Did you know that LLCs are the most common forms of business entities in the US? Did you also know that LLC registered agents are a mandatory part of forming an LLC entity? They play a crucial part in the overall running of your business, and you need to be keen on the agent you hire.

As long as you have a state-registered business entity, you must have an LLC registered agent in the state where you’re doing business. Also known as a statutory agent, registered agent, or agent of record, an LLC registered agent, will be in charge of receiving legal documents on behalf of your business.

These documents could be anything from corporate filing documents, a notice of litigation, and tax documents. Failure to have an agent will result in fines and other possible penalties, so you need to look for one pronto. So, how do you find the best LLC agent, and what factors do you consider when hiring one?

Can’t You Just Be Your Own Agent?

When most people register the businesses as an LLC entity, one of the most important questions they ask is whether they can be their own registered agent instead of hiring someone else. In most states, it’s possible for you to be your own registered agent. You must be 18 years or older, have a physical address in the state you conduct business, and be available during business hours.

You can designate a member of your business as the LLC agent or opt for a member of your family or friends that you trust as long as they meet this requirement. Still, you can always hire an experienced professional registered agent. Check out Digital Asset Guy to learn more about everything LLC agents do.

Reasons Not to Be Your Own Agent

One of the major advantages of being your own agent is that it’s convenient and cost-effective, especially for new businesses. However, there are downsides to being your own LLC agent or hiring a friend, such as lack of privacy.

For the most part, a lot of people start their businesses at home and lack a physical business address. Hence, they choose to use the home address.

When you use your home address as your registered agent address, it’ll be listed on the Secretary of State website and become a public record.

This will give anyone the right to access your personal information and home address. The next downside is for business owners who travel frequently.

Registered LLC agents need to be open during office hours to avoid missing documents deliveries. Additionally, legal processes and compliance can be complicated.

Given that you’re running your business, you may not have the time to review and organize the documents you receive accordingly. Most of these documents have strict deadlines that should not be missed. Improper handling can also have serious consequences for your business.

How to Hire a Registered LLC Agent

The registered LLC agent will become a critical member of your business. Case in point, you need to hire a professional expert that will have the best interest of your business at heart. The trick here is to get value and protection, so here are some factors to consider when making your decision.

Hire a Professional Registered LLC Service

From a distance, the work of a registered LLC agent looks easy. Having an office that’s open during business hours and receiving documents doesn’t seem much of a task. It’s for this reason that a lot of business owners decide to be their own registered agents.

However, there is a lot more to being an LLC agent. Being in the office during office hours is one of the most important aspects because if they are unavailable to receive state documents, you will be held responsible. If they fail to receive legal documents, you may also have a judgment against them before you even know you have a lawsuit.

Having a professional LLC registered agent service is important because they are reliable. You know that your documents will be received promptly and handled accordingly to avoid any repercussions. These agents are experienced in handling sensitive documents and know-how to forward them immediately to avoid critical deadlines.

Choose Value of Price

If you have just started your business, it’s a given that you may choose the most cost-effective option. However, it’s prudent to look at the value the agent is going to offer your business not just now, but in the long run. You will need full proof and immediate document delivery, so avoid going with the cheapest LLC agent you can find and opt for one that offers value.

Hire an agent that will absorb all the work and handle all the documents for your business. Evaluate the service level they provide and gauge how they operate their business with their current customers. They should be able to offer same-day electronic uploads for all received documents and send you notices whenever they forward those documents to you.

Document Organization

It’s vital that you hire an agent with impeccable document organization skills. The last thing you want to worry about is keeping track of critical paperwork and losing important documents. LLC agents with messy offices and disorganized documents are likely to lose important paperwork, so make sure you hire someone who’s capable of keeping your document safe.

A professional registered LLC agent should be able to keep copies of your documents safely in case you need them again. Some professionals will go the extra mile and upload those documents into secure servers and allow you to access them online whenever you need them. This can be a lifesaver for business owners that travel a lot.

Finding the Best LLC Registered Agent for Your Business

These are some of the most important factors to consider when hiring an LLC registered agent. There are many LLC agents out here that you can work with, so it’s vital that you do thorough research into their services before you make a decision. Check their website and online reviews from previous and current clients to gauge how professional they are.

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