How to Find the Best Registered Agent in New Jersey

Last updated: March 16th, 2024
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This guide will help you find the best registered agent in New Jersey. 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 Jersey registered agent?

New Jersey Statute Section 14A requires all businesses formed in the state to appoint and maintain a registered agent. The New Jersey Department of State defines a registered agent as a person or entity appointed by a business to accept service of process and official correspondence from the state.

The New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services requires a point of contact between you and them to ensure that someone is available to receive legal notices and important documents, including:

An agent is a physical address in New Jersey

The Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services mandates that a registered agent be physically available in New Jersey to receive official documents.

You can list your registered agent address as the business address to keep your personal ones from the public record.

A registered agent is the point of contact for your business

The Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services requires a point of contact so that the state knows for sure someone is available to accept time-sensitive documents such as subpoenas.

A person or business has 14 days to respond to a legal summons in New Jersey.

If an individual fails to respond, it can result in default judgments and hefty monetary sanctions.

A registered agent is available during regular business hours to accept urgent correspondence.

Professional registered agent services are handy due date reminders

Your company’s annual report is due by the end of the formation anniversary month every year, and you can’t rely on reminders from the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services.

If you do forget to submit the fee on time, it can result in losing good standing and asset protection in New Jersey.

Registered agent services keep up with your New Jersey compliance calendar to alert you as due dates are near and help you file the annual report fee on time.

Cost of a registered agent in New Jersey

A registered agent in New Jersey must be at least 18 and have a physical address.

The Department of State allows you to appoint anyone that meets the New Jersey registered agent requirements, including:

  • Family
  • Friend
  • Employee
  • LLC member

Appointing a commercial registered agent service ranges from $50 to $500.

When to appoint a registered agent

You must appoint a registered agent in New Jersey when you submit your formation documents.

Limited liability companies (LLCs) provide registered agent information when filing the Certificate of Formation.

For corporations, the registered agent is listed on the Articles of Incorporation.

How does a New Jersey LLC appoint a registered agent?

1
File the Certificate of Formation

You will complete the Certificate of Formation form and submit it by mail or in person to the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services.

Mailing address:
New Jersey Division of Revenue
PO Box 308
Trenton, NJ 08646

Physical address:
New Jersey Division of Revenue
33 W. State St.
Trenton, NJ 08608

Or, you can use the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services website to file the Certificate for Formation online.

2
Appoint your registered agent

Section 8 of the Certificate of Formation form will ask for the registered agent’s information.

  • Registered agent name
  • Registered agent address

3
Pay your New Jersey filing fees

The cost to file the New Jersey Certificate of Formation is $125.

The New Jersey Division of Revenue offers no expedited business filing services.

The cost to file your LLC Certificate of Formation in New Jersey is $125.

How to change your registered agent in New Jersey

Changing registered agents requires you to notify the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services of the switch and update the registered office address.

Submit the change registered agent or office form online

You will use the New Jersey Department of Revenue website to complete and submit the change registered agent or office form.

The cost to switch registered agents in New Jersey is $25.

Submit the change of registered agent using the annual report

If the change in agent happens near the annual report fee due date, you can use the New Jersey annual report to notify New Jersey of the change.

How to resign as a registered agent in New Jersey

The first step is to send the New Jersey company you’re resigning from a written statement of resignation.

You will then complete the certification of resignation of registered agent form and submit it to the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services online.

The certificate of resignation of registered agent form will ask you to provide information including:

  • Business entity name
  • Address of the resigning agent
  • Proof of certified mail
  • Date

The New Jersey Division of Revenue charges $25 to withdraw consent to act as a registered agent for a company.

Benefits of appointing a registered agent in New Jersey

  • You protect your good standing in New Jersey

You must pay the annual fee and state taxes on time to remain in good standing with the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services.

A business in New Jersey must be in good standing to maintain liability protection.

When you appoint an outside registered agent, the service maintains a compliance calendar to send notifications when the annual report is due.

  • You retain your privacy

A small business owner that works from a private office or home put their personal address at risk when appointing themselves as registered agent.

A business address in New Jersey is a public record using Business Entity Name Search. and is searchable using the:

  • Business name
  • Keyword search
  • Entity ID number

You can use an outside-appointed registered agent as the business address and list the service in the New Jersey Division Revenue and Enterprise Services database rather than your personal address.

  • You’re provided utter discretion

A New Jersey process service can come to your office or business unannounced to serve legal documents, including time-sensitive subpoenas.

A professional registered agent will accept the service of process out of the view of customers and clients and discreetly scan it for you to view online at your convenience.

  • You can work the hours that work for you

New Jersey Statutes state that a registered agent must be available from 9 am to 5 pm during every work day of the year to physically accept official correspondence from the Division of Revenue, law firms, and the New Jersey Department of State.

If business owners appoint themselves, they are responsible for being in the office Monday through Friday during normal business hours.

Appointing a commercial registered service means that someone is available to accept documents, and you can freely come and go from the office.

  • You have constant access to the Certificate of Good Standing

You must show banks and other financial institutions that you are in good standing with New Jersey.

A professional registered agent service gives business owners access to the Certificate of Good Standing and other formation documents from anywhere.

  • LLC formation is simple

If you expand an LLC beyond New Jersey into a different state, you must appoint a registered agent before you begin the formation process.

You can begin the LLC formation process immediately when one is already in place.

FAQs

How do I find a registered agent in New Jersey?

You can use the New Jersey Business Entity Name Search to find a business’ registered agent. If you’re searching for a commercial registered agent for your company, you will want to find a service with national coverage and a good reputation.

Can the business owner be the registered agent for a company in New Jersey?

A business owner can act as their own registered agent in New Jersey if they are 18 years old and have a street address in the state.

Can I have my business mail delivered to my registered agent?

Professional registered agent services aren’t typically a mail-forwarding service and won’t accept your standard New Jersey business mail. Some services do offer scanning services for an additional fee.

How do I remove myself as a registered agent in New Jersey?

You will complete the change registered agent or office form online using the New Jersey Department of Revenue website. If you remove yourself, you must immediately appoint a new registered agent or service.

Can I use a virtual office address for my LLC in New Jersey?

You can use a virtual office address for business mail and billing purposes. However, you must have a physical address on the formation documents you submit to the New Jersey Division of Revenue.

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