How to Find the Best Registered Agent in Oklahoma
Save time with these services
This guide will help you find the best registered agent in Oklahoma. 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.
Jump to
What is an Oklahoma registered agent?
According to the Oklahoma Secretary of State, a registered agent is a person or business entity responsible for receiving service of process and official correspondence for a business organization.
The registered agent you appoint will receive legal notices and important documents that will include the following:
- Articles of Organization– the formation documents for a limited liability company (LLC)
- Articles of Incorporation – the formation documents for new corporations
- Annual report fee – due by the formation anniversary
- Certificate of Fact– proof of good standing in Oklahoma
- Annual franchise tax- due by the 15th day of the 3rd month at the end of the taxable year
An agent is your required street address
A registered agent must be physically present in Oklahoma with a street address listed on business formation documents. It is so that they can receive legal notices and tax reminders.
The physical presence of a registered agent allows you to list the service’s address as the business address in the public record.
A registered agent is your Oklahoma point of contact
Businesses sometimes receive time-sensitive documents, such as court summons, requiring immediate attention.
You have ten days to respond to a subpoena in Oklahoma.
The failure to respond will result in default judgments and contempt of court proceedings.
Your registered agent service is a current compliance calendar
The Oklahoma annual report is due by the formation anniversary every year.
A business can lose good standing and liability protection in Oklahoma if they fail to pay or submit the fee late.
When you appoint a professional registered agent service, they will keep up with critical due dates and aid you in submitting the proper paperwork and fees.
Cost of a registered agent in Oklahoma
In Oklahoma, a registered agent is someone that is at least 18 and has a physical street address in the state.
The Oklahoma Secretary of State permits appoint yourself, a spouse, a friend, etc., as long as you meet the registered agent requirements.
The appointment of a commercial registered agent service in Oklahoma costs between $50 and $500.
When to appoint a registered agent
When you submit business formation documents, you will provide the Oklahoma Secretary of State with the registered agent information.
LLCs in Oklahoma will provide the registered agent name when submitting the Articles of Organization.
Corporations in the state supply the registered agent address and name on the Articles of Incorporation.
Other business structures include:
- LLPs
- Partnerships
- Nonprofit
How does an Oklahoma LLC appoint a registered agent?
1
File the Articles of Organization
You will complete the Oklahoma Articles of Organization for limited liability companies form (form 0074) and submit it to the Oklahoma Secretary of State by mail or in person.
Mailing address:
Oklahoma Secretary of State
421 NW 13th, Suite 210
Oklahoma City, OK 73103
Or, you can use the Oklahoma Secretary of State entity filing website to submit the Articles of Organization line.
2
Appoint your registered agent
Section 4 of form 0074 will request registered agent information.
- Registered agent name
- Registered office address
3
Pay your Oklahoma filing fees
The cost to file an Oklahoma LLC for the Articles of Organization is $100.
The Oklahoma Secretary of State does not offer any expedited business filing services.
The cost to file the Articles of Organization in Oklahoma is $100.
How to change your registered agent in Oklahoma
You will notify the Oklahoma Secretary of State if there is any change to your registered agent or the registered office address.
Submit the change of registered agent form online
You will log into the Oklahoma Secretary of State website and follow the prompts to update registered agent information.
Submit the change of registered agent form by mail or in person
You can complete the appropriate change or designation of registered agent or registered office form and submit it to the Oklahoma Secretary of State in person or by mail.
The forms are different for every business structure.
The cost to switch registered agents in Oklahoma is $25.
Submit Oklahoma amended articles
You can update registered agent information by submitting Oklahoma-amended articles.
It’s recommended not to use amended articles unless you change other information on your business registration.
How to resign as a registered agent in Oklahoma
First, you must send a written notice to the company you’re resigning from.
Within 30 days of that notice, you will complete the resignation of registered agent form (form 0078) and submit it to the Oklahoma Secretary of State.
Form 0078 will ask for specific information about the resigning registered agent.
- Business entity name
- Location of the company
- New agent name when applicable
- Date of notice
- Statement of resignation
The Oklahoma Secretary of State charges $25 to withdraw consent to act as a registered agent.
Benefits of appointing a registered agent in Oklahoma
-
You’re not risking good standing in Oklahoma
A business’ Oklahoma annual report is due every year on the anniversary of the formation.
When you fail to pay that fee on time, you can lose good standing in Oklahoma, which puts your asset protection at risk.
Registered agent services keep up with due dates using a compliance calendar and send you reminder notifications, so you don’t miss important dates.
-
You protect your privacy
If you work from home, you may use your home address as the business address.
When a business owner doesn’t appoint an outside registered agent, the home address listed on the business registration documents becomes a public record.
Anyone can use the Oklahoma Business Entities Search by searching using:
- File number
- Active business entity
- Name availability
- Registered agent
- Name of the owner or member
-
You don’t risk your good reputation
A process server in Oklahoma can arrive at the business office without warning the owner to serve legal notices such as subpoenas.
When you appoint an outside registered agent, you get peace of mind knowing that a third-party representative is available to accept sensitive documents out of the view of customers.
-
You control your work schedule
The Oklahoma Secretary of State requires a registered agent to be available during regular business hours so that they can accept official documents from the state.
Appointing yourself means that you’re responsible for being available during normal business hours.
You can hire a professional registered agent service with a physical presence in Oklahoma that will accept those documents so you can work the hours you want.
-
You can access your Certificate of Fact 24/7
The Certificate of Fact in Oklahoma is the proof of good standing that banks require to open a new business bank account.
Most registered agent services allow business owners to access the Certificate of Fact and other formation documents to make doing business more efficient and convenient.
-
You can expand into other states with ease
You will be required to appoint a registered agent if you choose to expand your LLC into a different state.
When you have one appointed already, the registered agent or service can begin the foreign LLC formation process immediately.
FAQs
Can you use a PO box for a business address in Oklahoma?
You can’t use a post office box on business registration documents. You can use a PO box for shipping, mailing, and bill purposes.
Can I use a registered agent address with the IRS?
You can’t use your appointed registered agent information. The Internal Revenue Service requires your principal office’s physical street address when you apply for your employee identification number.
What is another option if I don’t want to hire a registered agent service?
You can appoint yourself, a family member, or a friend. You can appoint an attorney or accountant as a registered agent to serve business filing and legal services.
Can a sole member of an Oklahoma LLC be a registered agent?
As long as the member/owner meets the Oklahoma registered agent state requirements, they can serve as their own registered agent. The Secretary of State requires an agent to be 18 and have a physical address.
How frequently do I have to appoint a registered agent in Oklahoma?
Many registered commercial agent services offer services on a one-year contract. You will need to renew with the service, but you do not have to renew with the Oklahoma Secretary of State unless there is a change in agent or agent address.
Find the best registered agent in your state
Click below to get started.