Assign a Registered Agent in Virginia

During your business formation, you will need to decide who will accept legal documents on behalf of the entity. This person or company will become your registered agent and thus your primary point of contact with the state. In this piece, we will look at who can take on this role and how you should go about selecting this person/company.

What is the registered agent Virginia?

A registered agent for LLC can either be a person or company tasked with receiving legal documents on your behalf. These include the following documentation:

• Tax notifications such as when your reports are due.
• Compliance documents, enabling you to stay on track with your filings and necessary reports.
• Service of process such that if you get sued, this person or company would accept the summons on your behalf.
• All other necessary documentation that pertains to your operations.

The state requires that you receive the above documents in due time, allowing you to act on what’s necessary at any given time. You can thus see that having an agent would be in your best interests and you cannot afford to skip this step. Besides, the law also dictates that you have to choose one when registering your entity.

Why Do I Need a Registered Agent?

Generally, the state requires that you must have someone in charge of receiving legal documents. That means that hiring a third party is not a matter of preference, but rather, a necessity for you to remain compliant. However, even if the state was to allow wiggle room in this, it would still be advisable to hire a registered agent LLC to do this for you. Not only does it enable you to stay up to date with your records but it also accords you peace of mind. Once you know that someone else can take care of the legal documentation, you can focus on running your venture. We will later get into the benefits of having a registered agent in the state do this for you.

Who can be Registered Agent for your Virginia LLC?

You have three options in this case as follows:

• You. To represent your company, you have to meet some conditions. For one, you should be a resident of the state. Secondly, you should either manage or be part of the business. Thirdly, you should have an address in the state. Please note that this should be a physical address where law enforcement officers can find you and not a mailbox. Fourthly, you should be available during business hours, as this is when documentation would be received. And finally, you should be okay with your address being made public.
• LLC Member. The other option lies in having a member, manager or employee of the business to take up this role. For this person to qualify, they should have residency in the state. Also, they should have a physical address where they can be reached during working hours. Additionally, they should be okay with their addresses being on public record. This option works where you would like to keep things in-house.
• Registered Agent. The last option, which is also very common, is designating a commercial agent to take on this role. It works for companies which lack physical addresses in the state or those that wish to enjoy their privacy. We will later get into why this might be the best option for you.

Can I Be My Own Registered Agent?

Yes, if you would rather not delegate this role, you can choose to take on this contact position. You can be your Virginia LLC’s Registered Agent, as long as you are a Virginia resident, a Member or Manager of the LLC, and have a street address located in the state.

Risks of Representing Yourself

Avoiding a third party might seem like a good idea and you may want to take over the control of documentation. However, there are risks associated with self-representation as follows:

• Public Address. Over time, many people have opted to start their businesses from the comfort of their homes. This strategy aids in allowing the business to gain footing before investing in commercial leases. When you represent yourself, you have to indicate your address in public files. For many people, this situation is not ideal. However, there is no choice when you represent yourself.
• Non-Compliance. Depending on your experience with running a business, you may find that you have forgotten to file some important documents. You see, you already receive so many letters and documents that you might end up overlooking those from the state. While this situation is not highly likely, it can lead to you being non-compliant, thus getting into trouble with the law. Continuous non-compliance can threaten your liability protection. You can even end up losing your license to operate.
• Legal Processes. The beauty of having an agent is that you get service of process immediately you get served. That means that you can prepare your arguments and appear in court as needed. However, when you represent yourself, you may end up not getting these legal documents. You could be unavailable during normal working hours or on vacation when law enforcement officers come a-calling. Additionally, you may have moved and not changed your address, thus landing you in trouble, which you will not undergo if you have a registered agent.

Representing yourself means having your hands on deck, which might not always be practical. If you are not sure that you can take on this role without threatening the continuity of your venture, it might help to get a Virginia LLC registered agent involved.

Registered Agent Requirements in Virginia

Virginia LLC’s Registered Agent would need to meet the following conditions:

• You should be aged at least 18 years or older and able to enter into a contractual agreement
• You should have a physical address in Virginia where enforcement officers can easily find you
• You should maintain normal business hours at a business office where you can receive important documentation
• You should be able to keep track of important records to ensure you do not fall behind on important filings

Please note that the above conditions also apply to where you hire a commercial agent or where you have someone from your company take on the role.

Virginia registered agent service

Below are some of the most reputable companies in the state:

• ZenBusiness – simplicity and affordability are the key drivers in this company that also offers registration services. Customer support also aids in keeping you in the know of what you need to file and how to go about it.
• IncFile – if you are looking for fair prices coupled with exemplary services, this would be a great choice. Packages start for as low as $49, exclusive of state fees. It helps to note that purchasing a registration package also enables you to get free agency services for a year.
• Northwest Registered Agent – prices here lie on the moderate side of the scale. Clients get to enjoy round-the-clock customer support as well as a wide array of standard services. Security is also integral in the offerings as the firm adheres to high moral standards.
• Inc Authority – this firm excels in offering a wide range of services coupled with great customer experience at a fair price.
• Legalzoom – this company not only helps you with compliance but also provides legal advice. Clients can engage attorneys to create legal documents, making this a good choice for people looking for more than receipt of documents.

How do I choose a registered agent?

Many factors go into choosing a third party that will have your best interests at heart. Below are some of the key considerations before you choose a registered agent company:

• Price – you should not only look at the initial price but also the value for your money. It is also important that you look at what services you get for the upfront fees. While a package may look cheap at first glance, it could actually cost you a lot in the long run.
• Location – make sure that the company operates in several states. Right now, your focus may be on Virginia. However, once you start expanding, you would be better off with a firm that has nationwide coverage. It enables you to reduce your paperwork.
• Technology – you should look into what software is in place to ensure you get your documents on time. Also, this technology should include prompts and reminders to keep you up to date with upcoming deadlines. It is imperative that this software be easy to understand.
• Range of services – you will need more than just representation as you move along. Sometimes, you may need legal support and at others, you may need help with registering entities. Choose an adaptable company that offers an array of services to allow you to have a one-stop shop.
• Customer support – you need to work with a company that has knowledgeable and friendly staff available at least 12 hours a day. The longer the contact period, the easier it will be for you to lodge queries and get help.

You can learn about all these factors and whether a company offers them by doing a quick search on the internet.