Ever wondered what a Michigan resident agent does or why you might need one for your business? Explore this guide and uncover the ins and outs of resident agents in Michigan, making your business journey smoother than ever.
One of the things you’ll need to determine before filing your paperwork to form a limited liability company (LLC), business corporation, or another registered business in Michigan is who will serve as your resident agent. The state requires all registered businesses to have one, but what is a resident agent? What are their duties, and what are the requirements to be one?
A resident agent (often called a “registered agent” in other states) is an individual or other business entity that is designated by the business to receive important legal documents and certain state correspondence on behalf of the business.
One quick note before we proceed further: the terms “registered agent” and “resident agent” can be used interchangeably, so if you see “Michigan registered agent” used online, know that it’s referring to a resident agent.
The duties and requirements of the resident agent are found in the Michigan Statutes. These laws say businesses will have and continuously maintain a resident agent and registered office within the state. The primary role of this agent is to receive service of process on behalf of the company. This position is necessary because it ensures that the correct people within a business are notified in the event of time-sensitive events such as service of process for lawsuits, garnishment notices against employees, notices of annual reports, or notifications of taxes.
The resident agent may be an individual resident in Michigan whose business office or residence is identical with the registered office or any of the following:
These entities must also have a business office identical to the registered office to qualify. The registered office must be a physical street address in Michigan and not a P.O. box or something similar. The resident agent must be present at the registered office during all normal business hours.
Using a resident agent service offers some important benefits. These services specialize in receiving and relaying official paperwork, helping ensure nothing slips through the cracks. They give you peace of mind to go work around town and travel without worrying about your legal mail; if you serve as your own agent, you’re required to be at the registered office all day. Many services also offer extra perks like digital access to your critical documents, compliance reminders, and more.
More importantly, a professional resident agent company can help protect you from potential embarrassment. If you’re acting as your own agent, you’ll have to accept service of process yourself, which means whomever you’re with at the time — maybe a client or business partner — will know you’re facing a lawsuit. But if you use an agent service, the process server will go to the resident agent’s address. Your agent will handle these notifications privately, discreetly, and promptly.
You’ll need to name your resident agent when you complete the official paperwork with the state to form your LLC, so you’ll need to decide who your resident agent or registered/resident agent service will be before you begin that process. Of course, you need to be sure to inform whomever you’re appointing and get their permission to serve in that role.
The cost of a resident agent in Michigan varies based on whether you choose an individual or a professional service. If you decide to be your own resident agent or designate someone you know, the costs can be minimal, primarily associated with the potential need to maintain a physical street address or office space during business hours. For many small business owners, being their own agent requires no out-of-pocket cost but requires time and attention instead.
On the other hand, professional resident agent services usually come with a fee. These fees can range from $100 to a few hundred dollars annually, depending largely on the level of services offered. While using a professional service might seem like an added expense, the benefits they provide — like helping ensure compliance, protecting your professional image, and offering added peace of mind — often justify the cost for many businesses.
To change your resident agent in Michigan, you’ll need to file a “Certificate of Change of Registered Office and/or Change of Resident Agent” form with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. This form costs just $5 to submit.
Changing your resident agent in Michigan requires some administrative effort to ensure the state records are up to date and your business remains compliant. To begin, it’s vital to first determine who your new resident agent will be. If you’re considering transitioning to a professional service or selecting another individual, ensure you obtain their consent and verify that they meet Michigan’s requirements for resident agents.
Once you’ve got your new agent lined up, it’s time to file the paperwork. If you want to file online, you’ll need to log into the Corporations Online Filing System and select Form 520. If you’d rather file a paper form, you’ll need to download the Certificate of Change form instead. Either way, have a payment method on hand for the $5 filing fee. No matter how you file, you’ll be asked to provide some basic information about your business, your former registered agent, and your new one.
When changing a resident agent, the new agent must meet the same requirements: be a Michigan resident or a qualifying business authorized to conduct business in Michigan, have a physical street address in the state, and be available during business hours.
Address: 430 W. Allegan St. Richard H. Austin Building – 4th Floor Lansing, MI 48918 | Office Hours: Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
Telephone: (888) 767-6424 | Website: https://www.michigan.gov/sos |
If a resident agent needs to resign, they must notify the business and submit a “Resignation of Resident Agent” form to the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. The agent remains on file for 30 days post-resignation unless a replacement is appointed sooner.
Navigating the world of registered agents can be daunting, but we’re here to simplify the process for you. Our registered agent service helps ensure that your business never misses an important notice and always remains compliant with Michigan state regulations regarding registered agents. With our reliable and efficient service, you can focus on growing your business while we handle the official communications.
Plus, with ZenBusiness, you get more than just a registered agent — you get a partner committed to supporting your business journey. Let us help you kickstart your enterprise with registered agent services that you can trust — choose ZenBusiness today!
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Disclaimer: The content on this page is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. If you have specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.
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