How to Find the Best Registered Agent in Idaho
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This guide will help you find the best registered agent in Idaho. We’ll explore key factors to consider, evaluate top providers, and equip you with the knowledge to make an informed decision for your business’s registered agent needs.
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What is an Idaho registered agent?
An Idaho registered agent accepts important documents on your behalf and is available during normal business hours as the Secretary of State requires.
- Certificate of Organization – the formation document for limited liability companies (LLCs)
- Articles of Incorporation – the formation documents for corporations
- Annual Report – due every year at the end of the business formation anniversary month
- Certificate of Good Standing – required to open new business bank accounts
- Annual franchise tax – due April 15 for those that file by calendar year
A registered agent is present in Idaho
Per law, a registered agent must have a physical address and be present in Idaho. It is so that they can receive official correspondence during normal business.
You can use the agent or service’s address as the business address instead of your personal one for public record purposes.
An appointed registered agent is the point of contact
The biggest role of a registered agent is to be the go-between a company and the state, especially in the case of legal documents.
According to the Idaho Attorney General, a business or an individual has 30 days to respond to a subpoena.
Neglecting to respond to a summon can result in a default judgment and other financial liability.
Resident agent services are a stress reliever
The Idaho annual report is due yearly at the end of the business formation anniversary month.
An appointed registered agent service will notify you when the report fee is coming due so that you don’t miss the submission date and have to pay late fees.
Cost of a registered agent in Idaho
You can act as your registered agent for no additional cost as long as you meet Idaho state requirements. It does cost anywhere between $50 to $500 to appoint a commercial resident agent service.
You can also elect a family member or friend as long as they are at least 18 years old and have a street address in Idaho.
When to appoint a registered agent
According to the Idaho Secretary of State, you must appoint a registered agent during business formation.
A limited liability company (LLC) in Idaho will name the registered agent on the Certificate of Organization.
The registered agent information will go on the Articles of Incorporation when forming a corporation.
Idaho Business Organization code requires all businesses to appoint a registered agent regardless of structure.
Other business structures include:
- Sole proprietorships
- Partnerships
- Nonprofit
How does an Idaho LLC appoint a registered agent?
An LLC will provide the registered agent’s information when filing the Certificate of Organization to the Idaho Secretary of State upon formation.
1
File the Certificate of Organization
You will complete the Certificate of Organization limited liability Company form and submit it by mail to the Idaho Secretary of State.
Mailing address:
Office of the Secretary of State
450 N 4th Street
PO Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0080
Or, you can use the Idaho SOSbiz business portal to file the formation documents online.
2
Appoint your registered agent
Section 3 of the Certificate of Organization form will ask you for certain information.
- Registered agent name
- Registered agent’s complete street address
The registered agent consents to the appointment by signing the change of agent form.
3
Pay your Idaho filing fees
The Idaho filing cost for the Certificate of Organization is $100 if you file online and $120 for those filed by mail.
The Idaho Secretary of State does offer expedited business filing for an additional $40.
If you require same-day service, it is an additional $100.
The cost to file the Certificate of Organization in Idaho is $100 if you file online.
How to change your registered agent
You must notify the Idaho Secretary of State if you switch registered agents or if there is a change in agent address.
Submit the change of registered form online.
The easiest way to submit the Idaho change of registered agent registered office or both form is to use the Online Business Services website.
The fee for filing the change of registered agent form online is $20, and it will take the Idaho Secretary of State 1 to 3 days to process online filings.
Submit the change of registered agent form by mail or in person
You will download and complete the transformation of registered agent or registered office form and submit it by mail or in person with the Idaho Secretary of State.
The filing fee to switch registered agents in Idaho is $20, payable by check or credit card when filing by mail or in person.
It will take the Secretary of State a week to process changes filed by mail. You can opt for same-day service for an additional $100.
The cost to switch registered agents in Idaho is $20.
Submit the change on the annual report
If the change in registered agents happens near when the annual report is due, you can use that opportunity to provide the new registered agent’s information.
File Articles of Amendment
Filing Articles of Amendment is only a viable option if you have other changes you wish to make to your business registration.
The cost to file Articles of Amendment is $50.
How to withdraw consent to act as a registered agent
You can withdraw consent to act as a company’s registered agent by completing the statement of resignation of registered agent and submitting it to the Idaho Secretary of State by mail.
The withdrawal of the consent form will ask for specific information.
- Resigning agent’s name
- Business name
- Address of the entity receiving the resignation
Idaho does not charge for withdrawing consent to act as a registered agent.
Benefits of appointing a registered agent in Idaho
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It helps keep your business in compliance
The annual report in Idaho is due every year at the end of the anniversary month of your business formation.
You must remain in good standing with the Idaho Secretary of State to maintain liability protection.
A registered agent will notify you when due dates are near and help you submit the proper paperwork to avoid noncompliance and revocation of all business licenses.
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It keeps your personal address from becoming public record
Some business owners choose to work from home or out of private offices. If an owner elects to appoint themselves as their own registered agent risks their personal address becoming public record.
Anyone can search the Idaho Business Search by business name or file number and find a business address.
Instead, you can list an appointed registered agent service’s address in the Idaho Secretary of State database instead of your private office or home address.
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It provides you with discretion and peace of mind
You may not know a law firm is attempting to contact you before a process service just arrives at your business.
In Idaho, a resident agent’s primary role is to accept legal notices such as subpoenas on your behalf. It keeps the interaction out of the view of customers and maintains your good reputation.
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It gives you the opportunity to work your own hours
According to Idaho state law, a registered agent has to be physically in the office during regular business hours, Monday through Friday.
Those that appoint themselves as their own agent are responsible for being in the office during those times.
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Access your Certificate of Good Standing in an instant
You need your Certificate of Good Standing to open new business bank accounts and apply for loans.
Registered agent services will make your LLC Certificate of Good Standing and other formation documents available online to access them at your convenience.
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You can form a foreign LLC fast and easily
Anytime you expand a business to a different state, you must appoint a registered agent. If you have one appointed already, the process of forming an LLC remains straightforward.
FAQs
How do I add a registered agent to my LLC in Idaho?
You will submit the change of registered agent using the Online Business Services website. The fee to switch registered agents is $20.
How do I sign up to be a registered agent in Idaho?
You don’t have a particular form or process to become a registered agent in Idaho. Anyone can be appointed as a registered agent as long as you are at least 18 and have a physical street address.
Can I use a PO box as a small business address in Idaho?
You can only use a PO box as a mailing address in Idaho. The Secretary of State does not allow a PO box to act as a business address.
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