A crucial element of maintaining your business's legal compliance, an Illinois Registered Agent ensures you receive important documents—discover the significance and benefits of having a registered agent for your business needs.
Before you form a limited liability company (LLC) in Illinois, you’ll need to appoint a registered agent. But what is a registered agent? What are they required to do, and who can be one?
An Illinois registered agent is an individual or company who is the central point of contact to receive important legal documents and state correspondence for a business.
A registered agent must be available during normal business hours to accept any service of process, notice, or demand pertaining to the business and forward it to the appropriate individuals within the LLC. This position is necessary because it helps ensure that the correct people within an LLC are notified in the event of time-sensitive events, such as service of process for lawsuits, garnishment notices against employees, and important tax notices.
Illinois Statute 180/1-35 states that all LLCs must appoint and then continuously maintain a registered agent and registered office. A registered agent may be: An individual resident of the Illinois; another individual permitted to do business in the state; a domestic business entity; or a foreign (out-of-state) business entity permitted to do business in Illinois. They must also:
You can be your own agent provided you’re a resident of Illinois and are fully available during all business hours.
No. Below are some reasons why:
You’ll need to name your registered agent when you complete the official paperwork with the state to form your LLC, so you’ll 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.
A registered agent can be changed by submitting Form BCA 5.10/5.20 – Statement of Change of Registered Agent and/or Registered Office and paying a filing fee to the Secretary of State. However, we can do this for you on your behalf as well.
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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