How to Find the Best Registered Agent in Missouri
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This guide will help you find the best registered agent in Missouri. 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 Missouri registered agent?
Missouri law states that all formal businesses formed in Missouri must appoint and maintain a registered agent.
The Missouri Secretary of State requires a registered agent for a designated point of contact between a business and the state.
The role of a registered agent is to accept legal documents and other important documents that include:
- Articles of Organization – formation documents for an LLC in Missouri
- Articles of Incorporation – corporation formation documents
- Corporation annual report – due by the end of the 3rd month after the business formation month
- Certificate of Good Standing – financial institutions require the document to open new accounts
- Missouri business taxes – notices from the Missouri Department of Revenue
Registered agent services are a physical presence in Missouri
You’re letting the Missouri Secretary of State know that someone is physically available to accept service of process and other state-related documents during normal business hours.
Because a registered agent is physically present in Missouri, you can list the service’s address as the business address to keep yours out of the public record.
A registered agent is your state-mandated point of contact
Some documents that a registered agent in Missouri receives are time-sensitive legal notices, such as subpoenas.
You have ten days to respond to a subpoena in Missouri.
If you fail to respond, you risk a default judgment and the possibility that you can be barred from doing business in Missouri in the future.
An agent is a handy due-date reminder
The Missouri corporation annual report is due by the end of the 3rd month after the business formation month anniversary, which is not a due date to remember offhand.
You can lose your business’s good standing in Missouri and risk asset protection if a corporation doesn’t submit the annual report on time.
When you appoint a registered agent service, you get up-to-date reminders of when reports and fees are due, and an agent will help you submit the correct paper on time.
Cost of a registered agent in Missouri
You can appoint yourself as your own registered agent or elect a family member, friend, etc., for free as long as they meet Missouri registered agent requirements.
The Missouri Secretary of State mandates that all registered agents must be at least 18 and have a physical street address in the state.
If you appoint a registered agent service, the cost is between $50 and $500, depending on your required services.
When to appoint a registered agent
When you file business formation documents with the Corporations Division, you provide the Missouri Secretary of State with the resident agent information.
A limited liability company (LLC) in Missouri lists the registered agent when submitting the Articles of Organization.
Corporations produce the registered agent name and address when filing the Articles of Incorporation.
Other business structures include:
- Sole proprietorships
- Partnerships
- Nonprofit
How does a Missouri LLC appoint a registered agent?
1
File the Articles of Organization
You will complete the Articles of Organization form and submit it to the Missouri Corporations Division by mail or in person.
Mailing address:
Corporations Unit
James C. Kirkpatrick State Information Center
PO Box 778
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Physical address:
Corporations Division
600 W. Main St., Room 322
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Or, you can use the Missouri Registration Online Portal to file the Articles of Organization online.
2
Appoint your registered agent
Section 3 of the Articles of Organization form will request the registered agent information.
- Registered agent name
- Registered agent address
The registered agent or service you appoint must sign and submit a consent to appointment as a registered agent form and submit it to the Missouri Secretary of State Corporations Division.
3
Pay your Missouri filing fees
Filing Missouri Articles of Organization costs $50 online and $105 by mail.
The Missouri Secretary of State Corporation Division does not offer any expedited services.
The cost to file Articles of Organization in Missouri is $50 online, and $105 by mail.
How to change your registered agent in Missouri
The Missouri Secretary of State requires a business to notify them officially if there is a change in the registered agent or registered office address.
Submit the statement of change of registered agent online
You will use the Missouri Secretary of State’s website to file a statement of change of registered agent or registered office online.
Submit the statement of change of registered office by mail or in person
You will complete the statement of change of registered agent and/or registered office form and submit it to the Missouri Secretary of State Corporations Unit by mail or in person.
The cost to update registered agents or registered address changes is $10.
It will take the Missouri Corporations Unit 1 business day to process the agent change.
The cost to switch resident agents in Missouri is $10.
How to resign as a registered agent in Missouri
You will complete the statement of resignation of registered agent form and submit the original document and two copies to the Missouri Secretary of State by mail or in person.
The Corporations Unit will mail one of those copies to the company you’re withdrawing consent from.
The statement of resignation form will ask you to provide some information.
- Charter number
- Business name
- Registered agent address
- Contact information on who will be receiving the statement of resignation
- The statement of resignation
- Signature
The Missouri Secretary of State Corporations Division charges $10 to resign as a registered agent.
Benefits of appointing a registered agent in Missouri
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You maintain good standing in Missouri
The Corporation’s annual report is due every year at the end of the 3rd month after the formation of the business.
If you fail to file the report on time, you can lose liability protection and good standing in Missouri.
Registered agent services keep a compliance calendar, which makes them a reliable way to keep up with due dates and file the proper reports and fees on time.
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Appointing a registered agent addresses privacy concerns
If you work from a home address or a private office, the addresses become public records when used as the business address.
You can appoint a registered agent and use their information on the formation documents so that the service’s address appears in the Missouri Business Search.
Anyone can search the Secretary of State’s database using
- Business name
- Registered agent
- Charter number
- Keyword
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You help secure your good reputation
A law firm can send a process server to your office without informing you first.
In Missouri, an appointed registered agent will accept sensitive legal notices such as summons out of the view of customers, clients, and employees so that you maintain a positive reputation.
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You can go to the office at your leisure
According to Missouri state law, a registered agent must be available during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, in order to accept official documents from the Missouri Secretary of State.
When you appoint yourself as your own registered agent, you’re responsible for being available during those mandated hours.
Appointing an outside agent or service allows you the freedom to come and go from the office.
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You gain 24/7 access to the Certificate of Good Standing
Financial institutions, including banks in Missouri, will require you to present a Certificate of Good Standing as proof you’re compliant with the Secretary of State.
Professional registered agent services give you constant access to the Certificate of Good Standing and other essential business filings so you can do business conveniently.
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The foreign LLC formation process is quick and straightforward
Expanding your LLC into a different state isn’t difficult if you already have a registered agent appointed.
The service or agent will walk you through forming a foreign LLC, keeping it simple and accessible to anyone.
FAQs
How do I remove myself as a registered agent in Missouri?
You will use the statement of resignation of registered agent form to remove yourself as a company’s registered agent.
What is a Missouri registered office?
The registered agent’s physical address is referred to as a registered office in Missouri.
Can I use a Missouri registered office address for all my business filings?
It’s recommended that you use the registered office address as the business address on Articles of Organization, incorporation, etc. The exception is that you can’t use a Misourri registered office address to apply for an EIN. You will use the physical address of your principal office for IRS filings.
Can an LLC be a registered agent in Missouri?
An owner or member of an LLC can appoint themeless as the registered agent. But, an LLC itself can’t act as its own registered agent in Missouri.
What happens if I don’t appoint a registered agent in Missouri?
The Missouri Secretary of State will reject any and all business filings if a business organization fails to appoint a registered agent and provide accurate registered office information.
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