How to Find the Best Registered Agent in Rhode Island
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This guide will help you find the best registered agent in Rhode Island. 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 resident agent?
In other states, a resident agent is called a registered or statutory agent. According to the Rhode Island Secretary of State, a resident agent is a person or business entity representing a company to accept service of process and official notices.
The Rhode Island Secretary of State requires a business to have a resident agent as a point of contact to deliver legal notices and important documents that includes:
- Articles of Organization – the formation documents of limited liability companies (LLCs)
- Articles of Incorporation – documents filed by corporations upon formation
- Annual report fee – due between September 1 and November 1
- Certificate of Good Standing– a document required by banks to open a new business account
- Rhode Island franchise tax– due by March 15 for a corporation that goes by calendar year
A resident agent is a Rhode Island street address
The Rhode Island Secretary of State requires a resident agent to be physically present to accept official documents in person.
You can use the physical address of your resident agent as the business address to keep your personal one out of the public record.
An agent is the required point of contact
The point of contact is a requirement because the Rhode Island Secretary of State needs to know that someone is available to accept time-sensitive legal documents such as subpoenas.
In Rhode Island, a business or person has ten days to respond to a legal summons.
A registered agent service alerts you when a service of process has taken place so that you can respond promptly to avoid monetary sanctions and default judgments.
A professional resident agent
The annual report in Rhode Island is due between September 1 and November 1.
When a business fails to submit the fee on time, it will lose good standing and asset protection in Rhode Island
A commercial registered agent service will send you notifications as due dates are near, using an up-to-date compliance calendar so you don’t miss a deadline or lose liability protection.
Costs of a resident agent in Rhode Island
The Rhode Island Secretary of State requires a resident agent to be 18 years old and have a physical address.
The Secretary of State allows a business to appoint almost anyone free of charge as long as they meet the registered agent requirements.
- Yourself
- Spouse
- LLC owner
Appointing a commercial register agent service will cost you between $50 and $500 a year, depending on your needed services.
When to appoint a resident agent
You must appoint the resident agent upon business formation and provide the registered agent information on the formation documents.
A Rhode Island LLC will elect the registered agent using the Articles of Organization.
For corporations in Rhode Island, the Articles of Incorporation will ask for the registered agent’s name and address.
How does a Rhode Island LLC appoint a resident agent?
1
File the Articles of Organization
You will complete the Rhode Island Articles of Organization form (form 400) and submit it to the Secretary of State Division of Business Services by mail and in person.
Mailing and physical addresses:
The State of Rhode Island Secretary of State
Division of Business Services
148 W. River Street
Providence, RI 02904
Or, you can submit the Articles of Organization online using the Rhode Island SOS Business Services Online Filing System.
2
Appoint your resident agent
Section 3 of form 400 will ask an LLC owner for registered agent information.
- Registered agent name
- Registered agent address
3
Pay your Rhode Island filing fees
The cost to file Rhode Island Articles of Organization is $150.
The Business Division of Business Services does not offer expedited business filing services.
The cost to file your LLC Articles of Organization in Rhode Island is $150.
How to change your resident agent in Rhode Island
Anytime you switch resident agents or have a registered office address change, you must officially notify the Rhode Island Secretary of State Division of Business Services.
Submit the statement of change of resident agent online
You will use the Rhode Island Business Services Online Filing System to submit the statement of change of resident agent online with the Department of State.
Submit the statement of change of resident agent by mail or in person
You will complete the appropriate form for your business structure and submit it to the Rhode Island Division of Business Services by mail or in person.
The Rhode Island Division of Business Services charges $10 for nonprofis, and $20 for all other entities to switch resident agents.
How to resign as a registered agent in Rhode Island
You will first notify the company you’re resigning from with a written statement of the resignation of a resident agent.
You will then submit the statement of the resignation of a resident agent form to the Rhode Island Secretary of State by mail or in person.
The statement of resignation form will ask you to provide certain information.
- Business entity name
- Resident agent name
- Resident agent address
- Statement of resignation
- Statement of notice
- The effective date of the resignation
- Signature
The Rhode Island Secretary of State charges $10 to resign as a resident agent.
Benefits of appointing a registered agent in Rhode Island
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It helps you maintain good standing in the state
The Rhode Island annual report is due between September 1 and November 1.
If you fail to pay the fee between those dates, you risk losing good standing and liability protection in Rhode Island.
You secure your asset protection by appointing a professional registered agent. The service will keep track of important due dates and help you file the correct documents on time.
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You choose your business address
A small business owner or entrepreneur may work from a private office or a home address.
If you appoint yourself as your own registered agent, the personal address becomes the business address and is listed in the public record.
Anyone can use the Rhode Island Business Search and search by:
- Entity name
- Owner or director name
- ID number
- Resident agent
- Business address
- Purpose
- NAICS code
You can list your appointed resident agent address rather than your personal address as the business address.
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You safeguard your good reputation
Process servers in Rhode Island can come to your place of business for the service of the process without notifying you first.
You ensure that sensitive documents are accepted away from the office when you appoint an outside registered agent service.
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You’re in charge of your work schedule
Business Corporation Act states that all resident agents in Rhode Island must be available during normal business hours to accept official documents from:
- Law firms
- The Secretary of State
- The Division of Business Services
- The Rhode Island Division of Taxation
When you appoint yourself as the resident agent, you must be in the office during those mandated times.
A commercial service has registered agents on staff Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm, to receive the official correspondence from the State of Rhode Island.
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You acquire 24-hour access to the Certificate of Good Standing
Banks in Rhode Island will request that you show proof that you’re in good standing with the Secretary of State.
The Certificate of Good Standing and other formation documents are available online when you appoint a commercial resident agent service.
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You can expand your Rhode Island LLC into different states
Regardless of where you expand, you will be required to appoint a registered agent when forming a foreign LLC in other states.
Having a registered agent already appointed means that you can start the LLC formation process immediately, and it remains straightforward.
FAQs
Can the sole member of a Rhode Island LLC be the resident agent?
You can appoint yourself as your own registered agent if you’re the sole member of an LLC as long as you are at least 18, a resident of Rhode Island, and have a street address.
What happens if I don’t appoint a resident agent in Rhode Island?
The Rhode Island Division of Business Services will not approve your business registration without an appointed resident agent. You risk contempt of court, administrative dissolution, and default judgments if there is an unreported change or resignation.
What is a Rhode Island registered office?
A registered office in Rhode Island is where your appointed resident agent is and where your tax notices and annual report reminders go.
What is the difference between a registered agent and a Rhode Island resident agent?
In some states, a resident agent is called a registered agent. You may also hear an agent referred to as a statutory agent or agent of service of process.
Can I be a resident agent for more than one business in Rhode Island?
As long as you meet the Rhode Island resident agent requirements, you can act as the agent for as many businesses as you want. The Rhode Island Secretary of State does not require commercial resident agents to register.
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