 |
ZenBusiness |
|
Visit ZenBusiness |
 |
Northwest Registered Agent |
|
Visit Northwest |
 |
Harbor Compliance |
|
Visit Harbor Compliance |
When you’ve come up with a great business idea, excitement can get the best of you. While this is certainly a thrilling time, there are certain things that must be done to set up a business in Mississippi.
To legally form a Mississippi LLC, you’ll need to file LLC formation documents with the state, for starters. You’ll also need to select a registered agent. A registered agent is a person or company that will accept official, usually confidential, documents on behalf of the newly-created LLC.
To help budding entrepreneurs launch a business in the state of Mississippi, we’ll explore how to establish an LLC, how to select a registered agent, and how a registered agent’s role impacts the company as a whole.
What is a Mississippi registered agent?
A Mississippi registered agent is a person or company that’s willing to accept confidential documents for the company. The person can be the owner, an employee, a board member, or even a friend or neighbor. Entrepreneurs can also pay a registered agent service to fill this role. For a fee, there are companies that will accept documents for your company, whether they’re delivered via mail or delivered in person.
Read more: What is a registered agent?
How does an owner select a registered agent in Mississippi?
The owner lists the registered agent’s name and address on the Certificate of Formation documents.
Who can be a registered agent in Mississippi?
In Mississippi, there are certain rules for selecting a registered agent. In this state, a registered agent can be:
- An individual over 18 years of age
- A state resident with a physical street address; or
- A company with a physical street address (as opposed to a P.O. box)
- A person or company that’s available during regular business hours
Can I be my own registered agent in Mississippi?
Yes. The owner can be the company’s registered agent. The owner can also select another person or company, as long as the owner follows the rules regarding who can be a registered agent.
Why would a company choose to work with a registered agent service?
A company owner could choose to work with a registered agent service. For a fee, a professional company will accept documents for your company. To explore why some entrepreneurs decide to pay for a registered agent service as opposed to doing the job themselves, here’s a look at the benefits:
- Availability. A registered agent service is open during regular business hours. This availability might be better than an owner can provide. An owner may need to travel or visit different sales territories, for example, and not be in one location during daytime hours.
- Peace of mind. A registered agent service provides peace of mind. The owner knows that all documents will go to a trusted, reliable company that will notify of any updates.
- Privacy. Most of the documents that are sent to a registered agent are sensitive in nature. Documents like tax notices or process of service papers aren’t necessarily something you want floating around the office. For that reason, some owners opt for a more secure, offsite location for this kind of correspondence.
Read more: Best Registered Agent Services
How much does a registered agent service cost in Mississippi?
The cost of a registered agent service will vary. The services that offer basic features like mail forwarding are about $50 a year. Companies with more extensive features like document storage, compliance reminders, and assistance with annual reports are more expensive. Expect to pay around $100-200 a year.
List of Mississippi registered agent services
Mississippi has many qualified registered agent services. To find a full list, reach out to the Secretary of State’s office. In the meantime, you can explore these three options to get a sense of what’s out there and what the cost could be. All of these companies offer multiple services, including but not limited to registered agent services:
- 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.
Mississippi registered agent FAQs
Do I really need a registered agent in Mississippi?
Yes. It’s state law. The state of Mississippi, along with most other states, requires a registered agent to be on file with the state.
Can a company change its registered agent?
Yes. The registered agent can be changed at any time. It can be done online through an owner’s account with the Mississippi Secretary of State. A Change of Registered Agent form can be filled out and submitted. The fee to file is $50. The form is usually approved within 24 hours.
A statutory agent is the same as a registered agent. The name varies by state. In Mississippi, however, the term registered agent is most common.
What’s a commercial registered agent?
A commercial registered agent is a registered agent service. A non-commercial agent is any person or company that’s not paid to fill the role. If the owner or an employee is the company’s registered agent, for example, the company has a non-commercial agent.