How to Find the Best Registered Agent in New Hampshire
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This guide will help you find the best registered agent in New Hampshire. 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 New Hampshire registered agent?
The New Hampshire Department of State defines a registered agent as the individual or entity whose role is to receive service of process and official correspondence for a business. A registered agent is required in New Hampshire.
The appointed registered agent will accept legal notices and other important documents that include:
- Certificate of Formation– also known as Articles of Organization and formation documents for limited liability companies (LLC)
- Articles of Incorporation – the formation documents for corporations in New Hampshire
- Annual report fee – due by April 1
- Certificate of Good Standing – a document that banks require to open new accounts
- Business Enterprise Tax– due to the New Hampshire Department of Revenue
A registered agent is a bodily presence in New Hampshire
The New Hampshire Department of state requires a business to list a physical address on business registration documents.
The registered agent you appoint is physically available at a street address to accept legal and tax notices.
If you list the registered agent address on formation documents, you can also list the service address in public record rather than a home address or private office.
A registered agent is a designated representative
Businesses sometimes receive time-sensitive documents, such as court summons, requiring immediate attention.
You have ten days to respond to a subpoena in New Hampshire.
The failure to respond will result in default judgments and contempt of court proceedings.
A registered agent is a due-date calendar
The annual report is due each year by April 1.
A business that submits the fee late can risk losing good standing and asset protection in New Hampshire.
A professional registered agent service will keep an up-to-date compliance calendar that will send notifications when fees, dues, and forms come due. A resident agent will also help you file the proper documents.
Cost of a registered agent in New Hampshire
The New Hampshire registered agent requirements are that a person be at least 18 and have a physical street address in the state.
The New Hampshire Department of State allows you to appoint yourself, a family member, a friend, or even an employee for free to business owners.
Commercial registered agent services in New Hampshire will cost a company between $50 and $500.
When to appoint a registered agent
You will provide the registered agent information when you submit the formation documents for your business to the New Hampshire Department of State.
An LLC in New Hampshire supplies the registered agent name on the Certificate of Formation.
In New Hampshire, corporations produce the registered agent address on the Articles of Incorporation.
Other business structures include:
- Sole proprietorships
- Partnerships
- Nonprofit
How does a New Hampshire LLC appoint a registered agent?
1
File the Certificate of Formation
You can complete the Certificate of Formation for a New Hampshire limited liability company form (form LLC-1) and submit it to the Department of State Corporations Division.
Mailing address:
Corporation Division
New Hampshire Department of State
107 N Main St, Rm 204
Concord, NH 03301
Or, you can file online using the NH QuickStart website.
2
Appoint your registered agent
The third section of form LLC-1 will ask you to provide information.
- Registered agent name
- Registered office address
3
Pay your New Hampshire filing fees
The cost to your LLC for filing the Certificate of Formation is $100.
New Hampshire offers expedited filing services for paper-document filings.
The cost to file the Certificate of Formation in New Hampshire is $100.
How to change your registered agent in New Hampshire
Any changes in the registered agent or registered office address must be officially reported to the New Hampshire Department of State Corporations Division.
Submit the statement of change of registered agent form online
You will log in to the QuickStart website using your business account and follow the steps to change registered agents or make address changes.
Submit the statement of change of registered agent form by mail or in person
You will complete the statement of change of registered office or registered agent form and submit it by mail or in person to the New Hampshire Department of State Corporations Division.
The cost to switch registered agents in New Hampshire is $15.
How to resign as a registered agent in New Hampshire
According to Title LVI, you must submit one copy of the resignation statement to the company you’re withdrawing content from and one copy to the New Hampshire Department of State Corporations Division.
You will need to provide the following information on your statement of resignation.
- Business name
- Name of registered agent
- Address of the registered agent
- Statement of resignation
- Date
- Signature
The NH Corporations Division does not charge for withdrawing consent to act as a registered agent.
Benefits of appointing a registered agent in New Hampshire
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Appointing a registered agent secures your liability protection
The annual report fee is due to the NH Department of State by April 1 each year.
Failure to pay it on time can result in losing liability protection and your good standing in New Hampshire.
Your commercial registered agent has a compliance calendar on hand, so you miss due dates, and you keep your asset protection.
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Your address stays out of New Hampshire public record
If you work from a private office or home address, it is at risk of becoming public record in New Hampshire.
Hiring a registered agent allows you to list the service’s address on the New Hampshire Business Search as the business address rather than your personal address.
Anyone can search the New Hampshire Department of State database by:
- Business entity name
- Business ID number
- Filing number
- Registered agent name
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You provide yourself peace of mind
Process servers in New Hampshire can arrive at a business unannounced with legal notices such as subpoenas.
An appointed outside registered agent accepts the sensitive court documents away from the business so that you maintain a good reputation.
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You choose when you go to the office
According to New Hampshire state law, a registered agent must be available during all regular business hours to accept official documents from the Department of State or the New Hampshire Department of Revenue.
You must be in the office during those times if you appoint yourself as your own registered agent.
A professional registered agent service has someone physically in the office during normal business hours to receive documents so that you have a flexible work schedule.
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Doing business is more convenient
When doing business, you must present the Certificate of Good Standing to banks and other institutions.
With a professional registered agent service, a small business owner gains constant access to the Certificate of Good Standing and other formation documents, making doing business faster and easier.
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You can start the foreign LLC process ASAP
Expanding an LLC into different states requires you to appoint an agent before the formation process.
If you have one already on hand, you can start forming a foreign LLC as soon as you want.
FAQs
How does a registered agent get served in New Hampshire?
A process server, typically a sheriff or court-designated officer, will physically go to the New Hampshire registered agent’s office to serve the legal documents. The agent will then sign saying they received the service of process.
How does an owner select a registered agent in New Hampshire?
You can choose yourself, a noncommercial or a commercial registered agent. Using a registered agent service with national coverage makes doing business easier. Once you’ve selected the agent or service, you will list the information in the New Hampshire Certificate of Formation.
What is a commercial registered agent in New Hampshire?
A registered agent or service can register with the New Hampshire Secretary of State and be listed on the Department of State website. The state does not endorse the listed agents but provides an easy-to-access list to make choosing one easier.
How do I remove myself as a registered agent in New Hampshire?
You will use the statement of change of registered office or agent form to remote yourself as the self-appointed registered agent. You must immediately appoint a new agent and notify the Department of State.
Can a business be its own registered agent in New Hampshire?
An owner of a business can be the registered agent as long as they are at least 18 and have a street address. But, the business entity can’t be the registered agent.
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