Michigan Registered Agent
LLCs must appoint a Michigan registered agent — known as a resident agent — to receive important legal documents (like service of process) and notifications from the state.
Even though you can be your own resident agent, most small business owners use a third-party service. This is because it's relatively affordable and can go a long way in:
- Reducing risk
- Increasing privacy and flexibility
- Ensuring your documents are stored safely online
We’ll help you make the best choice for your business.
Recommended: Northwest Registered Agent offers free registered agent services with $29 LLC formation.
Choosing a Registered Agent in Michigan
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A Michigan registered agent will serve as your business’s primary point of contact for the state, as well as for anyone who might want to deliver service of process to your business.
Even though appointing a resident agent is a legal requirement in Michigan, it is important to understand that this can be a registered agent service, partner, or yourself, as long as:
- They’re 18 years of age or older
- They have a Michigan business address (which needs to be a physical street address)
- They’re always available during regular business hours at their chosen address
Registered Agent Services
- Convenience: Using a third-party service will offer more flexibility as it will ensure that you won’t have to be at your address during regular business hours in order to receive service of process and other important legal documents.
- Privacy: Your resident agent's name and address become publicly available when you form an LLC and/or corporation. This means using a third-party service instead of your own self can improve your privacy.
- Online Storage: Most Michigan registered agent services scan your documents and upload them online via a portal. This ensures that important documents don't get lost/can always be accessed.
Let’s Find the Right Registered Agent for Your Business
We’ve tested and reviewed the most popular registered agent services.
Can You Be Your Own Registered Agent?
Yes, you can.
This can be a decent option for the very small businesses that would struggle to afford the $10 per month fee of a resident agent service.
Having said that, we recommend avoiding this approach if you can afford it, as it can be relatively time-consuming (especially for a first-time business owner), as well as less safe from a legal compliance point of view.
Keep in mind that if you are forming a new LLC, you will be able to use an LLC formation service that includes a one-year free resident agent service.
Such formation services can cost as little as $29 (plus state fees).
If you are forming an LLC but prefer to file the paperwork yourself and act as your own registered agent, take a look at our How to Start an LLC in Michigan guide.
Best Michigan Registered Agent Service
If you're in Michigan and either looking to form a new LLC or switch your existing registered agent, it's crucial to consider factors like cost, range of services, reputation, and customer support.
Many people seek registered agents offering features like mail forwarding, document scanning, and compliance monitoring.
Northwest Special Offer
If you haven't formed your LLC yet, consider Northwest's LLC formation package for $29 plus state fees, which includes a free first year of registered agent service.
- Premium customer service
- Streamlined ordering
- Robust privacy features
To help you make an informed choice, we've compiled a table comparing the top 5 Michigan registered agent services below.
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Best Registered Agent Services |
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Northwest
4.7/5 |
BEST REGISTERED AGENT SERVICE
|
VISIT SITE |
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LegalZoom
4.5/5 |
TRUSTED AND WELL-KNOWN COMPANY
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VISIT SITE |
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ZenBusiness
4.3/5 |
|
VISIT SITE |
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Bizee
4.1/5 |
|
VISIT SITE |
|
Rocket Lawyer
3.9/5 |
|
VISIT SITE |
Whether you're starting a new business or considering a change, it's crucial to weigh factors like pricing, services, reputation, and customer support when choosing a registered agent in Michigan. Compare quotes and read online reviews to find the best fit for your needs.
Benefits of Using a Registered Agent Service
Many businesses choose to rely on third-party Michigan resident agents when they form an LLC. This is because it can offer a number of benefits, including:
- Legal compliance: A professional registered agent service will ensure that you do not miss an important legal document or notification (e.g., service of process, etc.) as a result of not being in your office (or as a result of a human error).
- Improved privacy: If you act as your own agent, your name and address will become public record on the Michigan Business Entity Search. Using a third-party service will help keep your information private.
- Discretion: When it comes to legal disputes, you will want to avoid receiving lawsuit-related documents in front of your clients and/or some employees.
- Better storage: Your service will generally scan all documents received and upload them online in PDF form. This means that you will always be able to access them online, and won’t have to worry about an employee accidentally losing an important document.
A national registered agent service can also be beneficial if you plan to expand into other states as a foreign LLC. This is because, otherwise, you would need to find an individual or business entity that is a resident — or is allowed to transact business — in each state that you want to register in.
How to Elect a Registered Agent in Michigan
For your LLC in Michigan, you will be required to elect your registered agent when you complete your LLC’s Articles of Organization. The Articles of Organization is the main LLC formation document in Michigan.
Electing a Registered Agent Online
You can form your LLC online via the MI Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs website ($50 filing fee required). Your registered agent’s name and contact information will be requested in Article IV of the online form. See below:
Electing a Registered Agent by Mail
To form your LLC by mail, download the Articles of Organization, fill out the required fields and submit a physical copy with the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). You’ll be asked to provide your registered agent’s information near the bottom of page 1:
How to Change Your Registered Agent in Michigan
To change your State registered agent, simply fill out a Certificate of Change of Registered Office and/or Change of Resident Agent and submit it to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory affairs along with the $15 filing fee.
This can be done by mail, in person, or by fax.
Mail:
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau
Corporations Division
P.O. Box 30054
Lansing, MI 48909
In Person:
State of Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Corporations Division
2501 Woodlake Cir.
Okemos, MI 48864
For more information read our how to change registered agents in Michigan guide.
FAQ
Yes, you can.
In fact, anyone can be a registered agent in Michigan as long as they’re at least 18 years old, have a business address in the state, and are available during normal business hours.
Having said that, we recommend using a third-party service as it can provide a variety of different benefits for a relatively low cost.
See our Michigan Registered Agent article for more information.
Yes, you do.
Getting a registered agent is a prerequisite for completing your Articles of Organization, which is the document that needs to be filed with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs in order to register a new LLC.
See our What is a Registered Agent article for more information.
You can get a registered agent service (recommended option) via our review of the best registered agent services, use a partner, or become your own registered agent.
We recommend using a third-party service due to the fact that it is the most time-efficient approach and can allow you to be significantly more flexible.
A Michigan registered agent — also known as a resident agent — is responsible for receiving service of process and other important legal documents on behalf of your LLC.
Appointing a registered agent is a legal requirement for all LLCs and will need to be done before you submit your Articles of Organization to the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.
In Michigan, a registered agent can be yourself, an attorney, a third-party service, or anyone else, as long as they:
- Are at least 18 years old
- Are available during regular business hours
- Have a Michigan business address
This will depend on who your registered agent is. If you go with a registered agent service, you should be paying around $10 a month, although a one-year free service can be included if you go with an LLC formation service first.
If you are your own resident agent, you will not have to pay any fees.