Starting a business? Our number one pick for registered agent services is ZenBusiness.
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ZenBusiness |
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Visit ZenBusiness |
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Northwest Registered Agent |
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Visit Northwest |
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Incfile.com |
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Visit Incfile |
Ready to start a Connecticut business? For all of the entrepreneurs in this southern New England state, the guide below will help you understand the crucial role of selecting and listing a registered agent. This is one of the first steps you must take before doing business in the state, whether you are forming a limited liability company (LLC), limited partnership, non-profit, or corporation. Below is a general overview of the process, as well as answers to commonly asked questions.
However, selecting a registered agent is just one part of setting up a business entity. If you want to find out more about starting a Connecticut LLC, such as selecting a business name, getting your business license, you can read more here.
What is a Connecticut registered agent?
A registered agent is a point of contact, either a person or company, that you select to receive important documents or tax notices on behalf of your company. This isn’t someone who merely collects your mail, this person will receive tax or government notifications and legal documents such as service of process should your business be sued. It’s an important role and one that every business owner should think about before setting up a company.
How does an owner select a registered agent in Connecticut?
To select a registered agent for your LLC, the person or company needs to be listed on the LLC formation documents that are filed with the Connecticut Secretary of State. This document is called the Certificate of Organization (sometimes referred to as Articles of Organization or Articles of Incorporation) will require the registered agent’s name and agent’s address. Filing these forms will ensure this information is on public record with the Secretary of the State.
Can I be my own registered agent in Connecticut?
Yes. A business owner can be their own registered agent. Most entrepreneurs fill the role themselves, especially if they want to save money. However, you can select a friend, employee, or even a registered agent service to take on the responsibility.
Who can be a registered agent in Connecticut?
Regardless of whether a business owner chooses an individual or a business entity, a Connecticut registered agent must fulfill the following requirements:
- The agent must be an adult 18 years or older
- The agent’s street address (which will be used as the registered office) must be a physical address in Connecticut, not a P.O. box or virtual office
- Consistently be available during normal business hours on normal business days (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
- If the agent is a business they must be in good standing with the state
- If the agent is an individual they must be a resident of Connecticut
Why would a company choose to work with a registered agent service?
A registered agent service is beneficial to many owners. If you don’t want to serve as your own registered agent or aren’t comfortable with someone else filling this role, a service is ideal. Additional benefits of a registered agent service include:
- Convenience. With a registered agent service in charge of accepting official documents, it’s more convenient. You don’t have to feel as though you’re tied to a desk and can go about your day as usual. Most services also provide an online account where you can easily and securely access any documents you might need at any time. A registered agent service provides a convenience factor for many entrepreneurs.
- Peace of mind. With a registered agent service, a business owner knows that nothing will be missed. All documents will be received by a trusted company that will contact you when something comes in. Many companies have same-day scanning and mail forwarding services that also help to provide peace of mind.
- Privacy. Some of the documents that a registered agent receives are best kept private. Service of process papers, for example, which is served when a company is sued, is something you’d probably like to keep confidential. To do so, a registered agent service should accept the paperwork at an off-site location.
- A registered office. Not every business owner is a Connecticut resident or has a physical address to list as their registered office, as some may be relocating or conducting business from another state. By using a registered agent service, you’ll be able to use the agent’s business address as your registered office to easily satisfy this state requirement.
How much does a registered agent service cost in Connecticut?
Registered agent services are affordable, even for companies that are just starting. A registered agent service with mail forwarding services is usually $50 a year or less (not including potential state fees).
However, for an increased price, many of these companies provide an array of other services that can come in handy for first-time business owners. For additional services, expect to pay between $100-250 annually. Some examples of these services are:
- an online account
- same-day mail scans and email notifications
- reminders regarding annual reports
- assistance in getting a certificate of good standing
List of Connecticut registered agent services
There are dozens of registered agent services in every state. For a quick look at the services available in Connecticut, here’s a look at a few companies and their services:
Starting a business? Our number one pick for registered agent services is ZenBusiness.
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ZenBusiness |
|
Visit ZenBusiness |
|
Northwest Registered Agent |
|
Visit Northwest |
|
Incfile.com |
|
Visit Incfile |
- ZenBusiness: ZenBusiness is fairly new to the market, but they’ve grown a strong following. Business owners love the affordable rates for a registered agent service, which are as low as $99 per year. The company offers worry-free compliance too, to help business owners file the necessary reports on time.
- Northwest Registered Agent: Northwest is one of the most recognized names in the registered agent business. The company has decades of experience and local offices scattered across the U.S. to serve small businesses like yours. The cost for a registered agent service is comparable to others. Business owners can also take advantage of additional services like report filing.
- Incfile: Incfile is another trusted name for business services, including its registered agent services. Business owners can get a registered agent free for a year. That’s right, free. After the first year, the price kicks in at $119. An online dashboard, automatic mail forwarding, and tailored notifications also come with the service.
Connecticut registered agent FAQs
Yes. The state of Connecticut requires every LLC or corporation to list a registered agent on its Certificate of Organization. The registered agent serves as the point of contact and should be a person or a company that’s trusted and available during regular business hours to accept documentation if needed.
Yes. To change the registered agent that’s associated with your company, you need to file a Change of Agent form with the Connecticut Secretary of State. There is a filing fee of $50 to make this change, which will be recorded within 3-5 business days. To expedite the process and have the change made in 24-hours, there’s an additional filing fee of $50.
Depending on the state, a registered agent could be called something different such as a resident agent or a statutory agent. The name varies by state. The name service of the process agent is also used, which describes the legal paperwork associated with lawsuits.
Some states ask if the selected registered agent is commercial or non-commercial. A commercial registered agent service is a company that you pay to fill the role. A noncommercial registered agent is a person or company – who’s not paid – to be your company’s registered agent.
