How to Find the Best Registered (Resident) Agent in Michigan
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This guide will help you find the best registered agent in Michigan. 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 a Michigan resident agent?
You are required to appoint a registered agent so that there is a single point of contact between a business and the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.
The registered agent you appoint will be responsible for accepting legal notices and important documents that include:
- Articles of Organization – the formation documents for an LLC in Michigan
- Articles of Incorporation – corporations file upon formation
- Annual statement fee – due on February 15
- Certificate of Good Standing – required by banks to open business bank accounts
- Michigan business tax – due on or by the 15th day of the first month following every quarter
Your resident agent is a physical presence in Michigan
According to LARA, all businesses must have a physical address as the business address when they register their business.
An outside-appointed resident agent is physically present in Michigan with a street address so that they can accept legal notices and tax reminders for your business.
And you can list the agent or service address in public record to address any privacy concerns you may have.
Resident agents are a single point of contact
Some documents you receive, such as subpoenas, will be time sensitive and require an immediate response.
According to Michigan Court Rules for Civil Procedure, an individual or business has 14 days to respond to a legal summons.
If a subpoena goes unanswered, it can result in default judgments and other monetary sanctions.
A resident agent service is a much-needed compliance calendar
The annual statement fee, or annual report, is due every year by February 15.
A business can lose good standing in Michigan and risk liability protection if they submit the fee late.
Professional registered agent services keep compliance calendars to reliably alert you when reports, taxes, and other fees come due. An agent will also help you submit the correct business filings and pay the proper fees.
Cost of a resident agent in Michigan
According to LARA, a resident agent in Michigan must be at least 18 years old and have a physical street address in the state.
You can opt to appoint yourself as your own registered agent for no charge to your business. You can appoint a spouse, friend, or even employee if they meet the Michigan registered agent requirements.
Or, you can hire a commercial registered agent service. The cost to a business ranges between $50 and $500.
When to appoint a resident agent
According to Michigan state law, all businesses formed must provide registered agent information when submitting the formation documents to LARA.
A limited liability company (LLC) in Michigan must produce the registered agent name and address on the Articles of Organization.
Corporations give the registered agent address and name when submitting the Articles of Incorporation to LARA.
Other business structures include:
- Sole proprietorships
- Partnerships
- Nonprofit
How does a Michigan LLC appoint a resident agent?
1
File the Articles of Organization
You will complete the Articles of Organization form (form 700) and submit it to LARA by mail or in person.
Mailing address:
Michigan LARA
Corporations Division
PO Box 30054
Lansing, MI 48909
Physical address:
Michigan LARA
2501 Woodlake Cir.
Okemos, MI 48864
You will use the LARA COFS website if you file the Articles of Organization line.
2
Appoint your resident agent
Article IV on form 700 will ask you to provide resident agent information.
- Resident agent name
- Street address of the resident agent
- The mailing address of the agent if different than the street address
3
Pay your Michigan filing fees
Filing your LLC Articles of Organization in Michigan costs $50.
LARA does offer expedited business filing services for an additional fee.
- 24-hour – $50
- Same day – $100
- 2-hour – $500
- 1 hour – $1,000
The cost to file the Articles of Organization in Michigan is $50.
How to change your resident agent in Michigan
You must officially report any changes in resident agents or registered office address changes to LARA.
Submit the certificate of change of registered office or resident agent online
You will use the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs online filing portal to submit any changes regarding your appointed resident agent.
Submit the certificate of change of registered office or resident by mail or in person
You must download and complete the certificate of change of registered office or resident agent form and submit it to LARA by mail or in person.
The cost to switch registered agents in Michigan is $5.
How to resign as a resident agent in Michigan
You will first notify the business organization you’re resigning from.
You will then submit the resignation form to the LARA by mail or in person.
The resignation of resident agent form will ask you for specific information.
- Effective date
- Contact info for the return of the notice
- Resident agent name
- Company name
- Statement of resignation
- Date
- Signature
The fee for withdrawing your consent to act as a resident agent in Michigan is $5 for LLCs and no charge for all other business structures.
Benefits of appointing a resident agent in Michigan
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A resident agent helps keep you in good standing with Michigan
The annual statement is due in February every year, but due dates tend to surprise everyone.
You can lose good standing and liability protection in Michigan if you’re late submitting the yearly fee.
Commercial registered agent services set up hand reminders so that you don’t miss due dates and maintain asset protection.
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It addresses any privacy concerns
Small business owners often work from a home address or private offices. If they appoint themselves, the personal address becomes public record.
You can list an outside-appointed resident agent’s address on business filings to keep yours out of the Michigan Business Entity Search.
The public can search the LARA database using the following:
- Business entity name
- An individual’s name
- Michigan ID number
- Filing number
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You’re securing discretion
The job of a process server in Michigan is to serve legal notices such as subpoenas. A process server nor a law firm has to warn you before they arrive at your office.
You appoint an outside resident agent to ensure customers and employees don’t see your business being served.
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You have control of your work schedule
Michigan state law mandates that resident agents be available during regular business hours to accept official correspondence from LARA and other state-ran agencies.
If you appoint yourself, you must be at your office during those hours.
By hiring a professional registered agent, you have someone that’s physically at their office so that you don’t have to be physically at yours.
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You gain 24/7 access to the Michigan Certificate of Good Standing
Banks and financial institutions will require you to show proof that you’re in good standing with Michigan before allowing you to open new business accounts.
Professional registered agent services provide a dashboard that gives you continuous access to the Certificate of Good Standing and other formation documents to make business convenient.
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Foreign LLC formation is uncomplicated
When you expand your LLC into a different state, you must appoint a registered agent before the formation process.
An already-appointed registered agent can begin the process immediately, which keeps forming a foreign LLC simple.
FAQs
Can an LLC use a PO box in Michigan?
An LLC in Michigan can’t use a post office box on the Articles of Organization or any other business filing. You can use a PO box for billing, mailing, and shipping.
How do I remove a registered agent from my LLC in Michigan?
You will submit the certificate of change or registered agent form with LARA. But, if you do remove a resident agent, you must immediately appoint a new agent and provide updated registered office information.
Does registered agent mean owner in Michigan?
A business owner can be their own registered agent, but an agent isn’t an owner or member of a Michigan business.
What is the difference between a registered agent and a resident agent in Michigan?
In most other states, a resident agent is known as a registered agent. You may also hear a registered agent referred to as a statutory agent.
Can I be a resident agent for more than one business in Michigan?
If you meet the Michigan state requirements, you can serve as a resident agent for as many businesses as you want. LARA does not require commercial or noncommercial resident agents to register.
What if I don’t maintain a resident agent in Michigan?
Failure to appoint a Michigan resident agent will result in administrative involuntary dissolution.
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