Using a Registered Agent for a Lawsuit

[Arazu Toth]

My question involves court procedures for the state of: Arizona

Does anyone know what Local/Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (or 9th circuit case law) either allow or prohibit the use of a Registered Agent Address for a pro se party to a lawsuit? The purpose is to protect the party's home address from certain defendants who have a history of violence and/or abuse.

[Conrad Hunter]

Only a corporation or LLC would have a registered agent. Never heard of that being used to hide the address of a party. If it was a corp/LLC they would have to have an attorney and everything would be sent to the attorney.

It would make more sense to pay for a private mailbox like at the UPS store. It would be a street address so they wouldn't even really know, but it would not matter. Or you could just use a P.O Box.

Professional registered agent services are not going to do what you want either.

[Arazu Toth]

Conrad, you are incorrect; I am currently using a RA service and have been for my lawsuit without any issues - and they can accept service on my behalf.

My question was related to the actual laws in Arizona (or Federal) as my use of a RA (which can accept service on my behalf) is considered legitimate or not as it is being challenged, but the challenge does not provide substantive law showing my use of a RA to be a violation of the rules. I'm hoping Mr. Knowitall will step in and provide some ARS/Fed.R.Civ.P./Case Law (9th circuit) that confirms or denies the use of a RA (or 3rd party service) for a lawsuit.

One cannot use a PO Box because the address must be able to accept service - but I don't know where this is established in law. AFAIK using any address where service can be legally accepted is perfectly legitimate (logically it makes sense) - however I'd like to find the law to back such an assumption.