Emuparadise

Your Texas registered agent is the person or business that receives legal documents (service of process) and official mail like tax notices on behalf of your company. State law requires you to select one and list them on your company’s registration documents.

A professional registered agent service like ZenBusiness provides all the services you need, plus compliance reminders and an online document portal for $199 a year. Check them out here.

Reputation

A Texas registered agent is the designated point of contact for your business that receives important legal mail like service of process and compliance-related correspondence. It is also a requirement when registering a business in Texas. Professional registered agent service is the easiest and most affordable way to ensure you comply with Texas’s requirements.

A reputable Texas registered agent service will have a robust online portal that is easy to use and provides you with valuable business information and data privacy protection. They will also be available during all business hours and have a physical address in the state of Texas.

For example, Better Legal is our top pick for a Texas registered agent because they provide an easy setup experience with helpful customer support. They also offer a number of other online services to help you grow your company and maintain compliance. Similarly, Incfile is another excellent option because they have a low price and offer helpful business advice.

Fees

A professional registered agent service will provide your company with a streamlined solution to the state requirement. For instance, they will scan and upload important documents to your online account immediately after they receive them. You will also get notification of compliance deadlines, which will help you avoid costly penalties.

It is possible for a business owner to serve as their own registered agent, but this can be time-consuming and burdensome. The reason is that the person would need to be available during business hours at their address to accept service of process, which can be difficult if they are out of town or meeting with clients.

A reputable registered agent services like Northwest Registered Agent provides this service for $125 per year. Other providers such as Incfile charge a bit less but offer more limited services. The downside to both of these companies is that they are relentless with upsells and can be slow to respond to customer service requests.

Reliability

In Texas, as in all states, most business entities are required to have a physical registered agent located within the state. The registered agent receives service of process notifications and important correspondence on behalf of the business entity, and is responsible for keeping the company’s information up-to-date with the Texas Secretary of State.

Choosing a reliable registered agent is essential. A trustworthy provider should be available during standard business hours and have a secure system to protect the privacy of their clients. They also usually offer additional services, such as mail forwarding and document scanning.

A popular choice is LegalZoom, which offers a premium service for $299 per year. However, their customer service isn’t as good as other options and they don’t have as much name recognition as the competition. They do, however, offer up to $1 million in identity theft protection. That might make them a worthwhile option for some business owners.

Privacy

Using a premium service provider will give you the peace of mind that comes with knowing your information is safe and secure. This is important, especially if your business handles sensitive documents or finances.

Discretion if Sued

A good commercial registered agent will be able to serve your company with discretion in the event of a lawsuit. This will prevent you from having to receive a summons in front of clients or employees.

Having the right Texas registered agent is essential for your business. A reputable agent will keep your personal details private, be available during business hours, and ensure that you get the mail you need to stay in compliance with state regulations. You can change your registered agent in Texas by filing Form 401 with the state. This can be done by mail, fax, or online at SOSDirect. The fee to change your registered agent is $15. A certified copy of the form will need to be sent with the filing.