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ZenBusiness |
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Visit ZenBusiness |
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Northwest Registered Agent |
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Visit Northwest |
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Harbor Compliance |
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Visit Harbor Compliance |
To start a business in Missouri, entrepreneurs need to complete their first official administrative task: Filing LLC formation paperwork. The State of Missouri requires all companies, no matter what kind of business entity is formed, to file documents with the state.
In the State of Missouri, the LLC formation documents are called Articles of Organization. This simple document can be filed online in a matter of minutes. However, the document will ask the LLC owner to select a registered agent. A registered agent is a person or company that accepts confidential documents for your company. These documents can arrive by mail or be delivered in person and are usually sensitive in nature.
Every LLC must list a registered agent on its Articles of Organization.
To help entrepreneurs set up an LLC and better understand the role of the registered agent, this guide will provide answers to common questions.
What is a Missouri registered agent?
A Missouri registered agent is a person or company that accepts documents for a company. These documents, which arrive by mail or are delivered in person, are usually confidential. They could include tax notices or service of process papers that are issued when a company is sued.
Read more: What is a registered agent?
How does an owner select a registered agent in Missouri?
The owner of a Missouri LLC lists the name and address of the registered agent on the LLC formation documents called Articles of Organization. This document is filed with the Missouri Secretary of State.
Who can be a registered agent in Missouri?
In Missouri, a registered agent can be any person over 18 years old or a company with a physical street address. The person or company can’t have a P.O. box. If service of process papers need to be delivered, they’re served in person, which is why a P.O. box won’t work.
The person or company should also be available during regular business hours to accept correspondence via the mail or that’s dropped off in person.
Can I be my own registered agent in Missouri?
Yes. The owner can be the company’s registered agent. Many owners, especially those who are running a small start-up, serve as their own agent. However, there are other options. An owner can select another person or company to fill this role, but there are some rules outlined by the state.
Why would a company choose to work with a registered agent service?
An owner can serve as the company’s registered agent, but some choose to pay a registered agent service instead. A registered agent service will accept documents and notify the owner when they come in. Here are the benefits of such a service:
- Convenience. Some owners want a registered agent service out of sheer convenience. It’s simply easier to have someone else be on call, so to speak, to handle incoming documents.
- Availability. Some owners simply aren’t available during regular business hours. For some, travel and offsite meetings prevent them from being at the company office with any kind of regularity.
- Peace of mind. Having a registered agent accept documents gives some owners peace of mind. Rather than having documents be sent or delivered to office personnel where they might get overlooked, a registered agent service is paid to notify the owner upon delivery.
- Privacy. To keep the sensitive documents that registered agents receive out of the office, a registered agent service is an appealing privacy feature to some owners.
Read more: Best Registered Agent Services
How much does a registered agent service cost in Missouri?
Costs are especially important for start-ups, but you might be surprised to learn how affordable a registered agent service is. A service can cost as little as $50 a year. The cost does go up for more advanced features and can hover around $100-200 annually.
List of Missouri registered agent services
To explore some of the registered agent services that are available in Missouri, here’s a look at a few popular choices:
- 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.
Missouri registered agent FAQs
Do I really need a registered agent in Missouri?
Yes. A registered agent is required by Missouri law. The registered agent must be listed on the Articles of Organization documents.
Can a company change its registered agent?
Yes. To change a registered agent, file a Statement of Change of Registered Agent form with the Missouri Secretary of State. There is a $10 filing fee to submit this document to the state by paper and $25 to submit the document online.
Statutory agent and registered agent are the same thing. The title varies by state, but the role is the same. A statutory agent or a registered agent is charged with accepting documents for a company.
The title “registered agent” is most common in the U.S.
What’s a commercial registered agent?
At some point, an entrepreneur might be asked if the company has a commercial agent or a non-commercial agent. If the company hires a registered agent service, the company has a commercial registered agent. If the company relies on the owner or another employee to fill this role, the company has a non-commercial agent.