Bottom Line
A registered agent simplifies business operations and state reporting requirements.
What is a registered agent?
Texas’ Secretary of State describes it as follows (link here): “An entity’s registered agent is an agent of the entity on whom may be served any process, notice, or demand required or permitted by law to be served on the entity.”
Why should you have one?
Registered Agents receive service of process – i.e., the notifications you get when you’re being sued. You don’t want those coming to your home or to your place of business.
They also receive your state compliance notifications. You’re probably busy running your business, or maybe you’re just bad at keeping up with physical mail. A registered agent can help you with this by receiving it and alerting you to it by email. They also provide a stable, long-term address that you don’t have to worry about changing if and when you move. Moving is always a terrible process, so this can help keep important notices from slipping through the cracks.
They handle other things, too
Your registered agent can also file your annual or biannual compliance documentation. Again, you’re busy running your business – this is an area of compliance you can outsource simply. At a minimum, they’ll provide you reminders that you need to do so.
How much does this cost?
We use Northwest Registered Agent services – they’re $125 per year.