How to Find the Best Registered Agent in Missouri

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

Other business structures include:

• Sole proprietorships
• Partnerships
• Nonprofit

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.

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.

• 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.

• 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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.