Businesses that follow the structure of a corporation or a limited liability company (LLC) must be registered with the state. For this purpose, they need a registered agent, who can be an individual or a company. They represent the business and receive any legal, tax-related, or government correspondence on the corporation’s behalf. All this correspondence must be shared with the business owners. Considering the job’s critical nature, hiring someone only after due diligence is crucial.
Hire a professional registered agent
To save on costs, some companies have their employees be registered agents. Sometimes, one of the owners is a registered agent for the business. This is because the registered agent’s work seems simple, just to pass on a correspondence.
But the job of a registered agent is much more than that. Having a professional agent ensures that updates are filed on time with the state and other public authorities whenever there are changes in the business’s contact information or office location. They can also offer the necessary assistance whenever any legal problems arise.
Find an agent who is available at all business hours
One of the main responsibilities of a registered agent for LLCs is to be always available, at least for the working hours of the business they represent. This is because legal, government, and tax correspondence can arrive at any time of the day. So, the agent needs to be able to give the business the required hours.
The agent should have the necessary expertise
Another important aspect to look for is the registered agent’s expertise. It is crucial that the agent has all the necessary knowledge of the legalities and regulations mandated by the state. They need to ensure that the business and its operations adhere to all compliance laws.
Pick a service that works nationwide
Individual registered agents are limited to offering services only within a specific state. So, businesses that have a presence across different states will need to hire different agents, which can increase costs considerably. In such cases, it is viable to pick a registered agent service with a countrywide presence. They will have the necessary expertise and permissions to oversee the correspondence received from different states.
