A Nevada registered agent is a crucial point of contact responsible for receiving legal documents and state notifications on behalf of a business, helping ensure compliance and timely handling of important matters. Discover how selecting the right registered agent can help safeguard your company's legal interests.
One of the things you’ll need to determine before filing your paperwork to form a limited liability company (LLC) in Nevada (or another state-registered business type) is who will serve as your registered agent. The state requires all LLCs, corporations, and other registered businesses to have one, but what is a registered agent? What are their duties, and what are the requirements to be one?
A registered agent is an individual or company that is designated by the business to receive important legal documents on behalf of the company. This position is necessary to ensure that the correct people within a business are notified in the event of time-sensitive events, which could include service of process for lawsuits, garnishment notices against employees, notices of annual reports, or notifications of taxes.
Nevada allows separate registration for commercial registered agent services. This allows those looking to form businesses an easy way to find a company that can act as their registered agent, but an individual or entity can also serve as one.
According to Nevada statutes (NRS 77.310 – 77.320), a registered agent filing must state:
The registered agent must be available during all normal business hours at a designated location called the registered office. The registered office must be a physical street address in Nevada, not a P.O. box or something similar. This is because the agent must be available in person to accept service of process.
Technically, you can serve as your own registered agent or ask a friend or family member to fill this role. However, opting for a registered agent service offers a plethora of 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. Many services also offer extra perks like digital access to your critical documents, compliance reminders, and more.
More importantly, a professional registered 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 whoever 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 registered agent’s address. Your agent will handle these notifications privately, discreetly, and promptly.
You’ll need to name your registered agent when you complete the official paperwork to form your LLC or corporation, so you’ll need to decide who your registered agent or registered agent service will be before you start 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 registered agent in Nevada varies based on whether you choose an individual or a professional service. If you opt to be your own registered 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 registered 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.
If you need to change your registered agent in Nevada, you’ll need to fill out a paper form: the “Commercial Registered Agent Registration, Change, or Termination Statement” (for commercial registered agents) or the “Registered Agent Acceptance/Statement of Change” form (for noncommercial agents). These can be submitted by mail, fax, or in person. There’s a $60 filing fee (as of this writing).
Changing your registered agent in Nevada 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 registered 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 Nevada’s requirements for registered agents.
Once you’ve got your agent lined up, it’s time to file the paperwork. If you previously had a commercial registered agent, then you would use the “Commercial Registered Agent Registration, Change, or Termination Statement.” If you had a noncommercial registered agent, you’d use the “Registered Agent/Statement of Change” form instead. Please make sure that you get the right version for your situation. No matter which form you use, you’ll be asked to provide information about your previous agent, the new one, and so on.
Send your completed form and a Custom Order Form (a bit like a cover form with contact information) to the Nevada Secretary of State, along with the $60 filing fee.
When changing a registered agent, the new agent must meet the same requirements: be a Nevada resident or a business authorized to conduct business in Nevada, have a physical street address in the state, and be available during business hours.
Physical Address: 101 N. Carson Street, Suite 3 Carson City, NV 89701 | Email: sosmail@sos.nv.gov |
Telephone: (775) 684-5708 | Website: https://www.nvsos.gov/sos |
If a registered agent needs to resign, they must notify the represented business immediately after submitting the “Resignation of Registered Agent” statement to the Secretary of State. The agent remains on file for 31 days after 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 Nevada 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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