Business Registered Agents – Roles, Responsibilities, and Other Facts

A business registration agent is an individual or entity who accepts legal or tax documents on behalf of a business enterprise. Such agents are known by different names, like registered agents, statutory agents, or resident agents. Most states require business organizations to have an LLC registered agent when they form a limited liability company (LLC). So, organizations must designate business registered agents for LLCs, corporations, or partnerships while starting businesses.
Duties of LLC registered agents
Such agents serve as representatives of business organizations for all legal routine matters. However, their duties may vary from state to state, depending on the compliance rules. Some of the roles and responsibilities they assume are as follows.
Contact Person
Registered agents will have their names officially on all files of an organization. The agents will receive all incoming mail from solicitors, spammers, government authorities, and other clients. The agent also acts as an ‘on-call’ contact person or representative for the business and remains available during standard business hours.
Corporate Liaison
Such agents act as corporate liaisons between the government and a business organization. The agent must remain available to accept all significant legal documents and ensure that the business owner receives them on time. Their presence helps avert serious consequences if important messages or calls go unanswered.
Service of process
The service of process is responsible for putting the business organization’s legal rights into practice. Here, the agent is the recipient of the service of process. In case of lawsuits where the owner is summoned to court, the company holds the legal right to be notified in writing. An LLC registered agent acts as a process server during lawsuits and accepts and delivers summons for the business organization.
$49 LLC registered agents
Multiple LLC registered agents or service agencies provide their services for $49 a year. The $49 LLC registered agents help keep a business law-abiding by maintaining up-to-date tax and legal paperwork for the organization. The agents further accept official correspondence on behalf of the organization, like tax forms, legal notices, and paperwork from the federal and state government for various purposes.
Eligibility criteria
Both individuals and business entities can serve as an organization’s registered agents. However, the requirements for agents may vary from state to state. Individuals wanting to become LLC registered agents must be at least 18 years old. Business organizations must get registered to function as LLC agents in the state. The registered agents must have a physical office location and remain present during standard business hours. The best aspect of the eligibility standards is that you can become your own registered agent. Lawyers, employees, friends or relatives, a spouse, or any trusted individual who meets the eligibility criteria can serve as registered agents for LLC. However, it is advised to approach a $49 registered agent service near you to handle your business requirements.
Can LLC owners become business registered agents?
There is no rule barring LLC registered agents from becoming business owners as long as the individual meets the age and residency conditions according to the state guidelines. Small business owners can choose to become LLC registered agents instead of hiring someone else or approaching third parties for the role. However, they must remember that the position comes with significant responsibilities and possible inconveniences. Therefore, a few business owners feel they should choose an experienced individual or professional service to serve as registered agents. It is advised to weigh the pros and cons of hiring LLC registered agents for your business and choose the one that suits your needs.
Things to Consider
Most business organizations prefer certified registered agents to look after their legal affairs. However, before you start looking for a registered agent service, you must ensure that the registered agent’s street address must be listed in the LLC’s articles of organization. The person’s address must be accessible to everyone because it is a public record. Furthermore, the registered agent must keep the address up to date with the concerned legal authorities. Failure to do so may result in the misdelivery of important documents. The registered agent must be available in person to accept papers during standard business hours in a year. The agent must be ready to expect junk mail delivered to their address. It is pertinent to note that individuals are eligible to serve as registered agents of the state where they live.
Safeguarding privacy
Business registered agents are the best means to safeguard your organization’s privacy. Registered agents or agencies can be a strong move to protect your privacy in multiple ways. When you start a company, there will be times when you are confused about how and when your information may get leaked to the outside world. LLC registered agents can help you deal with the situation. $49 LLC registered agents or agents help shield LLC members’ names from the public eye. The agents further use their address as the business address to avert privacy concerns. An LLC registered agent or agency will use their name and address on all formation documents, paperwork, and filings, to keep a business organization’s private information off the record.
LLC registered agents or agencies are the best way to help your business deal with legal or tax matters. The good part about such agents is that they know your rights and help you handle all legal issues. You can seek help from any $49 registered agent service near you and handle legal matters related to your business within a short period. It is advised to approach an efficient business registered agency and rely on the best professionals to handle your paperwork.