There are distinct benefits to having someone else serve as your registered agent.
A registered agent is an individual or business entity that accepts official documents, such as tax documents, government correspondence, and service of process, on behalf of your business.
Recommended: ZenBusiness is the overall best registered agent service, providing great customer service, and a worry-free guarantee at an affordable price.
In this article, we cover all the major advantages of using an affordable, nationally registered agent service provider.
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Advantages of Using a Registered Agent Service
There are several benefits of using a professional registered agent service. They include compliance with the law, peace of mind, flexibility, and privacy.
Compliance With the Law
A registered agent service can help you stay up to date on state rules governing your business by sending filing reminders. This can help you avoid legal fees and penalties.
In addition, a registered agent service can help you find accountants and legal professionals in your state. It can also keep copies of your important corporate documents as backups.
Peace of Mind
With a registered agent service, you can focus on growing your business, knowing that official documents are being accepted and forwarded to you as needed. The service also can keep personal and business mail separate, which helps maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Flexibility
By using a registered agent service, you don’t have to be personally available during regular business hours to receive documents. Plus, hiring a national registered agent service with a physical presence in every state will let you form an LLC in one or more other states.
Privacy
A company’s registered agent must have a publicly listed address. By using a service, you can keep your home address out of the public eye if you have a home-based business, or avoid having sensitive documents delivered to the office in front of employees and customers if you work somewhere besides your home.
How to Select a Registered Agent Service
Besides maintaining an office in the state where your LLC was formed, look for a national registered agent service with the following services:
- Compliance management: reminders for filing annual reports and other important deadlines
- Document management: local scanning of all official documents so you can access them from your online account
- Availability: a reliable customer service team who can answer any questions you may have
- Thorough coverage: the ability to provide registered agent services in all 50 states
Recommended Registered Agent Services
ZenBusiness Registered Agent
ZenBusiness has the most comprehensive registered agent services available for the money. Not only does it include registered agent services with LLC formation, but it only charges $99 annually after the first year.
The Complete Registered Agent plan includes the ZenBusiness “Worry-Free Compliance” guarantee. This guarantee includes providing alerts for annual report filing, submitting documents on your company’s behalf, and allowing you to make two free changes to your filings per year. It also covers the costs of regaining good standing if your company should miss a deadline.
Additionally, ZenBusiness offers a user-friendly, intuitive dashboard for all their services. You can keep track of important business documents in real time for convenience.
Should I Use a Registered Agent Service Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be my own registered agent?
It is possible to be your own registered agent. You could also choose to elect a member of your LLC, or even a friend you trust, as long as the person meets these requirements:
- is 18 years or older
- has a physical address in the state where the business is conducted
- is available during normal business hours
Another option would be to hire a professional registered agent service. One of the disadvantages is that it is more expensive than acting as your own. However, using a service helps you avoid any fees or further legal trouble caused by missing or misplacing an important document or notice. This can actually save you more time and money in the long run.
Who can be a registered agent?
Anyone can be a registered agent if they’re available during regular business hours at the specified address. However, we recommend hiring an experienced and reliable registered agent service like ZenBusiness, Incfile, or Northwest to handle registered agent duties.
How much does an LLC registered agent cost?
A registered agent service can cost anywhere from $50 to $300, but hiring a registered agent service will save you time and money in the long run.
How much does it cost to change my registered agent?
Depending on the state, changing your registered agent could be free, or there could be a nominal charge.
What is a commercial vs. noncommercial registered agent?
Most states require LLC owners to provide their company’s registered agent’s name and address at the formation stage. You might also be asked whether you’re electing a commercial or non-commercial registered agent. Some states refer to the professional registered agent as commercial agents and individual agents as non-commercial.