Kentucky Registered Agent
If you’re forming an LLC in Kentucky, you'll be legally required to appoint a Kentucky registered agent to accept service of process.
Even though you can be your own registered agent, most business owners choose to hire a third-party service instead. This is because a registered agent service will:
- Protect your privacy
- Reduce risk
- Give you the freedom of not being at your registered office address during regular business hours
- Collect and store important documents
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 Kentucky
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A Kentucky registered agent will serve as your business’s point of contact with the state, and will also be responsible for receiving service of process in the event that a lawsuit is filed against your business.
Appointing a registered agent can be a legal requirement in Kentucky, depending on how your business is registered. This can be a registered agent service or an individual, so long as they:
- Are at least 18 years old.
- Have a physical address in the state of Kentucky.
- Are always available during regular business hours at their business address.
Kentucky Registered Agent Services
- Convenience: Working with a third-party service will ensure that you can operate in a more flexible manner on a day-to-day basis. This is because you will not need to be physically present in your business’s address during normal business hours.
- Privacy: Since your registered agent’s address and name will become publicly searchable as soon as your business is registered, hiring a third-party service can be an affordable way of protecting your privacy.
- Legal compliance: Most registered agent services come with additional features that will help you stay legally compliant (e.g., annual report reminders, etc.).
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 allow you to save a small amount of money (e.g., around $90 per year) in comparison to hiring a third-party service.
This can be a good choice for owners operating on an exceptionally small budget, but it is generally not recommended because:
- You will be required to be present at your registered office address during regular business hours in order to receive service of process.
- You will be wholly responsible for keeping up with all of your business’s necessary paperwork; this can be quite time-consuming.
- Any errors on your part could result in fines or penalties from the Secretary of State or other federal agencies.
- You won’t have access to the same features that would otherwise be available to you if you hired a third-party service (e.g., annual report reminders, online storage, etc.).
If you are forming a new LLC, it makes sense to hire a formation service that includes a free year of registered agent services. These can charge as little as $29 per formation — plus state fees — and will ensure that your corporate filings do not get rejected.
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 Kentucky guide.
Best Kentucky Registered Agent Service
If you're in Kentucky 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 Kentucky 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 |
|
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 Kentucky. 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 registered agent 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 Kentucky Name Availability Search. Using a registered agent 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 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 Kentucky
For your LLC in Kentucky, you will be required to appoint a registered agent when you complete your LLC’s Articles of Organization. This is the formation document that you will need to file with the Kentucky Secretary of State — alongside a $40 processing fee — in order to form your LLC.
Note: Your registered agent must provide written consent by signing your LLC’s Articles of Organization in order to be accepted.
Electing a Registered Agent Online
You can form your LLC online through an account on the Kentucky Business One Stop Portal ($40 filing fee required). You’ll gain access to all the resources you need to appoint a registered agent and form your LLC online.
Electing a Registered Agent by Mail
To form your LLC by mail, download the Articles of Organization ($40 filing fee required), fill out the required fields and submit a physical copy to the Secretary of State. Your registered agent’s name and address will be requested in Article II.
How to Change Your Registered Agent in Kentucky
In order to appoint a new agent, you will need to file a Statement of Change of Registered Agent form with the Secretary of State.
This can be done online, by mail, or in-person ($10 filing fee).
Mail:
Michael G. Adams
Office of the Secretary of State
P.O. Box 718
Frankfort, KY 40602-0718
In Person:
Room 154, Capitol Building
700 Capital Avenue
Frankfort, KY 40601
Consent to Appointment
Your new registered agent also will need to consent to their appointment. They can do this by signing the Statement of Change form.
Check out our full guide on how to change registered agents in Kentucky.
Kentucky Registered Agent FAQ
Yes, you can, as long as you are at least 18 years old, will always be physically present in your registered office address during regular business hours, and have a physical address in the state of Kentucky.
For more information, we recommend having a look at our Kentucky Registered Agent article.
You can be legally required to elect an agent in the state of Kentucky, depending on how your business is registered.
For example, LLCs and corporations are required to appoint a registered agent in order to be formed, whereas general partnerships are not.
We recommend having a look at our What is a Registered Agent article for more information.
You can become your own agent by filling in your personal details in your LLC’s Articles of Organization.
This is the formation document that needs to be filed with the Kentucky Secretary of State in order for your LLC to be formed.
You can change your Kentucky registered agent through the Secretary of State’s Fasttrack Organization website, or by downloading a Statement of Change form and mailing it to the following address:
Office of the Secretary of State
P.O. Box 718
Frankfort, KY 40602-0718
Keep in mind that a $10 filing fee will need to be paid.
Yes. LLCs can have the same registered agent (also known as a resident agent) as well as the same business address.
We recommend going with a third-party registered agent service when starting out, as this is generally the most time-efficient approach.