How to Find a Registered Agent in Connecticut (Step-by-Step Guide)
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Recommended Connecticut registered agent services
Connecticut registered agent requirements
Be sure your registered agent meets all requirements.
Being your own registered agent
Interested in being your own registered agent in Connecticut? You’ll have to follow these guidelines:
- Be over the age of 18
- Possess a Connecticut street address (a P.O. box is not acceptable)
- Be at your physical address during regular business hours to receive important mail for your business
Hiring a Connecticut registered agent service
When compared with being your company’s own registered agent, it’s possible that a Connecticut registered agent service will be a better option for you. When it comes to requirements, you basically need to hire a company that specializes in registered agent services.
They should have an in-state address (not a P.O. box) for every state where you wish to incorporate, including Connecticut. They should also be able to keep your business compliant and in good standing with the Connecticut Secretary of State.
Why use a registered agent service
As the owner of your business, you will have to decide whether you want to hire a registered agent service or be your own registered agent. While there are pros and cons to both options, many businesses find that hiring a service is the best option for them. Here are the top reasons why:
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Ensured compliance
Compliance requirements for LLCs and corporations in the state of Connecticut can get complicated. Especially if your business is new, you may not be familiar with compliance and state law.
For this reason, having a professional handle your business’s compliance can take a lot of the pressure off you. Remember that if you are not compliant with state regulations and important paperwork due dates, you could face severe penalties and costly government fees.
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More freedom to travel
Most business owners want to be able to travel when they have free time, take vacations with their families, and, of course, go on work trips when they need to.
However, if you act as your own registered agent instead of hiring a service, you’ll need to be present at your physical address during normal business hours basically all the time throughout the year. This is so that you will be there to receive important mail if and when it arrives.
Luckily, if you hire a professional to act as your registered agent, they will take care of this responsibility for you so that you can travel when you please.
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Better privacy
Entrepreneurs who are just starting out often list their He address as their business address. For a while, this might make sense for you.
But over time, as your business grows, you will more than likely want to separate your business from your personal and home life. And this will mean changing your listed business address to a separate address is not your home address.
Why is this so important?
All incorporated businesses and organizations in the state of Connecticut need to have their registered agents’ addresses on public record so that they can be found at any time by anyone. Naturally, you do not want your home address listed so publicly. Therefore, hiring a professional registered agent service can provide you with more privacy.
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More professional
Let’s say you have a storefront, and you’ve listed that as your business’s registered agent address. In the event that your business was delivered service of process papers, it’s important to know that this would more than likely be carried out by law enforcement.
As a result, you would have police officers arriving at your place of business to serve you with papers. Naturally, this isn’t a good look for your company. Therefore, hiring a professional company to be your registered agent would allow you to separate any legal proceedings with the face of your business.
Instead of law enforcement officers directly handing you service of process papers, it would be the company you hired to act as your registered agent sending them to you or making them available to you in a timely manner by uploading them to your online account.
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Easy expansion
If you plan on expanding your business to other states, hiring a professional service is generally the way to go. That’s because most professional service companies can act as a registered agent in any state. They’ll be able to help you incorporate wherever you like with ease.
Connecticut registered agent costs
When you act as your organization’s own registered agent, there are no state costs or other fees that are required to be made in the state of Connecticut.
If you hire a professional service, however, there will be a yearly fee. The overall price of professional registered agent services will depend on multiple variables. A lot of the time, a Connecticut startup or small business will have to pay an annual fee between $30 and $500.
In many cases, you can combine your first annual fee with incorporation services as well, which can save you money as you begin your business.
How to change a registered agent in Connecticut
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Often, your new registered agent service company will change the registered agent information you have on file for you.
Why you need a registered agent
A registered agent works for your LLC or corporation to receive and manage service of process and other legal notifications. Your registered agent’s office address functions as your organization’s address. Therefore, whenever important government mail or other legal documents are sent out to your small company, it will be received and handled by your registered agent.
No matter the size of your business or your particular industry, you need to have a registered agent on file with the Secretary of State. Fortunately, it’s not difficult to find a good one. You can employ a professional service to be your registered agent or be your own registered agent. Each option comes with its own benefits.
When you need a registered agent
Registered agents need to be listed in your company’s Articles of Organization (Articles of Incorporation). Doing this will be part of your company’s incorporation process with the Secretary of State.
Prior to choosing your registered agent, you will need to select a name for your business. This means carrying out a name search to make sure that the name you chose wasn’t taken already by a different business.
Once this is done, you’ll need to worry about your registered agent. You’ll have to detail the name of your chosen registered agent and their physical street address in Connecticut in your Operating Agreement. Once this has been submitted to the Secretary of State along with the rest of your formation documents, you will then receive a Certification of Formation from the SOS.
The final action in this process is normally to acquire an employer identification number or EIN.
Useful links
These forms and links may be helpful as you choose a registered agent and file the appropriate paperwork.
FAQs
What does a Connecticut registered agent do?
A Connecticut registered agent is tasked with accepting legal mail, including service of process on behalf of a Connecticut LLC (limited liability company) or a Connecticut corporation. Service of process mail includes legal notices that generally signify a company is being sued. Your registered agent can be you or a business entity.
Can I be my own resident agent in Connecticut?
Yes, if you are the owner of your own Connecticut company, you can name yourself as the resident agent (registered agent). You would then list your own contact information in your Articles of Organization (Articles of Incorporation). Your own address would be your business address. A company employee or relative can also be your registered agent.
How do I resign as a registered agent?
If at any point, you decide that you no longer want to act as your own registered agent or the registered agent for another company, you must file the appropriate paperwork with the Commercial Recording Division at the Connecticut Secretary of State. This means submitting the necessary filing fees plus two copies of your statement of the resignation of the registered agent.
How much does a registered agent cost in Connecticut?
Most registered agents (statutory agent services charge a yearly fee that ranges from $50 to $300. If you haven’t incorporated your business yet, look for a company that will include incorporation services in their first year’s fee.
Why does your business need a registered agent?
A registered agent ensures your business will receive time-sensitive mail as efficiently as possible. They may give it to you directly or open an online account for you.
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