Arizona Registered Agent: LLC Guide

What is an Arizona Registered Agent?

An Arizona Registered Agent is an individual or business that consents to receive legal correspondence and official notices on behalf of your Arizona LLC.

Service of Process means delivering important legal papers, like a lawsuit notice. These documents can include a court summons, a complaint, a writ, or a subpoena.

Do you need a Registered Agent in AZ?

Under Arizona law, every LLC must have a Registered Agent on record. The Statutory Agent's job is crucial because they make sure legal documents, like court notices, are delivered to your LLC, creating an official record.

The Arizona Corporation Commission also uses the Statutory Agent as the main contact for any state notices sent to your LLC.

Even though no one wants to face a lawsuit, having a Statutory Agent is required to ensure that your LLC receives all important legal documents.

Who can be my Registered Agent in Arizona?

You have three options for choosing your Arizona Registered Agent:

1. You
2. A friend or family member.
3. A Registered Agent Service in Arizona

Opting to be your Registered Agent might save you money, but it does come with some risks.

What do you need to be an Arizona Statutory Agent?

According to Arizona LLC law (Section 29-3115), your Statutory Agent must have a real street address in Arizona, not a PO Box.

If your Statutory Agent is a business, it must be permitted to conduct business in Arizona and have a physical office there.

If your Statutory Agent is a company, it must have a physical office in Arizona and be authorized to do business in the state.

Can Arizona Registered Agents Use Mailbox Services?

No, Arizona Registered Agents can’t use mailbox services. They need a real street address in Arizona. This is because they need to be there to accept legal papers during business hours.

Can I be my own Statutory Agent in Arizona?

In Arizona, you can serve as your own Statutory Agent. There are certain risks associated with this, but it can save you money.

What are the risks?

If you choose to be your own Arizona Registered Agent, you may face several risks, including:

• Overlooking important state notices
• Facing administrative dissolution
• Missing Service of Process, which could lead to legal problems

These issues are more likely if you:

• Don't have a dependable address
• Don’t stay on top of your mail
• Travel or be away for long periods
• Move and forget to update your address with the Arizona Corporation Commission

We'll go over these risks in more detail below.

Missing an important notice from the state

You need to ensure you get all important notices from:

• The Arizona Corporation Commission
• The Arizona Department of Revenue
• Any other state agency

The Secretary of State of Arizona or other state agencies must promptly send essential notices to your business.

Frequently, these notifications specify what steps your LLC must take by specific dates. You risk fines and additional costs if you miss these deadlines.

Administrative Dissolution

In Arizona, if you are your LLC's Statutory Agent and you move without updating your address within 60 days, the state can shut down your LLC.

The state doesn't check your address every day, so your LLC won’t be shut down automatically after 60 days. However, if the state discovers your address is outdated and can’t reach you, they can dissolve your LLC.

Default Judgment

If your LLC is involved in a lawsuit, the process server will try several times to hand over the court documents to your business.

Therefore, the person suing your LLC does not require your defense to pursue legal action against your business. As a result, your LLC typically faces a default judgment.

You do not have to personally defend your LLC against the person suing it in this particular case. Usually, this results in your LLC being hit with a judgment by default.

Contempt of Court

If your LLC is part of a lawsuit, you might get a subpoena. This is a request for you to testify or give records.

If you don't respond, you could be held in contempt of court. This might lead to fines or a bench warrant, letting the sheriff take your records or force you to go to court.

Should you be your own Registered Agent?

You can be your own Registered Agent in Arizona. Although there are some risks, they are relatively uncommon, and handling them yourself can save you money.

However, using a professional Registered Agent Service can offer extra advantages, like keeping your address private.

What’s the best choice for an Arizona Registered Agent?

The best Arizona Registered Agent for your business depends on several factors.

You:

You can be your own Registered Agent in Arizona if:

• You live in Arizona
• You have a physical address in Arizona

Keep in mind that your address will be listed on public records.

Why choose this? It's a good way to save money because you don’t have to pay for a Registered Agent Service.

Friend or Family:

A friend or family member can be your Arizona Registered Agent if:

• They live in Arizona
• They have a physical street address in Arizona

They also need to be okay with having their address listed on public records.

Why choose this? It's a good choice if you’re not an Arizona resident and want to save money, as you won't need to hire a Registered Agent Service.

Arizona Registered Agent Service:

An Arizona Registered Agent Service (also known as a Commercial Registered Agent) is a company that handles receiving mail and legal documents for your LLC.

These services typically cost between $100 and $300 per year. They will either forward the mail they receive to you or upload it to your online account.

Why choose this option? It's a good choice if you:

• Don't live in Arizona
• Don't have a friend or family member whose address you can use
• Won't be available during normal business hours to receive mail
• Prefer not to have your address listed in the Certificate of Formation

Arizona Registered Agent FAQs