How to Find a Registered Agent in Alaska (Step-by-Step Guide)
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Alaska registered agent requirements
Below are the requirements for Alaska LLC and corporation registered agents.
Hiring an Alaska registered agent service
Alaska state law requires that commercial registered agents in the state be available to accept legal notifications and other documents at a physical street address in the state of Alaska, during regular business hours. P.O. boxes are not accepted as physical addresses.
It is your commercial registered agent company’s job to then get the accepted documents and paperwork to you, the business owner, in a timely manner. Commonly, this is done through an online account.
Your commercial registered agent company can either be a resident of the state or a service that is registered to carry out registered agent services within Alaska state lines.
Being your own registered agent
Another way to fill the position of a registered agent for your Alaska LLC or corporation is to be your own registered agent. If you choose to be your own registered agent, you should have a physical street address in Alaska. You should be at this physical street address during normal business hours throughout the week.
Why use a registered agent service
If you’re not sure whether you want to be your own Alaska registered agent or hire a company to carry out this service for you, it’s important to look at the pros and cons of each option.
Naturally, the major benefit of being your own registered agent is that you’ll save some money. There is no fee for being your own Alaska statutory agent. Some business owners also find this option more convenient.
On the other hand, it’s important to remember that as your business grows, so will your responsibilities. Therefore, handing over your registered agent duties to a company for a low annual fee may ultimately be more convenient. It will probably save you more money in the long-term as well.
Here are some other reasons to consider hiring a registered agent service in Alaska:
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You won’t have to be available all the time.
If you are your own registered agent, you have to be present at your street address within the state of Alaska during all normal business hours throughout the week. This is unfeasible for many business owners who need to travel for work.
Fortunately, hiring a registered agent company allows you to leave whenever you want to. You won’t have to be at your physical street address — whether that’s at home or a storefront. You can travel and carry out business dealings throughout the day at your leisure.
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You won’t have to worry about important documents being lost, stolen, or otherwise compromised.
It is a registered agent’s duty to accept and organize important business documents. This includes legal paperwork such as service of process documents. It also includes tax documents and other tax related information you may receive from the federal or Alaska state government.
Handling and organizing these documents can be cumbersome. Likewise, it can be a challenge to keep track of due dates for Annual Report filings and other critical filings.
The good news is a registered agent company can handle all of this for you, creating an online account where you can have all of your business’s important documents at your fingertips.
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You’ll keep your business dealings separate from your personal life.
In order to operate a business that appears professional and competent, it is generally advised that companies list their physical address as different from their home address.
Separating your business address from your residential address is also advisable because it better protects your privacy. Business addresses of any kind must be in the public domain. Therefore, if your business address is the same as your home address, anyone could find where you live with ease.
Alaska registered agent costs
If you act as your business’s own registered agent in Alaska, you do not need to pay any fees. In fact, there are no state fees associated with being a registered agent other than the fees you’d need to pay if you wanted to officially change your registered agent.
Of course, if you appoint a worker from your business, a relative, or another individual state resident to be your registered agent, you may want to pay them as well. This is your choice.
Hiring a professional service to act as your registered agent in Alaska typically costs between $50 and $300 per year. While this is certainly more expensive than being your own agent, keep in mind that when you are free of these duties, you’ll be able to spend more time on your business.
Additionally, professional Alaska registered agent companies may provide you with other services as well. For example, they may alert you when your annual reports are due, provide you with an online account where you can organize your official documents, perform other business filings, and more.
How to change a registered agent in Alaska
Changing who your Alaska registered agent is is a relatively simple process.
- You’ll need to pay a small filing fee and file some paperwork — namely, a Statement of Change form.
- This form should be filed with the Corporations Section of the Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing.
- Be sure to ask your new registered agent service if they will carry out this filing for you. Often, documents need to be delivered in person to the filing office address, and this can be a hassle to do yourself.
Why you need a registered agent
Alaska state law requires that all businesses appoint a registered agent. This is a step that must be taken during the incorporation process when a business becomes an LLC (limited liability company) or corporation. If the business does not choose a registered agent to list on their Articles of Incorporation (Articles of Organization), the Secretary of State will reject their formation documents.
The role of a registered agent in Alaska involves accepting mail on a company’s behalf. The reason this position is so important is that the Alaska Secretary of State wants to ensure all businesses receive important legal documents (such as service of process notices) in a timely manner.
Some companies like to have an employee or even the owner or general manager be their registered agent. But more often than not, Alaska LLCs hire a registered agent service. Many Alaska registered agent services will simply provide you with an easy to use online account where you can receive your important business mail anywhere, anytime.
When you need a registered agent
There are multiple steps that must be followed in order to incorporate your business in Alaska, one of which is choosing a registered agent.
The first step involves a business name search. You need to check through other registered businesses on public records in the state. This is to be sure that no other organization has already taken the name you desire for your new LLC or corporation. You must also follow other naming guidelines provided by the state.
Your registered agent needs to be chosen next. You can choose to be your own registered agent, or you can select a trusted family member or close friend to take care of your registered agent business needs. Alternatively, you can hire a commercial registered agent.
You will list your registered agent on your Articles of Incorporation or Articles of Organization. Along with the necessary state filing fees, this document must be submitted to the state. Once the state accepts your formation documents and forms your corporation, you will receive a Certificate of Good Standing from them.
Useful links
Below, we’ve listed several links to Alaska government websites. These may be helpful when changing your registered agent or selecting a registered agent for the first time as you incorporate your small business.
FAQs
Does Alaska require a registered agent?
Yes, if you wish to incorporate your business in the state of Alaska, you will need to have a registered agent listed on your Articles of Organization. Additionally, it is important to note that an entity can’t be its own registered agent. The position can only be filled by an individual Alaska resident or a commercial registered agent service.
How much does LLC cost in Alaska?
Incorporating your business in Alaska (forming an LLC) will cost $250. This is the filing fee that must be paid to the state when you submit your Articles of Organization. Additionally, a $25 fee is necessary if you wish to reserve your business name. Fees can be paid by credit card.
What is a statutory agent known as in other states?
Depending on the state, a statutory agent may be called a registered agent or a resident agent. All of these terms refer to the same position: an individual or business entity that receives important legal notices and government documents on behalf of another organization.
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