How to Find the Best Registered Agent in Indiana
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This guide will help you find the best registered agent in Indiana. 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 Indiana registered agent?
The Indiana Secretary of State describes a registered agent as a business entity or individual that accepts legal notices and official correspondence from the state on behalf of an organization.
Registered agents are the point of contact between your company and the Indiana Secretary of State.
The agent you appoint will be responsible for receiving service of process and other important documents from the state of Indiana, including:
- Articles of Organization – limited liability company (LLC) formation document in Indiana
- Articles of Incorporation – domestic corporations file the document upon formation
- Biennial entity report – due every other year on the business formation anniversary month
- Certificate of Existence – proof of good standing in Indiana
An agent is a physical presence in Indiana
You’re required to appoint a registered agent that is physically available during regular business hours to receive important notices from the Indiana Secretary of State.
The added benefit of a registered agent’s physical presence is that you can opt to list the service address in public record rather than a private office or home address.
Registered agents are a go-between
A point of contact is required primarily so that someone is available to accept legal notices from the Indiana Secretary of State.
Indiana gives you 30 days to respond to a subpoena.
A business that fails to respond to a legal summons risks facing default judgment and being barred from doing business in Indiana in the future.
Agents are a reminder for important due dates
You must pay your company’s biennial report is due every other year on the anniversary month of when you formed the organization.
If left unpaid or submitted late, a business can lose good standing in Indiana and face possible dissolution.
A registered agent or service keeps a compliance calendar on your behalf so they can remind you of upcoming due dates and assist you in filing the biennial report fee.
Cost of a registered agent in Indiana
You can appoint yourself, a friend, or a family member as a registered agent in Indiana for free to your organization as long as you meet the state requirements.
According to Indiana Uniform Business Organization Code, a registered agent must be at least 18 and have a street address in the state.
The cost to your LLC if you appoint an outside professional registered agent service ranges between $50 and $500.
When to appoint a registered agent
You appoint registered agent information when you submit the business formation documents to the Indiana Secretary of State, regardless of business structure.
An LLC in Indiana gives the name and address of the agent when filing the Articles of Organization.
For corporations, the information is required when filing the Articles of Incorporation.
The Indiana Secretary of State requires all business structures to appoint a registered agent for business registration.
Other business structures include:
- Sole proprietorships
- Partnerships
- Nonprofit
How does an Indiana LLC appoint a registered agent?
The registered agent information contact information will go on your LLC Articles of Organization that you submit to the Indiana Secretary of State upon formation.
1
File the Articles of Organization
You can download and complete the Articles of Organization form (form 49459) and submit it to the Indiana Secretary of State by mail.
Mailing address:
Indiana Secretary of State
Business Services Division
302 W. Washington St.
Room E-018
Indianapolis, IN 46204
If you prefer to file online, use the Secretary of State INBiz website.
2
Appoint your registered agent
Section 2 of form 49459 will ask you for specific information regarding the chosen registered agent.
- Registered agent name
- Registered agent address
- Registered agent email address
- Consent to appointment
3
Pay your Indiana filing fees
The cost to file Indiana Articles of Organization is $100 by mail or $95 by filing the formation document online.
The Indiana Secretary of State does not offer any expedited business formation services.
The cost to file Articles of Organization in Indiana is $95 in Indiana if you file online.
How to change your registered agent in Indiana
Indiana state law requires you to officially notify the Secretary of State of any changes to your registered agent or the registered agent’s address.
Submit the statement of change of registered agent online
You will use the INBiz website to submit the statement of change of registered agent online.
The Indiana Secretary of State does not charge a filing fee to switch registered agents.
Submit the statement of change by mail
If you file by mail, you will complete the statement of change of registered agent form and submit it to the Indiana Secretary of State.
Processing a switch in registered agents will take 3 to 5 business days.
Indiana does not charge to change registered agents or update a registered agent address.
Submit the change when you file the biennial business entity report
If it’s near the filing period for the biennial report, you can change the registered agent and address.
Submit Indiana Articles of Amendment
The cost to amend business registration in Indiana is $50.
Using the Indiana Articles of Amendment to organization or incorporation to change registered agents is only worth it if you make other changes to your business registration.
How to resign as a registered agent in Indiana
You will complete the statement of resignation of registered agent and submit it online or by mail.
Indiana state form 26285 (R11/7-18) will ask you for specific information about the resignation.
- Name of the business entity
- Address of the company you’re resigning from
- Resignation statement
- Date of resignation
- Signature
The Indiana Secretary of State does not charge to resign as a registered agent.
Benefits of appointing a registered agent in Indiana
-
You can avoid late fees or worse
The Indiana biennial entity report comes due every other year on the anniversary month of the business formation.
Overdue biennial fees can lead to losing good standing in Indiana and possible involuntary dissolution.
Appointing an outside agent ensures you remain in compliance and maintain the benefit of liability protection.
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You keep your address out of Indiana public record
You may work from home or use a private address as a small business owner. As your own registered agent, that personal address becomes public record.
Anyone can use the Indiana Business Search to locate an address by:
- Business name
- Business ID
- Filing number
- Registered agent name
- Governing owner
You can use the registered agent address as your business address to keep yours from appearing on the Secretary of State business database.
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You maintain a good reputation
Receiving legal documents is one of the primary roles of a registered agent in Indiana.
You’re alerted by an agent if a law firm or process server attempts to contact you and will accept those documents on your behalf from the view of customers and employees.
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You work the hour you want
Indiana Business Code requires an appointed registered agent to be available during normal business hours every workday.
Business owners that point themselves find that they are responsible for the available during those times.
If you elect to hire an outside registered agent service, they become the point of contact, and you can leave the office when you need or want.
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You get quick 24/7 access to the certificate of existence
When you open a new business bank account, the financial institution will require a certificate of existence to prove that you’re in good standing with the Indiana Secretary of State.
Most professional registered agent services will provide you access to the formation documents online so you can conveniently do business.
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It simplifies forming a foreign LLC
Other states require you to appoint a resident agent when you expand to different states.
By appointing an agent upon original formation, you have one on hand to make forming an LLC quick and straightforward.
FAQs
What is the difference between a commercial registered agent and a noncommercial registered agent in Indiana?
Indiana state law distinguishes that a commercial registered agent is listed with the Secretary of State and a noncommercial is not.
Am I liable for the actions of the organization if I’m the appointed registered agent?
You aren’t liable for any actions of the business organization that you’re a registered agent.
How do I register as a registered agent in Indiana?
The Indiana Secretary of State requires no special registration to become a registered agent. You use the formation documents of a business to list yourself as a registered agent.
What happens to an Indiana business with no registered agent?
In Indiana, failure to appoint and maintain a registered agent or service is grounds for dissolution.
How do I find a registered agent in Indiana?
You can use the Indiana Secretary of State INBiz website to search for commercial registered agent services.
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