How to Find a Registered Agent in Arizona (Step-by-Step Guide)

Last updated: March 15th, 2024
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Arizona registered agent requirements

In the state of Arizona, a statutory agent (registered agent) must be a resident of the state or a company that offers services acting as a registered agent in Arizona. The individual or business entity must have a registered office address within Arizona. P.O. boxes are not valid physical addresses.

Being your own registered agent

Some businesses in Arizona may choose to have their owner or an employee act as the statutory agent. This role can also be fulfilled by a family member or even a close friend.

This is perfectly legal. However, it is still critical that the chosen individual be available during normal business hours at the physical Arizona address listed in the business’s Articles of Organization (Articles of Incorporation).

Hiring an Arizona registered agent service

Any commercial statutory agent service company you hire must be available during business hours at a physical address in Arizona. This is so that they can be available to accept important business mail — including legal documents like service of process — on behalf of the business. It is also important that the entity relay these documents to the business in a timely manner.

Why use a registered agent service

Using a commercial registered agent service ensures the safety of your company’s important documents. It’s the best way to keep your company organized and in good standing with the state as well.

Here are a few other reasons why you should choose a registered agent service instead of being your own Arizona registered agent:

  • Privacy

Some businesses have the false assumption that if they list their home address as a business address (registered agent address), it doesn’t matter. In fact, if you do this, your home address will be in the public domain.

Likewise, if your business were to be served with lawsuit papers, it would be your home where law enforcement would arrive to give you those papers. This could be just a minor embarrassment, or it could mean a breach of your security, depending on the situation.

  • Convenience

Business owners have a tremendous amount of responsibility. When you are an entrepreneur and have just started your first small business, the responsibilities are often at their height. Plus, there’s a learning curve. You probably don’t know exactly when and how to incorporate your business, choose a registered agent, or keep up with annual business filings so that you stay in good standing with the state.

Hiring a registered agent service company can help with all of this. They’ll be able to notify you when you have an Annual Report due, handle change of registered agent forms for you, and of course, help you incorporate your business and offer registered agent services. The convenience that all of these benefits can provide cannot be overstated.

  • Availability

If you are someone who’s always on the go, you won’t want to be stuck in one place during normal business hours, Monday through Friday. But if you plan on being your company’s registered agent, this is what you’ll have to do.

A registered agent needs to be present at the registered agent address Monday through Friday during regular business hours in the event that important documents from the state, tax paperwork, or service of process notifications arrive.

Naturally, your commercial registered agent service company will be able to carry out this duty on your behalf. This will leave you able to move and travel at your leisure.

  • More business options

If you plan to grow your business and someday operate in more than one state, you’re going to want to go with a registered service agency.

This is because state laws require that you have a physical address in every state where you operate your business. If an individual is a registered agent, most states require that that individual be a resident of the state as well. This is not feasible for most business owners, which is why going with a professional registered agent service is the superior choice.

Arizona registered agent costs

If you plan to hire a professional registered agent company, expect to pay around $50 to $300 for their services. Most of these companies charge by the year.

Often, commercial registered agents will help new companies with formation documents as well. This is if your company is not incorporated yet. Some will even offer free registered agent services for the first year if you incorporate your business through them. After that, you will be charged their standard fee for registered agent services.

For those business owners who want to be their own registered agents, you are not required to pay any state fees (there are no state fees required for hiring a company either). However, remember that taking on this role comes with responsibilities, so it will take a considerable amount of time and energy. For this reason, some business owners have a family member or friend take on the role when they are just starting out.

How to change a registered agent in Arizona

You chose a business name, designated a registered agent, filed the necessary paperwork, and paid the filing fees. You successfully incorporated your Arizona small business.

But now, you need to go back and make some changes, including changing your registered agent. Here’s how to do it:

  • Obtain an “LLC Statement of Change of Known Place of Business Address or Statutory Agent” form. This can be found on the Arizona Corporation Commission Forms website.
  • Fill out the form and send it by mail to the Arizona Corporation Commission, or go in person to deliver it. Fees can usually be paid by credit card.

Remember that if you’re changing your registered agent to a new commercial registered agent service, they might fill out the form and deliver it to you. Be sure to inquire.

Why you need a registered agent

A registered agent is a position that must be filled by all Arizona corporations. Each company’s chosen registered agent and their address details must be submitted along with their Articles of Incorporation and other formation documents.

The position of registered agent position may be filled by one person or by a company that specializes in registered agent services. It cannot be the business itself.

The main purpose of the position is to accept incoming business mail. The registered agent is tasked with always being present in case service of process or other government or legal documents arrive for the business.

When you need a registered agent

Choosing a registered agent is step two in the process of incorporating your business in the state of Arizona. There are steps that Arizona businesses must follow when incorporating to become an LLC or corporation.

Start by naming your Arizona LLC. Be sure you choose a name that is unique and that no other business already has it. Your LLC must be distinguishable from all other LLCs and corporations, and it also must follow all Arizona LLC naming guidelines.

Step two involves choosing a statutory or registered agent. This needs to be a registered agent corporation, or an individual resident of Arizona can act as your registered agent as well. We’ll discuss guidelines for choosing your statutory agent below.

Your registered agent must be listed within your Articles of Organization. Other information must be outlined in this document as well. When you are finished, you can file this and any other necessary formation documents with the state. Once accepted, the state will then issue you a Certificate of Good Standing.

Useful links

Use the links provided below to help navigate the incorporation process in Arizona and select or change your company’s registered agent.

FAQs

How much does a registered agent cost in Arizona?

This depends. If you plan to have an employee, good friend, or close relative be your registered agent, there is no fee other than what you plan to pay this individual. There is also no fee associated with being your own registered agent. If you plan to hire a commercial registered agent service, fees range from $50-$300 per year.

How do I become a registered agent in Arizona?

If you plan to be an individual registered agent in Arizona, you must be at least 18 years old and a resident of the state. You must also have a registered office address (a physical address not a P.O. box) and be available and willing to accept important legal documents and paperwork on behalf of the business in question.

How do I register an out-of-state business in Arizona?

To register an out-of-state business in the state of Arizona, you need to submit the appropriate paperwork to the ACC (Arizona Corporation Commission). Most notably, this includes filing an Application for Registration of Foreign Limited Liability Company. Keep in mind you must also have a registered agent located in Arizona.

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