Registered Agent

In the United States, a registered agent is a business or individual designated to receive service of process when a business entity is a party in a legal proceeding such as a lawsuit, summons or other official government communication presented to the company while it is within the jurisdiction of a state. A registered agent also receives and forwards official correspondence from the Secretary of State such as annual report notifications and other compliance filings.

 

The company’s “registered office” is the official address of a company to which official documents are sent and legal notices received on behalf of the company within the state.  The usual process is for the registered agent to provide the registered office address within the state.

Failure to designate and maintain a registered agent may cause a company to fall out of "good standing" within the state. This will subject its registration and any other business licenses it holds to do business within a state to forfeiture, with monetary penalties assessed to reinstate the company to "good standing."  Failure to register and designate a registered agent may also foreclose or hinder a company's ability to legally enter into contracts and gain access to the state courts, and it may also subject the company to monetary, civil, and possibly criminal sanctions.

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