As with other G protein-coupled receptors, type I angiotensin II receptors (AT1R) are plasma membrane-associated receptors that bind an extracellular agonist and initiate signal transduction pathways that mediate the physiologic actions elicited by the peptide. After agonist binding, AT1R undergo endocytosis and, after intracellular ligand dissociation, the receptors recycle to the plasma membrane. There are data from a variety of cell types suggesting that internalization of AT1R may be involved in activating a subset of angiotensin II-mediated signaling pathways. The evidence for active cytoplasmic and nuclear angiotensin II receptors is also reviewed. These studies suggest that internalization of peptide and receptor may be a necessary step for the transmission of the full range of cellular responses produced by angiotensin II.