LLC Registered Agent Service

The registered agent of an LLC (or agent for service of process) provides a physical office in the state where you form or register your LLC. The registered agent’s legal responsibility is to receive service of process and government notices during regular business hours and forward them to you. These documents are time-sensitive, which means it’s important to choose a reliable registered agent for your LLC.

How to Choose a Reliable LLC Registered Agent

With Harbor Compliance as the registered agent for your LLC or portfolio of entities, you benefit from a reliable, local presence in every state and our robust, proprietary software.

• Nationwide Presence: We provide local registered offices in all 50 United States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. These offices are open during all regular business hours to receive legal and government notices.
• Same-Day Document Delivery: Your documents are scanned locally and delivered to you electronically on the same day. With customizable notifications, you will never miss a delivery when you’re on the go.
• Secure Client Portal: You have one secure, cloud-based Client Portal to manage your service across multiple states and entities. Easily configure notifications to colleagues and legal counsel to ensure the right parties receive service of process and important documents.
• Clear Invoicing, No Hidden Fees, & Predictable Savings: We provide flat-rate pricing. We do not charge per document fees, invoice printing fees, or other obscure unexpected fees. You receive one invoice per year for the renewal of each subscription. Invoices are accurate and easy to understand. Flexible payment options are available for added convenience.
• Industry Expertise and Compliance Solutions: Beyond registered agent service, you can access our comprehensive solutions for entity, tax, and license management. Supported by a reference database of nationwide requirements and our award-winning software platform, our specialists help you maintain compliance.

Registered agent service includes complimentary access to our award-winning entity management software. With Entity Manager, you can view where your entities are registered to do business, receive annual report reminders, store documents and notes, and track critical data.

Do I need a registered agent for each of my LLCs?

Yes. An LLC registered agent for service of process is required for each entity you form. Choosing a registered agent service company allows you to manage your portfolio of entities, track key compliance deadlines, and benefit from consolidated reporting insights across all of your businesses.

Do I need an LLC registered agent in every state?

Yes. An LLC registered agent for service of process is required in each state where you plan to register your LLC. If you need a certificate of authority to transact business in a state, you will be required to list a registered agent for your foreign LLC. This process is known as foreign qualification. Harbor Compliance provides nationwide registered agent service, which means you’ll always have access to reliable LLC registered agent service as you grow.

What if I don’t live in the same state where I form my LLC?

Many entrepreneurs choose to organize their LLC in another state, such as Delaware or Nevada, for additional tax or legal benefits. If you decide to form your LLC in another state than where you live, you will need a registered agent (or LLC resident agent) that resides within those borders. Typically, a registered agent service company that provides a physical address in every state will meet your needs when you form your LLC and register it to do business in other states.

Why do I need a registered agent for my LLC?

Before you file articles of organization to form your new LLC, you will have to appoint an LLC registered agent. Regardless of the state in which you decide to form your LLC, a registered agent for service of process is required. Failure to appoint a registered agent for your LLC means your articles of organization will be rejected right out of the gate. It’s important to designate an LLC registered agent that meets your state’s requirements so that you can get your business up and running quickly.

What does a registered agent of my LLC do?

The primary responsibility of an LLC registered agent is to receive service of process and forward it to the business. A registered agent is not a mail forwarding service. Registered agents serve a vital role in helping your LLC meet statutory requirements for forming and operating in a given state. If you hire a registered agent service provider, your registered agent can also help you manage secretary of state annual reports to keep your LLC in good standing.

Who can serve as my LLC registered agent?

Your LLC registered agent can be either an individual or a company such as a commercial registered agent, but generally not your company itself. However, there are a few additional requirements:

• The registered agent must have a physical address in the state where your LLC is formed.
• The registered agent must be available during regular business hours to receive service of process and other important notices.
• The registered agent must consent to receive legal and government notices on behalf of your business.
• The registered agent must reliably forward these notices to the appropriate parties within your company.

While individuals can serve as their LLC’s registered agent, there are several benefits to choosing a reliable LLC registered agent service. In general, registered agent service providers meet state requirements, eliminate your need to file change paperwork each time you move, and offer software and assistance with LLC annual reports to help you maintain good standing.

Can I be my own LLC registered agent?

Generally, you can appoint an individual to be your LLC registered agent. However, there are several other considerations you should make when deciding who to appoint as the registered agent for your LLC.

LLC registered agents are a legal appointment

The registered agent for your LLC is a legal appointment that serves as the main point of contact between the state, courts, and you. The registered agent must be available during all business hours to receive service of process and other legal notices. Reliable registered agent service providers will already meet this requirement by maintaining a physical office with staff to greet process servers.

Once formed or registered in a state, LLCs are required to maintain a registered agent on an ongoing basis. If the registered agent’s information changes, the LLC generally is responsible for filing an update with the secretary of state in order to ensure service of process can be received. When you appoint a service company as your LLC registered agent, they typically file state-specific change forms on your behalf if their name or address changes. If you appoint an individual as the registered agent for your LLC, you must remember to file change of registered agent forms with the secretary of state when that individual’s name or address changes. Appointing a registered agent service provider avoids the additional paperwork and means you have one less step to take when you move.

Access to a reliable LLC registered agent network when you grow

When your business grows and needs to expand into a new state, you will need a new LLC registered agent that meets the requirements of that new state. Most individuals cannot fulfill the requirements of two or more states at once. Many registered agent service providers maintain offices in multiple states, which means they can provide your LLC with the registered agent representation needed to do business in each new state. If you plan to register your LLC in multiple states, consider using a national registered agent service before you even form your LLC.

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