A Texas Registered Agent or Texas Registered Agent Service is required by law for every business entity in the state of Texas. A registered agent is someone who agrees to accept legal papers on behalf of the business if it is sued. The agent must have a physical address in Texas and be available during normal business hours.
In my Texas Registered Agent guide, I’ll walk you through the detailed process of when you should get a registered agent for your Texas business, how to pick one and whether you should use a professional service to help. If you’re looking for more details on how to setup a Texas LLC – go to my guide on how to start a Texas LLC.
Best Texas Registered Agent Service
I always recommend looking at Northwest Registered Agent and ZenBusiness who have two of the best registered agent services you can review. Typically when you are going through an LLC formation service ZenBusiness will include the first year of their registered agent service as a part of the package. If you’re just looking for the registered agent service, you can go with Northwest Registered Agent but the all in one (best) solution in my opinion is going with ZenBusiness.
What is a Texas Registered Agent?
A Texas Registered Agent is an individual or Texas business entity that will accept service on your behalf. The key things they’ll be responsible for are:
- Accepting legal documents on your behalf
- Accepting important business mail
- Filing annual reports Paying any annual fees on your behalf
- If you’re sued, the court will send notice to your registered agent.
Every Texas LLC or other type of business entity is required by Texas law to have a registered agent so make sure you have a registered agent or registered agent service to assist you.
If you’re looking for more information about how to start a Texas LLC, check out my guide that will walk through all the steps.
Why do I need a Texas Registered Agent?
The most important reason to have a registered agent is that you need someone who can accept legal papers on your behalf if your business is sued.
A registered agent also provides notice if the state sends any important papers or mail, such as annual reports or franchise tax forms.
And, if you’re using a professional service like Northwest Registered Agent, you’ll want to make sure they are a reliable Texas Registered Agent Services for you that will help during regular business hours.
When should I obtain a Texas Registered Agent?
The best time to get a Texas registered agent service is when you start your Texas LLC or whatever type of business entity you’re creating. Texas registered agents are required when you’re starting a business so it’s important that you do this at the beginning of the journey with your business formation. If you’re going to use a nationwide registered agent service, you can but I’d also take a look at the professional registered agent service that will be able to help you collect any legal mail that you’re required to have delivered to a Texas business address.
Can I Be My Own Registered Agent In Texas?
You can act as your own registered agent in Texas but I generally don’t recommend it. If you have a home-based business or live outside of Texas, then using a professional service is likely your best option.
There are a few reasons for this:
You’ll need to be available during normal business hours at the address you provide for service of process so if you have a full-time job, this may not be possible.
You don’t want your home address or business address to be public record.
If you’re sued, you don’t want the process server showing up at your house or business. I’d highly recommend that you have a registered agent’s address in place so it’s something that is not coming to your home.
As I said, you can be your own registered agent but the Texas Secretary of State’s office would recommend finding registered agents in Texas that can help you make sure you’re covered.
How Much Does a Registered Agent Cost?
A registered agent service ranges in cost depending on whether you’re going to do it on your own, hire a local Texas Registered Agent or if you’re going to find a national provide to help. If you’re going to have a Texas Registered Agent office address – typically that’s a local Texas Registered Agent but always consider the national registered agent services too.
The typical cost of a Registered Agent service is:
$50-100 for a local option
$125-250 for a national service
I’ve found that the best value is with a national Registered Agent service as you’re getting more features, support and general help if you have any questions.
How Do I Elect A Registered Agent In Texas?
The first step in appointing your registered agent is to:
- Choose the business entity you will form
- Find a reputable and reliable registered agent service
- Provide the information about your company and Registered Agent to the Texas Secretary of State when you file your formation paperwork.
You will want to have a real Texas business address for your Texas registered agent even if you’re just looking into a free mail forwarding service or a free phone service. These services are not typically included so if you’re looking for a way of having your registered agent take phone calls or your mail outside of the official mail / legal documents that are required – you’ll need to find another solution and typically that’s a virtual mailbox as the best option.
How Do I Change My Registered Agent In Texas?
If you need to make a change to your Registered Agent in Texas, you’ll want to file an Amended Certificate of Formation with the Secretary of State. This can be done online for a $25 filing fee. You can find the details on the Texas Secretary of State’s website here.
You’ll also want to notify your current Registered Agent that you will be terminating their service as your Registered Agent in Texas so they don’t charge you for their service in the following year.
Conclusion
You should now feel more comfortable with setting up a Texas Registered Agent Service for your Limited Liability Company or any type of Texas company that you’ve incorporated. The Registered Agent Requirements are pretty clear for any type of business (including an online business) so follow the rules outlined above.
If you do have additional questions about what your Texas Registered Office Address should be or you’re curious about what formation documents, custom business documents or what really qualifies as legal mail – ask your registered agent for help.
Registered Agent FAQ
Does Texas require a registered agent?
Yes, all business entities organized in Texas must appoint and maintain a registered agent with a physical street address in Texas. The Secretary of State may revoke the entity’s certificate of formation if it does not designate and continuously maintain a registered agent and registered office in Texas.
I recommend using Northwest Registered Agent as your source to make it easy for you as you go through the Texas Secretary of State requirements for this. They have the best customer service and always respond in a timely manner when you’re looking for business advice related to this.
Does registered agent mean owner?
The owner of a business is not the same as the registered agent. The registered agent is an individual or business that agrees to receive and manage important documents on behalf of your company.
How to Become a Registered Agent in Texas
If you’re looking to become a registered agent company in Texas I’d start with getting a registered agent setup for a business entity before doing anything else.
The steps you’ll need to follow are
1. Look online for a reputable and reliable source to form your company. I recommend using Northwest Registered Agent as they’re the best in customer service and always respond in a timely manner when you’re looking for business advice related to this.
2. Choose the business entity you will form
3. Find a reputable and reliable registered agent service
4. Provide the information about your company and Registered Agent to the Texas Secretary of State when you file your formation paperwork.
What is a registered agent service?
I think we’ve covered this question but if you’re still curious about what a Texas Registered Agent Service is here is the quick answer:
A registered agent service is a business or individual that agrees to receive and manage important documents on behalf of your company.
Best Registered Agent
The best option for your registered agent service
