• What is a statutory agent?
• Do you need a statutory agent?
• How to get a statutory agent

Q: What is a statutory agent? Can I act as a statutory agent for my business?

A: A statutory agent, or registered agent, is a person or entity designated by your business to receive legal documents. While you could hypothetically act as a statutory agent for your business, you should avoid doing this to remove any liabilities.

The pandemic and its ensuing fallout have been difficult for small business owners.

Sure, starting a business is more straightforward than ever before, but thanks to inflation, lockdowns during Covid-19, and widespread fears about the state of the economy, business owners are dealing with a lot right now.

During Covid-19, both men and women business owners experienced exponentially higher daily stress and daily worry. Unfortunately, women received the brunt of these negative feelings, but all business owners have had to deal with the frustrations of ownership in uncertain times.

Thankfully, business owners have the tools and services to avoid some of this stress and worry.

One service that some business owners forego in an attempt to save money is a service that provides your company with a statutory agent.

A statutory agent, or registered agent, is an individual or entity that receives your business’s legal documents. Technically, you can act as a registered agent for your business, but this sets you and your company up for potential problems should you work at various locations or if you’re absent from the physical location you listed in the filing process.

There are some rules regarding your statutory agent address and others regarding your statutory agent fee, but you’re almost always better served just using a registered agent service or an individual you trust that lives in the state your business is located.

In this article, we’ll explain what a statutory agent is, whether you need a statutory agent of LLC, the steps necessary to secure a statutory agent, and contacts you can contact for statutory agent services.

If you’re seeking statutory agent acceptance, you’re in the right place. Take a moment to keep reading to understand the importance of your statutory agent and to understand why you should utilize a third party for assistance.

• What is a statutory agent?
• Do you need a statutory agent?
• How to get a statutory agent

What is a statutory agent?

Before we explore the complexities of statutory agents and determine whether you can act as a statutory agent for your business, let’s take a moment to explain what a statutory agent is.

A registered agent and a statutory agent are the same thing, and the words are used interchangeably.

Read more: Registered Agents: The Good and the Bad

If you’re hoping to start a business, there is no world where you can avoid having a statutory agent. At the time of writing, all 50 states require LLCs to appoint a statutory agent.

A statutory agent, also known as a registered agent or an agent for service of process, is a person or entity designated by a business entity to receive legal documents, such as lawsuits, subpoenas, and other official notices, on behalf of the entity.

Essentially, the statutory agent acts as a point of contact between the business entity and the legal system. This ensures that important legal documents are received and forwarded to the appropriate parties promptly.

Without a statutory agent, businesses being sued or given subpoenas could simply claim that they hadn’t received their mail, which would cause significant delays and frustrations within the court system.

In almost every jurisdiction and every American one, having a statutory agent is a legal requirement for businesses, including corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), and partnerships, to maintain their legal status and comply with state laws.

A statutory agent is designed to help keep your company accountable to the court system without forcing law enforcement officers to waste time personally delivering your mail and ensuring you’ve received it.

If you’re worried that this means you have to find a trustworthy individual in the state your business is incorporated in, don’t worry, this isn’t the case.

Thankfully, the wording allows for entities as well as individuals. Sure, if you know someone who’s been living in the same state as your business, who’s over 18 years of age, and who will be at the same address each day, you can always use this individual, but the best bet is almost always to use a statutory agent service that handles your sensitive documents for you.

The statutory agent’s address is typically listed in the entity’s formation documents, such as articles of incorporation or articles of organization. It is a publicly available address where legal documents can be served.

In most states, the statutory agent must be available at the location specified for the entirety of the business day to ensure that the mail is always handled swiftly.

The statutory agent may also be responsible for maintaining accurate records of legal documents received and may have additional responsibilities, like notifying the entity of upcoming filing deadlines or other legal requirements.

This may sound like a lot of responsibility, but the largest task is just being readily available for incoming documents.

The cost of a statutory agent provider’s service will vary by state and will likely depend on how expensive it is to run a business in the area.

Read more: How Much Does a Registered Agent Cost?

In a state like Nevada, you can expect to pay $60-$100 per year for your statutory agent, but in a state like California or South Carolina, that cost may be as high as $150-$300 per year.

Realistically, neither of these prices are unmanageable, and the benefits you receive from utilizing a service that provides you with a statutory agent greatly outweigh the negatives associated with spending a few hundred dollars.

Do you need a statutory agent?

The pandemic may have harmed existing businesses, but one benefit that isn’t often discussed is the explosion of new businesses that began as a result.

During the height of Covid-19, there was a 55% increase in the number of new business applications submitted. With so many new businesses cropping up, entrepreneurs can utilize one of the professional statutory agent providers to act on their business’s behalf.

A small remote business may need a statutory agent to comply with legal requirements in the state(s) where it operates.

Many states require businesses to designate a statutory agent as a point of contact for receiving legal documents, and failure to do so may result in penalties or even dissolution of the business entity.

If you couldn’t tell, these risks of acting as your company’s statutory agent are why you should always outsource this position, regardless of how simple it seems.

Read more: The Risks of Being a Registered Agent

As a business owner, you already have enough to worry about. Adding the responsibilities of acting as a statutory agent simply isn’t worth it.

Having a statutory agent can help ensure a small remote business receives important legal documents on time. Legal documents, like lawsuits and subpoenas, may have time-sensitive deadlines that require quick action.

A statutory agent can ensure that these documents are promptly forwarded to the appropriate parties for response or action, whichever is needed.

In addition, a statutory agent can provide flexibility for small remote businesses that do not have a physical presence in the state(s) where they are required to have a resident agent.

Since a statutory agent is designated to receive legal documents on behalf of the business entity, the business owner(s) can operate their businesses remotely without having to maintain a physical address in every state where they do business.

In the event of a lawsuit or legal dispute, a statutory agent can help ensure a small remote business receives proper notice and has an opportunity to respond.

Failure to properly receive legal documents can result in a default judgment, which can have serious consequences for the company.

A default judgment, sometimes called a judgment by default, is a ruling where the judge or court rules in favor of the plaintiff because the defendant hasn’t responded or appeared.

As you can imagine, this could be disastrous for your company.

If someone files a frivolous lawsuit against your business and your statutory agent doesn’t get you the Summons and Complaint in time, you may be on the other end of a default judgment that costs you an astronomical amount of capital.

Situations like these are uncommon, but they’re a stark reminder of why you should never act as a statutory agent for a business you own. The risks far outweigh the benefits, and the cost of using a statutory agent service is considerably lower than other business expenses.

Having a reliable statutory agent can help mitigate this risk and ensure that the business has an opportunity to defend itself in legal matters.

If you have the time to respond and plan a course of action, you’ll never feel blindsided when it matters, and you’ll never get hit with a default judgment that cripples your company.

How to get a statutory agent

One of the more exciting aspects of modern business ownership is the ability to take advantage of the countless tools, perks, and platforms you have at your disposal.

Digital marketing allows your business to target hyper-specific audiences; data analytic tools make it easy to see where your target audience spends their time; affiliate marketing creates mutually beneficial funnels with other companies, and statutory agent services are easy to find.

Read more: The Perfect Affiliate Marketing Program for Your Business

Don’t let the state-specific rulings confuse you, “statutory agent: Arizona meaning,” only means that the person or entity has a physical address in Arizona.

Similarly, although each state may have a slightly different process for registering your business, each state will eventually require you to appoint a registered agent.

Some business owners want to act as statutory agents for businesses they run because it’s cheaper. Unfortunately, this is misguided and can cause more trouble than it’s worth.

Many entrepreneurs are under the impression that you should be saving as much money as possible at every single opportunity. When presented with the option to spend a few hundred dollars on a registered agent or to spend no money and act as a statutory agent for their businesses, the choice seems obvious.

Rather than focusing on how much money you can save in every interaction, you should focus on what provides the most value for your business in the long term.

Take a moment to imagine this scenario; you’re presented with two options.

In one, you can spend $300 per year for a statutory agent service that handles your incoming sensitive documents and ensures that you receive these documents on time.

Or, you spend no money, but you and you alone are wholly responsible for keeping up with all your company’s incoming mail and any sensitive documents.

After a few months, both options are hit with their first lawsuits.

In the first option, your business’s statutory agent is on top of it and provides you with a Summons and Complaint that they received mere hours before. Because you got this information so early, you now have several days to prepare and determine how to fight the lawsuit in court.

In the other option, you’re stressed. You’re trying to make sure you’re available to secure time-sensitive documents, but you’re doing so much that you miss or forget about their arrival, and it takes a full week to realize what you’ve missed.

A few weeks later, you’re hit with a default judgment that costs your company more than you’ve ever made to date.

Now, you have to deal with declaring bankruptcy or trying to vacate the default judgment, which requires a new trial and a filed form.

Thankfully, some providers can solve this quandary for you before you ever find yourself in this kind of situation.

Anderson and Inc Authority are the best choices for businesses looking for a statutory agent.

They offer nothing but the best, most professional agent services, so you never have to worry about your business receiving government correspondence.

They have an established and dedicated workflow, so you know your business always receives the highest level of service possible.

Below, we’ve covered both Inc. Authority and Anderson in more detail to explain the services they provide.

• Inc Authority
• Anderson

Inc. Authority

Inc Authority has existed for over thirty years, has helped more than a quarter of a million businesses get started, and has helped in the incorporation of more than 25,000 LLCs.

Launched in 1989, Inc Authority acts as a full-service business formation provider. This means they’re ready to assist you in any area of your business journey.

If you go through the incorporation process with Inc. Authority, you get a free year of statutory agent services. Another great part of Inc Authority’s business is that they waive their service charges if you incorporate your business with their service.

This means that you’re only required to pay your state-specific filing fees, which you’re going to have to pay regardless of who helps you form your LLC.

Headquartered in Reno, Nevada, Inc Authority has the tools to help you effectively grow your business and has the network to provide you with a statutory agent that prevents you from ever missing important documents and other government correspondences.

For more information about Inc Authority’s services – click here!

Anderson

Established in 1993, Anderson Advisors is the largest entity-formation firm in the country.

Not only will Anderson provide you with a high-quality statutory agent, but with anything related to business ownership that you’re struggling with, they can help.

Many firms charge an hourly fee that gets progressively more expensive the longer you utilize their services. Anderson, however, has created a fee-based structure that allows the costs of creating and implementing their plans to be inclusive.

Unlike other entity-formation firms, Anderson has CPAs and financial advisors on their payroll who are happy to provide an unbiased look at your business and realistic recommendations about the next steps and later planning.

Even better, you can schedule a free 30-minute consultation to go over your company and identify potential risks and blind spots while simultaneously identifying any benefits you’re entitled to but may not be receiving.

For further information and to set up your free 30-minute consultation – click here!

Statutory agent and Alliance’s Virtual Offices

A statutory agent is the point of contact between your business and the government.

While you can serve as your own statutory agent, doing so is risky and stressful. Let the professionals at Anderson or Inc. Authority handle it for you.

Through Alliance, you can procure a Virtual Office that provides you with a professional and prestigious business address, regardless of where you’re located.

Using a Virtual Office in conjunction with the statutory agent services provided by Anderson and Inc Authority allows you to enjoy remote or hybrid work opportunities without worrying about who you know or where you’re located in a particular state.

Don’t risk acting as a statutory agent for your business. The risks of doing so are vast, and the money you could wind up having to pay for a default judgment or another mishandled kind of lawsuit far outweighs the money you could save by refusing to use a statutory agent service.

Instead, take advantage of Inc Authority or Anderson Advisors and enjoy registered agent services that allow you to focus on the more nuanced aspects of your company’s operations.

Further reading

• How Much Does a Registered Agent Cost?
• Registered Agents: The Good and the Bad
• The Perfect Affiliate Marketing Program for Your Business
• The Risks of Being a Registered Agent

Alliance Virtual Offices provides Virtual Office services and a slew of other digital tools and services designed for new entrepreneurs, established business owners, and everyone in between.

If you’re looking for a statutory agent, be sure to check out Inc Authority and Anderson to find the best fit for your specific business.

With a Virtual Office and one of the above providers, you can get your business started and your statutory agent appointed without breaking the bank or risking too much capital.

Remember, your statutory agent is the go-between for your business and important government correspondence. The risk of having an untrustworthy or too-busy statutory agent is vast, and the ramifications of a default judgment could have a lasting effect on your company’s success.

Don’t allow a few hundred dollar expense you were unwilling to pay to land you in an untenable position a few months later.

Contact us today to see how Alliance Virtual Offices can help you find the right statutory agent for your business, and be sure to check out our Virtual Office Blog for more helpful information!

The post What is a Statutory Agent and Do You Need One? first appeared on Alliance Virtual Offices.

• What is the basic LLC registration process? 
• How is LLC registration different in Nevada? 
• What is the best address for your Nevada LLC? 
• Using Alliance Virtual Offices’ digital tools to benefit your Nevada LLC 

Q: Is Nevada a good place to register my LLC? How do I go about completing my Nevada business registration? 
A: Nevada is a great place to register your LLC. Not only is it a private state for business owners, but the tax benefits are very attractive too. The process of registering for your Nevada LLC isn’t much different from the process of registering for a business in another state. 

Digital businesses have never been more profitable. Ecommerce is expected to account for over a trillion dollars in revenue at the end of 2023 in the United States alone. That trend is showing no signs of slowing down. 

As these trends continue showing positive momentum, motivated entrepreneurs are in an excellent position to start new businesses. Established business owners are in an equally favorable position themselves. 

The reason for this is the simplicity with which you can start a digital business. Correspondingly, established entrepreneurs have never had such an easy way to begin focusing on digital-first operations. 

According to Pew Research, remote work continues to change how Americans work in the aftermath of the pandemic. 61% of workers with access to a physical office continue to choose to work from home, and employers continue to make accommodations for these employees. 

In conjunction with the heightened remote work numbers, it doesn’t look like workers are showing any signs of meaningful ‘Zoom fatigue’ or other screen-specific forms of burnout. 

In this increasingly digital market, starting a business is more straightforward than ever. With the introduction of digital tools like Virtual Offices, potential business owners have been awarded a cost-efficient way to register an LLC in any state they’d like – without being forced to enter expensive commercial leases. 

Thanks to this streamlined method of LLC registration, entrepreneurs are left only to determine in which state they’d like to register. To find the right place, would-be business owners should look for states with attractive tax benefits, a simple registration process, and privacy protections for their companies. 

Nevada is a state that carries all of these benefits. Forming a Nevada LLC doesn’t carry high registration fees, the taxes are superb, and Nevada is one of the most private states for business owners. 

In this article, we’ll be examining the basic LLC registration process, what makes getting an LLC in Nevada different, the best address to use for your Nevada LLC, and how Alliance Virtual Offices’ suite of digital tools can benefit your business. 

So, if you’ve ever wanted to start a Nevada LLC, act now and keep reading! 

• What is the basic LLC registration process? 
• How is LLC registration different in Nevada? 
• What is the best address for your Nevada LLC? 
• Using Alliance Virtual Offices’ digital tools to benefit your Nevada LLC 

What is the basic LLC process? 

Before you get too far into your Nevada LLC search, let’s take a minute to examine the basic LLC process to get an idea of how registration generally works. 

Now that owning a business is more accessible than ever, absorbing this information can give potential business owners a chance to understand the process fundamentally before rushing in. Besides, if you’re unsure of what kind of business you’d like to start, you have access to ample resources that will give you some actionable ideas. 

Read more: I Want to Start a Business But Have No Ideas… What Should I Do? 

Forming an LLC requires you to register your business with the federal government. There are a few federal regulations that you have to abide by, but most of the registration process happens at the state level. 

Below, we’ve created a guide that details the basic LLC process to better equip you for the nuances you might experience during your Nevada business registration.

1. Create a unique name 
2. Appoint a registered agent 
3. File your articles of organization 
4. Get your EIN 

Creating a unique business name 

First things first, you need to come up with a unique business name. Your business name must be different than any other business currently in operation. 

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, you should pick a name that identifies your business and reflects your brand identity. 

Once you’ve thought of a name but before you’ve started the state-level registration process, it’s worth it to search for similarly named businesses on the IRS website.  

Occasionally, using a business’s name in the search isn’t as effective as simply using the business’s EIN. If this is the case and you have access to a company’s EIN – you can use this link to search the IRS database by number. 

Appointing a registered agent 

Next, you will then need to appoint a registered agent. 

Your business’s registered agent is someone you designate to act as your business’s representative. Typically, this person needs to live within the state where the LLC is registered. 

Outside of living in the same state your business is registered in, most states require their registered agents to be above the age of 18 and available during regular business hours. 

This begs the question of whether or not you can act as your business’s registered agent. 

Many business owners assume that this is a handy way to save money, but in reality, the safest bet is often simply using a registered agent service provider. 

Read more: Can I Be My Own Registered Agent? 

File your articles of organization 

Next, you’ll need to file your articles of organization with the government. 

This is done through the website of the state where you intend to register. Articles of organization are documents that explain how the LLC is managed. 

In addition to explaining how your business will be managed, most states will ask for a good deal of information, from your business’s name to your business’s purpose.  

In a majority of states, incorrectly filing your articles of organization will require your business to spend additional money amending your entity’s formation documents. 

To make matters easier to remember, think of your company’s articles of organization as your company’s birth certificate. It includes all pertinent information and you’ll generally pay your state-specific filing fee when you file your business’s articles. 

Get your Employer Identification Number 

Finally, you’ll be assigned an EIN, or Employer Identification Number. If your articles of organization are your company’s birth certificate, then your EIN is your company’s social security number. 

As your business continues operating, you’ll use your EIN to file annual reports. Any potential business loans or lines of credit will also be secured through the use of your EIN. 

If you find yourself in a tight spot and are looking for payroll loans or other quick avenues of funding, good business credit is crucial to finding well-priced loans with reasonable fees. 

Without good business credit, you’ll find yourself dealing almost exclusively with high-interest loans and other expensive credit-acquiring options. The importance of building strong credit for your company cannot be understated. 

Read more: Payroll Loans for Small Business: Why Your Business Credit is Crucial 

While the information above will give you a decent understanding of the process you’ll need to take in every state, there are some slight differences in the Nevada business registration process that we’ll detail below. 

How to register for an LLC in Nevada 

For the most part, LLC registration in Nevada is much the same as it would be anywhere else. 

Regardless, it’s worth familiarizing yourself with the process you’ll need to register and learn the Nevada LLC cost. 

We’ve made another guide below that details registering your LLC in Nevada. 

1. Choose a business name 
2. Appoint a Nevada LLC registered agent 
3. File your LLC’s articles of organization 
4. Draft your company’s operating agreement 
5. File for your EIN 

Choose a business name 

As expected, the first step to creating your Nevada LLC is choosing a business name. 

To better check your potential business name against existing business names, feel free to use this Nevada Business Search, provided by Nevada’s Secretary of State for potential business owners. 

Remember, outside of being unique, your business’s name needs to include “LLC” in its official name, it can’t be profane, and it shouldn’t mislead customers. 

Outside of these guidelines, try to give your business a memorable name that isn’t too much of a mouthful, and try to personify your brand through your company’s name. 

Not only does Nevada’s Secretary of State website provide the in-state business name lookup, it also hosts a Name Reservation feature. This application allows you to reserve a name with the SOS Office for 90 days for a $25.00 fee. 

Once you’ve followed the guidelines and created a unique name that speaks to customers and is easy to remember – it’s time to find your Nevada LLC registered agent! 

Appoint your Nevada LLC registered agent 

Next, it’s time to appoint a registered agent. 

In Nevada, your registered agent needs to meet a few basic guidelines. 

• Must be over the age of 18 
• Must have a street address in Nevada 
• Must have your name and address on the business’s articles of organization 

Nevada is a state that does allow business owners to act as their company’s registered agent, but you should not do this. The reason for this is that any official government correspondence or other legal matters will go through your registered agent directly. 

If you act as your business’s registered agent and get sued, you’ll receive important documents or intents to file in the mail. You will be responsible for receiving that mail and handling any issues it brings. 

Using a service takes this burden out of your hands. Instead of worrying about any mail you may or may not have missed, you can use a professional service that ensures your official correspondences are handled effectively. 

Instead, check out some registered agent services like Inc Authority. 

File your LLC’s articles of organization 

After creating a unique business name and appointing a Nevada LLC registered agent, it’s time to file your business’s articles of organization. 

Remember, your articles of organization provide all the initial information about your business. In Nevada, you’ll need to include the following items when you file: 

• Name of your business 
• Name and address of each organizer 
• Name and address of at least one managing member, if applicable 
• Name and address of the business’s registered agent 
• LLC’s duration 
• Whether or not your business will be member or manager-managed 
• The location that you’ll be doing business 
• Any possible DBA designations 
• Type of business structure/if you’ll be providing professional services or not 
• Purpose of your business 

Remember, when you file your articles of organization for your Nevada LLC, you’ll need to send in your $75.00 fee as well. 

You can find a copy of this form online here and submit it via email to copies@sos.nv.gov along with the required filing fee. 

If you’d like to submit your articles by mail, you’ll need to send the form and the fee to this address: 

Secretary of State 

202 North Carson Street 

Carson City, Nevada 89701-4201 

Draft your company’s operating agreement 

After you’ve submitted your articles of organization, you should go ahead and draft an operating agreement. 

Technically, creating an operating agreement for your business isn’t required for an LLC in Nevada, but it’s a good idea nonetheless. 

With this document, you can lay out how the company will operate, which keeps you from running into problems later down the line. 

This can be as easy as laying out specific roles for individuals within the company or other specifications. To make matters better, once all the founders of your Nevada LLC have signed the operating agreement, it acts as a binding contract. 

File for your EIN 

Last but not least, you’ll need to obtain your EIN by filing on the IRS website. 

You can also apply by fax or mail by completing this form and using this page to find the applicable phone or fax number. 

Although this doesn’t apply to any U.S. residents, if you happen to be an international applicant, you can apply by calling 267-941-1099 from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., any day of the week. 

Handling your EIN application is completely free. Once the application is complete and your information validated, the EIN should be issued immediately. 

Once you’ve handled all these steps, you are ready to go! 

If you’re the sole member of the LLC and don’t want to be taxed as a corporation, you don’t have to obtain an EIN. That said, it’s highly advised that you do obtain an EIN because you’ll need it for things like business banking and loans. 

Remember, the only way to get Nevada LLC benefits is by registering your business in the state. Below, we’ve gone into further detail about the best way to do this, so keep reading for more! 

The best way to register an LLC in Nevada 

Whether you are registering an LLC in Nevada as a local or from another location – using a Virtual Office is the best way to approach it. 

To drive the point home, we’ve put together a list of some of the benefits associated with using a Virtual Office for your Nevada business registration. Keep reading to understand just how useful one of Alliance’s Virtual Offices is! 

• Cost-efficient 
• Private 
• Register and operate from anywhere 
• Onsite staff 
• On-demand meeting spaces and workspaces 

Cost-efficient 

First, using one of Alliance’s Virtual Offices saves you money compared to a traditional office. 

With traditional commercial leases, you’re looking at signing up for between 3 and 5 years. Not to mention, you’re expected to pay the first and last months’ rent in addition to any monthly utility fees. 

Alliance provides business owners with a better way. 

Not only do our plans start at a manageable 6-month minimum, but you only pay for office space when you need it and aren’t forced to worry about any monthly utility bills. 

With these savings, it’s easier for you to grow your Nevada LLC by giving you more capital to invest in other areas. 

Private 

A Virtual Office makes it easy to protect your privacy. 

Some business owners want to use their home addresses to register their virtual businesses, but making this decision can have disastrous consequences. 

Namely, once you use your address, it becomes a part of the public domain. This means that scammers, disgruntled ex-employees, or frustrated customers have easy access to your personal information. 

With a Virtual Office, you can use a professional address to register your business – keeping your personal information as private as possible. 

Register and operate from anywhere 

With a Virtual Office, you can register and operate from anywhere on the globe. 

You can work remotely from your home or halfway across the planet; it doesn’t matter. You’ll have the same privileges regardless of where you’re working. Virtual Offices are built to accommodate nomadic entrepreneurs just as much as they’re built to accommodate static ones. 

Read more: LLC for the Digital Entrepreneur: What You Need to Know When Traveling 

Onsite staff 

One of the biggest benefits of using our space-backed Virtual Offices is the friendly and helpful onsite staff. 

Having access to a workspace is a massive benefit, but the benefit of having friendly and helpful onsite staff who are willing to walk you through any technical difficulties or other office-related struggles couldn’t be more valuable. 

On-demand meeting spaces and workspaces 

Best of all, you have access to on-demand meeting spaces that you can use when you need somewhere to host meetings and workspaces when you’d like to break the monotony of working from home. 

Remote work does come with its own set of benefits, but two key issues that remote workers experience are the lack of space to host meetings and dealing with the frustrations of working from the same location that you eat and sleep in. 

Often, remote workers will turn to coffee shops, expensive hotel conference rooms, or even worse, their homes to host meetings – which can negatively impact their company’s outward appearance. 

Instead of risking your company’s privacy in a crowded coffee shop, paying the exorbitant fees required of a hotel conference room, or welcoming potential investors or clients into your home, you can use one of our easily reservable meeting rooms to pick the right-sized room to make the best impression. 

For our workspaces, there’s nothing better than having somewhere to go when you’re feeling burnout coming on. Sometimes, breaking your daily routine and spending the day in one of our quiet and professional coworking spaces is all that it takes to get your motivation back. 

The digital tools you can use to benefit your Nevada LLC 

Filing an LLC is a straightforward process that can be done from the comfort of your home. 

Choose a business name, designate a registered agent, submit your articles of organization and operating agreement, obtain an EIN, and you’re ready to do business in Nevada. 

One of Alliance’s Virtual Offices is the best way to register because it protects your personal information and solidifies your business’s reputation, all while supporting your remote workstyle. 

In addition to our Virtual Offices, Alliance provides other helpful digital tools that you can use to benefit your Nevada LLC. 

For more information about the services that Alliance provides, check out the website here. 

Also, check out the Alliance Virtual Office Blog for more informative pieces like this, from articles about virtual business registration to articles about sustainable business practices. 

Further reading 

• I Want to Start a Business But Have No Ideas… What Should I Do? 
• LLC for the Digital Entrepreneur: What You Need to Know When Travelling 
• Can I Be My Own Registered Agent? 
• Payroll Loans for Small Business: Why Your Business Credit is Crucial 

Alliance Virtual Offices provides several tools for everyone from established entrepreneurs to potential business owners. It doesn’t matter how much you know, we’re ready to teach you more. 

For more information about how Alliance can help benefit your Nevada LLC, contact us today! 

The post A Complete Guide to Registering Your Nevada LLC first appeared on Alliance Virtual Offices.

• Can you or your employees serve as your own registered agent? 
• Should you hire a professional registered agent? 
• The best solution to finding a registered agent 

Q: How do I find a registered agent? 

A: The most reliable, cost-effective way to find a registered agent is to hire one from an established registered agent service provider. While there are numerous professional registered agents on the market, vetting them all can eat up your valuable time. This article explains the best way to find a registered agent for your business. 

Earn Money with Alliance Virtual Offices

Earn as much as $550 per sale when You Refer New Clients to Alliance Virtual Offices

Download the Affiliate Quick Start Guide below

Finding a registered agent is one of the most basic, and most important parts of running a business. 

Whether you’re just launching or switching a sole proprietorship to LLC, you’ll need to designate a registered agent. 

With so many choices on the market, it can be overwhelming to reach a decision. 

This article will guide you through finding a registered agent so you can focus on growing your business. 

• Can you serve as your own registered agent? 
• Should you hire a registered professional agent? 
• Are independent registered agents worth exploring? 
• The best registered agent services on the market 

Can You Serve as Your Own Registered Agent? 

In almost all cases, you can legally serve as your own registered agent for your LLC.  

The legal requirements for serving as a registered agent mean that the majority of business owners are legally allowed to assign themselves registered agent duties when forming their LLC. 

There are a few conditions, though. 

For starters, all registered agents must provide an address within the state the LLC is registered in. There’s a good reason for this.  

Registered agents serve as the primary point of contact between your business and the government.  

Since the majority of business operations are overseen on the state level, this means the state government will primarily interact with your business. 

These interactions are often time-sensitive. That’s why your registered agent needs to be in the same state as your LLC.  

If the state needs to send you an important document, they need to deliver it quickly so they are cleared of liability on their end. 

For most business owners, this isn’t an issue. Since registering your business within the state means you have to have an address there anyway, you can simply list your business’s address for your registered agent address. 

In addition to having an address in the state, you’ll also need to have someone available at that address during your business’s listed operating hours.  

If the state delivers a summons or a pressing document in person, you must have someone there to receive the document.  

This is where things become a bit trickier. Ideally, you’d be there yourself.  

That said, some states allow a substitute to be there instead, meaning another employee or staff member could fill this requirement while still allowing you to list yourself as the registered agent.  

You’ll want to check your specific state laws though. Each state has its own legislation around this, meaning the requirements in Florida might not be the same as the requirements in Texas. 

Finally, you’ll need to be over the age of 18. Minors are legally prohibited from serving as registered agents in all states. 

Can An Employee Serve as Your Registered Agent?  

An alternative many business owners consider is assigning an employee to serve as their registered agent. 

This too can be a legitimate option. The same general restrictions apply though. 

The employee you assign will need to have an address in the state. That means they’ll have to live in the state your LLC is registered in or use your business’s address. 

It’s important to note that some states may not allow your employee to use the business address if they aren’t the one renting it and don’t own it. 

Your employee will also need to be present at the address you provide during business hours. 

Again, some states may allow substitution. The registered agent requirements will differ in Delaware and in Maryland. Check your specific state’s legislature to be sure. 

And again, your employee will have to be over the age of 18 if they are to serve as your registered agent. 

Can Someone Who Isn’t Associated with Your Business Serve as Your Registered Agent?  

Almost anyone can serve as your business’s registered agent.  

If someone is over the age of 18, has an address in the state of your LLC, and can be at that address during business operating hours, they can usually serve as your registered agent. 

Many business owners consider using friends or family to serve as their registered agents.  

This is particularly true for remote business owners with LLCs in states they don’t live in. 

Having a friend or family member who lives in the same state as your LLC serve as your registered agent seems like a great idea on the surface. 

But there are several good reasons you should consider hiring a professional before you designate your registered agent. 

Why You Should Hire a Professional 

Your registered agent is more than just a legal requirement to be fulfilled.  

Registered agents act as the channel between your business and the government. 

They are directly responsible for making sure your business receives the documents it needs to stay legally sound and comply with regulations. 

Handling this important duty off to a friend or family member can be a grievous mistake. 

If your registered agent doesn’t take their duties seriously, important documents and notices will fall through the cracks. 

This means your business will miss legal deadlines, ultimately jeopardizing your legal protection and potentially accruing serious fines. 

Additionally, it can strain your personal relationship with that person. If you’re asking a friend or family member to handle your registered agent duties, you probably aren’t paying them. 

If you have to consistently harangue them to keep you updated, there’s a strong chance you’ll both become resentful. 

What about you or your employees?   

Compared to designating a personal contact as your registered agent, assigning someone within the company has a few benefits. 

For starters, your relationship with that person isn’t at risk. If it’s you, there’s no reason to worry, and if it’s an employee, it’s much more appropriate to ask them to handle the duties you’ve assigned. 

That said this solution is far from perfect.  

Handling registered agent duties takes time and energy. It requires strong organizational skills and dedicated attentiveness to incoming mail. 

If you or your employees take on these responsibilities, it will inevitably leave less time for other important work.  

And with small businesses struggling to fill roles, you need to make the most of everyone’s time. 

Additionally, your registered agent won’t have the skills or knowledge of a professional, leaving you vulnerable to error. 

These errors can result in fines or a lapse in protection for your personal assets.  

That’s why it’s almost always better to hire a professional. 

What Legal Criteria Must a Professional Registered Agent Meet?  

Finding a professional registered agent for LLCs shares a lot of legal similarities with finding a nonprofessional. 

Your registered agent needs to be above the age of 18, have an address in the state your LLC is registered in, and be available at that address during business hours. 

There are also state-specific regulations that vary between states. 

One of the biggest benefits of using a professional registered agent is that you won’t have to worry about these legal criteria. 

If a professional registered agent is offering their services, they’ll already be familiar with the state regulations and will have made sure they are compliant.  

This alleviates some of the stress of finding a registered agent. 

That said, you still need to do your research and be deliberate when choosing a professional registered agent. There are a number of important soft skills you should look for. 

What Skills Should Your Registered Agent Have?  

A good registered agent needs to be well-organized. 

The government correspondences your registered agent receives are time-sensitive. They need to be quick in getting to them so your business stays compliant and safe. 

If a registered agent doesn’t have a system for keeping incoming mail in order, there’s a strong risk that they’ll miss a notice. 

If this happens, your business pays the price for its mistake. 

Additionally, your registered agent needs to have strong time management skills and communication skills.  

Much of the response to government documents will require information from you.  

Your registered agent needs to be clear about what they need and when without unnecessarily interrupting your work. 

It’s important to be careful when searching for a professional registered agent. Just because they make money serving as a registered agent doesn’t mean they provide a quality service.  

Are Independent Registered Agents Worth Considering?  

Thanks to the rise of digital marketing and remote entrepreneurship, there are now more options on the market than ever. 

Registered agent services are no exception. Independent registered agents have been empowered to bring their services to businesses. 

Many of these independent registered agents are highly skilled and professional.  

They have experience in the industry, are organized and reliable, and would no doubt serve your business exceptionally well. 

Unfortunately, that isn’t true of everyone. 

Some people have used the low barrier to entry to sell their registered agent services without the skills or experience needed to do them properly. 

If you hire one of these subpar registered agents, you risk facing late fees, fines, and potential lapses in protection from your LLC. 

Taking the time to research your potential registered agent is vital to avoiding these harmful problems. 

The Best Way to Find an Independent Registered Agent  

When finding a registered agent who’s independent, the key is looking for reviews.  

Reviews can help you establish a few important facts.  

For starters, reviews will tell you how well the registered agent performed for other businesses.  

If the registered agent has a long list of satisfied customers claiming the agent was timely and communicative, that’s a strong indicator that they will serve your business well.  

A long list of reviews also indicates that the registered agent has experience.  

While a brand-new registered agent may provide fantastic service, there’s no reason to take the risk with so many other options on the market. 

Aside from reviews, you might also want to explore the registered agent’s history serving businesses in your industry. 

While this isn’t required, it may prove helpful if your registered agent has a bit of prior knowledge about the specific regulations in your industry.  

If they already know what to expect and what forms you’ll be required to fill out, they may be able to guide you through the process. 

This can end up saving you both time and stress when dealing with the government, which can in turn help you get more done in your business. 

Finally, you might want to look into the registered agent’s existing client load.  

While a registered agent may be willing to take on their 15th business, that doesn’t mean they have the resources to do it well.  

You don’t need to be the registered agent’s sole client, but you also don’t want to be one of too many. 

Most of this information will be readily available online, but you can also reach out directly to the registered agent and ask.  

The Costs of Using Independent Registered Agents  

Going with an independent registered agent is inherently risky. 

Without a large team or an overseer, there’s no guarantee that the agent will have a reliable process in place. They may be flying by the seat of their pants, handling their work as it comes in. 

While your research can help you avoid unorganized registered agents, it’s not foolproof.  

Even if an independent registered agent has great reviews, it’s always possible they’ve simply gotten lucky so far. 

There’s also the issue of fully assessing the independent agent’s workload. While you can ask how many businesses are available, they could always provide a smaller number in the hopes of winning your business. 

This is certainly not the norm, but they are risks your business takes on when hiring a registered agent that isn’t part of a larger organization. 

Is Finding a Registered Agent Using Big Networks Better?  

Finding a registered agent service from a big network of providers can be uniquely beneficial for your business. 

Big networks benefit from more collective experience. All of the agents in the business can help one another, meaning you benefit from more insight and knowledge than any single registered agent has alone. 

Big network providers also tend to have stronger internal systems and regulations. They create structured procedures around their work. 

This means you don’t have to worry as much about your registered agent staying organized, getting information to you in a timely manner, or taking on too many clients. 

These variables are all accounted for by the provider, meaning your agent will serve your business in the most efficient and effective way possible. 

You also benefit by not having to spend time and energy researching independent agents. 

Because there are fewer large registered agent providers, your research time is substantially shortened. 

You can instead use that time to finish registering your business, develop your marketing strategy, and ultimately grow your income. 

The Best Registered Agent Services  

When finding a registered agent, your main focus should be on experience and professionalism.  

While there are endless options on the market, among the best-registered agent service providers are Anderson and Inc Authority.* 

Both Anderson and Inc Authority have extensive experience serving businesses in every industry. 

This experience ensures they know exactly what your business needs to remain legally compliant.  

They leverage this knowledge to help you keep your business on track efficiently and without stress. 

Additionally, both these businesses offer registered agent services throughout the country.  

With Anderson and Inc Authority, all you have to do is provide your business information.  

They ensure your business is matched with a professional, reliable registered agent so you can focus on growing.  

*Alliance Virtual Offices is an affiliate partner of Anderson and Inc Authority and may receive payment if you make a purchase using the links in this article. 

Wrapping Up: Finding a Registered Agent  

Finding a registered agent in the modern market can be overwhelming. 

With the business formation of all sorts at all-time highs, there are more choices than ever for your registered agent. 

While it may be tempting to just list yourself, an employee, or another non-professional as your registered agent, this is almost always a bad idea.  

Further reading: 

• The Secret to Maximizing Your Business Efficiency 
• Running a Remote Business? Have a Meeting Room Rental Ready 
• Modern Business Solutions: Boost Efficiency, Maintain Flexibility 

While independent registered agents can provide great service, finding a reputable one can be tedious.  

To maximize your time while ensuring exceptional registered agent service, use Anderson or Inc Authority. 

Their extensive networks and skilled and knowledgeable agents keep your business compliant without the burden of handling registered agent duties yourself. 

The post Finding a Registered Agent: A Business Owner’s Guide first appeared on Alliance Virtual Offices.

• The legal risks of being a registered agent 
• The opportunity costs of being a registered agent 
• What are the best alternatives? 

Q: What are the risks of being a registered agent? 

A: Being your own registered agent puts you at direct risk of government fines and potential legal consequences. It also takes time away from your other important functions as a business owner. The direct risks and opportunity costs make being your own registered agent a highly inefficient strategy. 

Do you know the risks of being a registered agent? 

Many business owners imagine being their own registered agent as an easy way to save a bit of money and optimize their spending. 

But if you aren’t careful, you can face heavy legal fees and lose your LLC’s liability coverage.  

You may also end up less productive and stunt your business’s growth.  

If you want to grow your business, there are plenty of modern business solutions to help. But you shouldn’t take on your registered agent duties without first understanding what’s at stake.   

• What are the direct legal risks of being a registered agent? 
• What are the opportunity costs of being a registered agent? 
• What are the alternatives to being your own registered agent? 
• Which solution is the least risky and most effective? 

Can You Legally Be Your Own Registered Agent? 

Before we dive into the risks, can you legally serve as your own registered agent? 

The answer is – probably. 

There are a few universal requirements for serving as a registered agent.  

For starters, you have to be older than 18. Minors can’t serve as registered agents anywhere in the country.   

Additionally, you need to have an address within the state of your LLC. For most business owners, this won’t be a problem. 

Since registering your LLC requires you have a business address within the state, business owners will already have an address that should allow them to meet this criterion. 

That said, each state has its own legislation surrounding registered agents, so it’s important to check your state’s specific requirements. 

Finally, all registered or resident agents are required to be available at the listed address during the business’s listed hours of operation. 

This is the trickiest part for remote business owners. Since you work remotely, it can be difficult to be available at the listed address. 

That said, failure to do so can be catastrophic, as we’ll see later on. 

In some states, someone else can be available at the address in your stead.  

Again each state has its own rules surrounding this, so you’ll need to check with your state’s department of commerce before proceeding. 

Some states also have specific stipulations that go beyond these three basic requirements. 

When it comes to handling business, some states are better than others, and each will have its own approach.  

What You Have to Do Before Being Your Own Registered Agent 

Before you list yourself as your own registered agent, you need to make sure you have a thorough understanding of your state’s requirements. 

Some states allow registered agents to serve remotely so long as someone else is there to forward government documents and summons. Some do not.  

If you list yourself as the registered agent before knowing your state’s stance on this, you may land yourself in hot water down the line. 

You’ll also need to have a strong idea of the work and responsibility being a registered agent places on you.  

Many small business owners assume serving as a registered agent is a trivial matter. They take on the responsibility thinking it won’t have much impact on their workflow, well-being, or business growth. 

But the risks of being a registered agent are heavy.  

Before answering the question, “should you be your own registered agent?”, you need to fully grasp the potential consequences of your decision. 

While it can work in some instances, there are a number of reasons why you shouldn’t be your own registered agent. 

The Risk of Missing Important Deadlines  

When you take on the role of registered agent, you are directly responsible for receiving all incoming government correspondences. 

Among the most common pieces of government mail you’ll receive are information about deadlines.  

These deadlines may be for information you need to provide the state or fees you must pay to finish registering. 

When you’re an exceptionally busy business owner, it’s easy to let your mail sit in a drawer for a few days or miss it altogether.   

It’s completely understandable. But that doesn’t mean it won’t hurt your business.  

If you don’t respond promptly to these pieces of mail, you risk missing essential state deadlines.  

These deadlines often result in unappealable fees.  

With small businesses facing smaller payrolls post-COVID, every dollar counts. 

Fees like this can add up quickly, eating into your bottom line and preventing you from reinvesting in your business. 

In the best-case scenario, this slows your growth. In the worst case, it can lead to your competitors outpacing you and your business failing. 

The Risk of Missing Court Orders  

There are even more serious risks of being a registered agent, though. 

If you aren’t present to receive a court summons, you may never know that someone is suing your business. 

If this happens, the court will usually find it in the prosecutor’s favor automatically. This can be absolutely devastating to your business. 

Not only will you potentially lose a lot of money, but your business’s reputation may be irreparably tarnished.  

If a consumer sues you for a serious product defect and wins because you didn’t know about it, that information will be on your business’s record. 

Even if the entire claim was fraudulent, they will have legally won the case. Your future consumers might learn that information and choose not to buy from you.  

And while this may sound like a very unlikely event, it’s unfortunately happening more often.  

Many lawyers have built entire businesses around suing small business owners on fraudulent cases.  

Because they can sue for large sums, they only need a very small fraction of their claims to succeed.  

They count on small business owners missing the summons or making other errors to make their money. 

As a small business owner, you need your registered agent to be diligent, as these types of scams can hit any business. 

Even without the rise of cases, there’s still serious risk involved for registered agents who miss summons.  

If your business is sued on more legitimate grounds, knowing about it early gives you the time you need to prepare a defense. 

That time can be the difference between you maintaining your business’s revenue and watching it leave in a lump sum. 

The Risk of Losing Your Limited Liability Coverage 

When you serve as the registered agent for LLC purposes, you are directly responsible for ensuring the LLC meets all the criteria to stay legally sound. 

If you are your business’s registered agent, a minor mishap can cause a lapse in your LLC’s coverage. 

As we discussed above, this often means you’ll face government fines and late fees. But things can get significantly worse. 

If your LLC lapses, your personal assets can be drawn into your business debts.  

That means if your business takes a hit, the government can seize your personal wealth. 

This is particularly worrisome because a lapse in your LLC coverage is likely going to result in fines.  

Your business will cease protecting you, right as you’re hit with significant fees. 

This is an easy thing to avoid for a registered professional agent. But as a busy business owner, you can easily miss an envelope. 

The results of such a minor mistake can hit both your business and your personal bank account. 

What is Opportunity Cost?  

Not only does a registered agent have to be a person with solid organizational skills and a reliable workflow, but they also have to be someone who has time to handle things properly. 

Many business owners don’t consider opportunity costs when taking on their registered agent duties. 

Opportunity cost is the loss of potential gain that occurs when an alternative is chosen. 

For example, imagine you are invited to go to the movies by one friend and invited out to dinner with another. 

If you choose to go to the movies, your opportunity cost is the dinner you would have had with the other friend. 

Many business owners don’t think in terms of opportunity cost. But opportunity cost poses a significant risk to your business growth. 

The Direct Opportunity Cost of Being a Registered Agent 

When you take on the work of being your own registered agent, you are inevitably sacrificing other things you could be doing with your time. 

As a busy business owner, you are responsible for everything in your business. From marketing to payroll to product design, you need to use your time and energy to ensure things run smoothly. 

When you have to spend time receiving, reading, and responding to government correspondences, that time eats into your day. 

As a result, you have to spend less time building your business and helping it grow. 

You may not realize it, but this slows your business’s growth in the long run.  

To understand, let’s look at a hypothetical example of two businesses. 

A Hypothetical Case Study  

Two businesses selling vitamins launch at the same time. One is called Vitamin House, and the other, Vitamin Factory.  

Vitamin House’s owner lists themselves as the registered agent. Vitamin Factory’s hires a registered professional agent instead. 

In the first few months, both businesses grow at roughly the same pace. Vitamin Factory’s owner is able to do a bit more market research though, as they have more time to devote to it because they aren’t busy responding to government mail. 

That research allows them to make just a few more sales than Vitamin House in the first few months.  

Vitamin Factory reinvests that money into their marketing and continues to use their extra time to do market research. 

6 months in, Vitamin Factory has dialed in their target demographic and is now significantly outpacing Vitamin House in sales. 

Vitamin House is struggling, as their market is finding Vitamin Factory much more appealing.  

One year in, and Vitamin Factory is now completely outcompeting Vitamin House. They’ve been able to lower their prices because they can buy in larger quantities.  

Vitamin House reaches fewer people in the market and offers a less competitive price.  

This all happens because Vitamin House only looked at the gross cost of hiring a registered agent.  

The opportunity cost of not hiring an agent turned out to be far higher than the modest fees Vitamin House would have paid. 

The Risk of Stress and Burnout as a Registered Agent  

Some business owners try to solve opportunity costs by simply working more hours.  

They take on their registered agent duties and extend their workdays to accommodate them. This, they think, will allow them to get the best of both worlds. 

But there is a significant risk here too. When you overwork yourself, you increase your stress levels.  

Not only does this subjectively hurt your quality of life, but it also impacts your business. 

Stress lowers your ability to concentrate, diminishes your creativity, and ultimately reduces your productivity on the whole. 

When you add the stress of being a registered agent onto your already-full plate, you may quickly find yourself unable to focus.  

You may even start making mistakes that impact your business. This can be in your registered agent duties, or in the other areas of your business that you oversee. 

As a result, you may run into the negative consequences discussed above. You may also hamstring your own growth by preventing your most creative and successful ideas from coming to life. 

What Are the Alternatives?  

With all the direct and indirect risks laid out, it’s clear that being your own registered agent isn’t the optimal solution. What are the alternatives? 

One common solution is to pass the duty off to a friend or family member.  

While this may seem like a great way to save money and avoid the risks mentioned above, it’s often even riskier. 

Even with the best intentions, your personal contacts probably aren’t going to be as invested in your business’s success.  

They are often even more likely than you to make mistakes, especially if you aren’t paying them. 

This means you’ll likely face the negative repercussions of missed deadlines or court summons. 

You also risk complicating your personal relationship. If your registered agent is a friend or family member, you’re bringing that person into your business operations. 

This is ill-advised on its own. But when you consider the consequences of even a minor slip-up, it becomes obvious that you probably shouldn’t do this. 

The other option is to hire a professional registered agent service.  

A registered professional agent has the expert knowledge you need to keep your business completely legal and ensure you don’t lose your LLC coverage. 

A registered professional agent will also help you respond to any government mail in a timely, efficient manner. This means you’re pulled away from your other tasks as little as possible. 

As a result, you can grow your business faster and experience less stress than you would in other registered agent situations. 

Finally, with the help of a professional, you can rest easy knowing your legal correspondences will be handled promptly and correctly, every time.  

The Best Professional Registered Agent Services  

While there are a host of options on the market, the best-registered agent services for small businesses are Anderson and Inc Authority.* 

Both providers have extensive networks across the country, making it simple for you to find a registered agent in your state.  

Their networks also mean that each agent has access to a host of insight and support. This means your registered agent will provide the most beneficial service to your business. 

With solid standards in place and a wealth of industry insight, Anderson and Inc Authority offer the best-registered agent services on the market. 

*Alliance Virtual Offices is an affiliate partner with Anderson and Inc Authority and may receive a payment if you make a purchase using the links in this article. 

Wrapping Up: The Risks of Being a Registered Agent  

Being your own registered agent brings with it a lot of risk. 

The slightest slip-up can result in hefty fines and lapses in your LLC coverage. You may even lose lawsuits without knowing about them. 

Further reading: 

• How Many LLCs Can You Have? Surprising Benefits of Scaling Established Businesses With More LLCs 
• The Most Convenient and Efficient Office Space for Small Business 
• How to Stay Flexible Through Your Business Expansion  

Instead of handling your registered agent duties yourself, you should hire a professional.  

A professional registered agent ensures you never face unnecessary legal issues while freeing you up to grow your business. 

The best services on the market are Anderson and Inc Authority.  

Both providers have extensive experience in the industry, ensuring your business stays legal, and you’re free to invest your time and money into your growth. 

The post The Risks of Being a Registered Agent first appeared on Alliance Virtual Offices.

• What is the basic LLC registration process? 
• How is LLC registration different in Alaska? 
• What is the best address for your Alaska LLC registration? 
• Additional digital tools to further benefit your Alaska LLC 

Q: I’m ready to start a business. Can I start an LLC somewhere out-of-state, like Alaska? What are the benefits of an Alaska LLC? 

A: Yes, you can easily start an out-of-state LLC. Starting an LLC in Alaska is similar to starting an LLC in any other state. An Alaska LLC provides several benefits, such as a corporate tax rate that’s only between 2.00%-9.40% and excellent asset protection. 

Starting a business is an exciting yet frightening venture. 

You need to research your target market, create a detailed plan that explains your short and long-term goals, and set aside enough capital to get started — all while staying flexible and reactive to the market. 

Modern businesses find themselves enjoying unique benefits.  

Through the use of the countless digital tools entrepreneurs have at their disposal, overhead costs are low, startup costs are lower, and operations are more flexible than ever. 

Forming a digital business or a physical business that caters to online operations is more straightforward than ever before. 

Ecommerce isn’t going anywhere.  

Economists are predicting that over 20% of all global retail sales will be ecommerce transactions by the end of the year. 

If you’re a new business owner or you’re planning on starting a business, you now have the distinct opportunity to participate in what is quickly becoming one of the largest markets in the world.  

Before you get too excited, you need to determine where you’d like to register your new business. 

The process of registering for an LLC is slightly different from state to state. Understanding the nuances of registering in each state will help you make a more informed decision. 

You want to find a state that has attractive tax laws, good asset protection, and reasonable fees for your LLC. Alaska is an excellent choice. 

In this article, we’ll be taking a closer look at the standard LLC registration process, what that process looks like in Alaska, Alaska LLC filing fees, the best address for your Alaska LLC registration, and additional digital tools. 

If you’ve been searching for the Alaska LLC fee or other similar LLC registration questions, you’re in the right spot. Keep reading for more! 

• What is the basic LLC registration process? 
• How is LLC registration different in Alaska? 
• What is the best address for your Alaska LLC registration? 
• Additional digital tools to further benefit your Alaska LLC 

The basic LLC registration process 

Before getting started on the Alaska LLC search, let’s take a look at the basic process for registering an LL: 

It doesn’t matter if you’re changing your sole proprietorship to an LLC or launching an entirely new business from the ground up — a Limited Liability Corporation is a perfect way to protect your brand. 

It doesn’t matter if it’s a single-member or multi-member LLC — you still get the same tax benefits, legal protection, and flexibility. 

Read more: How to Switch Sole Proprietorship to LLC Quickly and Easily

Note that your Alaska LLC will largely follow the same steps, but you should still be aware of the general process before you get started. At its root core, forming an LLC requires you to register your business with the federal government. 

Below, we’ve listed each of the basic steps you’ll need to take if you want to register your business. Keep reading for more! 

Give your business a unique name 

Before you do anything else, you’ll need to come up with a unique business name. 

Coming up with an average name isn’t too tough, but creating a great name for your business is an art form.  

Try searching for similarly named businesses online. If you want to be more specific, most states have a database you can use to check your name against existing businesses. 

Consumers want to identify with your brand. Give them a name that helps them do so. 

Appoint a registered agent 

Next, you’ll need to appoint a registered agent. 

It doesn’t matter which state you choose — you’re going to need a registered agent regardless of where you’re located. 

A registered agent is someone you choose to designate as your business’s representative. 

Read more: What is a Registered Agent? 

Most states require your registered agent to be over the age of 18, have an address in the state, and be available during your business’s operating hours. 

In several states, business owners can simply act as their own business’s registered agent — but that is almost always a poor decision. 

Your business’s registered agent is responsible for government correspondence, notices of subpoenas, and other key documents.  

Filling this position yourself takes valuable time away from your business and can lead to devastating clerical or logistical errors. 

File your articles of organization 

The next step is to file your articles of organization with the government. 

Your articles of organization will include the following — regardless of where you file: 

Your articles of organization simply represent the important details about your business. Your LLC isn’t official until this document is filed with the state in which you’re incorporating. 

These documents also explain how your LLC will be managed. You can file this document on the website of the state in which you’re registering. 

Get your EIN 

Now that you’ve created a name, appointed a registered agent, and filed your articles of organization, it’s time to get your EIN! 

Simply put, your EIN — or Employer Identification Number — acts as your business’s social security number.  

You’ll use your EIN to file annual reports and apply for business loans in the future. 

Read more: Strategic Debt: How to Leverage Small Business Microloans 

Now that you have a basic understanding of the LLC registration process, let’s take a look at how that process is different with an Alaska LLC. 

How to register an LLC in Alaska 

For the most part, the process of securing an Alaska LLC is much the same as it would be in any other state. 

Below, we’ve created an actionable guide that details the steps you’ll need to take to successfully file for an LLC in Alaska. 

Choose a unique name 

The first step to creating your Alaska LLC is choosing a unique name. 

To help you create the perfect name, we’ve put together a small list of helpful tips that you can use when you’re creating a unique name for your LLC! Alaska companies always need proper names for maximum success.  

Symbolizes your company 

You want to find something that exemplifies your business without sounding pretentious or silly. 

Consider your brand 

Pick a name that can be easily integrated into future branding and marketing initiatives. 

Cater to the lowest common denominator 

Don’t use difficult-to-say or difficult-to-spell names. 

Create a memorable name.  

You want something that is going to stick out in the minds of consumers without being too absurd. 

Plan for the future 

If you’re hoping to expand your product offerings, don’t give your business too specific of a name.  

For example, you don’t want to start a business called “Teddy’s T-Shirts” that focuses on t-shirts if you might one day start selling socks. Consider something like “Teddy’s Tailored Commodities” or something else that is equally as inclusive. 

Follow state and national guidelines 

Your business’s name can’t be profane or immoral and it can’t be too similar to any other companies 

Include “LLC” in the business’s official name 

You don’t have to include “LLC” in your branding materials, but you do have to include it in all of your official documents and filings. 

Using these tips, you can create a memorable and symbolic business name that helps you stand out from your competition. 

On the Alaska Department of Commerce website, you can use their corporation database to ensure that you’ve picked a unique name. 

Here, you can search a business by its entity number — another phrase for EIN — or you can search corporations by name. 

Once you’ve created a name and used the website to make sure it isn’t taken, you can move on. 

Appoint an Alaska LLC registered agent 

Your Alaska LLC registered agent must follow the same general guidelines set forth by other states. 

Per the DCCPED, your Alaska registered agent needs to be over 18, a resident of the state of Alaska, and capable of fulfilling the legal requirements. 

This means that if you’re a new business owner who isn’t living in Alaska or a new resident of the state, you won’t be able to act as your company’s registered agent. 

If your registered agent isn’t able to maintain a valid physical mailing address, you’ll be charged with non-compliance.  

This is why you should simply use registered agent services like Inc Authority or Anderson to ensure that you remain compliant and protected from any clerical mishaps.

Alaska statutes make it clear that any corporation that fails to maintain an appointed registered agent for 30 days could be involuntarily dissolved. 

Create your articles of organization 

Now that you’ve created a name and appointed a registered agent, it’s time to file your articles of organization for your Alaska LLC. Act quickly, because your business can’t be officially open for business if these documents aren’t filed. 

Thankfully, the Alaska Department of Commerce has a list of detailed instructions that you can follow to file your articles of organization online. 

Before you start filing, gather all of the necessary information so that the website doesn’t time out. In addition, keep in mind that the $250.00 filing fee is nonrefundable, so proofread everything. 

If you don’t want to file online, you can send a hard copy of your articles of organization, or form 08-484, along with the $250.00 processing fee, to: 

State of Alaska Corporations Section 

PO Box 110806 

Juneau, AK 99811-0806 

After submitting this document via mail or electronically, you’re one step closer to getting your EIN. 

Draft an operating agreement 

An operating agreement is a document that your Alaska LLC needs to create in order to provide a comprehensive picture of your business’ functionality, finances, and leadership. 

Only a few states require this document — and Alaska isn’t one of them. 

Despite this, there’s no reason that your business shouldn’t draft an operating agreement. 

Your operating agreement will clearly define roles within your business and will help prevent issues down the line.  

If you’ve created a cohesive management structure and clarified plans for later financial decisions, you’re leaving little room for interpretation. This can make it more difficult for mistakes to fall through the cracks. 

This agreement is designed exclusively to lay out how the company is going to operate.  

Obtain your EIN for your Alaska LLC 

Finally, it’s time to obtain your Employer Identification Number for your Alaska LLC. 

You can handle this last step on the IRS website. 

Once you’ve made it to the site, you only need to apply for an EIN online. 

This three-step process is completely free, and once you’ve obtained your EIN, you’re ready to start doing business! 

If you have any other specific questions about getting an EIN for your LLC in Alaska, check out these Alaska EIN FAQs and these general online EIN FAQs. 

*Note: If you’re the sole member of the LLC and don’t want to be taxed as a corporation, you don’t have to obtain an EIN. That said, it’s highly advised that you do obtain the number, as you’ll need it for things like business loans and business banking. 

The best way to register an LLC in Alaska 

Regardless of whether you’re registering an LLC in Alaska as a local or from another location, a Virtual Office can help.  

We’ve created a brief list of the various benefits associated with using a Virtual Office below: 

• Cost-efficient 
• Private 
• Register and operate anywhere 
• Onsite staff 
• Meeting spaces 

Cost-efficient 

A Virtual Office saves you money compared to a traditional office. 

Consider this: the traditional commercial office lease starts at a minimum of three years. That’s 36 months that you’ll be required to pay rent, pay utilities, and keep your office stocked. 

Compare that to one of Alliance’s Virtual Offices. Our offices start at a 6-month minimum. You aren’t on the hook for utilities, and you don’t have to worry about keeping things arbitrarily stocked. 

These savings make it easier for you to grow your business by giving you more capital to invest in other areas. 

Private 

Alliance’s Virtual Offices are private. 

If you register your business with your home address, you’re knowingly putting your home address into the public domain. Once it’s there, scam businesses, bad actors, and anyone else who wants it can easily access that information. 

Outside of the safety concerns, the sheer volume of unwanted junk mail you’ll receive at home makes retaining your privacy entirely worthwhile. By using a Virtual Office, you’re keeping your address out of the public domain. 

Register and operate anywhere 

Virtual Offices allow you to register and operate from anywhere.  

You can work remotely from home or from halfway across the globe – whatever sounds good to you. 

When you’re using one of Alliance’s offices, the physical workspace is always available — whenever you need it.  

You’ll have a centralized hub from which you can focus your operations without sacrificing the flexibility that remote work is known for. 

With Alliance’s robust mail forwarding system, all your mail can be forwarded directly to you so you never miss out on key communications. 

Onsite staff 

It’s comforting knowing that you have access to a friendly and professional staff. 

One of the risks of using lower-quality digital addresses and providers that only deal in PO Boxes is that when you need help, there’s a good chance you won’t be able to find it. 

Thankfully, our Virtual Offices don’t encounter this issue – just look at our overwhelmingly positive TrustPilot reviews. 

Should you have any questions or need any help, your Virtual Office staff is ready to provide friendly, attentive care. 

Meeting spaces 

Best of all, using one of Alliance’s Virtual Offices gives you access to on-demand meeting spaces that you can use when you need somewhere to host meetings. 

As a business owner, you’re likely to be hosting these kinds of meetings fairly regularly. Pitching investors, client conferences, onboarding staff, and other various meetings happen often — and you don’t want to be caught between a rock and a hard place. 

Hosting a meeting in a coffee shop is disorganized, could pose security risks, puts your meeting at the whims of the public, and makes your business appear very unprofessional. Using your home to host a meeting is just as off-putting. 

With a hotel conference room, you’re typically spending a lot of money, the space isn’t catered to the size of your group, and your meeting could go wrong if the conference room next to yours is too loud or unruly. Additionally, you have to make the reservations weeks in advance — which doesn’t help much for short-notice meetings. 

The easily reservable meeting rooms you have access to through your Virtual Office simplify your operations and add a layer of professionalism and legitimacy to your business. 

The steps to creating your Alaska LLC are straightforward. The steps to making your LLC in Alaska successful are more involved. 

Keep reading for additional tips about the digital tools you have at your disposal! 

Additional digital tools to further benefit your Alaska LLC 

Filing an LLC is a straightforward process that can be done from the comfort of your home. 

Choose a business name, designate a registered agent, submit your articles of organization and operating agreement, and obtain an EIN – and you’re ready to do business in Alaska. 

Further reading 

• How to Switch Sole Proprietorship to LLC Quickly and Easily  
• Get a Virtual Address for LLC Registration 
• How to Start a Virtual Company 
• What is a Registered Agent? 
• Strategic Debt: How to Leverage Small Business Microloans 

An Alliance Virtual Office is the best way to register because it protects your personal information and solidifies your business’s reputation — all while supporting your remote workstyle. 

Whether you live in Alaska or are looking to create a business entity from outside the state, a Virtual Office makes it fast and easy to get your LLC registered. 

The post How to Register an Alaska LLC first appeared on Alliance Virtual Offices.

• What is the best LLC registration process? 
• How to form an LLC in Washington State 
• What is the best address for your Washington State LLC? 
• Scaling your Washington LLC with digital tools 

Q: How can I form an LLC in Washington State? Do I need to live in Washington to do business there?
A: If you’re wondering how to form an LLC in Washington State, it’s just as straightforward as forming an LLC in any other state. Through the use of a Virtual Office, you can procure a professional and well-known address in Washington that you can use to register your business. Hypothetically, you could form an LLC in Washington State without even going to the state.

The modern market rewards flexibility. 

Thanks in part to Virtual Offices and other digital tools, registering a business has never been easier. And although experience and knowledge of the competition are still as important as ever, the barrier to entry is considerably lower than it was in the past. 

Today, business owners have a cost-effective and streamlined way to register their businesses in any state they’d like — with little to no hassle. 

The only thing you need to do is decide on the state in which you’d like to register your business. 

The best states offer an attractive combination of tax laws, registration fees, and other state-specific benefits. 

Washington is one of these states with attractive tax laws, a reasonable registration fee, and fair rules for business owners. 

Learning how to form an LLC in Washington state is just as straightforward as learning how to form an LLC in any other state. The good news is that we’re about to cover both.  

In this article, you’ll learn how to register an LLC in the United States, form an LLC in Washington State, choose the best address for your Washington State LLC, and scale your business with effective digital tools.  

So, if you’ve ever searched, “How do I start an LLC in Washington State”, then keep reading – this guide is for you! 

• What is the best LLC registration process? 
• How to form an LLC in Washington State 
• What is the best address for your Washington State LLC 
• Scaling your Washington LLC with digital tools 

What is the basic LLC registration process? 

Before we get into how to form an LLC in Washington state, let’s take a look at the basic concept of an LLC. 

An LLC is a limited liability company, and doing business through an LLC protects your personal assets from losses and liabilities incurred by your business. 

In other words, you won’t lose your house or your car if your LLC goes bankrupt, and you won’t be personally sued if your products end up harming people.  

As Americans continue to fear a coming recession, business owners need to take the necessary steps to protect their personal assets.  

Read more: The Complete Guide to Making Your Business Recession Proof 

In order to form an LLC, you’ll need to register your business and go through a specific application process with the federal government. 

Below, we’ve written a quick, basic guide to the LLC registration process. We’ll get more into specific questions like “how much does it cost to set up an LLC in Washington state” shortly. 

1. Pick a name 
2. Appoint a registered agent 
3. File your articles of organization 
4. Receive your EIN 

Pick a name 

The first step in legally creating any kind of business is creating a name for your organization. 

You have a lot of freedom when it comes to naming your LLC. That said, there are a few specific state guidelines that prevent you from choosing certain names. Also, you need to have a unique business name. 

Feel free to use the U.S. Small Business Association’s website to check the general guidelines. Most states have databases on their websites that allow you to do more specific checks as well. 

Appoint a registered agent 

Next, you’ll need to appoint a registered agent. 

A registered agent is someone who is designated to handle official correspondence with the government.  

A registered agent generally must live in the state. They must also be at least 18 and available during business hours. 

Technically, business owners can act as their business’s registered agents. But this can be quite stressful, and the penalties for missing official documents can be severe. Instead, you might want to use professional registered agent services.  

Articles of Organization 

The guidelines for registration might vary slightly from state to state, but you’ll need to file articles of organization regardless of your specific location.  

Your articles of organization include basic information about your business, such as your registered agent’s name and address, your company name, your company address, the nature of your business, and other general information about your operations. 

Essentially, your Articles of Organization are used to explain to the government how your LLC is going to be managed. 

Visit the website of the state you’re registering in to file your articles with the government. 

Employer Identification Number 

Finally, you’ll be assigned your EIN. 

Your EIN is your business’s social security number. You use it to file annual reports, file your taxes, and build your business’s credit. 

Read more: How to Build Business Credit: Building Credit for Your Small Business 

Your Employer Identification Number will be used for any lines of credit or bank loans that you need to take out for your business. 

Although your LLC protects you from any losses your business incurs, lenders may check your personal credit when determining whether or not to give your business a loan – especially when your business doesn’t have much credit history.  

Regardless of how good your credit is, it’s important to start building your business credit early. The goal is to make it easy for your business to get loans in the future without involving your own personal credit history.  

As you can see, the process of forming an LLC is fairly straightforward. Keep in mind that the U.S. Small Business Association has a website that can help answer any questions you might have about the process.  

If you’re already wondering “how long does it take to form an LLC in Washington State” then don’t worry — we’re about to fill you in. 

How to form an LLC in Washington State 

If you’re wondering how to form an LLC in Washington State, the process is very similar to many other states.  

Below, we’ve detailed an actionable guide that explains how to form an LLC in Washington State. Wondering: “How much does it cost to form an LLC in Washington State?” Don’t worry — we’ve answered that too. 

1. Choose a business name 
2. Appoint a registered agent 
3. Create your business’s articles of organization 
4. Create an operating agreement 
5. Obtain an EIN 

Choose a business name 

First, you’ll need to decide on a name for your business. Knowing how to form a Washington LLC isn’t much help if you can’t pick a name for your company. 

Before you check whether your business name is already taken, let’s go over a few quick guidelines for business name creation: 

• Name can’t mislead customers 
• You can’t try and trick your customers with your business’s name. If a company is already named Bob’s Taco Truck, you can’t just name your business Bobs Taco’s Truck in an attempt to steal market share. 
• The name must be unique 
• You can’t register your business with a name that is already in use. There are different business name checkers you can use. 
• LLCs must include the phrase “limited liability company” 
• While you aren’t required to put “limited liability company” on your company’s branding or marketing materials, you’ll need to include the phrase when you’re registering your business. 
• Can’t create an intentionally vulgar company name 
• Adding swear words or other obscene words to your business’s name is not only incredibly unprofessional, but you wouldn’t get through the registration process anyways. 

While there are a few more specific guidelines to consider in Washington State when naming your business, these are good rules to follow no matter what state you’re in. 

Thankfully, the Washington State Department of Revenue has three different tools you can use to check whether or not your business’s name is already in use. 

First, you can use the Washington State Business Lookup to determine if there are any businesses with similar names in the state. 

Second, the Washington Secretary of State has a website that allows you to look up the names of trademarks, corporations, charities, and other entities. 

Third, through the United States Patent and Trademark Office, you can search for federally registered business names and other trademarks. 

Follow these guidelines, and you’ll find that deciding on a name for your business is simple. 

Appoint a registered agent 

Next, you need to appoint a registered agent. 

Registered agents must be residents of Washington, over the age of 18, and available during your business’s operating hours to receive official correspondence from the government. They must also have permission to operate in the state of Washington.  

Now: 

In addition to wondering how to form an LLC in Washington State, you’re probably wondering if you can cut out the middleman and act as your business’s registered agent. 

Technically you can… But you probably shouldn’t. 

Acting as a registered agent means receiving official documents from the government on behalf of your business.  

This includes subpoenas, summons, complaints tax information, class actions, and many other documents.  

Mishandling or missing important correspondences like this is an excellent way to find yourself in trouble. In some cases, judges will side with the suing party solely because you’ve failed to respond. 

Outside of the sheer importance of properly handling these documents, acting as a registered agent adds yet another job onto your workload.  

After all, you’re running a business! You have things to do and operations to oversee. Acting as your business’s registered agent is risky and not worth the hassle. 

 Fortunately, you can easily use a registered agent service to fill this role if you don’t have an individual you trust to act as your business’s registered agent.  

Create your business’s articles of organization 

After handling your registered agent, you will need to create your LLC’s articles of organization. 

These need to include the following: 

• Name of LLC 
• LLC duration 
• LLC address 
• Registered agent’s name 
• Registered agent’s address 
• Whether the LLC will be member or manager-managed 
• Whether the LLC will provide professional services or not 
• The name and address of each of your LLC’s organizers 
• The name and address of at least one managing member 
   

As you can see, figuring out how to form an LLC in Washington State is just like learning how to form an LLC anywhere else. Just like in every other state, the articles of organization are used to explain the purpose of your business. 

Fortunately, the Washington Secretary of State has an easily accessible website that shows you the forms you’ll need to file to register your business. 

At this stage, you’re probably wondering: “How much does it cost to set up an LLC In Washington State?” 

Once you’ve finished with your articles of organization, you can submit them along with a $200 fee via mail or electronically. 

So how much does it cost to get an LLC in Washington state? Costs may vary, but the $200 filing fee represents one aspect of your startup costs.  

Create an operating agreement 

After submitting your business’s articles of organization, you should create an operating agreement. 

Technically, an operating agreement isn’t required in Washington State — but it’s an excellent idea nonetheless. 

With your operating agreement, you can lay out how the company is going to operate and define specific roles for owners and managers. 

Because the operating agreement isn’t required, it may be difficult to find a form template in Washington. Regardless, you’ll get more out of your operating agreement if you write it yourself.  

Obtain an EIN 

Finally, it’s time to obtain your Employer Identification Number by filing on the IRS website. 

Thankfully, this can be done for free. 

Remember, your business’s EIN is effectively your business’ social security number. You’ll need it for just about any major decision your business intends on making — financially or otherwise. 

Moving forward 

Once all of these steps are completed, you are ready to go. 

If you are the sole member of the LLC and don’t want to be taxed as a corporation, you don’t need to obtain an EIN. 

That said, it is still highly advised that you do so — as you will need your EIN for things like business banking, securing lines of credit, and countless other applications. 

What is the best address for your Washington State LLC? 

A Virtual Office helps you register your LLC in Washington state, whether you are a local Washingtonian or you’re operating your business from another location.  

Below, we’ve listed some of the key benefits associated with Virtual Offices and LLC registration.  

• Cost-efficient 
• Private 
• Operate anywhere 
• On-site staff 
• Physical space 

Cost-efficient 

Compared to a traditional office, a Virtual Office will save you a considerable amount of money. 

Traditional office leases often have minimums that range from three to five years. With one of Alliance’s Virtual Offices, that minimum starts at only 6 months. 

In addition, having a Virtual Offices means you aren’t responsible for the increasingly expensive utilities, upkeep, or supplies associated with a physical space.  

This cost-efficient alternative makes it easier to grow your business and retain more capital to invest in other operations. 

Private 

A Virtual Office gives you privacy.  

Scams are ubiquitous. As more consumers fall victim to these schemes, more consumers are taking steps to avoid scams and scam businesses. 

While a home address isn’t necessarily indicative that your business is a scam, it certainly doesn’t look as professional as an address in a central business district. Sometimes, a disreputable address is enough to scare customers away. 

Part of understanding how to form an LLC in Washington State is understanding how to best use the tools at your disposal.  

Using your home address to register your business means that your address is being added to the public domain. Once it’s there, it’s easily accessible.  

We’re talking spam mail, disgruntled customers, frustrated ex-employees… The list goes on. These issues might force you to move.  

A Virtual Office allows you to keep your home address completely private.  

Also, you can pick a professionally recognized location for your LLC in Washington that adds legitimacy to your operations and improves your standing in the eyes of consumers and potential investors alike. 

Remember, you can choose a Virtual Office in any major city.  

Operate anywhere 

Virtual Offices allow you to register and operate from anywhere. 

It doesn’t matter whether you work remotely from home or halfway across the globe. 

With Alliance Virtual Offices’s robust mail-forwarding system, all of your mail can be forwarded so that you never miss out on key communications. 

On-site staff 

One of the most noticeable benefits of an Alliance Virtual Office is the presence of friendly and professional staff in all of our offices. 

Whether you’re utilizing our easily reservable meeting rooms, professional coworking spaces, or just dealing with technical issues from home, our Virtual Office staff is ready to provide friendly and attentive care. 

Physical space 

Best of all, you have access to on-demand meeting spaces whenever you need them. 

Unfortunately, many entrepreneurs find themselves using expensive hotel conference rooms, crowded public coffee shops, or even their homes to host important meetings with clients or investors. 

While hotel conference rooms might be professional enough, they’re also incredibly expensive – and they lack tech support. Coffee shops are loud and unsafe, especially when you’re dealing with sensitive business information. Hosting a business at your home just isn’t a great look for your company. 

Thankfully, all of Alliance’s Virtual Offices are backed by physical space, which means that you have access to a range of private and professional meeting rooms that you can use to host your meetings without breaking the bank. 

This physical space simplifies your virtual operations and adds a layer of professionalism to your business. 

Now that you’ve learned how to form an LLC in Washington State and the benefits associated with one of Alliance’s Virtual Offices, it’s time for you to see how to scale your Washington LLC with other digital tools. 

Scaling your Washington LLC with digital tools 

Figuring out how to form an LLC in Washington state isn’t much different than figuring out this task in other states.  

You’ll need a dedicated address within the state of Washington, a registered agent, and the ability to receive important registration mail from the government. 

A Virtual Office from Alliance is the ideal solution for your Washington business address. 

In addition to Virtual Offices, Alliance provides several other tools for established entrepreneurs to use in conjunction with their Washington LLCs. 

Our Live Receptionists offer a friendly voice to anyone calling your business, allowing you to stop worrying about the phone and focus on improving your business’s daily operations. 

Our receptionists personally answer and screen each call, giving each customer their full, undivided attention and a great first impression. 

With our Virtual Phone Numbers, you can easily connect with your team members while using a dedicated business phone number.  

Trying to manage your business on the same phone you use for personal activities is a recipe for disaster, and often leads to increased burnout and poor work-life balance. 

Thankfully, our business phone numbers come with unlimited extensions, which means you can easily onboard new hires and streamline training exercises — all while keeping your employees’ information private. 

For more information on the services that Alliance Virtual Offices provides, check out our website! 

Further reading: 

• The Complete Guide to Making Your Business Recession Proof 
• How to Build Business Credit: Building Business Credit for Your Small Business 
• Get a Virtual Address For LLC Registration 

Alliance Virtual Offices is available to help even the newest entrepreneurs get started in their business ventures. 

Whether you’ve just learned how to form an LLC in Washington State or you’ve expanded a second business to Washington, we’ve got you covered. 

Contact us today to see what Alliance Virtual Offices can do for your business’s operations! 

The post How to Form an LLC in Washington State: The Complete Guide first appeared on Alliance Virtual Offices.

• What are the requirements to become a registered agent? 
• Can you become your own registered agent? 
• Should you hire a professional? 

Q: How do you become a registered agent in the US? 

A: To become a registered agent in the US, you must be above the age of 18, have an address in the state of the business you’ll be serving, and be available during business operating hours. This is true whether you’re serving someone else’s business or your own. Read on to discover what you need to do to become your own registered agent.

With online-only businesses and remote work thriving, more and more people are launching their own businesses. 

As a result of this boom, demand for registered agent services has been steadily increasing.  

If you’re wondering how to become a registered agent, this article is for you. 

We cover the requirements to become a registered agent and how you can serve as the registered agent for your own business. 

• What are the requirements for registered agents? 
• Can you become a registered agent for your own business? 
• What goes into being your own registered agent? 
• Should you consider hiring a registered agent? 

What Are the Requirements for a Registered Agent?  

Generally, all registered agents are subject to the same requirements.  

Registered agents must be above the age of 18. The government makes it clear that you can’t have a minor serving as a registered agent, even if they want to serve their own company. 

For starters, minors are far less likely to have their own addresses at which to receive government documents. 

Perhaps more importantly though, most minors are probably not ready to handle important legal documents on a regular basis. 

In addition to being over the age of 18, a registered agent needs to have an address in the state the business is registered in. 

Because the state government needs to have easy access to your business’s registered agent, they need to be close by. This ensures the state is able to quickly deliver important notices and documents. 

Finally, registered agents need to be available at the address they provide during the business’s operating hours. 

The reason for this stipulation is that the state sometimes delivers documents or notices in person.  

If someone shows up to serve the business a subpoena, there needs to be someone there to receive it.  

Your registered agent needs to be there so the state knows they have a clear channel of communication for your LLC’s legal correspondence. 

Are All State Registered Agent Requirements the Same?  

In almost all cases, the requirements for a registered agent will be the same across states.  

If you’ve learned how to become a registered agent in Colorado, you probably also know how to become one in Florida or in Wyoming. 

That said, you will need to have an address in any state you intend to serve as a registered agent in.  

For example, just because you’re able to serve as a registered agent in Texas doesn’t mean you can automatically serve as a registered agent in Wyoming. 

Since each state communicates with the registered agents directly, you have to have an address within the state.  

This can be quite tricky since registered agents also need to be available to receive documents during business hours. 

If you are operating as a registered agent in Colorado, you need to have a way of accepting incoming documents during the day in Colorado.  

If you also want to serve as a registered agent in Wyoming, you’re going to have to have a way to receive those documents there as well. 

This makes it tricky for registered agents to serve in multiple states at once. There are solutions, but for business owners just looking to serve their own businesses, they’re likely too complex or expensive to be worth it. 

It is important to note that while the registered agent requirements are mostly the same across states, each state has its own legislature and process.  

You should always check your state’s specific requirements when becoming a registered agent for yourself or for anyone else. 

Can You Become a Registered Agent from Outside the State?  

In most cases you can serve as a registered agent from outside the state of the business you’re serving. 

That said, it requires the proper infrastructure to pull off successfully. 

The biggest hurdle to serving as a registered agent in a different state is the address. You need to have an address within the state the business is registered in. 

For most registered agents, this is a difficult conundrum. They likely don’t have the money to rent or purchase a property that they aren’t going to use. 

Even if they do have a property available, they’ll also need someone to be there to receive any documents the government decides to deliver in person during operating hours. 

In most states, this doesn’t have to be the agent themselves. But that still leaves you with a problem.  

The only conventional solution is to hire someone else to stay at the address you provide during operating hours. They will have to receive any documents and forward them to you promptly. 

So, can you become a registered agent from outside the state? Yes.  

Should you? Probably not. 

What Skills Do You Need to be a Successful Registered Agent?  

Along with the legal requirements for becoming a registered agent, you’ll also need a number of skills if you want to be successful. 

For starters, a good registered agent needs to have strong time management skills.  

Each document that you receive is crucial. Missing a deadline can cost your business or your client’s business serious amounts of money.  

Or worse.  

If you fail to promptly respond or forward documents, you may jeopardize the LLC’s legal standing. This can undo all the protection the business owner gets by registering an LLC, potentially hurting their personal finances.  

A good registered agent also needs to be exceptionally well-organized. 

Dealing with a high volume of mail can be overwhelming, but letting a document fall through the cracks can be catastrophic.  

If you plan to become a registered agent, you must create and stick to an effective, accurate system to ensure you aren’t missing any government mail.   

This becomes especially difficult when you’re serving as the registered agent for your own business. 

How Do You Become the Registered Agent for Your Own Company?   

Every LLC has to have a registered agent in order to become legal. 

That said, anyone who meets the qualifications laid out above can serve as your LLC’s registered agent. 

Many business owners decide to take on this responsibility themselves. This can be done successfully, but it requires the right mindset and a bit of prior knowledge. 

If you want to become the registered agent for your own business, the first thing you’ll need is an address within the state your business is registered in. 

In most cases, this is easy to provide, as you’ll already need an address in the state for your business.  

Next, you’ll need to make sure you or someone trustworthy and dependable will be at that address during all open hours for your business.  

This person needs to be capable of accepting any mail or in-person summons the government sends to your business. 

Ideally, this would be you. It’s incredibly easy to lose a piece of mail in the midst of a busy workday. If you have an employee accepting your mail, you run the risk of a harmless accident costing you dearly. 

Even if you’re there yourself though, you’ll still need to develop a strong system to ensure you don’t miss any mail yourself.  

At the very least, you need to go through your mail upon delivery and place any envelopes that look like they are from the government in a dedicated file or folder.  

From there, you need to ensure that you set aside time every day to open, read, and respond to those documents. 

Failing to set up this kind of system can lead to you accidentally ignoring time-sensitive information. 

When this happens, you risk fines and your entire business’s legal protection. 

What Information Do You Need to Provide?

When you decide to become the registered agent for your LLC, you must provide personal information to the state government. 

This information includes your name, address, and a form of government-issued ID.  

The state uses this information to verify your identity. From there, they keep this information on file so they know how to contact you whenever they need to communicate with your business. 

It’s important to note that your information becomes part of the public domain when you serve as a registered agent.  

Since registered agents are legally responsible for handling incoming legal correspondences, people need to know where to deliver them should they need to communicate with the business. 

As such, the government releases registered agent information to the public. 

Why Your Address Matters  

If you plan on becoming the registered agent for your business, the address you use is crucial. 

Listing your home address is a common mistake many registered agents make.  

When you provide your personal residential address to the government, that information becomes publicly available. 

This means anyone who is upset with the business can easily find where you live. The consequences range from unnerving, to genuine invasions of your privacy and peace. 

Additionally, using your home address means that any government documents served to you in person can become a spectacle for your neighbors.  

Most people don’t want to be handed a lawsuit on their front porch, in front of the entire neighborhood. 

That’s why it’s important to use a different address when serving as a registered agent.  

In most instances, a Virtual Office is the best solution.  

Virtual Offices provide registered agents with a convenient, affordable address they can use for their registered agent services.  

They provide a place to work and easy mail pickup and forwarding, helping registered agents protect their home addresses while providing their services. 

What Goes into Being Your Own Registered Agent?  

If you decide to serve as your own registered agent, you’ll need to make space in your workday. 

Registered agents need to be available to accept incoming mail, sort through it, and read and respond to any government correspondence.  

This needs to be a daily occurrence. As mentioned, failing to respond promptly can lead to serious legal trouble for your business.  

Many business owners take on their own registered agent responsibilities without thinking about the consequences.  

Missed deadlines can be highly detrimental though. 

What Happens if You Miss Deadlines?  

Successful business owners know they need to stay on top of their work.  

You wouldn’t skip your daily marketing meetings or product design work with looming deadlines. 

The same attitude needs to be applied to your registered agent duties. Deadlines are everywhere. 

Missing a deadline can easily result in hefty fines. The government demands compliance from all businesses. 

While many business owners don’t like the way the government regulates business, they ultimately have the final say.  

This means failing to get them the information they need on time is punishable by fines.  

These fines can seriously impact your business’s growth, eating into your profits and keeping you from reaching new markets before your competition. 

In some cases, missing a deadline might even compromise your LLC’s legal standing. If this happens your personal assets can be seized if your business fails.  

The bottom line: you don’t want to miss a deadline. 

The Opportunity Cost of Being Your Own Registered Agent  

Even if you are fully aware of the importance of handling your registered agent duties promptly, you may not have considered what those duties mean for your business. 

As a business owner, you steer the ship. Your work guides your business in all aspects, allowing you to grow your reach and increase your profits. 

But with that comes a lot of responsibility. Your work is crucial for your business to keep functioning and reach new horizons. 

When you take on the responsibilities of being your own registered agent, you sacrifice some of your highly-valuable time. 

Every minute you spend pouring over mail and reading important documents is time you aren’t building your business. 

In economics, this is known as “opportunity cost”. Doing something is always a decision to sacrifice the other things you could be doing instead. 

Many business owners forget to factor in this opportunity cost. They think only in terms of the immediate money they save by serving as their own registered agents instead of hiring someone else. 

But that time may have been put to better use. That time might have resulted in more income than you’d save handling the registered agent duties yourself. 

And that’s not to mention the secondary reductions in your performance that can occur when you serve as your own registered agent. 

Being Your Own Registered Agent is Stressful  

Everyone knows stress is bad for the mind.  

Nonetheless, many business owners ignore this fact and pile endless responsibilities onto themselves. 

Running a business is already a stressful endeavor. When you add worrying about time-sensitive legal correspondences, it can become completely overwhelming. 

This can quickly lead to excessive stress and burnout. 

Not only is this subjectively unpleasant, but it can also impact your work.  

When you’re burnt out, you don’t bring the same level of passion, drive, and creativity to your work. This keeps your business stagnant, holding you back from achieving new goals. 

The tradeoffs are almost never worth it.  

Consider Hiring a Professional  

Hiring a professional registered agent is almost always a better idea than trying to serve as your own. 

A professional registered agent ensures you always meet your important deadlines while freeing you from having to worry about it yourself. 

You save time and energy that you can use to build your business.  

A professional registered agent also frees you from having to worry about your information being made public.  

There are endless registered agents on the market, but taking the time to vet each individual can be painstakingly tedious. 

Many business owners choose to hire from an established, trusted provider instead. 

Two of the leaders in the registered agent service industry are Anderson and Inc Authority.* 

Both of these businesses provide knowledgeable, reliable registered agents to businesses across the country.  

*Alliance Virtual Offices is a partner of Anderson and Inc Authority and may receive payment if you purchase through the links in this article. 

Wrapping Up: How to Become a Registered Agent  

Becoming a registered agent is a fairly simple process.  

All you need is to be over the age of 18, have an address in the state you intend to operate in, and be available to receive documents during business hours. 

Further reading 

• What is a Registered Agent? 
• How Alliance Virtual Offices Provides The Best Virtual Office Service 
• Small Business Cost Savings: A Simple Way to Grow Your Income | Alliance Virtual Offices   

That said, serving as a registered agent requires attentive care and dedication to protect your business from fines and legal trouble. 

If you’re considering serving as your own registered agent, you might be better off hiring a professional instead. 

Using a registered agent service like Anderson or Inc Authority saves you time and energy you can use to grow your business and increase your profits.

The post How to Become a Registered Agent first appeared on Alliance Virtual Offices.

• What is a registered agent? 
• What are Washington’s registered agent requirements? 
• Who should serve as your registered agent? 

Q: What is a registered agent, and how is it different in Washington? How do I find a registered agent if I’ve never been to the state? 
A: A registered agent is an individual designated to handle official correspondence between your business and the government. In Washington, your registered agent only needs to be 18 years old or older, live in the state, and be available during business hours. If you’re looking for a registered agent in an area you’re unfamiliar with, it’s best to use a registered agent service.

Modern technology has made starting a new business more cost-efficient and streamlined than ever before. 

Digital business is booming, and with the introduction of Virtual Offices, entrepreneurs can register their businesses for a fraction of the cost of a traditional office — anywhere in the country.  

Easy access to each of the 50 states means that business owners can choose to incorporate in whichever state they’d like.  

Regardless of their decision, the process of registering a business is similar from state to state. The key is finding a state with the best tax benefits, the most reasonable registration fees, and a solid target customer base.  

You’ll have a tough time finding one state that perfectly meets all your criteria. So, it makes more sense to find a state that meets the majority of your needs. 

Washington is a state with attractive tax benefits, fair registration costs, and rapid growth. 

Creating an LLC in Washington isn’t all that different from incorporating in any other state. That said, if you aren’t living in Washington, you might not know many individuals in the area. 

If this is the case, finding a Washington registered agent might be a bit difficult. Thankfully, we’ve created an actionable guide that explains the specific requirements for a Washington registered agent. We’ve also listed a few registered agent services you can use. 

Registering a new LLC is easier than ever, but it still takes a lot of work. 

In this article, you’ll learn what a registered agent is, what the Washington registered agent requirements are, who should fill this role for your business, and how you can use a Washington registered agent.  

So, if you’ve ever wondered about how you can set up an LLC, how to find a registered agent, or how to make the transition to digital business, you’re in the right place. Keep reading for more information! 

• What is a registered agent? 
• What are Washington’s registered agent requirements? 
• Who should serve as your registered agent? 
• Washington registered agents in conjunction with other virtual solutions 

What is a registered agent? 

Before we dig too deeply into the Washington registered agent search, let’s take some time to explore what a registered agent is. 

A registered agent is someone designated to receive mail on a company’s behalf. They’re responsible for receiving any mail about the company’s standing and any communications from the government. 

Every single state requires their businesses to appoint a registered agent. While the exact rules vary from state to state, you won’t be able to start a business without one. 

In Tennessee, for example, your registered agent must be available at a physical address in the state during regular business hours — and your agent’s physical address and name will be added to the public domain. 

Alternatively, in Nevada you only need to appoint a registered agent to be compliant – without any additional requirements.  

Several states require your registered agent to have an address in the state where your business is registered. In these situations, PO boxes and other addresses that aren’t backed by physical space won’t work. 

Essentially, your registered agent is your business’ ambassador for communication with the government. 

While this might sound pointless, it actually makes a lot of sense when you think about it.  

Consider a subpoena, a notice of an upcoming lawsuit, or other sensitive government documents. 

Sure — most business owners would handle these documents with the poise and professionality they require, but some business owners wouldn’t be as honest. 

Without a registered agent, the government is relying on your word versus their word. 

This creates situations where business owners claim that they didn’t receive documents while the government insists that they did. 

Adding a third individual into the mix who is solely responsible for handling these documents removes the possibility of logistical confusion, unreceived documents, or other clerical mishaps. 

Even if you’re in a state that allows you to act as your own registered agent, it’s almost never a good idea to do so.  

Now that you know what registered agents are and what they do, let’s look at the specifics of a Washington registered agent. 

What are Washington’s registered agent requirements? 

The registered agent requirements are very similar throughout the country, so the rules for Washington are generally the same as other states. 

Below, we’ve listed the Washington registered agent requirements to help you understand exactly what you should be looking for to effectively incorporate in Washington state: 

• Age requirements 
• Address requirements 
• Business hour availability requirements 

Age requirements 

As you might have guessed, you cannot appoint a registered agent that isn’t an adult. 

Your Washington registered agent needs to be above the age of 18.  

Even if you’re a minor who has started a business, your registered agent in Washington state will still need to be an adult. 

Address requirements 

Your Washington registered agent will need to have an address physically located in the state. 

In Washington, PO boxes and virtual offices that aren’t backed by physical space won’t work.  

The government wants to have easy access to your registered agent when necessary, so PO boxes and virtual offices can make correspondence difficult. 

With a Washington registered agent that lives in the state, the government of Washington will have a much easier time communicating with your registered agent.  

This doesn’t mean that you should be looking for a Washington registered agent in Spokane or another more densely populated area — it just means that you need a registered agent with a physical address in the state. 

Business hour availability requirements 

Finally, your registered agent must be physically present at the address provided during all operating hours. 

If your business is listed as open, you need your agent to be available at their provided address so they can receive documents and correspondences. 

When trying to act as your own registered agent, Washington requirements will cause any government documents to be sent directly to the address you provided.  

This means that you could potentially receive embarrassing letters, subpoenas, or other sensitive documents in front of customers or clients if you’ve used the same address as your official business address.  

Or worse yet, these sensitive documents could show up on your doorstep if you’re a remote worker.  

These requirements make it risky to appoint friends or acquaintances to the position.  

Remember, your registered agent needs to be available for the entirety of your business day. If you’re using some college buddy as your Washington registered agent, there’s a good chance they won’t be taking your business needs very seriously. 

Thankfully, there are more options available, and there’s no need to appoint a friend or a neighbor as your registered agent. Instead, you can take advantage of several services to find a professional Washington registered agent. 

Frequently asked questions about appointing a Washington registered agent 

Before we move on, let’s look at some frequently asked questions about the specifics of a Washington registered agent: 

• How do I become a registered agent in Washington? 
• Can I use myself as a registered agent? 
• Can my business act as its own registered agent? 

How do I become a registered agent in Washington? 

So long as you’re over 18, have an address in Washington, and are available during the business’ operating hours, you’re good to go.  

Can I use myself as a registered agent? 

Yes. If you’re over 18, have a Washington address, and are available during your business’ operating hours, you can serve as your business’ registered agent. 

That said, it’s usually not a great idea to do so. 

Can my business act as its own registered agent? 

No, your business cannot act as a registered agent for itself. You can use services that are designed to act as registered agents, but your business itself is unable to fill this role. 

With a Washington registered agent, LLC owners in the state are ready to start doing business.  

The key is finding an individual or entity who can effectively fill the role. 

Who should serve as your registered agent? 

If you’re a Washington resident and your business is registered in the state, you might feel tempted to serve as your own registered agent. 

This might seem like a good way to save time and money, but it’s often not worth the trouble. 

Below, we’ve listed some of the clearest negatives associated with acting as your own registered agent: 

• Added responsibilities 
• Higher chance for extraneous fees and fines 
• Lack of privacy 
• Makes growth confusing 

Added responsibilities 

The entire purpose of having a registered agent is to have an individual or entity that handles any possible government correspondence. 

When you act as your own registered agent, you are responsible for all communication with the state. 

This means you must stay on top of all your mail — diligently responding to everything that comes your way. 

Unfortunately, missed correspondence and untimely responses may have serious consequences. 

Higher chance for extraneous fees and fines 

Should you miss an important piece of mail, there’s an excellent chance that you’ll wind up with hefty late fees or fines. You might even run into serious legal trouble that can compromise your LLC. 

For example, say you’ve been sued by an unhappy client or individual. If you don’t respond promptly, there’s a high probability that the judge will simply side with the opposing party. 

Another risk of acting as a registered agent for your own business is losing your ability to renew your certificate of Good Standing. Without this, you risk personal liability until your business has rectified this issue. 

Lack of privacy 

You shouldn’t act as a registered agent for your business for the same reason you shouldn’t register your business with your home address. 

When you appoint your Washington registered agent, you’ll be responsible for providing that individual’s name and address. Once an address has made it into the public domain, it’s difficult to remove it. 

For instance, imagine that you’ve started a business in Washington state. To protect your privacy and focus on the digital-first market, you’ve used a high-quality Virtual Office to register your LLC. 

As of now, your information hasn’t hit public record. However, if you decide to act as your business’ registered agent, you’ll be forced to make your home address public – meaning, the privacy offered by your Virtual Office becomes pointless. 

Makes growth confusing 

As your business grows, you’ll undoubtedly look to expand. 

The cost-efficient nature of Virtual Offices makes expansion a breeze, especially when you’re looking to register your business in additional states.  

Unfortunately, when you register your business in another state, you’ll need registered agents in these new states — and you won’t be able to act as a registered agent in multiple states. 

Alternatives 

As you can see, being a business owner and a registered agent for that business isn’t a great idea. Thankfully, there is an alternative. 

Your best bet is to use a professional registered agent service. Below, we’ve listed two separate services that you can use, as well as some information about each. 

• Inc Authority 
• Anderson 

Inc Authority 

Inc Authority has been in business for over 30 years and has helped form over a quarter of a million businesses.  

While Inc Authority does provide registered agent services, they’re mostly geared towards the full-service business formation. This means that there are several other services that you can find on their website.  

If you want to check out some Washington registered agent reviews, visit TrustPilot to see what other entrepreneurs are saying about Inc Authority! 

Anderson 

Based in Seattle, Washington, and Las Vegas, Nevada, Anderson is a consulting law firm that focuses on business planning and providing excellent services to business owners, real estate investors, solopreneurs, and more. 

Similar to Inc Authority, Anderson provides Washington registered agent services and a whole slew of other tools for entrepreneurs.  

One benefit to using Anderson is the fee structure. Instead of charging by the hour like similar organizations, Anderson works on a fee-based system that includes the cost of creating and implementing plans. 

This way, the businesses that use their services are taking an active role in the process and both parties stay on the same page throughout their contract. 

Washington registered agents in conjunction with other virtual solutions. 

Unless you know an individual you can trust completely who is okay with giving up some of their privacy, it’s almost always better to use a registered agent service like Inc Authority or Anderson. 

Regardless of the service you decide to use, you can benefit from additional services provided by Alliance Virtual Offices.  

With one of our Virtual Offices, business owners can register their digital businesses in any state they’d like without risking the capital that traditional growth once required. 

Instead, entrepreneurs now have easy access to professional and well-known addresses all over the nation. Each of our Virtual Offices is backed by a physical location, making it easy to break the monotony of working exclusively from home. 

Historically, business leases were prohibitively expensive, had multi-year-minimum commitments, and came with countless utility charges.  

At Alliance, our minimum term commitment is the industry standard of six months, and you don’t have to worry about additional office upkeep charges. Setting up your Virtual Office is easier than ever. 

Read more: How to Set Up a Virtual Office 

Because our Virtual Offices are a modern, cost-effective alternative to traditional business space, they work exceedingly well with other modern solutions. 

Utilizing one of our trusted registered agent partners, you can ensure that you have a registered agent in any state you need. Take advantage of the streamlined scalability of a Virtual Office by using a flexible registered agent service that can meet you anywhere you decide to register your business. 

One of the most notable benefits of using a registered agent service like Inc Authority or Anderson is the increased focus you can give to your business’ daily operations. 

Acting as your registered agent takes valuable time away from your business — and the penalty for shirking your duties as a registered agent is almost as detrimental as ignoring your business. 

The post Washington Registered Agents Made Simple first appeared on Alliance Virtual Offices.

• What is a non commercial registered agent? 
• What is a commercial registered agent? 
• What kind of registered agent is best for your business? 

Q: What is a non commercial registered agent? 

A: A non commercial registered agent is any registered agent that hasn’t filed a special listing statement with their state’s corporation authority. Non commercial registered agents mostly function the same way commercial registered agents do. Here’s what you need to know to choose the right registered agent for your business.  

If you’re forming an LLC, you have to designate a registered agent before you are able to officially register your business.  

Even if you fully understand what a registered agent is and have already registered your business, you may want to hire a new agent to avoid dealing with government correspondences yourself.   

As you explore your options you’ll come to realize there are multiple types of registered agents. You’ll probably see the terms “commercial” and “non commercial” mentioned as you do your research. 

Get Your FREE Guide Today!

How to Survive and Thrive in an Economic Downturn

If you’re wondering “what is a non commercial registered agent?” you’re not alone.  

This article will explore the difference between commercial and non commercial registered agents so you can make the right choice for your business.  

• What is a non commercial registered agent? 
• What is a commercial registered agent? 
• What is the benefit of being a commercial registered agent? 
• Which registered agent is right for your business? 

What is a Non Commercial Registered Agent? 

A non commercial registered agent is any registered agent that has not filed a special listing statement with their state’s corporation authority.  

This kind of special listing simplifies the process for registered agents to add new businesses to their roster. It makes it faster and easier for them because the state already has records for the agent. 

Most registered agents are non commercial registered agents. Since the only difference is the agent filing a special listing, registered agents are non commercial by default. 

Most often, non commercial agents don’t work with an extensive number of businesses.  

This isn’t because they can’t, but rather, because many registered agents that do work with a lot of businesses file the special listing to make the process easier on themselves.  

Are Non Commercial Registered Agents Unprofessional? 

Just because a registered agent is non commercial doesn’t mean they can’t provide a great service to your business.  

Whether you’re in Nevada or in DC, a non commercial registered agent can be just as professional and worthwhile as a commercial registered agent.  

In fact, if you choose to serve as your own registered agent, you’ll likely fall under the category of non commercial registered agents.  

You’d likely bring your full attention to any business function you’re fulfilling. Just because you’d be non commercial doesn’t mean you wouldn’t bring your all to the task. 

Hired registered agents are just the same. They may choose to stay non commercial just because they don’t mind the additional work associated with not filing a special listing.  

This is particularly true for individual registered agents that only operate within a single state. In these cases, there’s often no reason for the agent to file a listing. 

The bottom line: non commercial registered agents are not necessarily any less professional than their commercial counterparts. 

Can Non Commercial Agents Have Multiple Clients?  

Non commercial agents don’t have to serve just one business. Professional registered agents normally handle multiple businesses at once. 

Remember, non commercial doesn’t mean unprofessional. 

A non commercial agent can serve many businesses if they want to. 

That said, non commercial registered agents might tend to have smaller numbers of clients simply because non commercial agents tend to operate in fewer states. 

The special listing that commercial registered agents file becomes significantly more impactful on their work if they operate nationwide.  

For this reason, many registered agents that start taking on large numbers of clients will become commercial agents.  

Again, this is not always the case, just a general trend. 

Can Non-Commercial Clients Operate Across States? 

Non commercial agents can operate in multiple states, but they tend to have much smaller geographic diversity than commercial agents. 

With the realization that remote work is highly effective, everyone from lawyers to registered agents are expanding their practices through the internet.  

Non commercial agents are no exception. They can serve clients in multiple states.  

That said, they are often limited in the number of states they can serve in.  

A non commercial registered agent probably won’t be part of a network. This means they won’t have addresses in multiple different states. 

A non commercial registered agent could serve clients across the US who want to register their business in the state the agent lives in, but they probably won’t be able to serve for businesses registered in multiple different states. 

For the most part, this doesn’t pose a problem to you. 

If you want to register your business in Washington, you’re only going to look at agents in Washington anyway.  

Pretty much any issue surrounding non commercial status for a registered agent will be on the registered agent’s end, not yours. 

What is a Commercial Registered Agent?  

A commercial registered agent is a registered agent that has filed a special listing with the state’s corporation authority. 

These commercial agents make things easier on themselves by filing this listing, as it streamlines the process for agents to represent new businesses.  

When they file a special listing, they inform the state of their address and contact information. This means that they don’t have to resubmit this information every time they take on a new business. 

This doesn’t matter much for smaller agents, but for agents serving tens or hundreds of businesses, that time adds up. 

While commercial registered agents aren’t necessarily bigger than non commercial registered agents, they do tend to have more clients.  

This is entirely corollary though. Big registered agents tend to file to become commercial because of the headache involved in submitting their information each time they take on new clients. 

If you’re familiar with how the process of registering your LLC with the state, you understand that filling out government forms can get tedious. 

If you had to do that on a regular basis, you’d probably look for shortcuts as well.  

That’s what the special listing is. It’s a shortcut the agent can use to make their life a little easier. 

The Benefits of Being a Commercial Registered Agent  

Commercial registered agents are in a better position to take on a large number of clients.  

When they file a special listing with the state’s corporation authority, they provide the state with much of the information needed to file as a registered agent.  

This means they don’t have to submit this information every time they begin serving as the agent for a new business.  

Not only does this make their lives easier, but it can also speed up the pace with which they take on your business. 

Because the state has less information to go over, the process for registration is streamlined. They can approve the agent quicker, which can lead to quicker approval for your LLC. 

This is especially helpful to the agent if they serve in multiple states.  

Since every state has a slightly different procedure for filing an LLC and appointing a registered agent, agents serving in multiple states need all the help they can get. 

Are Big Registered Agent Businesses Always Commercial?  

Big registered agents don’t have to be commercial.  

A non commercial registered agent is capable of serving a large number of clients in multiple different states if they want to. 

That said, doing so is very clunky for the agent. They’ll need to submit all of their information for every new client and navigate various state procedures.  

While they can do so, it’s often a slow and painful procedure. 

For that reason, most big registered agents choose to file special listings with the states they serve in.  

It’s not necessary, but it makes their process significantly easier. This helps them scale their businesses faster, as they can focus more on their actual registered agent duties instead of filing paperwork with the state. 

What is the Model Registered Agent Act?  

The Model Registered Agent Act is the piece of legislation passed that allows registered agents to become commercial. 

The act essentially allows registered agents to submit the information the state needs once instead of every time they take on a new client.  

The state then holds this information so the agent can file a simplified version of their paperwork when they begin representing a new business. 

The act also makes it so that the registered agent doesn’t have to physically sign documents when they take on a new business. 

This can cut down the time between initial filing and approval by weeks. 

Not all states acknowledge the act. Some still require agents to submit the full forms every time they take on new clients.  

The states that have passed the Model Registered Agent Act are: 

• Arkansas  
• DC  
• Idaho  
• Indiana  
• Maine  
• Montana  
• Mississippi  
• Nevada  
• North Dakota  
• South Dakota  
• Utah  
• Wyoming  

While these are the states currently acknowledging commercial registered agents, other states may make the switch in the near future.  

It’s also important to note that just because the state you live in isn’t on the list doesn’t mean you can’t find a commercial registered agent for your business. 

If you live in a state that hasn’t passed the Model Registered Agent Act but you want to file your business in one that has, your agent will be able to use the act to become commercial.  

The Model Registered Agent Act is the dividing line between commercial and non commercial registered agents.  

Without the act, this distinction wouldn’t exist, as the designations are entirely legal.  

What is the Difference Between a Commercial Registered Agent and a Noncommercial Registered Agent? 

So, what is the difference between a commercial and non commercial registered agent? 

If you’re considering hiring a registered agent, you’re likely wondering how the differences between commercial and non commercial agents will impact your business. 

Let’s look at the differences in detail so you can better understand which is right for your business. 

The Direct Differences 

The deciding factor separating commercial agents and non commercial agents is whether or not they have filed a special listing with their state’s corporation authority. 

This means that the distinction between the two types of registered agents is entirely legal. 

In other contexts, the term “commercial” refers to business. A commercial rental compared to a residential rental is a great example. 

That isn’t the case with registered agents though. Commercial registered agents are just registered agents that have filed a certain form with the state. 

This means non commercial agents are no less legitimate or professional. They simply haven’t filed the same forms with the state. 

It’s also important to note that some states don’t allow registered agents to file these forms. In these states, all registered agents are non commercial registered agents. 

The form that commercial registered agents file allows the state to keep their information on file, simplifying their process every time they take on new businesses. 

It also makes the process faster, as commercial registered agents don’t have to physically sign forms when they take on new clients.  

Since these forms are delivered through the mail, this can cut down the waiting time for both you and the agent significantly.  

Again, commercial agents are no more professional or legitimate than non commercial registered agents. 

The Indirect Differences  

The only inherent difference between commercial and non commercial agents is their filing a special listing with the state.  

That said, there are some corollary differences between the two. These things aren’t always the case, but they are trends you can use to guide your understanding. 

Non commercial registered agents tend to be smaller.  

If a registered agent is serving numerous businesses, they stand to save themselves a lot of time by filing the special listing with their state.  

For this reason, commercial registered agents are more likely to have more clients. 

Additionally, since not all states allow for special listings, commercial registered agents also tend to serve larger geographic areas. 

If a registered agent is serving businesses in multiple states, there’s a better chance that one of the states they serve in will allow them to become a commercial registered agent. 

Commercial registered agents also tend to be more established. The longer the registered agent has been serving clients, the more likely they are to look for ways to make the process more efficient. 

Since being a commercial registered agent saves significant time in some cases, established registered agents are likely to go commercial. 

Again, none of this is true in all cases. When evaluating a registered agent, it’s better to look at their individual reviews and practices than judge entirely on their commercial status. 

Simplifying the Decision  

If you’re looking to hire a registered agent, the number of options can be overwhelming.  

You may want to use simple criteria to narrow your list of considerations.  

In this case, it’s typically a good idea to just stick with commercial registered agents.  

While there is absolutely no reason that a non commercial registered agent can’t be great, the commitment to attaining commercial status shows you that the agent takes the job seriously. 

Additionally, most of the big registered agent companies provide commercial agents to their clients.  

Big businesses like Inc Authority provide professional, helpful registered agent services to all their clients, making it easy for you to register your business. 

*Inc Authority is a partner of Alliance Virtual Offices. Alliance Virtual Offices may receive compensation, at no additional cost to you, if you purchase services using the link in this article.* 

While there are plenty of other options, if you’re simply looking for good service and don’t want to wade through thousands of choices, Inc Authority is a great option. 

However, if you do want to find a smaller agent, non commercial agents can be ideal. Just be prepared to do significant amounts of research before making a decision. 

Your registered agent is absolutely crucial to your business. They handle important legal documents that ensure your business stays registered and doesn’t face fines.  

Non commercial registered agents might also take longer to get your documents signed, meaning you may have a bit of a wait before your LLC is official. 

Wrapping Up: What is Non-Commercial Registered Agent?  

What is a non commercial registered agent?  

Any registered agent that hasn’t filed a special listing with the state corporation authority. 

Both commercial and non commercial registered agents can provide great service for your business. 

Further Reading  

• The Best Tools For E-commerce Businesses
• Is PR for Small Business the Answer to a Recession?
• How to Form an LLC in Hawaii with a Virtual Office Today    

That said, commercial registered agents tend to be bigger and have more experience.  

If you want to skip the research and get a registered agent you know you can trust, Inc Authority is the perfect choice. They provide knowledgeable commercial registered agents for businesses across the US. 

The post What is a Non Commercial Registered Agent? first appeared on Alliance Virtual Offices.

• What is a registered agent? 
• What does a registered agent do for my business? 
• Can I be my own registered agent for my LLC? 

Q: Can I be my own registered agent? 

A: In some cases, Yes – it is possible to serve as your own registered agent. That doesn’t mean it’s a good idea though. Taking on the extra responsibility is stressful and can lead to serious legal problems if you don’t execute it perfectly. 

Businesses of all sizes are launching remotely. People are increasingly aware that they don’t need an office space to build a successful business.  

In fact, Gallup has shown that operating remotely has wide-ranging benefits for businesses of all sizes.  

With this shift comes the freedom to register your business anywhere. All you need is an address within the state and someone to serve as your registered agent.  

This second feature often confuses business owners. Despite their deep importance, registered agents are often less understood than other aspects of business registration. 

If you’re wondering, “can I be my own registered agent?”, this article is for you.  

We’ll explore if you can serve as your own registered agent and if it’s a good idea to do so.   

To begin, let’s give a proper definition of “registered agent”. 

• What is a registered agent?  
• What is the benefit of hiring a registered agent? 
• Can I be my own registered agent (statutory agent) 

What is a Registered Agent?  

A registered agent is an entity designated by a business to receive important legal correspondence.  

Most often, registered agents are responsible for receiving documents related to lawsuits or summons.  

They also receive mail from the government concerning your business’s legal standing and tax status.  

In practice, registered agents serve as a clear link to the government for LLCs. They are in place to ensure that your business is always able to receive government communications. 

This helps your business keep everything in legal order and reassures the government that they will always have a clear line of communication with your business.  

In almost all cases, registered agents need to have an address within the state of the business they are serving. This is because the state government needs to have an effective channel of communication with them. 

Not only are registered agents responsible for mail, but they must also be available during business hours for government phone calls.  

In many cases, registered agents are also supposed to be available for in-person meetings with government officials. 

Who Can Be a Registered Agent? 

The regulations around registered agents are fairly loose. 

Anyone can be a registered agent provided they: 

• Are at least 18 years of age 
• Have a street address within the state your business is in 
• Are present during your business’s operating hours 

This means you can name a wide range of people to serve as your registered agent. It’s important to note that they must be physically present at the address listed during your business’ operating hours. 

Alternatively, you can use a company to provide registered agent services for your business. Many companies offer registered agent services to other businesses. 

However, that doesn’t mean your business can serve as its own registered agent. Companies that offer registered agents assign a specific agent to your business. 

Does My Business Need a Registered Agent? 

Not every business needs a registered agent.  

If you are a sole proprietorship or a general partnership, you fall under the category of common law business entities. 

That said, if you are an LLC or corporation, you will need a registered agent. In fact, you can’t legally register your business without designating a registered agent in the process. 

Without a registered agent, the government won’t register businesses. They rely on the designated agent for reassurance that they will be able to communicate properly with the business. 

The government also requires a registered agent in the interest of the business. Having a single dedicated person in charge of corresponding with the government simplifies communications and makes it easier for businesses to stay in good legal standing.  

Do Registered Agents Need to Be in the State? 

Registered agents need to have an address in the state where the business they represent is registered.  

This is simply because it ensures efficient and effective communication between the business and the state.  

If the person the state was trying to contact was based outside the state, that would introduce unnecessary variables into the process. There would be more delays and possible losses in the process.  

Having an address in the state means the registered agent can quickly receive mail.  

It also means the government can meet with the registered agent at that address should they want to serve a summons in person. This is rare, but it does happen occasionally. 

The government needs a way to communicate with your business. When a registered agent provides an address within the state, the government’s side of the agreement is fulfilled. 

Once they drop off the mail, the responsibility is on the business. 

If a registered agent has a fast and effective way to forward the mail to a different location, everything works out perfectly. 

If they don’t, that’s on the business. The government isn’t responsible if your business misses something important.  

That’s why services like Inc Authority and Anderson are so valuable. They provide you with a professional registered agent you can rely on. 

This means you don’t have to worry about finding a registered agent in the state of your business. You get a professional, reliable registered agent that will handle all of your correspondences with care. 

What is the Benefit of Hiring a Registered Agent?  

In the world of registered agents, there are a plethora of options.  

Technically, anyone you designate that meets the government’s criteria can serve as a registered agent.  

That doesn’t mean everyone is equally up to the task, though.  

Professional registered agents have important skills and dedicated work hours they use to serve your business.  

This means they are uniquely positioned to help your business in a number of important ways. 

Legal Correspondence is Crucial  

The mail your registered agent is responsible for is the most important mail your business will receive.  

Unlike typical business mail, the mail sent to your registered agent will consist entirely of legal correspondence. These correspondences will almost always need to be actively addressed and will often have pressing deadlines.  

As Forbes states, without the help of a professional registered agent, this mail can easily get mixed up or lost in your other business mail. 

Knowing this can cause business owners a lot of anxiety. Every time the mail is dropped off there is a chance that something critical is waiting inside.  

On the flip side, if you aren’t exceptionally vigilant, you can easily miss an important piece of mail from the government. You may be late in opening it or accidentally throw it away entirely.  

The Potential Consequences of Missed Mail  

Missing this kind of mail can seriously interfere with your business’s success and growth. 

Sometimes the mail is a letter from the government informing you that you need to update a piece of information in order to comply with business regulations.  

If this is ignored, your LLC coverage may lapse. This in turn leaves your personal assets vulnerable. 

If something like this happened and your business took a turn for the worse, you could lose your house, car, and personal belongings as a result. 

In less severe instances, you may simply need to provide additional information or pay a fee in order to avoid a fine.  

Even then, missing the letter can leave you paying unnecessary fees that could have easily been avoided if you had a dedicated registered agent to inform you sooner. 

Finally, for those asking “can I be my own registered agent?” you need to consider the possibility that you may miss a summons.  

If someone were to file legal action against your business, you would need to legally prepare yourself to face it.  

Were this to happen, you would be informed through your registered agent. If that information isn’t promptly addressed, your chances of success quickly dwindle, and your business might end up taking a serious hit. 

When You Can’t Be Available…  

There’s also a serious issue facing people who don’t have a professional registered agent when it comes to phone and in-person communications. 

The government may call your registered agent during your business’s operating hours.  

Unfortunately, if the registered agent isn’t a professional, they may be busy during incoming calls.  

This opens you up to many of the same risks of missed mail. You may miss important deadlines and be forced to part with your profits as a result. 

The same is true of in-person subpoenas. If you operate entirely remotely or are in the process of switching to a remote workspace, you may not be there to receive these subpoenas when they are delivered.  

Even if you are, it might not be the best for your morale and appearance. Being served a legal summons in front of your employees or in a busy business center can be highly demoralizing. 

A professional registered agent eliminates the need to worry about all of this. They act as general contractors for your business, allowing you to avoid all the messy situations we’ve mentioned. 

If the government calls, your registered agent is ready. They’ll always be there to answer, ensuring any important information reaches you before you run into fines or legal issues. 

They also spare you the stress of receiving summons during your working hours. Instead, these documents will be delivered to your registered agent’s address.  

After receiving them, your agent can discreetly communicate the information to you. 

Can I Be My Own Registered Agent for My Business?  

Despite the many benefits of hiring a registered agent, you may be wondering if you can serve as your own.  

On the face of it, it seems like a great way to save money and simplify your business’s operations. But things are often more complex than they appear on the surface. 

Let’s explore the possible answers to the question “can I be my own registered agent?” 

Legally, Yes  

From a legal standpoint, you can probably serve as your own registered agent. 

In most cases, a business owner can serve as the business’s registered agent. The entity itself, however, can’t. 

If you meet the specific criteria for your state, there’s nothing preventing you from legally listing yourself as the registered agent for your business. 

You will need to have an address within the state to be your own registered agent.  

If you live in the state, you can list your home address. If you are registered in the state using a business address but operate remotely, you can usually list your business address and have your mail forwarded to you. 

It’s important to check with your Virtual Office provider to ensure your mail is forwarded frequently enough for this to work.  
 
You need to receive these government documents are arrive promptly to avoid missing important deadlines. 

You’ll also have to submit your name and address to the public registry, compromising your privacy and security. 

This is another reason why services like Inc Authority are so beneficial. You don’t have to worry about the timing of your mail forwarding, and you protect your personal information. 

You’ll also need to be available during business hours to receive incoming phone calls from the government. While you can technically let these calls go to voicemail, doing so is almost always a recipe for disaster. 

So yes, in most instances you can serve as your own registered agent. 

Is It a Good Idea Though? 

Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should.  

While it might seem like being your own registered agent is a great idea at first glance, a closer inspection shows a seriously skewed risk-to-reward ratio. 

Being your own registered agent requires a serious amount of energy and dedication. You have to pay close attention to every piece of incoming mail, quickly and effectively understand what government documents are telling you, and set aside time to act on them promptly. 

Whether you’re an established business owner or just getting started, running a business alone requires massive effort.  

You’re likely already involved in product development, market research, running marketing campaigns, paying employees, and handling customer service. All of this can leave you stressed and overwhelmed on its own. 

Adding in another critical responsibility isn’t going to help. In fact, it might just lead to burnout, leaving you less capable of excelling in the areas of your business you need to fuel to grow. 

As with all business decisions, the decision to be your own registered agent needs to be thought of in terms of opportunity cost.  

Every second you spend worried about your incoming mail and handling government communications is a second you aren’t spending on other important operations that might grow your business. 

You’ll also need to learn about how to be a good registered agent. That time might be better spent learning another skill, such as how to pay your business taxes. 

With this in mind, it’s often a serious loss to be your own registered agent. You save money directly, but you end up losing more money indirectly.  

And that’s if we assume everything goes perfectly.  

Heavy Fines 

Unfortunately, things rarely go perfectly. When business owners decide to be their own registered agents, they almost always struggle with it. 

You likely launched your business because you have passion and expertise in a specific area. You care about bringing a better solution to the market, and you already know enough to succeed in doing so. 

Chances are, you can’t say the same about being a registered agent.  

Many business owners don’t know how to be good registered agents, and they lack the passion that drives them to learn. 

This is completely understandable, but it’s also a serious problem for their businesses. 

When they put off handling or simply forget about their registered agent duties, important documents go unopened. 

They end up with missed deadlines. When the business owner finally gets around to paying the fee or updating the information they need to update, they’re faced with hefty fines due to the delay. 

This does more than hurt your wallet. It eats into the capital you could have reinvested into your business to fuel growth and beat out your competitors. 

As a result, your business grows slower, your competitors gain ground, and you wind up with unnecessary stress. 

And that’s the best-case scenario. 

Legal Issues  

In many instances, business owners who miss important documents wind up facing serious legal consequences.  

If your business needs to update information or pay a fee to remain legal, you need to do so quickly. If you don’t, you may wind up having your LLC registration revoked, leaving your personal assets vulnerable. 

If this happens, any losses your business faces will transfer over to you. If things turn south, you won’t just lose your business, you’ll lose everything. 

Regardless of your LLC’s registration status, you could also miss court summons. If a disgruntled employee or an angry consumer decides to sue you, you’re in for a serious battle. 

It doesn’t matter how outlandish the prosecutor’s claim may be. You need to prepare to challenge them in court if you want to continue growing your business. 

If you miss the subpoena, you’re left with less time to prepare. You may have to scramble to assemble your defense or find a lawyer.  

This alone can cost you money simply due to urgency.  

In truly terrible scenarios, you may not even realize you’ve been summoned until the court date has passed. In this case, the ruling will almost always immediately be against you. The consequences can be financially crippling for your business. 

A professional registered agent is an easy, affordable way to defend against all of this. They diligently monitor any incoming government communications, ensuring you never have to pay a late fee, lose your registration, or face a court case unprepared. 

So, Can I Be My Own Registered Agent? 

Legally, you can serve as your own registered agent.  

As long as you have an address for the mail to be delivered to within the state of your business and are willing to accept liability for government correspondence, you are legally clear to list yourself as your own registered agent. 

That said, the risks are exceptionally high.  

You’ll have to dedicate a substantial amount of time and energy to your registered agent duties if you want to be successful.  

That time and energy could be spent on other aspects of your business, helping you grow your reach and make more money. 

Further Reading  

• When to Spend, When to Save: Your Complete Guide to Business Optimization 
• Is Staying a Local Small Business Killing Your Profits? 
• Switching to Remote Work? Don’t Settle with Your Remote Workspace  

There’s also a strong possibility that things will fall through the cracks. It’s incredibly easy to miss a letter from the government tucked away with all your other mail. 

When this happens, you can face hefty late fees and serious legal issues as a result. 

Save yourself the stress and hassle by hiring a professional registered agent.  

They’ll protect your business while freeing you up to focus on growing.  

The post Can I Be My Own Registered Agent? first appeared on Alliance Virtual Offices.