How to Find the Best Registered Agent in North Dakota

The key role of a registered agent in North Dakota is to receive legal notices and other important documents that include:

• Certificate of Organization– the formation documents for an LLC in North Dakota
• Articles of Incorporation – corporation formation documents
• Annual report – due by November 5
• Certificate of Fact – the proof of good standing in North Dakota
• Corporate income tax – due by April 5

You can appoint anyone that meets the North Dakota registered agent requirements, including:

• Spouse
• Friend
• Employee
• An adult son or daughter

If you appoint a commercial registered agent service, it will cost between $50 and $500.

The Certificate of Organization form will ask you to provide information.

• Registered agent name
• Registered agent address

The North Dakota statement of resignation will ask you to provide information including:

• Business entity name
• Registered agent name
• Name & address of the company you’re resigning from
• Statement of resignation
• Date
• Signature

The North Dakota Secretary of State does not charge to resign as a registered agent.

• You ensure you remain in good standing

You can’t rely on the North Dakota Secretary of State to notify you as the due date for the annual report nears.

Missing the due date can result in losing good standing and your liability protection in North Dakota.

An appointed outside registered agent ensures that your annual report is filed on time and the proper fees are paid.

• It addresses the privacy concerns of a small business

Small business owners often work from private offices or a home address. It puts a business owner’s personal address at risk of becoming a public record when appointing themselves as the registered agent.

Business addresses in North Dakota are available on North Dakota Business Search and are searchable by partial business name or ID number.

Appointing a professional registered agent allows you to use the service’s address on the North Dakota Secretary of State business database instead of personal addresses.

• You gain peace of mind

A process server in North Dakota does not have to send a notification before attempting to contact you at your office.

When you appoint an outside agent or service, the representative will accept the sensitive documents away from the business so that you maintain your good reputation.

• You create your own work schedule

North Dakota Registered Agent Act requires a registered agent to be available during regular business hours Monday through Friday to physically receive official correspondence from the Secretary of State, law firms, and the North Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner.

You become responsible for being available during normal business hours by appointing yourself as your own registered agent.

The appointment of a registered agent service allows you to make your own work schedule.

• You get access to your Certificate of Fact

The Certificate of Fact is proof of good standing in North Dakota and is required by banks to open new business accounts.

Professional registered agents give business owners 24-hour access to the Certificate of Fact and other formation documents, which makes doing business easier.

• You can expand your LLC with ease

Forming a foreign LLC requires you to appoint a registered agent before you begin the process.

If you have one appointed already, you can start a foreign LLC formation in a different state as soon as you want.