The key role of a Connecticut Registered Agent is to receive service of process and other legal documents on behalf of an LLC. This makes it necessary for an agent to maintain a physical address (known as the registered office) where these documents can be delivered reliably.
It is mandatory for every LLC in Connecticut to appoint and maintain a registered agent in the state. The Connecticut Secretary of State won’t issue a Certificate of Organization for an LLC unless a registered agent is appointed.
Service of process refers to legal documents like notice of a lawsuit, summons, subpoenas, etc. The court system uses process servers to track and ensure reliable delivery of court documents. Once the documents are delivered to the registered agent, the court system assumes that the LLC has been notified.
The agent also works as a general point of contact between the state and the LLC. As such, the state may send important documents like payment reminders and tax notices to the registered agent.
Connecticut Registered Agent – Things To Know
Legal Requirements To Appoint Connecticut Registered Agent
Before you appoint a CT Registered Agent, it is necessary to ascertain that they’re qualified for the role. The state has a few legal necessities for a person or business entity to work as a registered agent. These are:
- The agent must have a physical street address in Connecticut. This is the registered office of your Connecticut LLC where the service of process is delivered. Use of PO Box or similar services isn’t allowed.
- If the agent is a person, she or he should be an adult capable of receiving legal documents.
- If the agent is a business entity, they must have permission to do business in the state. Additionally, the business should have an office in CT.
In most cases, the business entity is a commercial registered agent. These are companies that provide services as registered agents for a fee.
Who Can Be Your LLC’s Registered Agent In Connecticut
Notice that the legal requirements leave plenty of room for you to appoint a registered agent. Considering the options available, your registered agent in CT could be:
- You can be your own registered agent in CT.
- It is possible to appoint family members or friends as the registered agent.
- The LLC can hire a commercial registered agent.
Connecticut doesn’t allow for an LLC to be its own registered agent. However, the requirements do give you plenty of room to maneuver. Rather than spending money on hiring a commercial agent, you could appoint yourself as the registered agent for $0. Similar savings are achievable by appointing family members or friends to that role.
Even so, rather than simply looking at the cost, it is worthwhile to consider reliability and professional services.
Responsibilities Of A CT Registered Agent
Even though the registered agent doesn’t necessarily have to be a full-time employee of the company, their role is pivotal. Therefore, you should expect the agent to at least provide the necessary services listed here.
- The registered agent must maintain a physical address (registered office) for the LLC where the service of process can be delivered.
- The agent should be available during normal business hours (9 am to 5 pm) in case service of process arrives.
- If the service of process arrives, the agent should receive it and notify the LLC immediately.
- The agent should receive communication from the state (if any) and inform the Connecticut LLC.
Points About Being Your Own Registered Agent
It might feel simpler to be your own registered agent and save money you’d be paying to a commercial service. But that would be underestimating the role of the agent. This isn’t a decision to be made purely on monetary grounds, especially if you have no prior experience.
Reliability and professionalism are important qualities of a registered agent. For individuals, some requirements may end up being difficult to fulfill.
For example, being consistently available to receive service of process might be more difficult than you think. You could be away on vacation or perhaps be away for a while when service of process arrives. This could lead to some issues or problems. Granted, the chances of this happening are pretty low, but it is still something to consider.
Besides, there might be situations where it just isn’t possible to take on the role yourself, or to handle it reliably. For example, those setting up a foreign LLC in Connecticut are better off hiring a commercial registered agent.
Hiring A Commercial Registered Agent In Connecticut
Many businesses take the route of hiring a commercial registered agent. The biggest drivers for this decision are the overall reliability and convenience of hiring a commercial agent. Your commercial registered agent search in Connecticut can take you through a variety of options.
Several businesses in CT offer their services as the registered agent. Depending on the company and the services on offer, the pricing can vary substantially. The exact numbers vary, but most commercial agents cost something between $50-$300 annually.
At the very minimum, it is fair to expect the following from your commercial registered agent:
- Professional service
- Privacy
- Discreet service
- Convenience
- Reliability
A commercial agent should be prepared to reliably receive service of process and other communication intended for your LLC. Once they receive the documents, they should immediately notify the LLC.
Depending on the service, some agents will immediately scan and upload the documents and forward them to the LLC. While others might simply forward them via postal mail. So it’s best to check the services and see what’s most suited for your LLC before you hire an agent.
How To Change The LLC’s Connecticut Registered Agent
Changing your registered agent is possible by filing the appropriate form with the Connecticut Secretary of State, Commercial Recording Division (SOTS). All relevant forms are available on the Forms Index section of the Secretary of State website.
Domestic LLCs may file a Change of Agent form with a filing fee of $50 to change their Connecticut Registered Agent. A Change of Address form is also available if you only need to file for updating the address. Foreign LLC too can file the Change of Agent or Change of Address forms as necessary.
The Forms Index section also provides relevant links to file these changes online through Connecticut’s CONCORD system.