How to Find a Registered Agent in Colorado (Step-by-Step Guide)
Jump to
Recommended Colorado registered agent services
Colorado registered agent requirements
Any registered agent in Colorado needs to be over the age of 18 and a resident of Colorado. Here are some other registered agent guidelines to keep in mind:
Being your own registered agent
If you are your own registered agent, you need to be an official resident of the state of Colorado. You must also have a physical street address where you plan to be reliably present during regular business hours.
Remember that P.O. boxes are not the same as street addresses and will not be accepted as registered agent addresses.
Hiring a Colorado registered agent service
If you don’t wish to be your own registered agent, consider hiring a commercial company to fulfill the roll. Several options exist. Take a look at their services to find one that works for you.
Requirements for Colorado registered agent companies include being registered in the state themselves, having a physical Colorado street address, and being present at this address during regular business hours, Monday through Friday. Companies must also be prepared to accept, handle, and forward your business’s important mail documents and legal notifications.
Why use a registered agent service
Deciding between using a registered agent service and being your own registered agent? Many businesses find that using a service is the most beneficial option for the following reasons.
-
Less hassle
Registered agents are tasked with managing your incoming correspondence during normal business hours. This means they’ll be at their address (listed on your formation documents as your business’s address) consistently Monday through Friday so that you don’t have to.
This frees you up to be wherever you need to be to run your business efficiently and effectively throughout the week. It also keeps you from worrying about any official notifications being lost on the way to your business. Your registered agent will handle everything on your behalf and will forward your important mail in a timely manner.
-
More discretion
Companies that have actual brick-and-mortar establishments — whether that’s a manufacturing facility, a storefront, or otherwise — will want to keep any service of process documents from actually been directed to their business locations.
Most service of process mail is delivered by police officers, so it could be understandably uncomfortable if law enforcement were to arrive at your place of business to deliver these papers. When you have a registered agent hired, they will field any service of process mail on your behalf and forward it to you.
-
Options for growth
Most business owners want to see their businesses grow and prosper over time. If you plan on spreading your services or products to other states, however, you’ll have to incorporate in those states as well, and that means choosing a new registered agent for every new state.
It should go without saying that this can be a hassle for business owners. Fortunately, large commercial registered agent companies will have locations in multiple states so that they can handle all of your incorporations at once. They’ll be able to be your registered agent in each state where you conduct business.
Colorado registered agent costs
Keep in mind you won’t have to pay anything if you decide to be your own registered agent or fill the role with a family member or employee. In fact, no state fees are required for any type of registered agent.
With that said, if you hire an employee or someone else you know to fill the position, you may or may not pay them. You will definitely have to pay a commercial registered agent company if you go that route, however. Typically, hiring a registered agent will cost between $50 and $300 in Colorado. Payments are usually made annually.
The overall cost will depend on any “extras” that you decide to add on. General services provided by a registered agent company include mail acceptance, organization, and forwarding. This is often done via an online account.
If you would like notifications for the due dates of your Annual Report each year, tax deadline notices, and other bells and whistles, these will likely cost extra.
How to change a registered agent in Colorado
Need to change your registered agent’s name and information? There are various reasons why a company might decide to select a new registered agent. Here’s how to handle the situation for your Colorado small business.
- Obtain a Statement of Change Changing the Registered Agent Information form. You’ll find this form online.
- Fill out the form, removing your current registered agent and adding your new registered agent’s information.
- Submit the form to the Colorado Secretary of State’s office in Denver.
- Pay the filing fee. This is $10 in Colorado. The fee can be paid by credit care.
If you are nearing the time in which you need to file a Periodic Report, you can also change your registered agent with this filing.
Ask your new registered agent about filing your Statement of Change and Changing the Registered Agent Information form for you. This is often a service provided by commercial registered agent companies.
Why you need a registered agent
Whether you have an LLC (limited liability company) or a corporation, all Colorado businesses must have a registered agent.
The role of registered agent is essential in the operation of your business. This person or business entity will be the point of contact person for your establishment. Most importantly, they will be responsible for accepting new mail and ensuring your business remains in compliant and good standing with the state.
Some Colorado businesses choose to have an employee or even the business owner themselves be the registered agent. Other businesses commonly choose to outsource this position to a company that specializes in registered agent services.
When you need a registered agent
Your business needs a registered agent before it can be incorporated in the state of Colorado. Therefore, you must name your registered agent in your formation documents.
Before this step, however, you need to choose a name for your business. Choose a name that no other business already has in Colorado. To check this, do a name search on the Colorado Secretary of State website. Make sure to follow all other business naming guidelines in the state as well.
The next step is to select your registered agent. It’s quite common for companies to hire a business to carry out this role. Commercial registered agent companies routinely take on registered agent duties for Colorado businesses of all sizes. Alternatively, select someone close to you to be your registered agent, or take on the role yourself.
After choosing your Colorado company’s registered agent, file your Articles of Organization — also known as Articles of Incorporation — and submit your application to the state. Meanwhile, you can prepare an Operating Agreement for your new business.
Finally, once your business has been incorporated, you can request an EIN (Employer Identification Number).
Useful links
The Colorado Secretary of State will have all the forms and information you’ll need to incorporate your business, find a business name, choose and/or change your registered agent, and perform all other business filings. These links can help:
FAQs
Can I designate myself as a registered agent?
Certainly. Anyone with their own incorporated business can be their own registered agent. However, even though this seems like an easy solution, it’s actually not always the best choice for busy business owners. If you want more free time, more mobility, and less hassle, hiring a commercial registered agent company is smart.
Does Colorado require a registered agent?
Yes. If you have a business in Colorado, you are required by state law to have a registered agent listed on your formation documents when you incorporate. Your registered agent needs to be your point of contact for all official notifications from the state as well as any service of process mail your LLC may receive.
What if I don’t want to use my address for my business?
If you don’t want to use your home address for your LLC, you should hire a registered agent company. Hiring a registered agent service allows you to use their physical address as your business office address. It will keep your business and personal life separate and help you maintain your privacy. It will also ensure more professionalism for your company.
What if I don’t have a registered agent?
Every Colorado LLC needs to have a registered agent. The good news is it’s not hard to get one. Registered agent companies provide registered agent services for a modest annual fee. They’ll handle all your service of process notifications and other important mail, and you can use their address as your business address.
What are the duties of a resident agent?
A resident agent (also known as a registered agent or a statutory agent) will work on behalf of your business to accept important correspondence and legal documents that your business may receive from the state or someone who is suing you. Your official business address, which will be listed in the public domain, will be your registered agent’s office address.
Find the best registered agent in your state
Click below to get started