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Indiana has introduced important updates to its business filing requirements designed to enhance transparency and reduce fraud. It’s essential for businesses operating within the state to take notice of these changes.
Specifically, House Enrolled Act 1593 (2025) is a new law designed to reduce fraud in business filings with the Indiana Secretary of State. It establishes a stricter framework for business information by:
• Tightening rules around business addresses
• Allowing limited use of commercial mail receiving agency—or CMRA—addresses
• Creating new rules for CMRA operators
• Requiring identity verification for anyone who files biennial reports on behalf of a business.
Most parts of the law took effect Jan. 1.
Contact address and principal office
The law creates a new type of address called a “contact address.” A business’s contact address can be either:
• A governing person’s home address
• A CMRA customer address (if the CMRA agreement is valid and required information is reported to the state).
At the same time, the “principal office” is redefined. Normally, it must be the place where the business regularly operates and where a governing person is usually present. However, if a business operates entirely online with no physical business office, it may list its contact address as its principal office.
The practical meaning of all this is that a remote-only business can use a CMRA address in limited circumstances, but the state will still require information that allows it to identify and trace the real people behind the business.
New rules for CMRA operators
The law creates a full regulatory system for CMRAs operating in Indiana. To operate a CMRA in Indiana, a provider must file a notice with the Office of Secretary of State listing:
• Name of entity/individual operating the CMRA
• Type of entity and jurisdiction of formation
• Statement that they operate or will operate a CMRA
• Their Indiana business address
• Email address
• Agreement to follow the “service agreement process” established by the Secretary of State.
When a CMRA address appears in a state filing
If a customer uses a CMRA address in any filing, the CMRA operator must give the Secretary of State the customer’s name and contact information. But keep in mind that this information is not public.
If a customer uses a CMRA address as a contact address and then closes their CMRA account, the CMRA operator must notify the state within 60 days providing the Secretary of State’s Office with the customer’s physical address and email address.
Submitting false information or violating the rules could result in being barred from operating a CMRA in Indiana.
Identity verification for biennial reports
Starting Jan. 1, anyone filing an Indiana biennial report on behalf of someone else must verify that person’s identity. Acceptable methods include:
• Checking ID manually
• Using identity-verification software or services
• Collecting copies of government ID (driver’s license, ID card, passport).
If the Secretary of State’s Office asks, the filer must provide the verification records. This applies to all domestic entities and foreign entities registered in Indiana.
Navigating business compliance can feel overwhelming, especially with new regulations like SEA 1593 (2025) that introduce stricter rules and identity verification. Whether a business needs to update its contact or principal office address under the new definitions, understand the intricacies of a CMRA or prepare for the mandatory identity verification requirements that started this year, reliable guidance is essential to achieving compliance. Working with a trusted compliance partner, such as LegalZoom, simplifies these complex measures so entrepreneurs can focus on running their businesses.•
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DeSantis is senior director of product counsel at LegalZoom.
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