A Texas Registered Agent is required for every business entity that does business in the state. A business owner can serve as their own agent, ask a friend or family member to act on their behalf or hire a professional registered agent service.
Most premium registered agent services include a street address in Texas, mail forwarding, document scanning and online access, service of process acceptance during normal business hours and compliance reminders.
Choosing a Registered Agent
When forming an LLC or corporation in Texas, one of the first things you will need to decide is who will act as your registered agent. A registered agent is a person or company that receives legal notices such as service of process on behalf of your business. They must be a resident of the state of Texas and available during regular business hours to receive these documents.
While you can appoint yourself as your registered agent, the state of Texas prefers that you use a professional registered agent service. This is because individual people travel, take time off and may not be at their physical address during business hours. A company is always available and ready to accept important documents on your behalf.
A professional registered agent will also provide other services such as compliance deadline notifications and help you keep track of your filings. This helps you avoid costly fines and penalties. They will keep your personal information private and off the public record.
Reputation
When choosing a Texas registered agent, look for a company with a great reputation. Pay attention to online reviews and accreditations, and choose a registered agent that offers additional services like identity theft protection, state filing reminders, and document management software. These services make it easier to comply with state business laws and uphold your company’s good standing.
While it’s possible for a business to act as its own registered agent, this isn’t recommended. If you’re sued and don’t have a valid address listed with the court, your business may lose its case. Moreover, the state of Texas requires every business and nonprofit to appoint a physical registered agent in the state on its official documents. It’s important to keep this information up-to-date, which can be difficult if you’re trying to manage multiple businesses at once or if your employees are changing roles frequently. That’s why it’s often easier to hire a third-party registered agent service.
Fees
The right registered agent service can save a business money. It can also protect a business’ personal details from being listed on state documents or leaked to scammers and hackers.
A registered agent is required for any entity registering to do business in Texas, and the individual or company chosen must be a resident of the state. Using a service that specializes in registered agents can be a good idea, as they will likely have detailed knowledge of Texas requirements.
A professional Texas registered agent can be an inexpensive way to help a business avoid expensive fines and penalties. They can also provide valuable services such as document scanning and forwarding, compliance deadline notifications, and customer support. These added perks can make working with a commercial registered agent worthwhile for some businesses. The prices for these services vary depending on the provider, but some offer affordable pricing with competitive add-on features. These extras include things like help with LLC formation, complete transparency, and a high-level guarantee of service.
Convenience
In Texas, a business must have a physical address in the state where someone is available during regular business hours to receive service of process or other legal documents. While individuals can act as a registered agent, most companies choose to use a professional service that specializes in this role and offers additional benefits like mail forwarding or document scanning.
Avoid Embarrassment – If you select yourself as your own registered agent, papers served to your company could be delivered in front of your clients or employees. This is embarrassing and could damage your business. Professional registered agents keep your privacy in mind and deliver important documents to you in a discreet manner.
To change your registered agent, submit a Form 401, Change of Registered Agent/Office in duplicate with the filing fee of $15 to the Secretary of State by mail or online at SOSDirect. It can also be filed by fax or in person at the Texas Secretary of State office.