By The Wyoming LLC Attorney Team
Jun 21, 2022In Utah, a registered agent is essential for your business, ensuring timely receipt of legal documents and compliance with state requirements. They handle tax info, legal documents, and more. A registered agent also protects your privacy, offers flexible hours, and maintains your LLC's good standing. They discreetly handle notifications, provide online document storage, and support growth into other states.
It doesn’t matter where you choose to form a business, or whether it’s a corporation, a non-profit, or a Limited Liability Company (LLC). When you create a business entity, you’ll want to have a registered agent to accept documents on behalf of your company. There are many services an agent can provide, on top of being the communication link between your business and the state government.
A registered agent is known by a few different names, but ultimately it is an agent for service of process. The necessity of an agent by law changes from state to state, but in Utah, it is required. An individual or a business entity with the right qualifications can serve as a registered agent. Other names for a registered agent include:
The main purpose of a registered agent is to receive legal notifications from state and federal governments. They are the point of contact who can keep a business owner informed of legal matters in a timely fashion.
The United States Constitution has due process clauses that prevent courts from overseeing lawsuits unless the defendant has been properly notified. Since a business entity is considered an entity, there needs to be a designated individual who is available during daily work hours and can accept services of process. This is the registered agent’s primary duty. They accept legal documents and communications from Utah’s government on our behalf.
There are other routine tasks that a business must do to maintain good standing. A majority of states require some form of yearly update or an annual report. A good registered agent will help keep track of important due dates for vital legal documents. Here’s a list of documents a registered agent can help keep track of:
There are reminder tools a registered agent can use to keep up with important dates and prioritize the next upcoming deadline.
Having a registered agent to manage legal matters is highly recommended for any business. The pros far outweigh the cons. For under $100, depending on the service you purchase, you can free up your schedule to focus on the things that matter to your company. If you buy an LLC through us, we provide a registered agent for the first year of operations. Here’s what an agent can cover:
When you file the Utah LLC Certificate of Organizations, you must provide a Utah address. This address becomes available to anyone who publicly searches for your business information. If you use a registered agent service, their address is listed with the Utah Department of Commerce - Division of Corporations and Commercial Code, instead of your personal address.
You must have someone available during standard business hours who can accept legal notices from the government. If you pass off this responsibility to a registered agent, you can free up your schedule and run your business at the hours that work best for you.
Most states like Utah require having a registered agent. Other essential requirements include filing annual reports, and a good agent can provide a reminder to fulfill other requirements as well.
Having someone in charge of legal documents and business license renewal deadlines is essential to keeping your LLC in good standing. If you fall out, then you can lose business permissions, and your company might eventually be dissolved. It can also rack up penalty fees and cost unnecessary finances.
You might face a lawsuit. It can happen to anyone in this country. Being notified in front of friends, family, or even potential customers, might have a significant impact on your business. A tactful agent can discreetly notify you in a timely manner while minimizing the impact a lawsuit might have during the notification process.
An agent who can be in charge of storing documents can use a secure digital storage server, making it easier for you to have complete access to all of your important documents at all times. The ability to access documents with a personal device can save time based on what you need and when you need it.
If your business takes off, you might expand operations into other states. Since every state will have some kind of registered agent requirement, it’s beneficial to use a registered agent service. Most have access to an address in each state, providing each state with an agent for the service of process.
If you purchase a Utah LLC with us, you won’t have to worry about the first year of having a registered agent. Who serves as your agent afterward will depend on your needs, but they must meet certain requirements. An agent for service of process in Utah must:
You can serve as your own registered agent as long as you meet these requirements. You’ll end up spending nothing, but that comes with a new set of responsibilities. It might be better for ease of mind to have a service that can handle the expectations that come along with this role. What’s most important is that the state of Utah government knows you have a designated person who can receive service of process.
If you don’t have an agent for service of process in Utah, then your business application will be outright rejected. If you somehow lost your agent, it is imperative to update your information immediately. Without a designated agent, you might miss crucial notifications. Failure to respond to a lawsuit can result in a default judgment against you.
You can change your LLC’s registered agent at any time for a $15 filing fee, and by filling a Registration Information Change form with the Utah Department of Commerce.
Having a qualified attorney who knows the importance of deadlines and the consequences of not following through is the best person for the job. If you purchase a Utah LLC using our services, then we can provide you with the first year.
If you are ready to form your Utah LLC and have any questions please contact us. You can reach us by filling out the contact form or giving us a call at +1 (307) 683-0983. Our team of experienced paralegals is here to provide support and guidance.