Get an Oklahoma Registered Agent

Before you form an Oklahoma LLC, business corporation, or another state-registered business type in Oklahoma, you need to appoint a registered agent. But what is a registered agent? What are they required to do, and who can be one?

What is an Oklahoma registered agent?

A registered agent is an individual or company that is designated by the business to receive important legal documents and state notices on behalf of the company. This position is crucial because it helps ensure that the correct people within a business are notified in person for time-sensitive events, such as service of process for lawsuits. The agent also receives important notices from the state, such as garnishment notices against employees, notices of annual reports, and tax notifications.

Who can be a registered agent in Oklahoma?

According to state law, every Oklahoma registered business must continuously maintain:

1. A registered office, which may be, but need not be, the same as its principal place of business; and
2. A registered agent for service of process on the company. That may be the company itself, an individual resident of this state, or a domestic or qualified foreign (out-of-state) corporation, limited liability company, or limited partnership.
   
   Oklahoma registered agent requirements further state that each registered agent must maintain a business office identical to the registered office, which is a physical street address (not a P.O. box) in Oklahoma that is open during all regular business hours so the agent can accept service of process in person.

Benefits of Using Oklahoma Registered Agent Services

Although it may seem like the simplest and cheapest option is to be your own registered agent, there are some compelling reasons to consider hiring a reliable registered agent service to act as your registered agent. That’s because opting for a registered agent service offers several 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’ll be required to be at the office all day to accept service of process. 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 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 registered agent’s address. Your agent will handle these notifications privately, discreetly, and promptly.

How is a registered agent appointed in Oklahoma?

You must name your registered agent when you complete the official paperwork with the state to form your business, so you need to decide who your registered agent or registered 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. 

How much does it cost for a registered agent in Oklahoma?

The cost of a registered agent in Oklahoma 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 normal 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 business entities.

Cost of Changing Registered Agents

To change your registered agent in Oklahoma, you’ll need to file the “Change or Designation of Registered Agent and/or Registered Office and/or Principal Office” form that matches your business type. You can file this form online or by mail, but either way, the filing costs $25.

How to Change a Registered Agent in Oklahoma

Changing your registered agent in Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma’s requirements for registered agents.

Once you’ve got your new agent lined up, it’s time to file the paperwork with the state. You can log into the Secretary of State’s business portal and file online if you wish. If you’ll be filing by mail, you’ll need to head to the Secretary of State’s Business Forms page and locate the “Change or Designation of Registered Agent and/or Registered Office and/or Principal Office” form that matches your business type; Oklahoma has different forms for corporations, LLCs, and so on.

No matter how you file, you’ll need to provide basic information about your business, your old agent, and your new agent. You’ll also need to include the $25 filing fee.

Change of Registered Agent Requirements

When changing a registered agent, the new agent must meet the same requirements: be an Oklahoma resident or a business authorized to conduct business in Oklahoma, have a physical street address in the state, and be available during business hours.

Oklahoma Secretary of State Contact Information

Resignation of Oklahoma Registered Agent

If a registered agent needs to resign, there are actually two different methods to do so if you have a corporation. If you’d like, you can appoint a successor agent for the business, or you can resign without appointing a successor. Whether you pick a successor or not affects the nuances of the process, though, so be sure to decide ahead of time which way you want to proceed.

For LLCs, registered agents don’t have the option to appoint a successor. They can only use the “Resignation of Registered Agent” form, which carries a filing fee of $25. To find the correct registered agent resignation form for your business type, go to the Oklahoma Secretary of State’s business forms page. You’ll also find links to the online process for resigning as agent.

The following directions are for resigning as a registered agent for a corporation, but the same basic process applies to LLCs and other business types:

Steps to Remove a Registered Agent without an Appointed Successor

1. Notify your business: Inform the company in writing that you’ll be resigning as their registered agent and you aren’t picking a replacement. According to state law, you must send this notice at least 30 days before you file the resignation paperwork with the state.
2. Submit your resignation: For corporations, download and fill out the “Resignation of Registered Agent Not Coupled With Appointment of Successor” form and file it with the Secretary of State. This form requires a signature from the resigning registered agent and from an authorized member of the business. There’s a $25 fee, and your resignation doesn’t go into effect until 30 days after you file the resignation (sooner if the business appoints a successor before the 30-day mark).
3. Hand off your responsibilities: Help your business transition to its new registered agent to avoid penalties. A valid registered agent is crucial to maintaining the company’s good standing.

Steps to Remove a Registered Agent with an Appointed Successor

1. Notify your business: Inform your business that you’re resigning and appointing a successor agent. You’ll need to get a signature from an authorized member or owner of the business confirming and consenting to this change, so consider taking the resignation paperwork with you when you notify them to help streamline the process.
2. Submit your resignation: Complete the “Resignation of Registered Agent Coupled With Appointment of Successor” form and file it with the Oklahoma Secretary of State; make sure you get the right version for your business type, too. This form requires signatures from both the resigning agent and an authorized representative for the company. There’s a $25 fee for this filing.
3. Hand off your responsibilities: Help your business transition to the new registered agent to avoid penalties. A valid registered agent is crucial to maintaining the company’s good standing.