Franchise Tax & Annual Report filing alerts
Registered Agent Service includes:
Franchise Tax & Annual Report filing alerts
BizComply online compliance monitoring tool
Prompt & discreet handling of important legal and tax documents
Electronic Service of Process delivery
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Overview
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Change of Agent
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Ordering details
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FAQs
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Learn More
Registered agent is a term many business owners have never heard before. To learn that a registered agent is required when you incorporate a business or register to transact business in another state (also called foreign qualification) often comes as a surprise.
The registered agent is responsible for receiving important legal and tax documents on behalf of incorporated companies, such as the following:
- Service of Process—sometimes called Notice of Litigation—which initiates a lawsuit
- Important state mail, such as annual reports or statements
- Tax documents sent by the state’s department of taxation
The registered agent must have a physical address (not a post office box) in the state of incorporation or qualification and must be available at that address during normal business hours.
Advantages of BizFilings’ Registered Agent Services
At BizFilings, we believe that being a registered agent goes beyond fulfilling the statutory requirement. We provide tools and alerts to help you stay on top of important compliance obligations. Unlike other providers of registered agent services, BizFilings doesn’t charge extra for the services you need to stay informed and compliant. We offer:
- Franchise Tax & Annual Report filing alerts. Registered agent customers receive ongoing alerts for any state franchise tax or annual report filings that are due after you incorporate. We make it easy with a few clicks for you to file and keep your business in good standing with the state.
- Managed filing services. Registered agent customers can enroll in automatic filing of franchise tax and annual reports. A dedicated team monitors your state reporting requirements and files on your behalf. Learn more.
- BizComply management tool. Our exclusive, account management tool lets you schedule and track all your company and compliance events, as well as email you reminders of upcoming state obligations, invoices and more.
- Prompt handling of official documents. We provide prompt and efficient handling of important state, tax and legal documents received on behalf of your company.
- Professional and discreet Service of Process delivery. We’ll email and digitally scan Service of Process documents to you for instant viewing.
- Exceptional, friendly customer service. Available by phone, email or chat, our knowledgeable representatives are happy to answer questions you have about compliance, your account or placing an order with us.
Key Benefits of Registered Agents
The BizFilings family of companies has been helping business owners stay in compliance and good standing for more than 100 years. We provide nationwide service and are compliance experts. We have a staff of attorneys that constantly monitor corporate registration requirements in all 50 states, and we are intimately familiar with the regulations, requirements and deadlines specific to the states in which you do business.
When to Use a Registered Agent ServiceKeep in Mind
Service of Process is the document that initiates a lawsuit. Failing to respond in a timely manner can result in default judgment against your company, meaning that a judge can award the full damages sought to the plaintiff. With BizFilings, you are notified by email of any Service of Process that has been served to BizFilings as your agent. You can access it online and can easily forward it to your legal counsel.
Upgrade your Registered Agent Service
Other registered agent providers offer only the bare minimum of what states require. BizFilings offers superior value with tools and services including:
- Registered Agent Watch email. Our monthly email monitors your company status in the states where you do business, outlines upcoming events, and provides business tips.
- Compliance email alerts. We remind you of deadlines as much ahead of time as you specify and to multiple email addresses if you wish.
- BizComply. Receive free access to our exclusive online compliance management tool.
- Forms library. Download and easily customize necessary compliance documents and forms.
- 24/7 account access. View and download Service of Process documents, and access and update important account information at your convenience.
Additionally, with BizFilings, you can switch for free. When you change your agent to BizFilings, we pay the state’s change of agent filing fee.
| Registered Agent Service option | Registered agent only | Change agent | With a filing service order |
| This table outlines when to choose each Registered Agent Service option and the pricing for each. | Choose this option if someone else is preparing and filing the incorporation or foreign qualification documents for your business, but you want to name BizFilings as your registered agent. |
Choose this option if your company already has a registered agent, but you want to change your agent to BizFilings. BizFilings will prepare and file the necessary change of agent documents with the state, and pay any change of agent fee. |
When you choose BizFilings to incorporate your business or register your company to transact business in another state (foreign qualify) and enjoy free Registered Agent Service. We include 3 months free with every incorporation and foreign qualification package. This service is then auto-renewed to ensure your company stays compliant with state requirements. |
| Initial term | $220 for the first year | $220 for the first year and includes any state change of agent fee | Free for first three months |
| Renewal | $220 for one year $320 for two years (save $120) $420 for three years (save $240) |
$220 for one year $320 for two years (save $120) $420 for three years (save $240) |
$220 for one year $320 for two years (save $120) $420 for three years (save $240) |
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What is a registered agent?Virtually all states require C corporations, S corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited liability partnerships (LLPs),limited partnerships (LPs) and nonprofit corporations to appoint a registered agent in the state where the company is incorporated. If a company has registered to transact business in another state (a process called foreign qualification), it typically must have a registered agent in the state(s) of qualification as well. The registered agent is responsible for receiving, on behalf of the company, important legal and tax documents including: Service of Process (Notice of Litigation), franchise tax forms and annual report forms.
The registered agent may be an individual or it may be a company approved by the state to serve as a registered agent. It must be located at a street address (not a post office box) in the state where the company is incorporated or qualified to transact business. The registered agent's name and address are included on the incorporation documents, making them a matter of public record. -
What is Service of Process?Service of Process, also sometimes called Notice of Litigation, is the legal term for the physical delivery of legal documents such as lawsuits, summons, complaints, subpoenas, orders to show cause, writs, notices to quit the premises and certain other documents. Service of Process documents are typically delivered by law enforcement to the registered agent for the business named in the documents/lawsuit. In most jurisdictions, process must be served and accepted in person for “service” to be completed. This is one of the reasons states require businesses to have a registered agent who (1) has a physical address in the state and (2) is available at that location during standard business hours.
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How are Service of Process and other documents handled by BizFilings?
Every Service of Process we receive is handled promptly: when we receive a Service of Process, we scan the documents to make them available to you in your secure Online Status Center account. We also immediately notify you via email of the event. Electronic delivery of Service of Process is not only faster than mail forwarding, but it also enables easy distribution of the document to in-house or external legal counsel as needed.
Additionally, many states send taxation documents, annual reports and other important state mail to the registered agent. We will log this mail in your company record and forward it to you.
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What is BizComply?BizComply is our web-based compliance management tool that:
- Contains a convenient calendar of critical compliance events.
- Notifies you via email alert reminders before these events need to happen.
- Provides access to a free library of important forms.
- Houses your company's important information in one convenient location.
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As my registered agent, can BizFilings help me with annual reports?Yes. In states where electronic filing of the annual report is available, BizFilings offers an electronic filing service for annual reports and franchise tax payments, making it easier and more convenient than ever for you to meet the state's annual reporting requirements. We pre-populate the electronic forms with the information we have on file for your company. You simply need to review and edit the information as necessary via our online system. We then submit the filing electronically on your behalf.
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How does BizFilings fulfill my registered agent needs?As your registered agent, BizFilings satisfies your state's legal requirement to have an individual or company receive important legal and tax documents on behalf of your company. BizFilings' service doesn't stop there, however. We provide a number of benefits at no additional charge to you, such as: our monthly Registered Agent Watch email, access to BizComply - our online compliance management tool, electronic Service of Process delivery, online access to your account and more.
Having BizFilings as your registered agent is imperative if you.
- Want to avoid the risk of non-compliance. Compliance matters are not likely to be your area of expertise, or interest. As your compliance partner, BizFilings will help you stay in compliance with state requirements for corporations and LLCs, avoid unnecessary state penalty fees and maintain your company's good standing in your state of incorporation and/or qualification.
- Value privacy. When a company is served with a Service of Process, it is often delivered by local law enforcement. Most business owners do not want police officers showing up in front of customers, employees or neighbors (in the case of a home-based business), to serve them notice that their company is being sued. Having BizFilings as your registered agent service provider ensures you receive any Service of Process promptly and privately.
- Don't maintain normal business hours. The registered agent for a business must be available during normal business hours to accept important documents as they are delivered. If you set your own hours, or you are often away from your office or home-office, having BizFilings as your registered agent ensures that you never miss these important communications.
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How do I ensure my registered agent requirement is fulfilled throughout the life of my business?BizFilings fulfills your state’s legal requirement and provides ongoing compliance assistance for your business through our Registered Agent Service. As a Registered Agent Service customer, you avoid interruption of this valuable service with our convenient auto-renewal program. You also have the option to select one of our convenient multi-year renewal options and save. You can select two years of Registered Agent Service for $320 (save $120) or three years for $420 (save $240). To learn more about our auto-renewal program, view our Terms of Use.
Please note: In order to best serve you, BizFilings requires your state charter number (filing number) and your registration date with the Secretary of State. Once this information is obtained from the state, please email or call so we have updated information on file. BizFilings also audits state records to ensure our accounts are on file with the state. If BizFilings finds your company is not on file within 3 months of your order date, your order will be cancelled and removed from the subscription renewal process. If filing with the state is not a requirement for your business and you need Registered Agent Service, please inform our team of this at the time of order.
Want to read more about your registered agent?
The following Learning Center materials can help you understand the role of a registered agent and the ongoing compliance requirements incorporated businesses face:
- What is a Registered Agent?
- 10 Good Reasons to Use a Registered Agent Service Provider
- Business Compliance Requirements & Consequences
- Understanding Business Annual Report and Franchise Tax Obligations
Explore BizFilings’ services
The following services can assist you in keeping your business compliant with ongoing formalities and annual state requirements:
Order Registered Agent Service
$220 for 1 year
Free for 3 months when ordering our incorporation or foreign qualification service.
Tools to Help You Choose
We have resources to help you understand your options
Guide to Incorporation
Learn what to expect when you're incorporating.