Kam,

Here are the answers to your questions (see below):

Who can be a registered agent and what is registered agent’s duty?
In the US, a registered agent (in some states called “statutory agent” or “resident agent”) is a company or individual designated to receive service of process (SOP) when a business entity is a party in a legal action, e.g. a lawsuit or summons. A registered agent is required for most business entities, the exact requirements do however vary from state to state.

Why do we need registered agent?
If you fail to designate and maintain a registered agent, your company risks loosing its limited liability status and this can lead to a long row of legal ramifications. Your company can be dissolved and any certificates that your company holds may be revoked. The registered agent must have a registered office and be functioning properly. Also, having a poorly functioning registered agent can result in legal claims and other important documents not reaching you, which puts your company at risk for default judgments.

Does register agent have to be an attorney?
Absolutely not, it can be an individual or a company.