How to Find the Best Registered Agent in Mississippi
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This guide will help you find the best registered agent in Mississippi. 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 Mississippi registered agent?
The Mississippi Registered Agent Act requires all businesses formed in the state to appoint and maintain a registered agent upon formation. According to the Mississippi Secretary of State, a registered agent is a person or business entity whose job is to accept service of process and other official correspondence.
The registered agent you choose is the point of contact between your business and the Mississippi Secretary of State.
The primary responsibility of a registered agent is to receive legal notices and other important documents, including:
- Certificate of Formation – LLC formation documents in Mississippi
- Articles of Incorporation – documents submitted upon corporation formation
- Annual report fee– due by April 15 each year
- Certificate of Good Standing – a document required to open business bank accounts
- Corporate income and franchise tax
The registered agent is physically present in Mississippi
The physical presence of your appointed registered agent is required by the Mississippi Secretary of State so that someone is available during regular business hours to accept important notices and documents.
You can also list the registered agent’s address in the public record as the business address rather than your personal one.
A registered agent is a representative
The purpose of appointing a registered agent in Mississippi is so that someone is available to accept legal notices such as subpoenas from the state.
You have ten days to respond to a legal summons in Mississippi.
You risk default judgments and steep fines if you fail to respond to a subpoena in Mississippi.
Your registered agent is a compliance calendar
The annual report in Mississippi is due by April 15 every year.
You must pay the fee on time to remain in good standing in Mississippi.
The registered commercial agent service you appoint will keep a compliance calendar so they can send you notices when the franchise tax or annual report fee is due.
Cost of a registered agent in Mississippi
In Mississippi, the requirements to be a registered agent are that you must be at least 18 and have a physical street address in the state.
For no additional charge to you, you can appoint yourself as your own registered agent. And you elect to go with a friend or spouse as long as they meet the Mississippi registered agent requirements.
You can appoint an outside professional registered agent service in Mississippi for between $50 and $500.
When to appoint a registered agent
You produce the registered agent information when you submit formation documents to the Mississippi Secretary of State.
A limited liability company (LLC) provides the registered agent address on the Certificate of Formation.
In Mississippi, corporations file Articles of Incorporation upon formation.
The Secretary of State requires all business structures to appoint and maintain a registered agent.
Other business structures include:
- Sole proprietorships
- Partnerships
- Nonprofit
How does a Mississippi LLC appoint a registered agent?
1
File the Certificate of Formation
You will file your LLC’s Certificate of Formation, or Articles of Organization, online using the Mississippi Secretary of State Business Services website.
2
Appoint your registered agent
The Mississippi Certificate of Formation form will request information regarding your registered agent.
- Registered agent address
- Registered agent name
3
Pay your Mississippi filing fees
The filing fee for the Mississippi Certificate of Formation is $50.
It will take the Secretary of State 1 to 2 days to process the Certificate of Formation.
Mississippi doesn’t offer expedited business filing services.
The cost to file Certificate of Formation in Mississippi is $50.
How to change your registered agent in Mississippi
When there is a change in agent or address change, you must officially notify the Mississippi Secretary of State Business Division.
Submit the registered agent change by filing an amendment
Mississippi only provides one way to switch registered agents.
You must use the Mississippi Secretary of State business filing service website to file an amendment on an existing business.
It will take the Secretary of State 2 to 3 business days to process a change in registered agent or address.
The cost to switch agents in Mississippis is $10 payable by electronic check or credit card.
How to resign as a registered agent in Mississippi
First, you must submit a notice of resignation to the business from which you’re withdrawing consent.
You will then submit the statement of resignation of registered agent to the Mississippi Secretary of State.
The statement form will ask you for specific information.
- Name of business
- Address the notice of resignation was sent
- Registered agent name
- State of resignation
- Signature
The state of Mississippi does not charge to resign as a registered agent.
Benefits of appointing a registered agent in Mississippi
-
You aren’t risking your good standing
The annual report fee is due April 15 yearly, and Mississippi does not send reliable reminders.
You risk losing good standing in Mississippi and possible involuntary dissolution.
An appointed registered agent will remind you when fees and taxes are due and help you file the correct paperwork to avoid losing asset protection.
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You can forgo a personal address becoming public record
Small business owners often opt to work from a home address or private office.
The business address appears in the Mississippi Business Search and is searchable by anyone.
- The business name
- Business ID number
- Officer name
- Registered agent name
When you appoint a registered agent service, you can use the agent’s address as the business address, which becomes public record rather than yours.
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You get much-needed discretion
A law firm can file a lawsuit against your business without you knowing it.
An appointed registered agent service accepts legal documents such as subpoenas out of the view of others, maintaining your good reputation.
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You can come and go from the office
According to Mississippi state law, a registered agent must be available during normal business hours to receive notices from the Secretary of State.
If you appoint yourself as your own registered agent, you must be in the office 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday.
A commercial registered agent service works those days and hours so that they are available to accept important documents and legal notices.
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You have constant access to the Certificate of Good Standing
Banks and lenders require a Certificate of Good Standing when opening new business accounts.
A registered agent service makes the Certificate of Good Standing and other formation documents available so you can do business conveniently.
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You can form a fast foreign LLC
Expanding a business into other states means appointing a registered agent regardless.
If you already have a resident agent service appointment, you can jump into the LLC formation process quickly and seamlessly.
FAQs
What is a commercial registered agent in Mississippi?
Registered agent services in Mississippi are also known as commercial registered agents. You may hear a registered agent referred to as a resident or statutory agent.
Does a registered agent mean owner in Mississippi?
A business owner can be a registered agent in Mississippi, but it doesn’t mean a registered agent or service is a business owner.
Can I use a PO box as my business address in Mississippi?
You nor your registered agent are allowed to use a PO box as a business address in Mississippi. You must provide a physical address as the registered office address of your business.
What happens if my Mississippi registered resigns?
You must appoint a new registered agent as soon as you receive a statement of resignation from the current registered agent.
Am I liable for a company in Mississippi’s actions if I’m the registered agent?
As long as you’re not the owner of the business, you’re not liable for what the business does as a registered agent.
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