North Carolina LLC Registered Agent
These are persons or entities that agree to accept service of process and official mailings on behalf of your North Carolina LLC.
When you are sued against, Service of Process or legal papers will be sent to your Registered Agent for LLC. The state may also send reminders and notices to your LLC via the Registered Agent.
A North Carolina Registered Agent is required to provide a normal business hours (9-5) M- F address.
You can have the address of someone at the law firm on records and designate this person as a registered agent if you wish; other states allow P, O. Box for LLC Registered Agents but not North Carolina No PO Box Addresses.
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Do You Need a Registered Agent in North Carolina?
North Carolina requires all business entities to have a Registered Agent when forming an LLC. Also, keep in mind that a Registered Agent has to stay on file with the state as long as you have an LLC.
Why Do You Need a Registered Agent in North Carolina?
A Registered Agent handles the service of process when your company is sued and will see to it that the LLC receives proof of delivery for legal documents.
Thus, all companies such as corporations and LLCs are obligated to have a Registered Agent on file with the state.
Or the Registered Agent of your LLC if you want to get someone involved in legal stuff. North Carolina requires an LLC to name a Registered Agent for each one so that courtroom files can be accurately served and tracked.
💡 Tip:
Choosing a professional Registered Agent Service can help keep your address private and off public records.
Who can serve as my North Carolina Registered Agent?
North Carolina Registered Agent: You have 3 options for who your registered agent will be.
- You
- A friend or family member.
- North Carolina Registered Agent Service
While it may be cheaper to act as your Registered Agent, doing so does have its drawbacks.
What are the risks?
If you do decide to act as your own North Carolina Registered Agent, there are many pitfalls you may encounter such as:
- Missing vital state notifications
- Subject to administrative dissolution
- Service of Process (Loose Legal Cannon)
The problem is worse if you:
- Move without updating your residential address with the state
- You often travel or are away from home for many hours
- No address you can trust
- Neglect to observe your mail daily
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Not posting an important notice from the state
The Secretary of State of North Carolina or other agencies in the state are going to need a fast way to send important notices to your business.
These notices will often require certain actions by your LLC on specific deadlines. Not meeting these deadlines could result in costly penalties and fees.
Administrative Dissolution
If your LLC is dissolved by the North Carolina Secretary of State, this will lead to numerous consequences.
The state does not peek at your LLC every day, but if it finds that you are overdue for renewal and unable to reach you due to an incorrect address listed on the record.
Default Judgment
The process server will make several attempts of service to your business, in case it involves an LLC lawsuit.
This indicates that the assumption from which we were referring earlier — also known as piercing of the corporate veil, it gives rise to an expectation that doing so is easier than previously believed — applies in reverse and can lead someone who has brought litigation against your LLC on his behalf defenselessly. Typically, your LLC gets slapped with a default judgment as well.
The person you are suing with your LLC does not need to defend itself in the presence of yourself. This generally ends in a summary judgment against you as well as your LLC.
Contempt of Court
If you have an LLC that is involved in a lawsuit, expect to receive a subpoena. Requesting your testimony or records.
And if you fail to reply, you can be held in contempt of court. This approach can result in fees or the issuance of a bench warrant, through which the sheriff gets your data IOR makes you go to court.
📝 Note:
Your Registered Agent's information is part of the public record, which means your address could appear on multiple websites.
Do YOU need to be your Registered Agent?
In North Carolina, you are allowed to be your Registered Agent. When there are risks, they tend to be rare and you should pay for savings with a bit more time penning the index directly.
However, there are benefits to a professional Registered Agent Service as well, such as keeping your home address private.
North Carolina Registered Agent Information is Public
You can just as easily appoint a friend or family member to be the Registered Agent of your LLC. However, that means the public can soon stroll up to your front door.
The information you provide in your Articles of Organization, including the Registered Agent address will be held on file with the North Carolina Secretary of State and available to anyone that wants it.
Listing your address as the LLCs Registered Agent Address will make it public and can be potentially to multiple websites.
Once this info pops up on another site – it propagates, by now your address can be slammed into Google.
We can assist in hiding your address if you do not wish for it to be publicly known.
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Protect Our Address from Public Records
While in many cases business owners throughout North Carolina work from their homes, remember that the address of your Registered Agent (if you use a service) will be visible on public records via the address listed on LLC Articles of Organization.
Hire an North Carolina Registered Agent Service to keep away your residential address Your address will not necessarily appear on the public record for your Articles of Organization (just theirs, if they are available.
Which is the Best North Carolina Registered Agent?
Which North Carolina Registered Agent is best for your business depends on a few different factors.
You:
If you meet all of the following requirements to be your Registered Agent in North Carolina.
- You live in North Carolina
- You use an North Carolina physical address
- Just remember, your address will be displayed on public records.
Why choose this? The same is a good option to save some money as you do not have to pay for Registered Agent Service.
Friend or Family:
Anyone Can Be Your North Carolina Registered Agent if you are:
- They live in North Carolina
- They are relatively new (not always) and have an address on a street in North Carolina.
- They must also be willing to disclose their address on public records.
Why choose this? That is a great thing to take advantage of if you do not live in North Carolina and want to save some money by skipping the Registered Agent Service hiring process.
North Carolina Resident Agent Service:
The price of membership with such services tends to fall in the $100-$300/year range. They will then forward the mail they receive to you or, in some cases (if digital), upload it directly to an online account.
Why choose this option? It's a good choice if you:
- Don't live in North Carolina
- No Friend Or Family Whose Address You Can Use
- Unavailability for normal business hours mail delivery
- Do Not Want Your Address Listed in the Articles of Organization
💡 Tip:
Choosing a Registered Agent Service not only ensures compliance but also helps you maintain privacy and avoid legal complications.
North Carolina Registered Agent FAQs
Is a Registered Agent required in North Carolina?
Yes, in North Carolina, a Registered Agent is mandatory for forming and maintaining an LLC. The Registered Agent receives legal documents, including "Service of Process," on behalf of your LLC if it becomes involved in a lawsuit. This ensures that communication with the North Carolina Secretary of State is properly managed.
How much does a Registered Agent cost in North Carolina?
The cost for Registered Agent Services in North Carolina typically ranges from $100 to $300 per year. If you have a physical address in North Carolina and are available during business hours, you can act as your own Registered Agent at no cost. However, if you prefer to keep your address private, hiring a Registered Agent Service can provide additional privacy and other benefits.
Can I be my own Registered Agent?
Yes, you can serve as your own Registered Agent in North Carolina if you are a resident with a physical address in the state. Keep in mind that your address will be listed as a public record. If you want to avoid having your address publicly accessible, consider hiring a Registered Agent Service.
Can a family member be a Registered Agent in North Carolina?
Yes, a family member can act as your Registered Agent in North Carolina, as long as they have a physical address in the state and are available during normal business hours.
How do I add a Registered Agent to an LLC in North Carolina?
When you file your Articles of Organization for your LLC, you must include your Registered Agent’s details. If you need to change your Registered Agent later, you should file a Statement of Change of Registered Office And/Or Registered Agent form with the North Carolina Secretary of State. The filing fee for this form is $5.
How do I find a Registered Agent in North Carolina?
To locate a Registered Agent, you can search online or contact the North Carolina Secretary of State for recommendations. If you are considering a Registered Agent Service, researching reviews and comparing different options can help you choose the best service for your LLC.
What does a Registered Agent do for a business entity?
A Registered Agent handles legal documents and notices on behalf of your business, including legal mail if your LLC faces a lawsuit and notifications from the North Carolina Secretary of State. The Registered Agent must maintain a physical address in the state and be available during regular business hours, as PO Boxes are not acceptable.