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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 |
Ready to turn your business idea into a reality? If so, you’re probably wondering how to go about setting up a business in New Jersey. Establishing a business in any state requires LLC formation documents to be filed and a registered agent to be selected.
The LLC formation documents in New Jersey are called Certificate of Formation. It’s a simple one-page document that asks for a few details about your new business. One of the things the document asks for is a registered agent.
A registered agent is a person or company that agrees to serve as your company’s point of contact. The person or company in this position will receive documents on behalf of your business. These documents could be tax notifications, government correspondence, or service of process documents that are served during a lawsuit.
To help entrepreneurs file LLC formation paperwork and select a qualified registered agent, this guide will provide helpful instructions.
What is a New Jersey registered agent?
A New Jersey registered agent receives documents for your company. This person or company should be trustworthy and available during regular business hours to accept documents that can be delivered by mail or in-person.
Read more: What is a registered agent?
How does an owner select a registered agent in New Jersey?
Selecting a registered agent is done by listing the person or company on the LLC formation document.
Who can be a registered agent in New Jersey?
In New Jersey, a registered agent can be any resident 18 years or older or a company with a physical street address. This includes registered agent services that accept documents for your company and notify you when they arrive.
Whether a person or a company fills the role, there must be someone at that location to accept documents during regular business hours.
Can I be my own registered agent in New Jersey?
Yes. The owner can serve as the company’s registered agent. The owner can also select a different person or company, like an employee, friend, or registered agent service.
Why would a company choose to work with a registered agent service?
A registered agent service can serve as your company’s registered agent for a fee. The service will collect documents and notify the owner, or a list of contacts if desired, when a document arrives. These companies also offer same-day document scans so they can be viewed immediately.
There are perks for selecting a registered agent service. Here are several reasons why owners opt for a service as opposed to doing the job themselves:
- Availability. Many owners don’t have availability during the day that’s at one specific location. If the owner doesn’t work from the office with regularity, it makes sense to assign a different person or company to the role of registered agent.
- Peace of mind. A registered agent service is hired to receive documents and notify the owner. They are always ready to receive documents and maintain a list of contacts to connect with when a document is received. For most owners, that provides peace of mind.
- Privacy. Some owners prefer documents of a sensitive nature be delivered to an offsite location for privacy purposes.
Read more: Best Registered Agent Services
How much does a registered agent service cost in New Jersey?
A registered agent can cost as low as $50 a year or as much as $250 a year. The cost varies based on the number of features offered. The $50 fee provides basic features like mail forwarding and contacting an owner when notices arrive. More expensive companies offer assistance with reports, file storage, and access to business experts.
List of New Jersey registered agent services
Interested in a registered agent service? There are plenty of qualified companies to choose from. The list below explores three different companies that offer extensive services, including 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.
New Jersey registered agent FAQs
Do I really need a registered agent in New Jersey?
Yes. The State of New Jersey requires all LLCs to list a registered agent. Should the state or another agency need to contact your company, there must be a contact name on file.
Can a company change its registered agent?
Yes. A registered agent can be updated online through the NJ Division of Revenue website. The fee to file this change is $25.
A statutory agent is the same as a registered agent. The title varies by state. Most states use registered agent, but you may hear the term statutory agent, service of process agent, or even resident agent used to describe this job.
What’s a commercial registered agent?
A commercial registered agent is a registered agent service. If you pay someone to fill this role, it’s considered a commercial agent. If an employee or the owner holds the role of registered agent, it’s considered a non-commercial agent.