Registered Agent Service and Solutions

• What is a Registered Agent?
• What is service of process?
• Can I be my own Registered Agent?
• What will incorporate.com do as my Registered Agent?
• What is the Corporate Veil?
• How much does this service cost?

What is a Registered Agent?

Corporations and LLCs must designate someone to receive official state correspondence and legal notices, called service of process. Most states refer to this delegate as a "Registered Agent." Some states also use the terms "statutory agent" or "resident agent."

In most states, a Registered Agent must:

• Remain available during normal business hours to receive legal documents
• Maintain a physical address located in the state where the business is registered
• List their name and address in public records
• Promptly forward state correspondence and legal notices to the business

Many business owners opt to use a third-party Registered Agent service like incorporate.com to avoid any inconvenience and protect their privacy. For instance, can you guarantee that you will never leave that address during business hours? Do you want a process server or sheriff to deliver your legal documents in front of your customers or neighbors?

Trust incorporate.com as your Statutory Agent to receive and forward your legal notices discreetly, promptly, and affordably.

What is service of process?

"Service of process" might sound like a complicated legal term that applies only to large businesses, when in fact, it affects businesses of all sizes:

• "Service" refers to the delivery of legal documents. Types of service might include mail, fax, e-mail, or personal delivery.
• "Process" refers to legal documents. Companies normally think of documents related to a lawsuit, like a summons or complaint, as "process." However, process also includes wage garnishments, subpoenas for records, official state correspondence, and other requests common in the course of business.

Together, the words "service of process" simply mean the delivery of legal documents. All states require corporations and LLCs formed in that state to maintain an address in that state for service of process, usually known as the registered address.

Failure to respond to certain correspondence from the state can result in the suspension or termination of your company. Failure to respond to a legal notice can result in a default judgment against your company, which means that a party that has sued your company can receive the relief it was seeking without the court ever hearing your side of the argument.

Can I be my own Registered Agent?

Generally, a company may appoint an individual from that company to serve as its registered agent. However in order to do so, the individual must:

• Remain available during normal business hours
• Maintain a physical registered office address located in the state where the business registered and any states where the company is doing business
• List his or her name and address in public records

For the sake of privacy and convenience, the majority of businesses choose to appoint a third-party Registered Agent like incorporate.com to handle service of process.

What will incorporate.com do as my Registered Agent?

As the Registered Agent for your LLC or corporation, we will receive and forward legal documents and state notices on your company's behalf. We maintain a nationwide network of offices to receive legal documents during normal business hours. When we receive legal documents on behalf of your business, we will summarize the vital information on a cover sheet and forward the paperwork to you promptly. In addition, when you select incorporate.com as your company's Registered Agent, you will receive our exclusive $50,000 Corporate Veil Guarantee.

What is the Corporate Veil?

The term 'corporate veil' generally refers to shielding a corporation's shareholders or an LLC's owners from personal liability for the debts or actions of the business.

Choosing to set up a business entity offers owners limited protection from personal liability as a result of lawsuits filed against the company. This is accomplished because a corporation or LLC is considered a separate legal entity from its owners.

Forming an LLC or corporation is an important first step toward protecting personal assets like your home, cars and retirement savings. You've worked too hard to let a lawsuit against your business threaten your personal belongings.

We offer an exclusive $50,000 Corporate Veil Guarantee® at no additional charge when we form your business structure.

Here's how it works:

• Form a corporation or LLC by phone or online through incorporate.com.
• We process all the paperwork with the state.
• Follow our step-by-step Corporate Veil checklist to keep your corporate veil strong and qualify for the guarantee.
• If your company is sued and you are found to be liable, we will reimburse legal defense fees up to $50,000 (so long as you have followed the Corporate Veil checklist).

How much are Registered Agent fees?

On an ongoing basis, you will pay an annual fee for our Registered Agent service. Our annual fee is $235 per year.

If your company is already formed with the state, we will waive our service fee to file a change of agent to incorporate.com. You simply pay state fees and a $235 fee for registered agent service.