What is the Role of the Resident Agent?

Online incorporation is becoming increasingly popular, especially among entrepreneurs wishing to take advantage of registering as a Nevada corporation. Having your business set up as a Nevada LLC is not particularly difficult nor expensive, but there are certain requirements if you do not actually reside in the state of Nevada. One of the requirements for online incorporation is to have a resident agent.

The Basics

The primary reason that all states require registered agents when you incorporate online is simply put, to represent your out-of-state corporation that is registered in that particular state. This is true whether you incorporate in Nevada or any other state other than the one in which you physically reside. Part of the online incorporation process involves selecting a natural human being who will represent your Nevada LLC or other business entity in the state of Nevada if you reside elsewhere.

A registered agent's job is simply to receive legal correspondence, tax information and other communications from state agencies on behalf of your Nevada LLC.

Why?

Aside from the fact that Nevada incorporation laws require that you have a registered agent, it's a good way to protect yourself. Litigation is practically the Number One American pastime today. Although the primary reason to incorporate online is to protect your personal assets from such legal actions, you definitely want to protect your Nevada corporation as well - particularly if you live in a different state.

Without a registered agent, someone in the state of Nevada may bring legal action against your business, and you wouldn't know about it until a Nevada court had ruled summarily against you for failure to appear. The registered agent is the one to whom such papers are served. The registered agent is also authorized to receive important tax and other legal notifications.

Convenience

There is another reason that Nevada incorporation laws require that you have a registered agent is important to the online incorporation process. Assuming your business experiences success and grows as a result, you would have to file change of address notices with the state whenever the business moves or expands. The registered agent provides a static address for out-of-state businesses that incorporate in Nevada, thus minimizing the need for such paperwork.

How To Choose a Registered Agent

If you use an Internet consulting firm to take care of the online incorporation process, many of these can furnish a registered agent as part of the services they offer. Otherwise, you will want to hire one who has a proven track record and maintains a good working relationship with the various state offices and agencies with whom your Nevada LLC will be dealing. A reliable, reputable registered agent is key to the success of your online incorporation process.

Wayne Hemrick provides businesses with advice on business incorporation and incorporating online. Nevada incorporation offers many benefits, and Wayne explains the options available when considering incorporating in Nevada.