailbox.
  • Using the address for a regulated license without checking. Some licensing boards require a physical place of business. Confirm with the board before you apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a virtual address for my LLC?

Yes. You can use a virtual address as your LLC’s principal office, mailing address and public business address. Your registered agent address must still be a physical address in your formation state with someone available during business hours.

Is a virtual address for an LLC legal?

Yes. A virtual address is legal in every state when the provider is a USPS registered CMRA, you sign USPS Form 1583 and you use it for the principal office and mailing address, not the registered agent address.

How much does a virtual address cost for an LLC?

Starting prices run from $8.33 to $49 a month. At 40 letters a month with every letter scanned, BusinessAnywhere costs $264 a year with unlimited scanning, and six other providers cost $514 to $1,275 a year.

What is the best virtual address for an LLC?

The best virtual address for an LLC is a street address with no per-scan fees, from a provider that also offers registered agent service. BusinessAnywhere includes the virtual address, the registered agent and the LLC formation in one account.

Does the IRS accept a virtual address?

Yes. The IRS accepts a virtual mailbox as your LLC’s mailing address on the EIN application and for tax notices. To change your address after your EIN is issued, file IRS Form 8822-B.

Can a virtual address be my registered agent address?

No. A virtual mailbox address alone does not meet registered agent rules. If your virtual address provider also offers registered agent service in your formation state, the agent address is the one the state accepts for that role.

Can I use a PO Box for my LLC?

You can use a PO Box as a mailing address, but most states require a street address for the principal office and every state requires one for the registered agent. A virtual address gives your LLC a street address.

Can I use my home address for my LLC?

Yes, but your home address then appears on public state records, invoices and your website. A virtual address keeps your home address private.

Do banks accept a virtual address for an LLC?

Some banks accept a virtual address as the business mailing address, and some require a non-CMRA address or the owner’s residential address for verification. Ask the bank before you apply.

Do I need USPS Form 1583 for a virtual address?

Yes. Every CMRA customer signs Form 1583 and provides two forms of ID, one with a photo, before the provider accepts mail on their behalf. You notarize it online from any country for $37.

What if my LLC does not have a physical address?

You do not need an office to form an LLC. Hire a registered agent for the required in-state address and use a virtual address for your principal office and mail. This setup works for remote founders and non-residents.

Does my virtual address need to be in my formation state?

No. Your principal office and mailing address can be in any state. Only the registered agent address must be in the formation state.

Can a non-US resident get a virtual address for an LLC?

Yes. A non-US resident signs USPS Form 1583 with a passport and a second ID that shows their address, and notarizes it online. The address then works on the EIN application, bank forms and state filings.

Can I use one virtual address for several LLCs?

Yes. Add each LLC as a recipient. BusinessAnywhere’s Basic plan covers 2 recipients, Premium 5 and Advanced 20.

Can I get a free virtual address for my LLC?

Free virtual addresses exist, but they limit scans, charge for forwarding or do not offer a real street address. BusinessAnywhere has no free plan. Read what to watch for with free virtual business addresses.

How do I change my LLC address to a virtual address?

Open the mailbox and sign Form 1583, then update the address with the state on your annual report or a change of address form, file IRS Form 8822-B, and update your bank, licenses and contacts.

Can I use a virtual address for Google Business Profile?

No. Google does not allow virtual offices or mailboxes as a business location unless the location is staffed during business hours. Set your profile as a service-area business without a public address instead.

Does a virtual address keep my name private?

A virtual address keeps your home address private. Your name appears on state records when the state lists members or organizers, so choose your formation state with that in mind. Read how to register an LLC without using your home address.

Can I receive packages at my LLC’s virtual address?

Yes. A BusinessAnywhere virtual address receives packages from USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL and Amazon, stores them for 30 days free and forwards them anywhere for $2 plus postage.

How fast is mail scanned?

BusinessAnywhere opens and scans every letter and uploads it to your dashboard within 2 business days, with unlimited scanning on every plan.

What happens to my mail if I cancel my virtual address?

You keep access to your scans for 6 months after your plan ends. Update your address with the state, the IRS, your bank and your contacts before you cancel so new mail goes to the right place.

Get a Virtual Address for Your LLC

Get a real street address with unlimited mail scanning from $20 a month, plus registered agent service in the same account.

Get Your Virtual AddressUnlimited scanning on every plan. Cancel any time.

About Author

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Rick Mak

Rick Mak is a global entrepreneur and business strategist with over 30 years of experience in international business, finance and company formation. Since 2001, he has helped register tens of thousands of LLCs and corporations across all 50 U.S. states for founders, digital nomads and remote entrepreneurs. He holds degrees in International Business, Finance and Economics, and master's degrees in Entrepreneurship and International Law. Rick has started, bought or sold over a dozen companies and has spoken at hundreds of conferences worldwide on offshore structuring, tax optimization and asset protection. His work has been featured in Business Insider, Yahoo Finance, Street Insider and Mirror Review. As Manager of BusinessAnywhere, Rick shares guidance drawn from decades of cross-border business experience. To learn how we keep our content accurate, read our editorial guidelines.

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