Missouri Registered Agent
You'll be required to elect a Missouri registered agent to accept service of process when you form an LLC.
Even though you can be your own agent, many small businesses choose to hire a commercial registered agent service because services:
- Are affordable
- Increase privacy and flexibility
- Reduce risk
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 Missouri
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A Missouri registered agent will serve as your business’s primary point of contact with the state, and will also be responsible for receiving service of process in the event that your LLC or corporation is sued.
Appointing an agent is a legal requirement in Missouri for limited liability companies (LLCs) and corporations. This can be a registered agent service or an individual, so long as they satisfy the following requirements:
- Are at least 18 years old.
- Have a physical street address in Missouri.
- Are always available during regular business hours at their registered office address.
Missouri Registered Agent Services
- Convenience: If you choose to hire a third-party service, you will be able to operate in a more flexible way on a day-to-day basis. This is because you will not need to be physically present at your business’s address during regular working hours.
- Privacy: Since your agent’s address and name will become publicly available as soon as your business is registered, you may wish to hire a third-party service in order to protect your personal information.
- Compliance and Online Storage: Several third-party services come with additional features that can help you stay compliant (e.g., reminder for annual reports, online uploads of legal documents, etc.).
Let’s Find the Right Registered Agent for Your Missouri Business
We’ve tested and reviewed the most popular registered agent services.
Can You Be Your Own Registered Agent?
Yes you can.
If you are going to be operating on an exceptionally small budget and will have trouble paying for a third-party service (i.e., between $90 and $300 per year.), then acting as your own agent can be a great idea.
Having said that, we recommend avoiding this approach unless necessary since it is relatively time-inefficient and will not offer you any privacy protections when it comes to your sensitive information.
If you are forming a new LLC, it will make sense to hire a formation service that includes a free year of registered agent services. These types of services can cost as little as $29 per formation (excluding 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 Missouri guide.
Best Missouri Registered Agent Service
If you're in Missouri 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 Missouri registered agent services below.
 |
Best Registered Agent Services |
|
|
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 |
|
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 Missouri. 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 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 Missouri Business Search website. 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 Missouri
For your LLC in Missouri, you will be required to appoint your registered agent when you complete your LLC’s Articles of Organization.
The Articles of Organization is the main formation document that you will need to file with the Missouri Secretary of State’s Corporations Division in order to form your LLC.
Electing a Registered Agent Online
You can form your LLC online at the Secretary of State’s website using the Missouri Online Business Filing System ($50 filing fee required). After accepting the terms and conditions, you’ll gain access to all the resources you need to appoint a registered agent and form an LLC online.
Electing a Registered Agent by Mail
To form your LLC by mail, download the Articles of Organization ($105 filing fee required), fill out the required fields and submit a physical copy with the Missouri Secretary of State. You’ll be asked to provide your registered agent’s information in Section 3.
How to Change Your Registered Agent in Missouri
If you want to appoint a new registered agent, you will need to complete a Statement of Change of Registered Agent and/or Registered Office form.
This can be filed via mail or online and costs $10.
Mail:
Corporations Division
P.O. Box 778
Jefferson City, MO 65102
In Person:
Corporations Division
600 W. Main Street, Room 322
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Check out our full guide to changing registered agents in Missouri.
Consent to Appointment
Your new registered agent also will need to consent to their appointment. They can do this by signing the change form or by attaching a separate sheet with their written consent.
For more information read our how to change registered agents in Missouri guide.
Registered Agent FAQ
Yes, you can.
Being your own agent can be a good idea if you are operating on an exceptionally small budget (since it’s free).
Having said that, we recommend going with a premium registered agent service if you can afford it due to the prolific benefits involved.
Have a look at our Missouri Registered Agent article for more information.
You can find the right third-party service through our review of the Best Registered Agent Service in Missouri.
If you want to act as your own agent, you will simply need to include your own details while completing your LLC’s Articles of Organization.
All Missouri registered agents need to satisfy the following requirements in order to be accepted by the Secretary of State:
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must have a physical address in Missouri
- Must be available for contact at their chosen address during normal business hours.
This can be yourself, a registered agent service, or a partner.
This will depend on how your business is registered.
Appointing a registered agent will be a legal requirement if you are operating as an LLC or corporation.
On the other hand, you will not need to appoint an agent as a sole proprietorship or partnership.
You can appoint a new agent by filing a Statement of Change form with the Secretary of State. This can be done online or in person and will require you to pay a processing fee of $10.
See our How Do I Change My Registered Agent in Missouri article for more information.