Setting up a company in the United States as a non-resident founder involves dealing with multiple requirements you may not face in your home country. Among the first things you will encounter is the question of addresses. Which addresses do you need? Do they have to be in the United States? Can you use your home address abroad?
The confusion usually arises when banks request a physical address during onboarding. Many non-US founders assume they have only one company address, that this is what the bank is asking for, and that it must therefore be located in the United States. In reality, a company has two different addresses with different purposes.
There are:
- Legal address
- Physical address
- Mailing address, although very often the legal and mailing addresses are the same.
Only the legal address must be in the US, while the physical address can be anywhere in the world.
This topic creates a lot of confusion, especially around the difference between a legal address and a physical address. Many founders assume that both must be located in the United States, which is not true. In fact, only the legal address must be US-based, while your physical address can be anywhere in the world.
This article will walk you through each type of address, how they work, what options you have, and what matters in practice.
Why Addresses Matter
The US government, banks, and business partners need to know where to reach your company. However, not every address serves the same function:
- Legal address is about compliance.
- Physical address is about where you operate.
- Mailing address is about receiving correspondence (and that is often the legal address, i.e. the registered agent address).
Understanding how these work together will help you avoid unnecessary costs (like leasing an office in the US when you don’t need one) and keep your company compliant from day one.
Legal Address
The legal address is the company’s official registered address on record with the state. Every US company must have one, and it must always be located in the United States.
This is the address where your company can receive a service of process (official legal documents) and state correspondence. For that reason, every state requires you to appoint a registered agent, who provides this address and is responsible for receiving such documents on your behalf.
Options available
- Registered agent service – By far the most common option. Neubase includes a registered agent with every subscription. The agent provides you with a US address and forwards all important documents to you.
- Virtual office – Some founders choose a virtual office provider, which gives them a US address and may also include mail handling or limited office services. While this can serve as the legal address in some states, you must ensure the provider is authorized to act as a registered agent.
- Your own office – If you actually maintain an office in the US, you could use that address. However, most non-resident founders do not.
What founders actually use
Nearly all of our clients use the registered agent’s address as their legal address. It is simple, compliant, and cost-effective. This address also serves as the mailing address, because the registered agent will forward correspondence to you.
Physical Address
The physical address is the address where your business operates. This is not a legal requirement in the sense of incorporation—it does not need to be in the United States. If you run your business from your home in Amsterdam, São Paulo, or Singapore, you can list that as your company’s physical address.
Why the confusion?
Many founders assume the physical address must also be a US address, often because banks and other service providers sometimes ask for one. In reality, your physical address is wherever your operations take place.
When does a US physical address matter?
In practice, the only time most non-resident founders need to think about a US physical address is when opening a bank account. Some banks require proof of a US address as part of their compliance checks, which usually means providing a lease agreement.
This lease might come from:
- Coworking space – Renting a desk or an office in a shared space.
- Virtual office with lease – Some services provide a lease agreement along with mail forwarding.
That said, not all banks have this requirement. Fintech banks such as Mercury, Brex, and Meow are generally satisfied with your international physical address. In contrast, traditional banks and Relay will typically require a physical address in the US.
Outside of banking (and in rare cases, industry-specific licensing), you will not need a US physical address.
What founders actually use
Our clients usually use their home address abroad as the physical address of the company. It is perfectly valid and keeps things simple.
Mailing Address
The mailing address is where your company receives correspondence from the IRS, banks, and business partners. It can be the same as your legal address, physical address, or a completely different one.
Options available
- Registered agent address – Most common. Since the registered agent already receives official mail, this is the simplest solution.
- Virtual mailbox – Useful if you want a US mailing presence separate from your legal address.
- Company office – If you lease an office in the US, you can receive mail there.
What founders actually use
A separate mailing address is rarely necessary. For nearly all founders, the registered agent’s address doubles as both legal and mailing.
Key Distinctions
Let’s summarize the roles of each type of address:
- Legal address – Must be in the US. Provided by your registered agent. Required for compliance.
- Physical address – Can be anywhere in the world. Only relevant for banks at the beginning or if licenses demand it.
- Mailing address – Often the same as the legal address. Separate mailing addresses are rarely used.
One address can serve multiple roles, but it is important to understand what each role requires.
Practical Scenarios for Non-US Founders
To make this clearer, let’s look at how most Neubase clients set up their addresses:
Scenario 1: Standard Setup
- Legal & Mailing = Registered Agent’s address in the US
- Physical = Founder’s home address abroad
- Outcome = Fully compliant, simple, cost-effective
Scenario 2: Bank Requires a US Address
- Legal & Mailing = Registered Agent’s address in the US
- Physical = US coworking lease or virtual office with lease agreement
- Outcome = Compliant and satisfies the bank’s onboarding process
Scenario 3: Industry-Specific Requirement
- Legal & Mailing = Registered Agent’s address in the US
- Physical = Leased US office (mandatory for certain licenses)
- Outcome = Necessary only in niche situations (e.g., regulated financial or healthcare businesses)
Most founders never move beyond Scenario 1.
Best Practices
- Use your registered agent for legal and mailing – This is the standard and avoids missed documents.
- List your real home or office abroad as your physical address – It is valid and compliant.
- Lease only if required – Do not pay for a US lease unless a bank or regulator demands it.
- Maintain consistency – Make sure the addresses you list in state filings, IRS documents, and bank forms match where appropriate.
- Stay updated – If you change your home or office abroad, update your records so that your physical address stays accurate.
Conclusion
When forming a US company, you only need one address in the United States: the legal address, which is provided by your registered agent. Neubase takes care of this for you as part of every subscription.
Your physical address can be anywhere in the world—most founders simply use their home or office abroad. The only time you might need a US physical address is when a bank requests it, and in that case, a coworking lease or virtual office solves the problem.
Your mailing address is usually the same as your legal address. A separate mailing address is not necessary for most founders.
By understanding the distinctions and not overcomplicating your setup, you save money, avoid unnecessary leases, and remain fully compliant. Neubase ensures you get the right setup from day one, so you can focus on building your business.
