Missouri Registered Agent: LLC Guide
What is a Missouri Registered Agent?
A Missouri Registered Agent is an individual or business that consents to receive legal correspondence and official notices on behalf of your Missouri LLC.
The Missouri 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 a Missouri Agent for Service of Process. They refer to the same role.
In Missouri, Registered Agents are not permitted to use a Commercial Mail Receiving Agency (CMRA) or any other type of mailbox service.
Examples of CMRAs include, but are not limited to:
- Goin' Postal
- Mailbox Too
- Pack N' Ship
- Postal Annex
- Postal Express
- PostNet
- The Mail Center
- The UPS Store
- Any other facility that offers mailbox rental services
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Why Do You Need a Registered Agent in Missouri?
You need a Registered Agent in Missouri because it's required by law (Section 17701.13 of the Missouri LLC Act). Every LLC in Missouri must have one to operate legally.
Registered Agents provide support to the legal and court processes. They oversee the accurate delivery and tracking of court papers and legal mail.
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 Missouri, Registered Agents must:
- Have a physical address in Missouri (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 Missouri?
You have three options for choosing your Missouri Registered Agent:
- You
- A friend or family member.
- A Registered Agent Service in Missouri
Opting to be your Registered Agent might save you money, but it does come with some risks.
Who Can Be a Registered Agent in Missouri?
You have three choices for your LLC's Registered Agent in Missouri:
- You can be the Registered Agent yourself.
- A friend or family member can be the Registered Agent.
- You can hire a Missouri Registered Agent Service.
Being your own Missouri Registered Agent
You can be your own Registered Agent if you:
- Have a real street address in Missouri
- 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 Missouri.
They need to:
- Have a street address in Missouri
- 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 Missouri 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 Missouri
- You're not available during business hours
- You don't want to handle the paperwork
- You need help with setting up your LLC
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How Much Does a Registered Agent Service Cost?
In Missouri, Registered Agent Services typically cost between $100 and $300 per year.
Missouri Registered Agent FAQs
How much is a Registered Agent in Missouri?
Most Missouri Registered Agent Services cost between $100 and $300 per year.
If youâre looking to save money and have an address in the state where you can be available during regular office hours, you can be your LLCâs Registered Agent. (This can be a home address or a business address).
If you donât have an address in the state or donât want your address to be on public records, we recommend hiring a Northwest Registered Agent ($125) as your Registered Agent Service.
They have exceptional customer service and will let you use their address to keep yours off of public records.
Does an LLC need to file an Annual Report in Missouri?
No, Missouri LLCs donât need to file Annual Reports or pay an Annual Fee to keep their LLCs in good standing.
How much does it cost to maintain an LLC in Missouri?
The cost of maintaining Missouri Limited Liability Companies varies. This is because it depends on your unique business needs.
While there is no Annual Report fee for Missouri LLCs, there may be other annual renewal fees, like for a business license or permit. These vary based on your industry and where your LLC is located. You can check with your municipality to see if there are any annual renewal fees at the local level.
If you hire a Registered Agent Service, youâll have an annual fee to pay each year. Registered Agent Services are usually $100-$300 per year.
Related article: Best Registered Agent Services in Missouri
The amount you pay in business taxes will also vary. We recommend hiring an accountant who is familiar with business accounting in Missouri.
How do I register as a Registered Agent in Missouri?
You actually donât need to register with the Missouri Secretary of State or any other government agency to be a Missouri Registered Agent.
To become a Registered Agent for a new LLC, all you need to do is designate yourself as such in your Articles of Organization. To do this, just enter your name and Missouri street address in the fields requesting your Registered Agentâs name and Registered Office address.
How do I remove a Registered Agent from my LLC in Missouri?
You can remove your Missouri Registered Agent at any time by filing a Statement of Change of Registered Agent or Registered Office.
However, the Secretary of State requires all LLCs to keep a Registered Agent on file. Thatâs why you must name a new Registered Agent on your Statement of Change when you remove the previous agent.
It costs $10 to file this form with the Missouri Secretary of State.
If you hire a Northwest as your Registered Agent Service, they will file the Statement of Change for you and pay the filing fee.
Can a family member be a Registered Agent in Missouri?
Yes, a family member can be your Registered Agent in Missouri, if they meet the legal requirements.
To be your Registered Agent, your family member must have a physical address in Missouri. (PO Boxes arenât allowed). They must be available at that address during normal business hours.
How do I resign as a Registered Agent in Missouri?
If you want to resign from serving as a Registered Agent for an LLC, youâll need to file a Statement of Resignation as a Registered Agent of a Limited Liability Company.
It costs $10 to file this form with the Secretary of State.
You are also required to provide written notice of your resignation to the LLC you are resigning from. You must include a copy of that written notice with your Statement of Resignation filing.