Walk through the quiet streets of Sheridan, Wyoming, and you might expect to see cowboys, rugged scenery, and maybe a sleepy downtown. You probably wouldn't expect to find the legal heart of tens of thousands of global companies. Yet, 30 North Gould Street has become a sort of legend in the business world. It is a humble, two-story brick building that looks more like a local storefront than a global corporate hub.
It’s crowded. Not with people, but with paperwork.
If you’ve ever looked up a random e-commerce brand or a tech startup and saw this address, you aren't alone. It is the registered office for a staggering number of Limited Liability Companies (LLCs). Why? Because Wyoming is basically the Switzerland of the American West when it comes to privacy and taxes. People flock to this specific patch of pavement because of what it represents: a shield.
The Wyoming Magic at 30 North Gould Street
Wyoming was actually the first state to create the LLC structure back in 1977. Since then, they've doubled down on being the most business-friendly spot in the country. 30 North Gould Street serves as the headquarters for Registered Agents Inc., a company that specializes in helping people set up businesses without needing a physical office in the state.
Registered agents are a legal requirement. You need a physical address where the state can send official documents, lawsuits, or tax notices. Most small business owners living in California or New York don’t want to use their home address. It’s a privacy nightmare. So, they pay a fee, and suddenly, their "official" business home is a brick building in Sheridan.
Privacy is the real product
When you register a business at 30 North Gould Street, your name doesn't have to appear in the public database. Wyoming allows for "nominee" services. This means the person listed on the public record isn't necessarily the owner. For someone running a controversial blog or a high-revenue Amazon FBA store, that anonymity is gold. It keeps the solicitors and the weirdos away from their front porch.
It’s not just about hiding, though. It’s about asset protection. Wyoming law is famously tough on "charging orders." If someone sues you personally, it is incredibly difficult for them to reach into your Wyoming LLC and grab the assets inside. This legal fortress is why the address appears on so many filings.
Why Sheridan?
You might wonder why it’s not in Cheyenne or Casper. Sheridan is a bit of a strategic choice. It’s a beautiful town, sure, but it’s also become a tech-adjacent hub because of the infrastructure built by registered agent services.
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There’s a common misconception that 30 North Gould Street is a "shell company factory." While "shell company" sounds like something out of a spy movie, most of these are legitimate small businesses. Think about a graphic designer in Ohio who wants to protect their personal savings. Or a software developer in Ukraine who needs a US-based entity to use Stripe or PayPal. For them, this address is a lifeline to the American economy.
The building itself has seen some drama. Because so many companies are registered there, it’s a natural magnet for process servers. If someone wants to sue a company that only exists on paper, they send the papers to Sheridan.
The volume is staggering
It is hard to pin down the exact number because companies come and go, but estimates often place the number of entities linked to this address in the tens of thousands. Imagine ten thousand businesses trying to fit into one breakroom. Obviously, they aren't there physically. There are no desks for them. No water coolers. No printers. It's a digital filing cabinet made of brick and mortar.
Tax Benefits and the "No-Tax" Allure
Wyoming has no state income tax. None. For a business, this is a massive draw. If you incorporate at 30 North Gould Street, you aren't paying Wyoming a dime of your profits. You still owe federal taxes to the IRS, of course—don't let anyone tell you otherwise—but skipping the state-level bite makes a huge difference in your annual margins.
There's also no franchise tax. In some states, you pay just for the "privilege" of existing. Wyoming keeps the annual report fees low, usually around $60 for most small entities. It’s cheap. It’s efficient. It’s the Walmart of corporate filings.
Is it all legal?
Totally.
But, like anything involving privacy, it attracts a mix of people. Most are honest entrepreneurs. Some, however, use the anonymity to run scams or avoid accountability. This has led to some heat from investigative journalists over the years. They look at the sheer volume of businesses at 30 North Gould Street and cry foul.
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The truth is more nuanced. You can't blame the building for the tenant's behavior. Registered Agents Inc. provides a service, and they generally follow the "Know Your Customer" (KYC) rules required by law. If a company at that address does something illegal, law enforcement can still use subpoenas to find out who is really behind the curtain. The "shield" has holes if the government comes knocking with a warrant.
What it’s like inside 30 North Gould Street
If you actually walked into the building, you wouldn't see thousands of employees. You'd see a professional office setup designed to handle massive amounts of mail.
Mail forwarding is the heartbeat of the operation. When a bank sends a credit card to a "company" at 30 North Gould, the staff there scans it or ships it to the owner’s real location. It’s a high-speed logistics game. They handle thousands of pieces of mail daily. It’s a quiet, rhythmic process of sorting, scanning, and shredding.
The Competition
Sheridan isn't the only place doing this. Delaware has the North Orange Street address in Wilmington, which famously houses hundreds of thousands of companies (including giants like Google and Apple). Nevada has its own hubs in Carson City. But Wyoming, and specifically the 30 North Gould location, has carved out a niche for the "little guy" and the privacy-conscious solopreneur.
Common Myths About the Address
One big myth is that if you use this address, you don't have to pay taxes in your home state. That’s a dangerous lie. If you live in California and run a business through a Wyoming LLC, California still wants their cut because you are "doing business" in their state. The address helps with privacy and Wyoming-sourced income, but it isn't a magical "get out of taxes free" card.
Another myth is that it’s a "fake" address. It’s very real. If you mail a letter there, a human being will pick it up. It’s a "virtual office" in function, but a "physical presence" in legal terms.
Real-World Impact of the Sheridan Hub
The presence of these firms has actually boosted the local economy in Sheridan. It brings in filing fees for the state and creates steady, white-collar jobs in a region that historically relied on coal and ranching. It’s a 21st-century industry built on the 18th-century concept of the "right to be left alone."
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Sometimes, the address pops up in the news for the wrong reasons. A shady medical supply company might list it during a pandemic, or a "pump and dump" stock scheme might be traced back there. Because it’s the default address for so many, it’s bound to have some bad actors in the mix. But for every one scammer, there are probably a thousand legitimate consultants, Etsy sellers, and independent contractors just trying to keep their home address off the internet.
Why people keep choosing it
- Low Barriers to Entry: You can start a business here in about 24 hours.
- Minimal Paperwork: Wyoming doesn't require a lot of "corporate formalities" like frequent meetings or complex bylaws.
- The "Western" Brand: There’s a certain rugged, independent vibe to having a Wyoming company that appeals to American entrepreneurs.
Actionable Steps for Business Owners
If you are looking at 30 North Gould Street as a potential home for your next venture, don't just jump in because it sounds cool. Think about your actual needs.
First, determine if you truly need privacy. If your business is public-facing and your name is already everywhere, the "nominee" service might be an unnecessary expense. However, if you're holding assets like real estate or intellectual property, the protection is top-tier.
Second, check your local "nexus" laws. Talk to a CPA. Ask them: "If I register in Wyoming but work from my couch in Florida, what are my obligations?" You'll likely still need to register as a "foreign entity" in your home state, which costs extra money.
Third, look at the long-term costs. The initial filing is cheap, but you'll pay an annual fee to the registered agent and an annual report fee to the state of Wyoming. It’s a subscription model for your business's legal existence.
Finally, understand the mail situation. If you expect a lot of physical packages, a registered agent address might not be the best fit. They are designed for legal documents and small batches of mail, not as a distribution warehouse for your shoe brand.
30 North Gould Street remains a fascinating monument to the modern economy. It’s a place where the physical world meets the digital world, providing a layer of protection and professional polish to thousands of people who might never even visit the state of Wyoming. It's not a secret society; it's just smart business infrastructure.