A Registered Agent is a person or entity appointed to accept service of process and official mail on your business' behalf .
In most states, the agent can be an individual who is at least 18 years old, or it can be a company that provides registered agent services. A corporation or LLC cannot act as its own agent, but in most states, one of its employees or owners can be the agent. The registered agent will need to maintain jurisdiction in the state you intend to file your business. Most states require that an Articles of Organization be drafted and filed with the Secretary of State while others require a Certificate of Organization. Drafting a certificate of organization and maintaining your LLC may be time consuming and overwhelming if you are not familiar with the process. The registered agent can help put your mind at ease with knowing your LLC has been filed and is being well maintained.
Key Benefits of Having a Registered Agent:
- A registered agent will serve as your company’s registered agent through the length that your LLC is active.
- Mail comes directly to your registered agent and they ensure immediate handling, so you receive all correspondences in a timely matter.
- Many registered agent services are able to maintain your LLC remotely, meaning you will never even have to step foot in their office.
- Registered agent will accept service of legal notices on behalf of your company, so you are not served by the Sheriff in a public manner.
- A registered agent will file all mandatory Secretary of State reports on behalf of the company. They will also ensure all reports are filed timely to avoid the company inadvertently being dissolved.
- The Registered Agent will take care of these details allowing you to keep your attention on your business.