How to Find the Best Registered Agent in Virginia
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This guide will help you find the best registered agent in Virginia. 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 Virginia registered agent?
According to Virginia Code §13.1-1015, all businesses must appoint and maintain a registered agent regardless of business structure.
The Virginia State Corporations Commission explains that a registered agent is a person or business entity that accepts service of process and official correspondence for a business organization.
You must appoint a point of contact so that the Virginia State Corporations Commission knows that someone is available during regular business hours to accept legal notices and other important documents such as:
- Articles of Organization – the formation documents for Virginia LLCs
- Articles of Incorporation – formation documents for corporations
- Annual report fee – due by the last day of the anniversary month of the formation
- Fact of Existence – proof of good standing Virginia
- Virginia state taxes – due to the Department of Taxation
An agent is a Virginia business address
The Virginia State Corporation Commission requires a registered agent to have a street address in the state and be physically available to receive official notices and documents.
You can use the physical address of an appointed registered agent as the business address to list in the public record to protect your privacy.
A registered agent is a third-party representative
The role of a registered agent is to be the point of contact between an organization and the Virginia State Corporation Commission to receive time-sensitive documents like subpoenas.
The state of Virginia gives an individual or business 14 days to respond to a legal summons.
If you fail to respond, it can result in default judgments and monetary sanctions.
Appoint an outside agent to help you avoid missing essential document deliveries and respond quickly.
Professional registered agent services are current compliance calendars
The annual report for a business in Virginia is due by the last day of the formation anniversary month.
A company that submits the fee late or not at all can lose good standing in Virginia and any asset protection it may have in the state.
Commercial registered agent services use compliance calendars to track due dates and help you submit the proper paperwork and fees on time.
Cost of a registered agent in Virginia
Virginia state law requires all registered agents to be at least 18 and have a street address in the state.
The Virginia State Corporation Commission allows a business owner to appoint anyone that meets the registered agent requirements for no charge.
- Employee
- Family member
- LLC member
A commercial registered agent service in Virginia can cost anywhere from $50 to $500 annually.
When to appoint a registered agent
Businesses in Virginia must appoint a registered agent when submitting formation documents to the Virginia State Corporation Commission.
A limited liability company (LLC) provides registered agent information when filing the Articles of Organization.
Corporations appoint a registered agent using the Articles of Incorporation.
How does a Virginia LLC appoint a registered agent?
1
File the Articles of Organization
You will complete the Articles of Organization form (form LLC1011) and submit it by mail to the Virginia State Corporation Commission.
Mailing address:
State Corporation Commission
Clerk’s Office
PO Box 1197
Richmond, VA 23218-1197
Or, you can use the Virginia State Corporation Commission Clerk’s Information System to file the Articles of Organization online.
2
Appoint your registered agent
Sections 3 through 5 of form LLC1011 will ask you to provide specific information.
- Registered agent name
- Registered agent contact number
- Registered agent email address
- Registered agent qualifications
- Registered agent address
3
Pay your Virginia filing fees
The cost to file the Articles of Organization in Virginia is $150.
The Virginia State Corporation Commission does offer expedited business filing services for an additional $100.
The cost to file your LLC Articles of Organization in Virginia is $150.
How to change your registered agent in Virginia
You must notify the Virginia State Corporation Commission if you change registered agents or need to update the registered office address changes.
Submit the statement of change of registered office or registered agent online
You will use the Corporation Commission Clerk’s Information System website to update Virginia registered agent information or switch agents.
Submit the statement of change registered office or registered agent by mail
First, you must request the change of registered office or registered agent form.
You will then complete the form and submit it to Virginia Corporation Commission by mail.
Virginia does not charge to switch registered agents.
How to resign as a registered agent in Virginia
You will submit the registered agent’s resignation statement by mail, in person, or online using the State Corporation Commission Clerk’s Information System website.
You will also send a copy of the statement of resignation to the business from which you’re withdrawing consent.
The statement of resignation of the registered agent form will ask for the following:
- Registered agent name
- Company name
- State corporation ID number
- Statement of resignation
The state of Virginia does not charge to resign as a registered agent.
Benefits of appointing a registered agent in Virginia
-
You remain in good standing in Virginia
A business must pay the annual report and other state-related fees on time to remain in good standing and maintain asset protection in Virginia.
When you hire a professional registered agent service, you gain access to a compliance calendar that helps you file documents on time to protect your liability protection.
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You shield personal address from the public record
Small business owners sometimes work from a home address or a private office. When entrepreneurs appoint themselves as registered agents, their personal address becomes public record.
People can use the Virginia Business Entity Search and search by:
- Entity name
- Entity ID
- Principal name
- Registered agent name
- Filing number
A professional registered agent is physically available at a street address in Virginia, allowing you to list the service’s information with the Virginia Corporations Division.
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You get much-needed discretion
In Virginia, a process server does not have to notify a business owner before arriving at an office to serve legal documents.
When you appoint an outside registered agent, you’re ensuring that sensitive documents are received away from the business so you have some peace of mind.
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It allows you to come and go from the office
According to Virginia Code §13.1-1015, a registered agent must be available Monday through Friday during normal business hours to physically accept notices from the Corporations Division, law firms, and the Virginia Department of Taxation.
You must be available during the required times when you appoint yourself as your own registered agent.
A commercial registered agent service has resident agents on staff available during the mandated hours, so you have flexibility in your schedule.
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It provides you access to your fact of existence
A bank will ask you to provide proof of good standing in Virginia before allowing you to open a new business account.
By appointing an outside registered agent service, you’re gaining constant access to the Virginia fact of existence and other formation documents to make doing business better.
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Foreign LLC formation is straightforward
You will be required to appoint a registered agent if you plan to expand your LLC into other states.
An already-appointed registered agent is prepared to start the process immediately and keeps the LLC formation in different states easy.
FAQs
Can I use a virtual address for my LLC in Virginia?
You must provide a physical street address on the Articles of Organization for your LLC as the primary address. You can use a virtual address for mail forwarding and bill purposes.
How do I find a registered agent in Virginia?
You will use the Virginia Business Entity Search to find a specific registered agent in Virginia. If you’re searching for a registered commercial agent service, you will research online to find a reliable service with nationwide coverage.
What Virginia business filings can a registered agent complete?
A registered agent can complete the statement of change of registered agent form and the statement of resignation. A business owner can officially authorize a registered agent to complete other forms.
What is a registered office in Virginia?
A registered office is the registered agent address you list on the formation documents you submit to the Virginia Corporations Division.
What do I do if my Virginia registered agent resigns?
The state of Virginia gives a business 31 days to submit the change of registered agent or registered office form. Failure to appoint a new agent can result in losing good standing and possible involuntary dissolution.
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