An LLC registered agent is an individual or entity designated by an active company, such as an LLC, C Corp, or any other entity type, to receive service of process notices, government correspondence, and compliance-related documents on behalf of the company.

While generally, the term “agent” means someone qualified to represent an individual or an entity or enter into transactions for an individual or an entity, registered agents don’t have an equivalent mandate.

The registered agent for an LLC has one primary function: to be an agent for service of process, as well as receiving other important correspondence on behalf of the company. Additionally, a registered agent must promptly forward such materials to an active company, such as an LLC, C Corp, or any other entity type.

Any business that’s registered with the state needs a registered agent. Those businesses include corporations, LLCs, limited and limited liability partnerships. Sole proprietorships and general partnerships aren’t required to have a registered agent because they are considered “common law” entity types.

Reasons to have a Registered Agent:

Every business situation is different, and not all of these reasons will apply to all businesses. Having a professional firm like Onebiz Services act as your registered agent may be the best choice for your business.

• You prefer to spend your time and attention on building your business.
• Compliance requirements can be both time- and labor-intensive, often requiring completing lengthy and sometimes confusing forms using information from various sources. Most business owners prefer to have an outside source deal with the minutia of compliance so they can focus on building and running their businesses.
• You want to avoid the risk of non-compliance. Compliance matters are not likely to be your area of expertise or interest. 
• To ensure private receipt of lawsuits and other legal documents. When a company is served with a Service Process, local law enforcement often delivers it. Most business owners do not want police officers showing up in front of customers, employees, or neighbors to serve them notice that their company is being sued. Using a registered professional agent ensures you receive any Service of Process promptly and privately.
• Your business is home-based. The address of a company's registered agent is a matter of public record. That means anyone, including marketers, can access it. It is not uncommon for the registered agent to receive a significant amount of "junk mail" for the business. Using a registered agent service provider will reduce the amount of unsolicited mail your business accepts.
• You don't maintain regular business hours. The registered agent for a business must be available during normal business hours to accept important documents as they are delivered. If you set your hours, you may consider using a professional registered agent service provider so that you never miss these critical communications.
• You are incorporated in a state other than where your business is located. You are legally required to have a registered agent with a physical address in the state where your company is incorporated. Suppose you formed a corporation or LLC in a particular state, but your company is physically located in another state. In that case, you could use a registered agent to satisfy this requirement.
• You travel frequently or do not have a permanent work site. For instance, if you're a real estate agent or an electrician making service calls all day, using a registered agent service provider ensures that important documents will still reach you and your business.
• Your company does business in several states. When you register your company to transact business in states other than your state of formation (foreign qualification), you need a registered agent in each state.
• You use a Post Office Box as your business address. You cannot serve as the registered agent for your business if you have a P.O. Box or a private mailbox as your only address. 
• Your address is likely to change. The address on record with the state for the registered agent must be current. Changing the address requires a formal state filing and often a fee to be paid to the state. 

At Onebiz Services, we understand the importance of quality business services. That's why we offer a comprehensive range of registered agent and entity services. We are passionate about providing excellent customer service, and our registered agent service is second to none.

Our registered agent service provides reliable protection for your business by acting as your representative in dealings with government agencies and other third parties. With our help, you can minimize the risks associated with legal issues and keep up to date on any changes in legislation that could impact your business.