- Overview
- FAQs
- What To Expect
Registered Agent Fundamentals: Here's What You Need to Know
So you've made the decision to form a corporation or LLC? Congratulations! One of the first things you'll need in the formation process is a registered agent.
What is a registered agent?
A registered agent, or agent for service of process, helps to ensure your business maintains compliance. It is the state's way of communicating with a corporation or LLC. This agent also receives legal and tax documents on behalf of a business or corporation, such as notifications from the Secretary of State, government notices, tax forms, notifications of lawsuits, and other materials.
Why do you need one?
- It gives you freedom. With a registered agent, if you are located in the state where your business is registered, you won't need to worry about updating the state if you move. If your are an Investor from any other country like lots of clients from Brazil or South America you must keep your register agent. Plus, your agent is obligated to be available during normal business hours. If your company doesn't follow the traditional 9-to-5 work day, an agent can fill the time for you.
- It's the law. If you are incorporated in one state (for example, Delaware, Florida, New York), but physically located in another state, you need a registered agent. Why? Each state requires corporations and LLCs formed within their borders to have an agent with a physical address located in that state where legal documents can be delivered during business hours. And P.O. boxes are not acceptable addresses.
- It's your right. A corporation or LLC has certain legal rights, including the right to due process. And a key component of due process is the right to be given state compliance notices in a timely fashion. An agent ensures your ability to receive information, such as wage garnishments, subpoenas, and court summons.
- You'll stay informed and on time. You'll never miss an important notification. Third-party registered agent services will receive all communications on your behalf, so you don't have to worry about tax forms, legal notices, and other business compliance documents getting lost in the shuffle.
How should you choose a registered agent?
We recommend using an experienced service provider–like Inc Solutions. Why? We're in the business of business compliance, and we're in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Plus, Inc Solutions in diligent to calendar of required filings, order status and related documents, we have the ability to view and pay invoices on your behalf.
Inc Solutions registered agent also offers:
- Reliability. We'll remind you of important deadlines and complete the paperwork for you. And we're available during all business hours, so you're free to attend meetings, travel for work, go on vacation.
- Economy. When you partner with Inc Solutions, you eliminate the need to pay an employee just to wait for documents from the state. With us, you will be covered 24/7. And our rates are competitive compared to other established registered agents.
- Discretion. When you use Inc Solutions for your registered agent services, you'll never run the risk of your customers, vendors, or neighbors seeing a process server deliver legal documents to your place of business or home.
The bottom line? Using an experienced third party, like Inc Solutions, to serve as your agent will give you peace of mind. And that's priceless.
Ready to sign up for our Registered Agent Services?
Get StartedRegistered Agent FAQs
- What is a Registered Agent?
- What is service of process?
- Can I be my own Registered Agent?
- What will Inc solutions do as my Registered Agent?
- How much does this service cost?
What is a Registered Agent?
Corporations and LLCs must designate someone to receive official state correspondence and legal notices, called service of process. Most states refer to this delegate as a "Registered Agent." Some states also use the terms "statutory agent" or "resident agent."
In most states, a Registered Agent must:
- Remain available during normal business hours to receive legal documents
- Maintain a physical address located in the state where the business is registered
- List their name and address in public records
- Promptly forward state correspondence and legal notices to the business
Many business owners opt to use a third-party Registered Agent service like incorporate.solutions to avoid any inconvenience and protect their privacy. For instance, can you guarantee that you will never leave that address during business hours? Do you want a process server or sheriff to deliver your legal documents in front of your customers or neighbors?
Trust Inc Solutions as your Statutory Agent to receive and forward your legal notices discreetly, promptly, and affordably.
Back to TopWhat is service of process?
"Service of process" might sound like a complicated legal term that applies only to large businesses, when in fact, it affects businesses of all sizes, specially with you investing from a foreign country.
- "Service" refers to the delivery of legal documents. Types of service might include mail, fax, e-mail, or personal delivery.
- "Process" refers to legal documents. Companies normally think of documents related to a lawsuit, like a summons or complaint, as "process." However, the process also includes wage garnishments, subpoenas for records, official state correspondence, and other requests common in the course of business.
Together, the words "service of process" simply mean the delivery of legal documents. All states require corporations and LLCs formed in that state to maintain an address in that state for service of process, usually known as the registered address.
Failure to respond to certain correspondence from the state can result in the suspension or termination of your company. Failure to respond to a legal notice can result in a default judgment against your company, which means that a party that has sued your company can receive the relief it was seeking without the court ever hearing your side of the argument.
Back to TopCan I be my own Registered Agent?
Generally, in some states, a company could appoint an individual from that company to serve as its registered agent. However, in order to do so, the individual must:
- Remain available during normal business hours
- Maintain a physical registered office address located in the state where the business registered and any states where the company is doing business
- List his or her name and address in public records
For the sake of privacy and convenience, the majority of businesses choose to appoint a third-party Registered Agent like Inc solutions to handle service of process.
Back to TopWhat will Inc solutions do as my Registered Agent?
As the Registered Agent for your LLC or corporation, we will receive and forward legal documents and state notices on your company's behalf. We maintain a nationwide network of offices to receive legal documents during normal business hours. When we receive legal documents on behalf of your business, we will summarize the vital information on a cover sheet and forward the paperwork to you promptly.
Back to TopHow much are Registered Agent fees?
On an ongoing basis, you will pay an annual fee for our Registered Agent service. Our annual fee is $185 per year.
If your company is already formed with the state, we will waive our service fee to file a change of agent to Inc Solutions. You simply pay state fees and a $185 fee for registered agent service.
Back to TopRegistered Agent Service Request
- "Order online with Inc Solutions.
- Complete your order.
- We will send you Change of Agent forms to be signed and returned to us, so we can complete your state filing.
- Inc Solutions will function as the registered agent for your LLC or corporation and handle all legal documents and service of processes on your behalf.