Registered Agent Explained
Registered Agent, Statutory Agent, Resident Agent, Corporate Agent,
Business Agent, Records Custodian, Records Keeper Information
We compiled some very information Registered Agent information for your
benefit. If you have questions, comments or need delivery of service of
your legal papers, please contact us at 561. 447. 7638.
Or, email us at Registered Agent
Inquiry
In the United States, a registered agent is a business or individual
designated to receive service of process (SOP) when a business entity is
a party in a legal action such as a subpoena, demand, lawsuit or summons. In some
American states the registered agent is also referred to as a resident
agent or statutory agent, however most states have changed their
statutes call the representative capacity as the "Registered Agent." The Registered
Agent for a business entity can be an individual or more often a third
party such as the organization's Attorney, CPA or a agent service
company.
Most jurisdictions in the United States require that a corporate body- business entity
that is formed or doing business designate and
maintain a "Registered Agent". This person or service
business may be known as the "Resident Agent" or "Statutory Agent", depending on the laws of
the individual jurisdiction in which the corporate body or business entity is registered
and maintained.
The main purpose of a Registered Agent is to provide a legal address within
a specific jurisdiction where there are persons available
during normal business hours to facilitate legal service of process and
or delivery of legal papers to be served in the event of a legal action or lawsuit. Generally,
the Registered Agent is also where the state government sends all
official documents required each year for tax and legal purposes such as,
but limited to, employment information, new legislations, franchise tax notices and
renewable annual reports. It is the registered agent's
job to forward these suits and notices to the corporate body or business entity.
Registered Agents generally will also notify corporate directors and
owners / business entities if their
state government filing status is in "Good Standing" or not. The reason
that these notifications are a primary function of a registered agent is
that it is difficult for a business entity to keep track of legislative
changes and Federal and State various and voluminous reporting.
If a Registered Agent fails to perform their function, it can have dire
consequences for the corporate body or business entity. For example, if a customer fell
inside a store, (e.g. Wal-Mart) and sued the store, and the store's registered agent
(e.g. CT Corporate Systems, Plantation Florida)
failed to notify the business entity of a summons to appear in court to
respond to the lawsuit, then when the case went to trial, nobody would
appear to defend the store and the customer would win by a default
judgment. Additionally, the [any] store would likely not be able to get the
judgment overturned on appeal because they had been properly served.
This is one of the most common reasons that corporations and business
entities generally will utilize a third party as their Registered Agent
Representative.
Additional Aspects about Registered Agents
An third-party Registered Agent provides an anonymity shield, protecting a
corporate body - business entity and its directors from exposing its clients, vendors or neighbors to any legal
proceedings. A Registered Agent puts a layer of privacy between the
directors / principals of a corporation - business and the general
public.
In America the Registered Agent name and address is one of public record,
generally, the registered agent legal address will be the one listed in
all official public documents, usually with the Secretary of State.
A Registered Agent allows business entities to freely change
their location at any time, without filing being required to file costly
changes of address with the state they are registered in each time they
move.
Commercial registered agents such as, but not limited to, CT
Corporation, NRAI, BDB, Corporate Creations, etc., generally have systems to keep track of
filing, notification and publishing requirements of corporate - business entities
which can save businesses hundreds or even thousands of dollars in late
penalties were they to miss a required government filing. These are
referred to as "Compliance Managers", "Tax Calendars" and/or "Compliance
Calendars".
Generally most commercial registered agent service providers have "Form Libraries" of
forms and other documents required to file business entities in
different jurisdictions - or to keep the business entity in compliance
or "Good Standing".
Some commercial registered agents provide real-time notice of any
litigation, and forward all official documents directly to the companies
they represent. If you have us serve your legal documents you should
expect a quick response from the Registered Agent and or the business to
whom you directed your legal action.
Registered agent service providers
Almost any person or business entity may legally act as a registered
agent. However, the service is usually provided by commercial registered
agent service companies. It can also be provided by attorneys or CPAs.
In fact, we are Registered Agents and would be happy to assist you or
clients with establishing a Registered Agent Office in Florida, USA. for
nominal fees and small annual expenses we offer you the same, if not
better, services that any Registered Agent will offer, except we provide
very personal attention to your needs.
To establish a corporate - business entity Registered Agent office in
Florida and or to obtain information, Please call our Compliance Manager
at 561- 526-7834 or email Compliance
Manager Registered Agent Office.
Registered agent service companies.
There are hundreds of registered agent service companies that perform or
contract Statutory and Registered Agent services. The largest, CT (aka "CT
Corporation" or "The Corporation Trust Company") and Corporation Service
Company (aka "CSC") have been around for over 100 years, since the first
corporations were formed in the United States. A third dominant
registered agent company is National Registered Agents, Inc. (aka "NRAI").
Remember before designating a registered agent.
The registered agent for a corporate business entity is generally assigned in the
original incorporation documents filed in a jurisdiction when the
corporate entity is
originally created. For example, if you were forming a corporation in
the State of Florida, you would designate the registered
agent along with their address on the articles of incorporation that you
file with the Florida Secretary of State. In most states it is a
crime to knowingly file a false document with a Secretary of State
office. The penalties vary widely and anyone considering such deception
should think carefully before conducting business improperly.
To have your legal documents delivered and served call us at 561.
447. 7638. We will answer any questions you have and will explain
how easy our services offers are retained. Allow us to represent your
legal matters, you will be glad you did! |