What Is A Registered Agent When Filing An Llc

Well-nigh LLC filing companies trick yous into hiring them as your LLC's Registered Agent.

Nosotros'll requite y'all the truth about what a Registered Agent is, tell you lot what your options are, and how to save coin.

LLC Registered Agent: Form an LLC (six/11)

Special offer: If you hire Northwest to form your LLC ($39 + state fee), they'll include their Registered Amanuensis service free for the 1st yr.

What is a Registered Agent & Registered Office?

There needs to be a reliable street address (and a reliable point of contact) where legal documents can exist delivered in case your LLC is sued.

This is known every bit your Registered Office and Registered Agent.

Your Registered Role must exist a street accost located in the country where your LLC is formed.

Your Registered Role cannot exist a PO Box address.

Recollect of your Registered Part as the "dwelling house base" for your Registered Agent.

Your Registered Agent should be available at this accost during normal business hours to receive whatever documents on behalf of your LLC.

Your Registered Office can exist an actual function accost, or it can be your home address, or even the address of a friend or family member.

Service of Process

Again, your Registered Agent must hold to accept delivery of legal documents related to any lawsuits confronting your LLC.

Commitment of legal documents related to a lawsuit is known every bit Service of Process.

Service of Process for an LLC includes items such equally complaints, summons, and/or subpoenas.

Many states will as well employ your Registered Agent as a general betoken of contact for mailing you business & state taxation notices, payment reminders, and other documents.

Who Tin can Be Your LLC'due south Registered Agent?

You have 3 options for designating your LLC's Registered Agent:

Option i: You tin can exist your LLC'due south Registered Agent.

Pick 2: A friend or family member tin can be your LLC'due south Registered Amanuensis.

Option 3: You tin can hire a Commercial Registered Agent for a fee.

Note: There are a couple states that allow your LLC to serve as its ain Registered Agent, but this is the exception to the rule. In 90% of the states your LLC cannot exist its ain Registered Agent.

How Do I Know Which Registered Agent to Cull?

It depends on whether or not you have a street address located in the state where you are forming your LLC.

If y'all take a street address in the state, and then choose Option ane.

Option i is the most convenient and least expensive (information technology's free!). This is what the majority of our customers do.

If you don't have a street accost in the state, then cull Option 2 or Choice three.

Cull Option 2 if you have a trusted friend or family fellow member (who has a street address in the land).

Since you won't need to hire a Commercial Registered Agent, you'll save yourself some money.

If you (or friends or family members) don't have an accost in the state, then you will demand to choose Option 3 and hire a Commercial Registered Agent.

Commercial Registered Agent

A Commercial Registered Agent is a company that specializes in receiving Service of Process on behalf of businesses nationwide. They typically accuse between $100-300 per yr.

Once hired, they will receive Service of Process on behalf of your LLC and then forward information technology to you by postal service at whatsoever address you'd like. Most volition also fax or e-mail your documents if preferred.

If y'all need a Commercial Registered Agent, we recommend Northwest Registered Amanuensis (for $125 per year).

Northwest will scan any mail that is sent to your LLC and upload it to your online account. They'll besides allow you lot employ their address throughout your entire LLC filing for added privacy (keeping your address off of public records).

Registered Amanuensis rules in all 50 states

Click the links below to larn about Registered Amanuensis rules in all l states:

Registered Agent Myths Exposed

Unfortunately, many LLC formation companies fob you into hiring them equally your Registered Agent.

These companies hibernate this information in the fine print during the checkout process.

Most people don't realize they are paying actress fees that are existence automatically charged to their credit cards each year.

These companies employ language like, "Your LLC is required to have a Registered Agent." (so give no additional data).

While your LLC is required to have a Registered Agent, they don't tell you lot that you have other options outside of their visitor…

Like you being the Registered Agent for your LLC, or using a friend or family member as your LLC'south Registered Agent.

Even if you need to hire a Commercial Registered Agent, you should use a reputable company… not companies that have to play a trick on you into hiring them.

Registered Amanuensis Epitomize

Once you decide who your LLC'southward Registered Agent will be, yous will and so listing their proper noun and address when you file your LLC Formation Documents with the land.

Don't worry virtually being "locked in" to one Registered Amanuensis…

If yous e'er need to change your Registered Amanuensis (or Registered Office), you simply demand to file a simple form with your state and pay a small fee.

Founder & Educator, LLC Academy®

Matt Horwitz has been the leading practiced on LLC didactics for the past decade. He founded LLC University in 2010 later realizing people needed simple and actionable instructions to start an LLC that other companies weren't offering. He'due south cited past Entrepreneur Mag, Yahoo Finance, and the U.s.a. Bedroom of Commerce, and was featured by CNBC and InventRight.

Matt holds a Bachelor'due south Caste in concern from Drexel University with a concentration in business law. He performs extensive research and assay to convert land laws into uncomplicated instructions anyone can follow to form their LLC - all for gratis! Read more than well-nigh Matt Horwitz and LLC University.