CT Corporation represents a vast number of business entities as a registered agent, but it does not accept service indiscriminately. A common misconception is that CT Corporation can accept service for any corporation or out-of-state business. This is not the case.
Understanding who CT Corporation is authorized to accept service for — and who it is not — is essential to valid service of process.
Registered Agent Representation Is Entity-Specific
CT Corporation accepts service only for entities that have formally designated it as their registered agent in New York. Representation is:
- Entity-specific
- Jurisdiction-specific
- Subject to change
An entity that used CT Corporation in the past may no longer do so.
Why Assumptions Lead to Defective Service
Law firms often rely on:
- Prior cases
- Old filings
- Database assumptions
These shortcuts frequently lead to service being rejected because CT Corporation no longer represents the entity — or never did.
Naming Errors Create Immediate Problems
Even when CT Corporation represents the correct entity, service can still fail if:
- The entity name is incorrect
- The legal suffix is missing
- The party is misidentified
Registered agent intake procedures are strict, and naming errors are rarely overlooked.
Verifying Representation Before Service
Before dispatching service, firms should confirm:
- Registered agent designation
- Current representation status
- Proper party naming
Skipping this step is one of the most common causes of defective service through CT Corporation.
Conclusion
Knowing who CT Corporation will accept service for is critical to valid service.