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Northwest Registered Agent |
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If you’re ready to set up a business in the state of Utah, you’re in the right place. There are a series of steps that must be taken to get a company off the ground. From choosing a business name to filing your LLC formation documents, the Utah Secretary of State has a laundry list of things every business owner must complete before doing business within the state of Utah. One of the first decisions you’ll make as an owner is who will be your registered agent listed on the public record for your Utah business. We’ll explore who can and can’t be a registered agent in the State of Utah later in this guide.
What is a Utah registered agent?
A registered agent is a point of contact selected by a business owner who agrees to receive service of process or other legal documents on behalf of your company. Think of this person or company as the connection between your business and the Utah Division of Corporations. The types of documents a registered agent will receive might include reminders of due dates, tax forms, or any other legal notices that might be crucial for your business entity.
Read more: What is a registered agent?
How does an owner select a registered agent in Utah?
A business owner selects a registered agent by filing the person or company with the Utah Secretary of State. This will happen when completing the formation documents for your new business, sometimes called Articles of Incorporation or Certificate of Organization, depending on the structure of your business entity. These documents will ask for some agent information including the registered agent’s name and agent’s address. There is a filing fee that can range from $30 – $70, depending on your business type.
Who can be a registered agent in Utah?
In Utah, there are a few requirements that every chosen registered agent must meet.
- A registered agent must be an adult 18 years or older.
- A registered agent must have a physical address in the state of Utah, which will be referred to as your company’s registered office. Whether it’s a person or a company, the choice is up to the owner, but the state must have a street address on file to send correspondence to, a P.O. box will not suffice.
- Since documents are delivered during normal business hours, the registered agent must be available during that time on all standard business days.
Can I be my own registered agent in Utah?
Yes. As the owner, you can elect yourself. It’s common for an owner to serve as a company’s registered agent. However, the owner can select another trusted person like an employee or a friend. Another company, like a registered agent service, can also be appointed to the position.
Why would a company choose to work with a professional registered agent service?
The role of a registered agent isn’t difficult, so you might be wondering why hiring a registered agent service is necessary. There are some perks of using a registered agent service and many business owners swear by these services. Here are a few reasons why they choose to work with one:
- Convenience. As previously mentioned, registered agents are required to be available during regular business hours to receive documents as needed. For owners who travel for work or aren’t in the office much, daytime availability can be a challenge. As a result, paying a registered service agent is easier and more convenient. Most services also offer an online account where they will upload all of your documents for easy access.
- Peace of mind. Employees can make mistakes and misplace confidential documents, but a registered agent service is in business specifically to handle this kind of thing. It gives owners peace of mind knowing that a company with experience in managing this aspect of the company will always remain in good standing with the state.
- Privacy. Registered agents will receive court documents in the event your company is sued. To avoid you or another employee “being served” in front of customers, having documents delivered to the service’s office address instead of your business address provides an additional layer of privacy.
- Additional services. Aside from being available to accept documents on your behalf, these companies will also offer a wide range of other services you might find helpful to take advantage of when starting a business. These services can range from general business formation help to maintaining your certificate of good standing or filing the Utah annual report.
Read more: Best Registered Agent Services
How much does a registered agent service cost in Utah?
For basic services, a registered agent service will cost about $50 a year. For more advanced features, the price will climb upwards of $100-200 annually. The price depends on the features you want and any state fees that might need to be paid.
If you’re just looking for a company to accept documents and notify you when something comes in, the cost is fairly minimal at about $50 a year. If you’re looking for a company that can help you file annual reports with the state, for example, that’s when the price goes up.
Many companies will offer a discount if you agree to a multi-year contract. For example, if you sign up for two or three years of service, you can likely save 20% of the annual cost.
List of Utah registered agent services
For those looking for a registered agent service, a quick Google search will provide a list of choices. In addition, business owners can reach out to the Utah Secretary of State’s office, which usually has a list of options on file. To get you started, here are several registered agent services in Utah that you can explore:
- 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.
Utah registered agent FAQs
Do I really need a registered agent in Utah?
Yes. The state requires every Utah LLC or other business entity type to list a registered agent on its LLC formation documents and continually maintain that contact as long as the company is in business.
Can a company change its registered agent?
Yes. Updates can be made to your LLC’s registered agent at any time. In Utah, a Limited Liability Company Registration Information change form must be filed with the Utah Department of Commerce. A $13 filing fee is charged to file this document with the state.
This is the term for the legal process of informing a business entity that legal action is being taken against them, usually involving the business owner being sent legal documents.
A registered agent has several different names, depending on the state. Utah uses the term registered agent, but other states like Arizona, for example, use the term statutory agent. The name ‘service of process agent’ and ‘resident agent’ is also used, though registered agent is most commonly used.
What’s a commercial registered agent?
A commercial agent is a registered agent service. If your company hires out this service, you have a commercial registered agent. If it’s not outsourced, it’s considered a non-commercial agent.