A Florida registered agent is the legal point of contact for any business, nonprofit or organization. They receive important legal notices such as service of process on behalf of their clients.
A registered agent must have a physical address in Florida and be available during normal business hours to accept service of process. They can also provide additional services like company formations, mail handling, and more.
Requirements
Designating a registered agent is a legal requirement for all Florida businesses. This includes corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), and limited partnerships.
A registered agent is designated by a business or nonprofit to receive official legal documents, such as lawsuit papers, service of process, and government notifications on their behalf. This person or company must have a business office in Florida and be available during normal business hours to accept service of process and other documents on behalf of the entity.
The Florida Department of State requires a registered agent to agree to their appointment by signing the formation document online or in person. They must also file a statement with the department acknowledging that they are familiar with and accept the duties of the position.
Responsibilities
If you are a limited liability company, corporation or nonprofit in Florida, your registered agent is the person responsible for receiving legal documents and government notifications on behalf of your business. They are a vital part of the process for filing with the state, and they also provide important protections to your business.
You’ll want a reliable and trustworthy registered agent for your LLC or business. One of the key requirements is that they have a Florida address and can be reached during normal business hours.
A registered agent is a legal requirement for every LLC and business entity in the United States. They must be available to receive incoming legal notices and service of process.
Some LLC owners choose to appoint themselves as the registered agent, while others hire an attorney or accountant. No matter what your choice, you’ll need someone dependable who can accept legal documents and notify you in the event of a lawsuit.
Fees
Florida registered agents typically charge around $35-$300 a year for basic services, but many also offer add-ons that can add more value to your business. These can include LLC formation services, legal expertise or other compliance support.
Service of Process – The most important role of a registered agent is to accept service of process (such as a lawsuit notice), which requires them to be available during normal business hours. Otherwise, a court may decide to proceed with the suit and judgment against the company without them knowing.
Privacy – The address of the registered agent will be listed on the public record, which can be an issue for individuals who want to maintain their anonymity or businesses that don’t wish to be publicly associated with their work.
Northwest Registered Agent is our top choice for Florida registered agent services because of their competitive prices, easy-to-use online form system and great customer support team. They also offer a discount for multiple-state registration and scan every document locally.
Options
Choosing the right registered agent for your Florida business is an important decision. Whether you choose an individual or a professional service, your agent will be responsible for receiving documents from the state on your behalf and acting as your business address.
Your Florida registered agent should be available during normal business hours to accept packages, legal documents, and other mail. They also need to be able to sign for documents that are delivered to them.
Hiring a registered agent for your Florida LLC or corporation is essential to maintaining compliance with the state and staying in good standing. It will ensure that you receive all the legal documents, annual reports, and reminders to submit them that are required by law.
You can be your own registered agent, or hire a commercial registered agent service for a small fee. Both options have their pros and cons, so make sure you choose the right one for your company.