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 |
Whether a new business owner is forming a corporation, non-profit, or limited liability company (LLC), one of the first steps in the process after choosing a business name will be selecting a registered agent to have on public record with the Oklahoma Secretary of State.
To better understand how a registered agent fits in the process of starting an Oklahoma business, here’s more information about starting an LLC in Oklahoma.
What is an Oklahoma registered agent?
An Oklahoma registered agent is a person or company selected by the business owner to accept important documents for a business. These documents could include tax notices, legal documents, government correspondence, or service of process (documents served during a lawsuit). The Oklahoma Secretary of State does have some rules regarding who can and can’t serve in this role, which we’ll explain later on in this guide.
How does an owner select a registered agent in Oklahoma?
After you’ve chosen your Oklahoma registered agent you will need to officially list them on your formation documents called Articles of Organization or Articles of Incorporation (depending on the business entity type). This document will require the agent’s name and the agent’s address.
Who can be a registered agent in Oklahoma?
Curious what the state requirements are for serving as a registered agent in Oklahoma? They’re essentially the same thing in every state:
- If the agent is an individual, the person has to be at least 18 years old
- Whether a business entity or individual, a street address in Oklahoma is required. This can be a home or business, as long as it’s a physical address, P.O. boxes are not accepted
- The person or business serving as the registered agent must be able to accept document deliveries Monday through Friday during regular business hours (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
- If the agent is a business it must be in good standing with the state of Oklahoma
Can I be my own registered agent in Oklahoma?
Yes. Many entrepreneurs or business owners serve as their own registered agent, especially in the interest of saving money. This means they’ll use their actual business address as their registered office and commit to being available to receive documents as needed at that location.
Why would a company choose to work with a registered agent service?
Are you contemplating the idea of serving as your own registered agent to save a few bucks? It’s understandable, but before you commit to a DIY role, consider the following advantages to paying a professional registered agent:
- Local options. Have you set up a business address or residence in Oklahoma yet? If not, you can’t fulfill the requirements to be your own registered agent. Luckily, there are plenty of commercial registered agents in the state with an Oklahoma street address to help you fulfill the requirement.
- Availability. Can you commit to staying in one building on business days during normal business hours? Chances are, as a new business owner, you’ll be very busy at off-site meetings. You may need to train employees, choose vendors, and oversee the work of contractors. Paying a commercial registered agent will free up your schedule so you can take care of business.
- Privacy. It’s common practice for uniformed law enforcement to deliver confidential paperwork, especially when legal documents are involved. Granted, not every delivery will include lawsuit filings, but how will witnesses know the difference? You must consider the consequences of your neighbors, employees, and/or customers seeing law enforcement show up at your office, business, or home. Opting for a commercial registered agent will help ensure privacy as all legal notices will be sent to the agent’s address instead of your business.
- Experience. Still on the fence about whether to be your own registered agent or not? How about weighing in on your familiarity with state and federal deadlines and compliance regulations? Most commercial registered agents will likely have more experience than you do on these matters.
- Time savings. Even if you’re experienced with the necessary paperwork that’s required for your Oklahoma LLC, do you have the time to take care of it? Many services also offer an online account where you can quickly and easily access any documents you need. For less than $100, it’s probably worth hiring a registered agent to take the responsibility off your plate.
How much does a registered agent service cost in Oklahoma?
The cost of one of the best registered agent services in the state could range anywhere between $49-125 per year. Many of these services offer add-ons as well.
For example, entrepreneurs can take advantage of LLC formation or incorporation service, which provides assistance filing any paperwork needed to create form your LLC, corporation, or non-profit.
They can also assist with:
- Filing annual reports and annual certificates
- Providing legal services
- Monitoring due dates and renewals so your business entity doesn’t acquire any unnecessary state fees or risk losing its business license or certificate of good standing
List of Oklahoma registered agent services
If you’re convinced a commercial registered agent is a way to go, here are a few of the best Oklahoma registered agent services to consider:
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.
Oklahoma registered agent FAQs
Yes, the state of Oklahoma requires all businesses to have a registered agent on public record with the Secretary of State to remain in good standing and continue doing business in the state.
Yes. Selecting a new registered agent in Oklahoma is a simple process. Just fill out the Change or Designation of Registered Agent and/or Registered Office form on the Oklahoma Secretary of State website (or you can do it in person at the Secretary of State’s office in Oklahoma City or by mail) and pay the $25 filing fee.
In different states, a registered agent is referred to as a resident agent. While the title differs from state to state, the meaning remains the same. Another name for a registered agent is a statutory agent, or a service of a process agent, which refers to the paperwork filed during a lawsuit.
When filling out the formation paperwork for your Oklahoma business, you may be asked if your registered agent is commercial or non-commercial. If you’re paying someone to be your registered agent, choose commercial. If you’re doing it yourself, choose noncommercial.
