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Kansas entrepreneurs with a great idea for a business can introduce it to the public by setting up an LLC. Formally establishing a business in the state requires a few things, which include filing LLC formation paperwork with the state and selecting a registered agent.
A registered agent is a person or company that receives official documents for the company. These documents are sometimes mailed or delivered in-person and can include things like tax notifications or service of process paperwork, which is filed when a company is sued.
To help start-up owners understand how to set up an LLC in the state of Kansas and how to select a registered agent, we’ve created this guide that answers frequently asked questions on the topic.
What is a Kansas registered agent?
A registered agent is a person or company that accepts official documents on behalf of a company. Documentation received could be tax notifications or service of process papers filed during a lawsuit.
LLC organizers can select a person, including themselves, or a company to serve this role. A registered agent service is also an option.
Read more: What is a registered agent?
How does an owner select a registered agent in Kansas?
To select a registered agent in Kansas, the LLC organizer lists the person or company on the LLC formation paperwork. The Articles of Organization ask for the name and contact information of the company’s registered agent.
Who can be a registered agent in Kansas?
As mentioned, an LLC organizer has a lot of choices when it comes to selecting a registered agent. However, there are a few rules that must be followed.
In Kansas, a registered agent can be:
- A person over the age of 18 with a physical street address in Kansas, or
- A company that’s in good standing with the state of Kansas with a physical street address in the state, as opposed to a P.O. box.
- The person or company must have availability during the day to accept paperwork in-person. Ideally, this person or company is present during normal business hours.
Can I be my own registered agent in Kansas?
Yes. An owner can serve as his or her own registered agent. It’s actually fairly common for the owner or another employee to take on this role. However, there are other options. The owner can elect someone outside of the company, like a neighbor, friend, or even another company or service.
Why would a company choose to work with a registered agent service?
A registered agent service is a company that’s paid to be another company’s registered agent. There are services specifically set up for this role. These companies are open during normal business hours, let owners use their address, notify the owner if documents are received, and can help with paperwork like filing annual reports.
While many owners do serve as their own registered agent, there are some reasons to go with a service, like:
- Convenience, Hiring a registered agent service is easy. It takes the responsibility of receiving in-person documents out of the owner’s hands, which is why some entrepreneurs opt to pay for the service.
- Peace of mind. With a registered agent in charge, a company owner has peace of mind. The owner knows that nothing gets missed. If documents are sent, the owner will be notified.
- Privacy. One of the documents that a registered agent can accept is service of process papers. These are the legal documents that are served during a lawsuit. Rather than “being served” in front of employees and customers, these documents will go to a registered agent located offsite.
Read more: Best Registered Agent Services
How much does a registered agent service cost in Kansas?
Start-ups have to watch the bottom line, so it’s natural to inquire about the cost of a registered agent service. In Kansas, the cost will vary depending on what kind of services you want. For basic services, where a company receives documents and notifies you of delivery, services can cost as little as $50 a year.
A registered agent service with features like same-day document scans and assistance with compliance paperwork and annual reports will cost more. Expect to pay between $100-200.
List of Kansas registered agent services
There are many registered agent services available in Kansas, but here’s a look at a few options so entrepreneurs have an idea of the features and prices offered in the area:
- ZenBusiness is fairly new to the market, but it’s grown a strong following. Business owners love the affordable rates for a registered agent service, which are as low as $99 per year. The company also offers worry-free compliance to help business owners file the necessary reports on time.
- Northwest Registered Agent is one of the most recognized names in the registered agent business. The company has decades of experience and local offices scattered across the U.S. to serve small businesses like yours. The cost for a registered agent service is comparable to others. Business owners can also take advantage of additional services like report filing.
- Harbor Compliance is a great fit for organizations that register in multiple states and for those who don’t want to pay excessive service fees. With their network and electronic document delivery, they help ensure your business never misses a legal notification.
Kansas registered agent FAQs
Do I really need a registered agent in Kansas?
Yes. The State of Kansas requires every LLC to list a registered agent on its paperwork. Should the state or legal system need to contact your company, they need a way to do so.
Can a company change its registered agent?
Yes. The registered agent can be changed anytime. To do so, a change form can be found on the Secretary of State’s website. There is a $30 filing fee for change forms submitted online.
A statutory agent is another term for a registered agent. There are states, like Arizona, for example, that use the term statutory agent. In Kansas, the common term is registered agent though.
What’s a commercial registered agent?
A commercial agent is a company that’s paid to be a registered agent. So, if a business owner decides to pay for a registered agent service, that company has a commercial agent. If an owner is his or her own agent or if they elect another employee to serve as a registered agent, it’s called a non-commercial agent.