A Rhode Island Registered Agent ensures your business stays compliant – learn more about their crucial role in this guide.
Having a resident agent is a legal mandate when forming a limited liability company (LLC) in the state of Rhode Island. Below we’ll explain what the resident agent is, their duties, and the requirements to be one.
A resident agent (referred to as a registered agent in most states) is an individual or business that is designated by the LLC to receive important legal documents and state correspondence on behalf of the company. This position is crucial 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, a notice of annual reports, and tax notifications.
Rhode Island statutes (RI Statutes-7-16-11) state that each domestic or foreign (out-of-state) registered limited-liability company must have a resident agent for service of process on the limited-liability company who shall be either:
(1) An individual resident of this state; or
(2) A corporation, limited partnership, or limited-liability company, and in each case either domestic or one authorized to transact business in this state.
Resident agents must also have a registered office in Rhode Island. This registered office can be any type of physical residence where mail and service of process can be delivered and accepted in person. A home, business, or office suite number will all suffice as an adequate registered office address. P.O. boxes and virtual offices are unacceptable (RI Statutes-7-16-11).
Although it may seem like the simplest and cheapest option is to be your own resident agent, there are some compelling reasons to instead use a registered/resident agent service, such as:
You must name your resident agent when you complete the official paperwork with the state to form your LLC, so you 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.
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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