Why You Need a Registered Agent
If you want to keep your business safe, organized and on the right track, you must have a Texas registered agent.
A registered agent is a person or business you designate as your point of contact to receive official government and tax documents on behalf of your business.
You can either act as your own registered agent or hire a service to do it for you. Using a registered agent service will reduce your cost and help you maintain your business’s legal compliance.
Statutory Requirements
If you’re a business or nonprofit that operates in Texas, you will need to designate a registered agent. This person or company will be responsible for receiving legal notices and tax documents on behalf of your business or nonprofit.
The state of Texas requires all corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and limited liability partnerships (LLPs) to designate a registered agent. Learn more about who a registered agent is, their job duties, and the requirements to be one.
A Texas registered agent must be a resident of the state. In addition, they must have a physical address in Texas where process servers can serve legal papers to them during regular business hours.
Service of Process
A Texas registered agent is responsible for receiving legal documents (service of process) on behalf of a business. They are also tasked with handling a variety of state matters, such as annual reports and franchise tax.
The registered agent must have a physical address within the state where they can accept legal documents and official mail on behalf of their business. This address is known as their “registered office.”
Service of process is the delivery of a legal document in a lawsuit, such as a court order or notice of judgment. A registered agent’s primary responsibility is to receive these documents and deliver them directly to the company’s owner or legal representative.
A Texas registered agent can be a person, corporation or professional service. They must be a resident of the state, available during normal business hours and be able to receive legal documents and government correspondence on behalf of a business.
Filing Requirements
If you’re forming an LLC, corporation or nonprofit in Texas, it’s crucial that you choose a registered agent. They’re responsible for receiving important legal mail and official notices from the state on your behalf.
To become a registered agent, you must file a consent statement with the Texas Secretary of State. You can get this form and more information here.
A registered agent must also have a physical address in Texas where they can accept service of process and official mail like tax notices on behalf of your company. That address is called your registered office.
Your registered agent must be available during business hours to receive and sign for these documents on your behalf. This can be difficult for a small business owner who may need to travel, meet with clients or take time off.
A Texas registered agent can save you time and help your company stay compliant with the state. They can also scan your documents locally so you never miss a filing. And some of them even offer compliance reminders, so you’ll always know what’s next.
Fees
When filing for an LLC, corporation, LLP or LP in Texas, you need to designate a registered agent who will accept service of process and legal mail from the state. You can choose to be your own registered agent, but most businesses hire a professional company to fulfill this important role.
Choosing a professional registered agent in Texas can help ensure that you receive updates, notifications and reminders from the state that you need to respond to, keeping your business compliant. It can also save you from having to worry about missing deadlines and paying fines that could cost your business a lot of money.
The fee for a Texas registered agent varies, but it can be around $130 annually, or $10 per month. Some services offer free annual compliance reminders, which can be a big bonus for many businesses.