Virginia Registered Agent: LLC Guide
What is a Virginia Registered Agent?
A Virginia Registered Agent is an individual or business that consents to receive legal correspondence and official notices on behalf of your Virginia LLC.
The Virginia State Corporation Commission 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 Virginia Agent for Service of Process. They refer to the same role.
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Why Do You Need a Registered Agent in Virginia?
You need a Registered Agent in Virginia because it's required by law. Every LLC in Virginia 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 Virginia, Registered Agents must:
- Have a physical address in Virginia (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 Virginia?
You have three options for choosing your Virginia Registered Agent:
- You
- A friend or family member.
- A Registered Agent Service in Virginia
Opting to be your Registered Agent might save you money, but it does come with some risks.
Who Can Be a Registered Agent in Virginia?
You have three choices for your LLC's Registered Agent in Virginia:
- You can be the Registered Agent yourself.
- A friend or family member can be the Registered Agent.
- You can hire a Virginia Registered Agent Service.
Being your own Virginia Registered Agent
You can be your own Registered Agent if you:
- Have a real street address in Virginia
- 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 Virginia.
They need to:
- Have a street address in Virginia
- 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 Virginia Registered Agent Service
A Registered Agent Service handles your LLC's legal mail.
Itās a good choice if:
- You want to keep your address private
- You don't have an address in Virginia
- 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 Virginia, Registered Agent Services typically cost between $100 and $300 per year.
Virginia Registered Agent FAQs
How do I find a Registered Agent for a company in Virginia?
While you can Google various Registered Agents and check their pricing, here is a list of some of the most popular Registered Agent Services and their fees:
- Northwest Registered Agent - $125 per year
- 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
To learn more about how these companies compare against each other, check out Best Registered Agent Services in Virginia.
Note: If you want to save money, you can also be your LLCās Registered Agent in Virginia.
Can a family member be a Registered Agent in Virginia?
Yes, a family member can be your Registered Agent in Virginia if they meet the legal requirements.
To be your Registered Agent, your family member must have a physical address in Virginia (PO Boxes arenāt allowed). They must also be available at that address during normal business hours.
Can I use a virtual address for my LLC in Virginia?
Yes, you can use a Virginia virtual address for your Virginia LLCās Registered Agent office address.
However, you canāt use a virtual address for your Principal Office address. That said, the Principal Officeās physical address can be in any state, or even an international address.
Can I use a PO Box for my LLC in Virginia?
No, you canāt use a PO Box for your LLCās Registered Agent office address. You also canāt use a PO Box for your Principal Office address.
Note: The only exception to the PO Box rule for Registered Agents is if your Registered Agent office is in a Virginia town with a population under two thousand people.