Oklahoma Registered Agent
If you are planning to form a limited liability company (LLC), you'll be legally required to appoint an Oklahoma registered agent to receive service of process.
Many business owners choose to hire a professional service to fulfill this requirement. A service will:
- Protect your privacy
- Reduce risk
- Collect important legal documents securely and store them online
In this article, we’ll help you make the best choice for your business.
Recommended: Northwest Registered Agent offers free registered agent services with LLC or corporation formation ($29 plus state fees).
Choosing a Registered Agent in Oklahoma
An Oklahoma registered agent serves as your business’s primary point of contact with the Secretary of State (e.g., with annual reports, etc.), as well as with any entity that may wish to file a lawsuit against you (i.e., deliver service of process).
You will be legally required to appoint a registered agent in order to form an LLC or corporation. This can be a registered agent service, individual, or yourself, so long as they:
- Are 18 years old or older.
- Have a physical address in Oklahoma.
- Are always available during normal business hours at their specified address.
Oklahoma Registered Agent Services
- Convenience: Using a third-party service will mean that you do not have to be present in your office address during regular business hours.
- Privacy: Since all Oklahoma registered agents’ names and addresses become publicly available, using a third-party service can be an affordable way of protecting your privacy.
- Compliance and Online Storage: Most third-party services scan your legal documents and upload them online in PDF form, meaning that you will be able to access them at any time.
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.
Being your own agent can be a great idea if you are operating on an exceptionally strict budget; this is because it can be done completely free of charge.
Having said that, this option is generally not recommended for several reasons, including the fact that it’s relatively time-inefficient and offers less privacy and flexibility in comparison to a premium third-party service.
If you are currently planning to form a new LLC, it will make sense to hire a formation service that includes a free year of registered agent services. These can charge as little as $29 per formation (excluding state fees), and can save you a significant amount of time when starting out.
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 Oklahoma guide.
Best Oklahoma Registered Agent Service
If you're in Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma registered agent services below.
Top 5 Oklahoma Registered Agent Services
| 1 |
1 |
2 |
|
Northwest
4.7/5 |
BEST REGISTERED AGENT SERVICE
|
VISIT SITE |
|
LegalZoom
4.5/5 |
TRUSTED AND WELL-KNOWN COMPANY
|
VISIT SITE |
|
ZenBusiness
4.3/5 |
|
VISIT SITE |
|
Incfile
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 Oklahoma. 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 use a professional registered agent service when they form an LLC. This is because it can offer a number of benefits, including:
- Legal compliance: A third-party service will ensure that you don’t 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 Oklahoma Business Entities 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 losing an important document.
A third-party 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 Oklahoma
For your LLC in Oklahoma, you will need to elect an agent when completing your LLC’s Articles of Organization.
This is the official formation document that you will need to file with the Secretary of State (alongside a $100 processing fee) in order to form your LLC.
Electing a Registered Agent Online
You can form your LLC online on the Oklahoma Secretary of State website ($100 filing fee required). Your registered agent’s name and contact information will be requested when you file your LLC’s Articles of Organization online:
Electing a Registered Agent by Mail
To form your LLC by mail, download the Articles of Organization form ($100 filing fee required), fill out the required fields, and submit a physical copy to the Oklahoma Secretary of State. You’ll be asked to provide your registered agent’s information under Article IV:
How to Change Your Registered Agent in Oklahoma
To change your Oklahoma registered agent, you will need to fill out a change form and file it with the Secretary of State.
Keep in mind that a different form will need to be filed depending on how your business is registered:
- Domestic LLCs
- Domestic corporations
- Foreign LLCs
- Foreign corporations
- Oklahoma limited partnership (LP)
- Foreign LP
This can be done online or by mail.
Mail:
Oklahoma Secretary of State
421 N.W. 13th Street, Suite 210
Oklahoma City, OK 73103
For more information read our how to change registered agents in Oklahoma guide.
Oklahoma Registered Agent FAQs
Can I be my own registered agent in Oklahoma?
Yes, you can, although this is generally not recommended due to the fact that it’s relatively time-consuming and does not offer any privacy protections.
You will also have less flexibility on a day-to-day basis, as you will need to ensure that you are present in your address during regular business hours.
See our Oklahoma Registered Agent article for more information.
Does Oklahoma require a registered agent?
This will depend on how your business is registered.
For example, all LLCs and corporations are required to appoint a registered agent — also known as a resident agent — in order to be formed, whereas sole proprietorships and general partnerships do not.
Registered agents can be individuals, attorneys or third-party services.
Who can be a registered agent?
In Oklahoma, anyone can be a registered agent, so long as they satisfy the following requirements:
- Must be 18 years old or older
- Must have a physical street address in Oklahoma
- Must be available for contact during regular business hours
See our What is a Registered Agent article for more information.
How do I change the registered agent on my LLC in Oklahoma?
You can change your registered agent in Oklahoma by filling out the Change of Registered Agent form and filing it with the Oklahoma Secretary of State.
This can be done online or via mail and requires you to pay a $25 filing fee.
What is a registered agent service?
It’s a third-party service that acts as your business’s official registered agent — also known as a statutory agent — with the Secretary of State.
These types of services generally cost anywhere between $90 and 300 per year but can also be offered free of charge if you use an LLC formation service.
See our What is a Registered Agent Service article for more information.