Illinois Registered Agent: LLC Guide
What is an Illinois Registered Agent?
An Illinois Registered Agent is an individual or business that consents to receive legal correspondence and official notices on behalf of your Illinois LLC.
The Illinois Secretary of State might also use your Registered Agent's address as the main contact for sending official notices to your LLC.
A Registered Agent might also be called an Illinois Agent for Service of Process. They refer to the same role.
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Why Do You Need a Registered Agent in Illinois?
You need a Registered Agent in Illinois because it's required by law (Section 17701.13 of the Illinois LLC Act). Every LLC in Illinois must have one to operate legally.
Registered Agents help with the court and legal systems. They make sure legal mail and court documents are properly delivered and tracked.
What Does a Registered Agent Do?
A Registered Agent gets important documents for you and then passes them on to you.
What Are the Legal Requirements for a Registered Agent?
In Illinois, Registered Agents must:
- Have a physical address in Illinois (not a PO box)
- Keep regular business hours
- Accept legal documents and Service of Process for businesses
- Quickly forward those documents to the businesses
Who can be my Registered Agent in Illinois?
You have three options for choosing your Illinois Registered Agent:
- You
- A friend or family member.
- A Registered Agent Service in Illinois
Opting to be your Registered Agent might save you money, but it does come with some risks.
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Who Can Be a Registered Agent in Illinois?
You have three choices for your LLC's Registered Agent in Illinois:
- You can be the Registered Agent yourself.
- A friend or family member can be the Registered Agent.
- You can hire an Illinois Registered Agent Service.
Being your own Illinois Registered Agent
You can be your own Registered Agent if you:
- Have a real street address in Illinois
- Are available during business hours
Pros: It will save you money.
Cons: Your name and address will be public. There are also some risks involved.
Asking a Friend or Family Member to be Your LLC's Registered Agent
You can ask a friend or family member to be your Registered Agent in Illinois.
They need to:
- Have a street address in Illinois
- Be available during business hours
Make sure they agree and understand their duties. Their information will be public.
Pros: It saves money.
Cons: Their address will be public, and they might not be as reliable as a professional service.
Hiring a Illinois Registered Agent Service
A Registered Agent Service handles your LLC's legal mail.
Itâs a good choice if:
- You want to keep your address private
- You don't have an address in Illinois
- You're not available during business hours
- You don't want to handle the paperwork
- You need help with setting up your LLC
How Much Does a Registered Agent Service Cost?
In Illinois, Registered Agent Services typically cost between $100 and $300 per year.
Illinois Registered Agent FAQs
How do I find a Registered Agent in Illinois?
While you can search online for different Registered Agents and compare their pricing, hereâs a list of some of the most popular Registered Agent Services and their fees:
- Northwest Registered Agent - $125 per year
- Our #1 recommendation for privacy
- ZenBusiness - $199 per year
- MyCompanyWorks - $99 per year
- Harbor Compliance - $99 per year
- IncFile - $119 per year
- Rocket Lawyer - $250 per year
- LegalZoom - $249 per year
Is a Registered Agent a Member of an LLC?
While a Registered Agent can be a Member of an Illinois LLC, itâs not a requirement.
Serving as an Illinois Registered Agent doesnât automatically make someone a Member of the LLC.
Can I be my own LLC Registered Agent in Illinois?
Yes, you can be your own Registered Agent in Illinois, as long as you:
- Have a street address in Illinois
- Can be available at that address during business hours
- Are a resident of Illinois
- Are at least 18 years of age
- Are comfortable with your address being a public record
Can you change your Registered Agent in Illinois?
Yes, you can change your Registered Agent in Illinois anytime, provided your LLC is in good standing with the Illinois Secretary of State.
To change your Illinois Registered Agent, youâll need to fill out the LLC Change of Registered Agent and/or Agentâs Office Address form. This form can be filed online, and the filing fee is $25.
The Illinois Secretary of State typically reviews Change of Registered Agent forms within 10 business days.
Can I use a PO Box for my LLC in Illinois?
No, you cannot use a PO Box for your Registered Agentâs address (also known as your Registered Office address). The Illinois LLC Act requires all Registered Agents to maintain a physical address in Illinois.
If you are the Registered Agent for your business, this can be your home or office address in Illinois.
You also cannot use a PO Box for the Principal Place of Business address. The Principal Place of Business address should be the street address where you keep your business records.
Most Illinois Registered Agent Services allow you to use their address only for the Registered Agentâs address in your LLC formation documents.
However, if you hire Northwest Registered Agent Service, theyâll let you use their business address for all address fields in your LLC filing. Learn more about why Northwest is our top choice in our Northwest Registered Agent review.
Can a family member be a Registered Agent in Illinois?
Yes, a family member can serve as your Registered Agent in Illinois, provided they meet the legal requirements.
To be your Registered Agent, your family member must have a physical address in Illinois (PO Boxes are not allowed) and be available at that address during normal business hours.
What is required for an LLC in Illinois?
You can start an LLC in Illinois by filing LLC Articles of Organization with the Illinois Secretary of State.
We guide you through the entire process step-by-step in our free Illinois LLC Guide.
Or, you can hire an Illinois Registered Agent Service like Northwest. They also offer LLC Formation services and can handle everything for you.