An Indiana Registered Agent or Indiana Registered Agent Service is required by law for every business entity in the state of Indiana. A registered agent is an individual or business entity that will accept legal papers (documents) on your behalf if it is sued. The registered agent or registered agent service must have a physical street address in Indiana and be available during regular business hours.
In my Indiana Registered Agent guide, I’ll walk you through the detailed process of when you should get a registered agent or registered agent service for your Indiana business, how to pick one, if they are required and how to change one if needed. Typically you’re getting a registered agent when you setup your Indiana LLC. Check out my guide on how to setup an Indiana LLC so you can make sure you’re following all the right steps in the process. If you are just looking for the professional service to help you – use Northwest Registered Agent or ZenBusiness.
Best Indiana Registered Agent Service
ZenBusiness will be the best option for setting up a registered agent service in Indiana. They can also help you with getting your LLC formed so if you’re looking for the best option, check them out today!
The best Indiana registered agent service is ZenBusiness. There are other options like Northwest Registered Agent but ZenBusiness has provided services to 1000s of other business owners who are getting their LLC formed whether it’s a domestic LLC or foreign LLC.
As you decided if you’re going to act as your own registered agent, find a local law firm who can provide Indiana registered agent services or use a national provider like ZenBusiness – you’ll need to focus your time and energy on deciding what that looks like.
The Indiana Registered Agent service you’ll need to consider should be able to accept legal documents on your behalf and have a business address in Indiana. They will also be responsible to be open during regular business hours.
What is an Indiana Registered Agent?
An Indiana Registered Agent is no different than any other state’s registered agent – they are required by law to have for your business. Each state has their own laws but the process of having an individual or business entity act as your resident agent (statutory agent) will need to understand the rules of the state they reside in. They will accept legal documents on your behalf and have a business address in Indiana. They will also be operating during normal business hours which means that you’ll need someone to be there during that time. If you decide to try and be your own registered agent, you’ll want to make sure you have someone at that physical address during those hours. We’ll get into why this is a bad idea later in this guide but just know that you can act as your own registered agent.
If you do not have a registered agent assigned to your business entity, it will be dissolved by the state (most likely) and you’ll need to start the process all over again so make sure you’ve got this part covered.
Why do I need an Indiana Registered Agent?
The reason to have a Indiana Registered Agent is to make sure you’re able to have legal documents accepted on your behalf. The other reason it’s important to have a registered agent are because it’s required by law and because you don’t want the state to assign one to you. You want to control your business as a business owner and you want to be in good standing with the state you’re incorporating your business in.
If you try and be your own registered agent or use a family member, the state could potentially dissolved your business because it’s not in good standing.
When should I obtain an Indiana Registered Agent?
The best time to get an Indiana Registered Agent service is when you’re incorporating your business. If you do this any other time there is a risk associated to having your business dissolved by the state. Your business is one of the most valuable things as your building your empire and if you don’t do this at incorporation time then you’re going to have a potential risk to the business. Focus on doing this correctly from the beginning of your journey.
Can I Be My Own Registered Agent In Indiana?
Yes it is possible for you to act as your own registered agent but it will be on public record. You will save some cash up front on this but the headache you will create long term just isn’t worth it. Do you want to have legal papers delivered to your home address? I sure don’t so I wouldn’t recommend doing this either.
It’s important that you understand the risks associated to doing this and you’ll need to have someone at the address during normal business hours and that can cause you some serious challenges. If you ever want to leave – you’ll need someone there.
I also don’t like the fact that it’s all public record and anyone can look up that address.
If you use a registered agent service, they will be able to accept any legal papers or documents that you are served with so just use a service to add that additional barrier between you and the rest of the world.
How Much Does a Registered Agent Cost?
The cost can range from $0 if you decide to do this on your own to a few hundred dollars per year. If you go with Northwest Registered Agent typically they will include the first year of the registered agent service as a piece of the LLC formation fee that you’re going to be filling with them.
You are able to make a change to your registered agent in the future if you really don’t want to use that service but I always recommend starting with a great national provider that has done this for 1000s of other business owners.
How Do I Elect A Registered Agent In Indiana?
When you’re forming your LLC in Indiana, you will be asked to provide the name and address of your registered agent. You can do this by going to the Indiana Secretary of State’s website and filing the appropriate paperwork.
You’ll need a few pieces of information when you’re doing this including the name of your LLC, the registered agent’s name and address, and the date that you want the change to take place.
Once you have all of that information, you can fill out form 13109 and submit it to the state.
You can find more information on the Indiana Secretary of State’s website here.
How Do I Change My Registered Agent In Indiana?
To make a change to your Indiana Registered Agent, you’ll need to fill out the Statement of Change of Registered Agent form that you’ll find on the Indiana Secretary of State’s website. You’ll need to submit it and file it – there isn’t a change fee.
The instructions they ask you to follow are
1. Use 8½” x 11” white paper for attachments (see link above)
2. Please TYPE or PRINT in INK.
3. Please visit our office on the web at www.sos.IN.gov
4. Submit original completed paperwork to: 302 West Washington Street, Room E-018, Indianapolis, IN 46204. Registered Agent FAQ
Indiana Registered Agent FAQs
Does Indiana require a registered agent?
Yes. It’s required by Indiana state law to have a registered agent for your business entity.
Does registered agent mean owner?
No. You have owners of your business which are completely different than having a registered agent who is associated to helping you with all of what we covered here.
What is a registered agent service?
A registered agent service is going to provide you with a physical address in the state of Indiana, they will sign for any legal papers or documents that are served on you and then they will forward those along to you. This provides some level of privacy and security for business owners.
Best Registered Agent
The best option for your registered agent service
