A Washington Registered Agent is your business's key contact for legal documents, providing vital support; explore the reasons why having one is essential for your company's operations.
Before you can form a limited liability company (LLC) in the state of Washington, you need to appoint an official point of contact so that the state and those with legal notices can get in touch with your business. That person (or company) is called a registered agent. This article will tell you what a registered agent is, their duties, and the requirements to be one.
The term “registered agent” refers to an individual or business that is designated by the LLC to receive important legal documents and official state correspondence on behalf of the company. This position is necessary to ensure that the correct people within an LLC are notified in person when there are 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 the annual report due dates, and tax notices.
According to state of Washington law, the company must continuously maintain a registered agent for service of process in Washington (RCW 25.15.021(1) and 23.95.405(1)). The registered agent may be:
It’s not always wise. Although it may seem like the simplest and cheapest option is to be your own registered agent, there are some compelling reasons to instead use a registered agent service, such as:
You must name your registered agent when you complete the official paperwork with the state to form your LLC, 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 before appointing them.
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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