Registered Agent (RA) Frequently Asked Questions

An RA is the person or business entity that will accept service of process (lawsuit) notices, correspondence from the Secretary of State and other notifications (such as tax forms) on your company’s behalf and forward such materials to your business in a timely manner.

Each state requires that each business that is filed within the State to elect a registered agent (RA). A sole proprietor is not required to have an RA since they are not an incorporated business.

Yes, you can serve as the RA for your own business but there are items that you should consider before electing to do so:

• You will always have to be available during normal business hours to ensure receipt of service of process notices, correspondence from the Secretary of State and other notifications. If the registered agent is not available due to a personal vacation, business trip or a client meeting, there may be consequences that are severe in nature.

• If you elect to be your company’s RA, then you’ll have to receive service of process documents at your place of business which may be embarrassing in front of employees, clients and prospective customers.

Our partners can serve as your RA if you do not have a physical address (i.e. you have a P.O. mailbox), are not available every day during normal business hours (vacations, business trips, etc.) or simply want to avoid falling out of “good standing” with the State and risk penalties such as fines or revocations.

The main service that a registered agent performs is physically being at the registered agent’s office ready and willing to accept service of process on behalf of your corporation or LLC. Important items such as documents informing you of a lawsuit and compliance related (local and federal) correspondence will be brought to your attention via a phone call and/or electronically scanning the documents and e-mailing them to you so you can act on them as soon as possible to avoid a possible default judgment, fines or other sanctions.

If you are using our partner’s services to file your business you will be provided an option to select their company to perform your registered agent services. If you are a sole proprietor, having a registered agent is not applicable to you. If you have already formed an entity and would like to hire a registered agent, you can do so by clicking here.