How to Choose a Registered Agent in North Carolina?

North Carolina Registered Agent

A registered agent in North Carolina is a company or an individual who is recognized by the state as the official point of contact for a limited liability company or a corporation operating in the state. A registered agent is also known as a resident agent in many states. The registered agent services in North Carolina can vary from one agent to another but their primary role is to receive service of process, as well as other legal and official documents and communications on behalf of the said entity.

What is a North Carolina registered agent?

A registered agent in North Carolina is also known as an agent for service of process, and even a statutory agent. A registered agent (RA) has to be hired in compliance with state laws to receive service of process (SOP) on behalf of specific entities or forms of businesses. Every state in the USA has business laws relevant to maintaining an agent in that state. The 2020 North Carolina General Statutes governs registered agent services and other business and RA requirements. The North Carolina registered agent requirements and laws also determine the change of a registered office or registered agent and the resignation of a registered agent in the state.

What are the roles and responsibilities of a registered agent in NC?

Federal and state business laws have defined the roles and responsibilities of a registered agent and they are more or less the same for all states in the nation. It is important to note that registered agent services in North Carolina are necessary for both new and existing businesses. The responsibilities of a NC registered agent include the following:

• Service of Process – The primary business objective that a registered agent in North Carolina fulfills is service of process. Service of process refers to the action of informing a company, firm, or individual regarding a pending lawsuit against them or the entity. When you appoint RA in North Carolina then they will also have to receive any legal notices as a part of the service of process. They will also receive any summons or writs forwarded by any person representing the office of the Secretary of State.
• Business Related Documents – If you form a new business in North Carolina then the state will send you important documents concerning your company. Whether your company is a domestic or foreign entity, all business-related mail is important as it may include information related to compliance with state annual requirements. When you appoint RA in North Carolina, it becomes the responsibility of the said agent to receive all business documents on behalf of the company.

Who can be a registered agent for your NC business?

The laws for a registered agent vary from one state to another. It’s also important to note that each state including North Carolina has its own rules regarding the qualification criteria for a registered agent. The North Carolina registered agent requirements state that a firm or an individual can act as your resident agent or statutory agent if they qualify.

What are the requirements of an NC registered agent?

The state of North Carolina has outlined the requirements for a registered agent. The statutory agent can be a registered business or an individual resident of the state. It is always recommended to conduct a North Carolina registered agent search based on the state requirements to ensure that you or your company can benefit from the best possible services. Some of the requirements pursuant to Article 4 of the 2020 North Carolina General Statutes are:

• The foremost North Carolina registered agent requirement is to accept service of process and official notifications on behalf of their clients pursuant to NC Gen Stat § 55D-33 (2020)
• An NC agent should have a registered office or should maintain a physical address pursuant to NC Gen Stat § 55D-30 (2020)

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Can I be my own registered agent in North Carolina?

Yes, you can be your own registered agent in North Carolina. It’s important to make sure that you meet all state requirements as prescribed by law. When applying as an individual, there are specific requirements to qualify and they include:

• To be a North Carolina registered agent, you should be over 18 years of age
• You need to have a physical street address, and a PO Box address is not allowed
• You should be available during office hours throughout the week

How to choose a registered agent in North Carolina?

A registered agent becomes necessary when you start a new business in North Carolina or during the planning stages before registering with the state. This is because the 2020 North Carolina General Statutes, NC Gen Stat § 55D-30 (2020) states that each domestic, foreign, and nonprofit entity must appoint a registered agent in North Carolina and continuously maintain a registered agent in the state. Finding the right agent may seem difficult, especially with hundreds of qualified agents readily available for service. This is where the North Carolina registered agent search becomes important. Statutory agent services can vary from one agent to another and so do their pros and cons. However, there are some tips that you may want to consider:

• Look for a professional registered agent who will ensure all types of filings are taken care of.
• When conducting a North Carolina registered agent search, consider your options for customizable electronic notification services.
• Price should not be the focal point of consideration, quality and value should be
• A reputable agent will provide additional compliance tools to help you fulfill and maintain annual state requirements.
• If you appoint a registered agent in North Carolina then he/she or the company should keep regular business hours.
• A nationwide registered agent service like IncParadise can offer long-term benefits such as assistance with foreign qualification or moving your business to other states.
• Choose an agent who specializes in handling sensitive documents and offers a forwarding service too.
• They should provide reliable software like the Entity Management Software by IncParadise.

Why choose a professional registered agent service in NC?

The primary reason for conducting a North Carolina registered agent search is to find a highly professional service. Hiring a registered agent in this state is a legal requirement, but finding a service that is consistently available every business day during business hours can be difficult sometimes. If your chosen company takes a holiday and misses the opportunity to receive a document on your behalf, or doesn’t offer automated services that provide notifications about your upcoming or overdue annual report, then it can cost your company greatly. Hiring a professional registered agent services in North Carolina like IncParadise will allow you to enjoy many benefits including:

• A professional registered agent service will maintain regular business hours so that will allow them to receive all legal notices and important state or official documents.
• An NC resident agent will not only receive official documents but should also forward them to the owner of the said company.
• A professional registered agent will have a physical address that is compliant with state requirements.
• A registered agent in North Carolina will help you handle and organize all of your business-related documents.
• Some registered agent services provide offsite storage facilities for legal and sensitive documents.
• One significantly important service offered is sending timely automated reminders like those sent for filing your NC annual reports.
• When you appoint a registered agent in North Carolina, your private information will remain protected.

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How to change a registered agent in NC?

There are many scenarios and reasons why any business would want to change their registered agent in North Carolina. Some of the most common reasons include:

• You want a professional service provider in the state
• Your existing RA doesn’t provide service in North Carolina
• Your current registered agent doesn’t meet NC state requirements
• Your designated resident agent has moved out of this state
• You have been the registered agent for your company but want to appoint a registered agent in North Carolina because your business has expanded

File and submit Statement of Change of Registered Office and/or Registered Agent

If you are considering changing your registered agent in North Carolina then the first step is to file and submit the Statement of Change of Registered Office and/or Registered Agent (form BE-06). The form must be submitted to the North Carolina Secretary of State (SOS), Business Registration Division. You can submit it online or through postal mail.

• The complete street address and county of the new registered office.
• New registered agent’s name, signature, and title.
• The old registered agent information including their name and street address.

Want to change your North Carolina registered agent?

Choose IncParadise as Your North Carolina registered agent!

If you’re planning to register or incorporate a new business in North Carolina then it’s mandatory to maintain a registered agent in the state. It’s important to conduct a North Carolina registered agent search to find a professional and reputable service. IncParadise is one of the reputed and professional registered agents in this state who adheres to the North Carolina registered agent requirements established by the office of the Secretary of State.