Starting a business in Arkansas requires careful planning and adherence to legal requirements. One essential step is appointing a registered agent for your company. A registered agent serves as your official point of contact for state correspondence and receiving important legal documents. Here at The Law Dictionary, we’re focused on simplifying complex legal regulations to provide you with straightforward recommendations regarding business formation. Let’s explore the best registered agent options in Arkansas and why they’re crucial for your company’s success.

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Best LLC Service
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Best Registered Agent Services

Here are our top registered agent service picks in 2024:

Bizee Most Cost Effective
BBB Rating Not Accredited Founded 2004
Bizee Overview

Registered Agent Pricing: $119/Year

Bizee, formerly known as Incfile, is a common choice for entrepreneurs looking for affordable registered agent services. They offer a year of free registered agent service with their LLC formation packages, making it an attractive option for new businesses on a tight budget. Bizee provides a user-friendly online platform for managing your business documents and compliance needs. Their online dashboard allows you to easily access and manage your documents, with notifications sent when new items are received. Bizee also offers additional services like business license research and annual report filing, though these come at an extra cost.

Bizee Pros and Cons
Pros Free year of registered agent service with formation Affordable pricing for ongoing services Easy-to-use online document management system Cons Some upsells during the checkout process Customer support can be slow at times Limited additional services compared to some competitors
LegalZoom Best Legal Support
BBB Rating A+ Founded 2001
LegalZoom Overview

Registered Agent Pricing: $249/Year

LegalZoom is a well-known name in the legal services industry. They offer registered agent services as part of their comprehensive business formation packages. LegalZoom’s registered agent service includes unlimited cloud storage for your documents and compliance alerts to help you stay on top of important deadlines. They provide access to a network of attorneys for legal advice, which can be helpful for new business owners.

LegalZoom Pros and Cons
Pros Comprehensive legal services available Well-established brand with a strong reputation Access to attorney network (for an additional fee) Cons Higher pricing compared to some competitors Registered agent service not included in basic formation package
Northwest Registered Agent Best Customer Service
BBB Rating A+ Founded 1998
Northwest Registered Agent Overview

Registered Agent Pricing: $125/Year

Northwest Registered Agent is a well-established company known for its personalized service and privacy protection. They take pride in their commitment to keeping your personal information secure and offer a level of privacy that goes beyond what many other registered agent services provide. They offer comprehensive registered agent services across all 50 states. What sets Northwest apart is their in-house customer support team, composed of former lawyers, accountants, and small business owners.

Northwest Registered Agent Pros and Cons
Pros Expert customer support from former lawyers, accountants, and business owners Strong focus on privacy protection Includes free mail forwarding Includes one year of RA services Cons Limited additional services beyond registered agent and formation No mobile app available
Swyft Filings Fast Turnaround
BBB Rating Not Accredited Founded 2015
Swyft Filings Overview

Registered Agent Pricing: $596/Year

Swyft Filings lives up to its name by offering fast and efficient registered agent services. They pride themselves on quick turnaround times for document processing and filing. Swyft Filings also assigns a personal business specialist to each client and they will add their name and address on filings so your company is protected.

Swyft Filings Pros and Cons
Pros Fast processing times Dedicated business specialist for each client User-friendly online dashboard Cons Registered agent service not included in formation packages Some upsells during the checkout process
ZenBusiness Most Comprehensive
BBB Rating A+ Founded 2015
ZenBusiness Overview

Registered Agent Price: $199/Year

ZenBusiness is a comprehensive business formation and registered agent service catering to entrepreneurs and small business owners. They offer a user-friendly platform that simplifies the process of setting up and maintaining your Nebraska company. With ZenBusiness, you’ll receive personalized support and access to a wide range of business services beyond just registered agent duties.

We appreciate ZenBusiness for their commitment to providing affordable, high-quality services to Nebraska businesses. Their registered agent service includes features like compliance alerts, document scanning, and online access to your important business documents. ZenBusiness offers additional services such as annual report filing and business license research to help keep your company compliant.

ZenBusiness Pros and Cons
Pros Affordable pricing with good value Comprehensive business formation services available User-friendly online dashboard for managing documents Cons Some additional services come at an extra cost Some services are only available in higher-tier packages Customer support hours are more limited than some competitors

What Is a Registered Agent in Arkansas?

In Arkansas, a registered agent is a person or entity designated to receive legal documents and official correspondence on behalf of your business. This includes things like tax notices, lawsuit summons, and other important state communications. The registered agent must be available during regular business hours and have a physical address in Arkansas.

Having a registered agent is not just a good idea – it’s a legal requirement for all corporations, LLCs, and other formal business entities in Arkansas. The registered agent serves as the point of contact between your business and the state, helping to maintain your company’s good standing and compliance with state regulations.

How Much Does a Registered Agent Cost in Arkansas?

Registered agent costs in Arkansas can vary depending on the service provider and level of service you need. On average, you should expect to pay between $100 and $300 per year for basic registered agent services.

Some providers, like Bizee, offer a free year of registered agent service when you form your LLC through them. Others, like Northwest Registered Agent, charge a higher fee but provide more personalized service. It’s important to consider both the value of the services provided and the price, as a higher fee might be worth it if it comes with additional features like compliance alerts or document management tools that can save you time and headaches in the long run.

Who Can Be a Registered Agent in Arkansas?

In Arkansas, the requirements for who can serve as a registered agent are relatively straightforward. The registered agent must be:

• An individual who is a resident of Arkansas and at least 18 years old

• A business entity authorized to do business in Arkansas

Additionally, the registered agent must have a physical street address in Arkansas where they can receive documents during regular business hours. P.O. boxes are not acceptable as a registered agent address.

What Does a Registered Agent Do in Arkansas?

A registered agent in Arkansas serves as the official point of contact between your business and the state. Their primary responsibilities include:

  • Receiving official legal documents and mail on behalf of your business
  • Forwarding these documents to you in a timely manner
  • Maintaining a physical address in Arkansas where they can be reached during business hours
  • Helping to maintain your business’s good standing by keeping track of important deadlines and compliance requirements

How Do You Designate a Registered Agent in Arkansas?

Designating a registered agent in Arkansas is a straightforward process typically done when forming your business entity. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Choose your registered agent: This can be yourself, another individual, or a professional service.
  2. Obtain consent: Your chosen registered agent must agree to serve in this role.
  3. Include the information in your formation documents: When filing your Articles of Organization (for LLCs) or Articles of Incorporation (for corporations), you must provide your registered agent’s name and address.
  4. File the documents: Submit your formation documents to the Arkansas Secretary of State along with the required filing fee.

If you need to change your registered agent later, you can file a Change of Registered Agent form with the Arkansas Secretary of State.

How Do I Choose a Registered Agent in Arkansas?

It’s important to choose the right registered agent for your Arkansas business. Here are some factors to consider:

Reliability: Your registered agent should be dependable in receiving and forwarding important documents. Keep an eye out for providers with a good track record and positive customer reviews.

Services offered: Consider what additional services you might need beyond basic registered agent duties. Some providers offer compliance alerts, document management tools, or even legal consultations.

Cost: While price shouldn’t be the only factor, finding a service that fits your budget is important. Remember to consider the value of any additional services provided.

Privacy: Some registered agent services use their own address on public documents, which can help protect your privacy. This can be especially valuable if you run your business from home.

The Bottom Line

Choosing the right registered agent in Arkansas is an important and necessary step in setting up and maintaining your business. The key is to find a reliable partner who can help keep your business compliant and in good standing with the state.

Remember, at The Law Dictionary, we’re here to help simplify the legal aspects of running your business. While appointing a registered agent might seem like a small detail, it plays a big role in your company’s long-term legal health. Be sure to consider your options, weigh the pros and cons, and choose a registered agent that best fits your business needs and budget. With the right registered agent on your side, you can focus on important things like growing your business.