What Is a Registered Agent?

A Registered Agent (RA) is a person or company officially designated to receive legal documents on behalf of your LLC or Corporation. This includes lawsuits, government notices, and important tax documents. Every state in the U.S. requires every business entity to name a Registered Agent when the company is formed or incorporated.

Due to an LLC or Corporation not being a real person, it cannot be served with legal paperwork unless someone is appointed to receive it. The designated recipient is the Registered Agent.

Why Your Business Needs One

Outside of being a smart business strategy:

1.   Stay Compliant and Avoid Legal Trouble

The Registered Agent ensures you never miss critical legal notices. If you don’t respond to a lawsuit, you risk a default judgment, meaning you could lose the case before you even know it was filed. The RA’s job is to notify the Company’s management and/or ownership group right away when important correspondents are received.

2.   Protect Your Privacy

If you serve as your own Registered Agent, your home or office address becomes public record. Hiring a professional Registered Agent keeps your personal address private and off the internet.

3.   Maintain Professionalism

A Registered Agent ensures that your business is always reachable for official matters, even if you are on vacation, moving offices, or changing phone numbers.

Can You Be Your Own Registered Agent?

Yes, if you live in the same state where your business is registered, you can be your own Registered Agent. Although, there are many business owners who prefer to hire a professional Registered Agent or RA service to keep things running smoothly and reduce personal exposure.

How Much Does It Cost?

Typically, a Registered Agent service may cost between $100 and $300 per year, a small price for peace of mind, privacy, and legal protection.

Contact us today for Business Advisory, Accounting, Tax and Payroll Management Services!