What Is a Registered Agent?

Many state laws require domestic and foreign corporations and LLCs to appoint a registered agent. These agents must be able to receive service of process, legal documents, and government correspondence and promptly relay it to the business owner.

Choosing a professional registered agent provides some privacy protections for the business owner, and can also make expanding into foreign states easier.

Service of Process

Whether you are forming an LLC, corporation, or other business entity, state law requires that you designate an agent for service of process. This person or company is responsible for receiving lawsuits and important government correspondence on behalf of your business. They are also required to promptly forward these documents to you.

Depending on your location, you may be able to use an individual or business as your registered agent. However, it is highly recommended to use a professional registered agent service like Northwest Registered Agent. They are experienced in handling service of process, have US-based customer support to answer your questions, and provide a reliable corporate address for only $125 per year.

A professional registered agent will be able to guarantee that there is always someone at their physical office during standard business hours. This is much more reliable than having your home address or the address of a business colleague serve as your registered agent.

Notices

A registered agent is a point of contact for legal documents and government correspondence. As a result, they need to be available Monday through Friday during regular business hours to receive service of process and other important documentation for your company. They will then forward that mail to you or your authorized contact and notify you of any upcoming deadlines or actions you need to take.

While it is possible to serve as your own registered agent, many small business owners find that doing so is not practical or will complicate their operations. A professional registered agent service will have the resources and experience to handle your business’s needs more efficiently.

For businesses that operate in multiple states, choosing a nationally recognized registered agent can offer consistency and convenience. This way, all official notices and service of process will be handled by one company you know and trust. It also makes it easier for you to keep your business’s information and compliance with state regulations up-to-date.

Taxes

A registered agent can be an individual or a business service, and must be a resident of the state where they are registered. They receive legal and official correspondence for your business, forward it to you (or your actual address) and provide notifications about upcoming deadlines or actions that you need to take. This saves you time sifting through junk mail and helps you stay on top of critical business documentation.

It also helps keep your private information secure if you run a home-based business. If you choose to list your own address as the registered agent, it becomes a matter of public record and may be used by sheriff’s deputies or process servers who are looking for your business.

Choosing a professional registered agent is one of the best decisions you can make for your business. The benefits of this service are significant, avoiding fines, losing your business status or missed deadlines that lead to expensive litigation.

Compliance

A good registered agent should be capable of complying with all state requirements. This includes being available at the statutory address during business hours, knowing business entity and compliance laws, and offering reliable services at an affordable cost. If a company is going to do business in multiple states, it’s important that the registered agent has experience operating in those states and can support the company as it grows.

Most states require that a business have a registered agent in the state where it’s incorporated or formed. This person or business must be available to receive service of process if sued, notification of tax filings and renewals, and other official communications from the Secretary of State or other government agencies. A professional registered agent can fulfill this requirement and also provide other services that will help the company grow. These services are often less expensive than hiring a full-time employee to handle these duties. Also, using a registered agent provides privacy as the company’s personal address does not have to be listed publically on state records.