Arkansas Registered Agent: If you wish to start an Arkansas LLC, you have to appoint a registered agent. According to Arkansas State Law, it is mandatory to have an Arkansas Registered Agent if you are conducting business in the state. A registered agent receives all the official and legal documents from the State. They also receive the service of process if there’s any lawsuit in concern.
In the following guide, we have shared all the required information regarding hiring a registered agent, why you need a registered agent in Arkansas, and who can be a registered agent for your LLC. Read this guide carefully before you hire an Arkansas Registered Agent.
On this page, you’ll learn about the following:
What is an Arkansas Registered Agent
A registered agent (or a statutory agent or a resident agent) in Arkansas is an individual or a business that represents your business in receiving official documents. These official papers include formation documents, business renewal documents, tax filing, and any legal document if the LLC gets sued by other companies. All these documents go straight to the registered agent’s official address in the state. While forming an LLC, it is mandatory to appoint a registered agent.
When you file the Arkansas LLC formation papers with the Secretary of State, LLCs have to mention their registered agent’s name and address. When you choose a registered agent in Arkansas, you can go for two options, hiring an in-house registered agent or outsourcing the service.
Hiring a Registered Agent in Arkansas
You may have several options for hiring a registered agent in Arkansas. To become a registered agent, one has to meet the basic eligibility criteria. If the minimum requirements are fulfilled, anyone residing in Arkansas can represent your LLC as your registered agent.
Who Can Be a Registered Agent
- The person must be above 18 years old.
- The person must have a legal and physical address in the state where the LLC will operate.
- The person must be physically present during normal working hours.
- Anyone who fulfills the above requirements can act as a registered agent.
- Recommended – You should use a professional registered agent in Arkansas always.
Can I Be My Own Registered Agent
Yes, you can be your own registered agent. In fact, any member of the LLC, managers, and the owner can be a registered agent. Besides, someone from the owners’ family, such as a spouse, relatives, or other family members, can also act as a registered agent. As mentioned above, anyone who is representing the business as an agent should fulfill the basic criteria.
Why You Shouldn’t Be Your Own Registered Agent
Many small businesses do not hire a registered agent to save a chunk of money. However, it is not recommended to be your own registered agent. There are a bunch of problems one has to face while being a registered agent of his own LLC. Following are some of the issues you face,
- If you are operating your business from home or you are into web business, then your home address will be shared on the public portal. This address will be used for mailing and other official purposes. This will hamper your privacy.
- A registered agent has to be physically available at the official address during working hours on working days for 52 weeks. Being your own registered agent might restrict your other work due to this.
- The registered agent’s address must be up to date in the Secretary of State portal.
It is recommended to outsource the registered agent service to ease your work as it protects your privacy, especially if you conduct your business from home. It is always wise to outsource the RA service than be your own registered agent.
Recommended: You can get the best registered agent service at a reasonable price with online LLC service providers. We recommend using –
LegalZoom – $299 Per Year
How to Choose a Registered Agent in Arkansas
You can choose an Arkansas Registered Agent in two ways, either you can employ an in-house RA or outsource the service. Another option is to be your own registered agent. However, it is recommended to outsource the service as it is less worrisome and hassle-free.
In-house Registered Agent
As far as the in-house registered agent is concerned, it can be anyone from the LLC, including you, or you can employ an individual for this position. In that case, your office or home address will be the Registered Agent’s office address. Every LLC has to share its principal office address, mailing address, and registered agent’s office address to the state public portal. Hiring a registered agent service will make it easier as you can use the RA’s address as a mailing address.
Outsourcing Registered Agent Service
You may also avail yourself of professional registered agent services. Doing so ensures that you will have the best service provider to represent your business. Following are the best Registered Agent services on our list that will provide you with registered agents to ease your worries.
LLC Service | Our Rating & Pricing | Top Features | Learn More |
#1 TOP PICK  | $299 Per Year |
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 | $125 Per Year |
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Note that availing of the services of professional registered agents would be your best option since you are guaranteed that whoever is handling your legal affairs knows their stuff well. If you are forming your LLC from scratch, then with LegalZoom Registered Agent, you will get the full formation package.
What to Consider While Choosing an Arkansas Registered Agent
Here are some factors to consider when choosing a registered agent.
- Service Fee: Since most states require formal businesses to have registered agents, selecting the best-registered agent is critical. Hiring a registered agent typically costs between $99 and $300 annually. When you consider how much time it will save you, this is a small price to pay.
- Tenure in Business of Registered Agent: You want the registered agent to have established and time-tested procedures for handling documents. We recommend Registered Agent Services that have been in business for a long time. They are experienced and well capable of handling all your documentation.
- State Jurisdiction Limitation: If your company expands to another state, you should use the same registered agent in all states to reduce the administrative burden of dealing with multiple registered agent service providers. Check out the best Registered Agent Services to consider for this job.
- Offer Monitoring and Follow-up Services: You want to receive up-to-date information and alerts from your registered agent as soon as possible so that you are aware of the various statutes, rules, and regulations that apply to your company. Some of the service providers offer this service. Make sure to choose an RA service that includes this service.
How to Appoint a Registered Agent in Arkansas
At the time of submitting the Arkansas Certificate of Organization, the registered agent can be appointed by the LLC. It can be done online or by mail. No additional fee is charged for appointing a Registered Agent. Only the state filing fee should be paid.
Appoint Registered Agent Online
To appoint a registered agent online, you have to go to the Arkansas LLC Online Filing page and provide the information of your Registered Agent accordingly.
Appoint Registered Agent By Mail
To appoint a registered agent in Arkansas by mail, you need to download the Arkansas LLC filing form (PDF). Fill up the “Registered Agent” section with appropriate details of the agent and submit it to the SOS office. For more information, read on Arkansas Certificate of Formation.
Cost of an Arkansas Registered Agent
The cost of having a registered agent can be variable. It depends on whether you are employing an in-house registered agent, being your own agent, or outsourcing the service. The cost of having a registered agent can start from $99 and go up to $300 per year. It will be cost-effective if you outsource the registered agent service in Arkansas.
Registered Agent services that also provide LLC formation packages can provide the same service at a lower price. For example, LegalZoom offers standalone registered agent service at $299 per year, but if you buy their LLC formation package at $0 + state fees, you might get a registered agent at a low cost.
How to Change a Registered Agent in Arkansas
To change the Arkansas registered agent, you must file a Change of registered agent or office by entity form. This form can be submitted to the Arkansas Secretary of State via mail or email. Read more on how to change a registered agent in Arkansas.
File By Email
For online filing, you need to get the online form which is available on the Arkansas Secretary of State portal. Fill in all the necessary information of LLC as well as current and old registered agents. This form must be completed and signed by the newly appointed registered agent and any authorized member of the LLC. The signature of the new registered agent acts like the consent to be appointed as one. Submit it online.
Fee: No fee
File By Mail
You can also choose to file the form through the mail. You need to download the Change of registered agent or office by entity form from the Arkansas Secretary of State’s portal. Fill in all the details on your computer. The completed form is to be signed by the newly appointed registered agent. The duly signed form must be sent to the following address,
Mail to: Arkansas Secretary of State
1401 W. Capitol Ave.
Suite 250
Little Rock, AR 72201
Why Do LLCs in Arkansas Need a Registered Agent Service
There are several reasons why a business should appoint a registered agent in Arkansas. Some of the most important reasons are listed below,
- Confidentiality: Having a registered agent service in Arkansas ensures the complete privacy of your business and related documentation. Appointing a registered agent company instead of an individual gets you privacy and confidentiality contracts beforehand.
- Up-to-date Compliance: LLCs and corporates have plenty of paperwork and compliances that are to be updated on time. With a registered agent service, you don’t have to worry about those compliances as your registered agent will maintain a compliance calendar.
- Privacy: It is mandatory for businesses in Arkansas to publicly upload their address to the Arkansas Secretary of State. If you are using the home address for your business, then it would not be safe to make your private address public. On the other side, appointing a registered agent service will cover you up here as they have to provide their address to the Arkansas SOS and not yours.
- Availability: Every registered agent has to be available during office hours of work on business days. If you hire a registered agent service, then they can be available at the required time without harming other tasks at the company.
- Online Safe Backup: Every registered agent in Arkansas or any other state usually takes online backup of all the documents and paperwork. This ensures the LLC papers are securely saved in a central system.
- Lawsuits or Summons: Getting summoned or involved in a lawsuit does not leave a good impression on the employees. With a registered agent, all the related papers will be delivered to the Registered Agent’s official address. Hence, owners do not have to receive any such papers in their office in front of their employees.
Alaska Business Laws for Registered Agents to Note
Registered agents are responsible for handling all the business laws and other legal issues related to Arkansas LLC. Every state has its own business laws. Arkansas is no exception. It has its own set of different business laws to follow. Here are some of the important business laws every business should follow.
Arkansas Antitrust laws
Antitrust laws regulate and prevent anti-competitive practices in any open market by levying heavy penalties and punishment against such activities. These laws counter the formation of cartels, monopolies, or any barrier created for new entrants in the market. The Arkansas Antitrust laws prohibit any agreement in restraint of trade, price-fixing, quantity fixing, acquisitions executed to reduce competition in the market, and any unfair methods of competition. The time limit to bring in such claims is 5 years. The State allows a successful plaintiff to recover attorneys’ fees.
Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Laws
The State of Arkansas aims to protect its residents from unfair business practices. Such practices mislead the consumers into investing in invaluable market products by selling them with twisted statements and lies such as false advertising. The laws specifically prohibit false advertising and odometer tampering. The plaintiff can receive remedies such as injunction and reimbursement of money utilized for purchase, suspension of business permit of the accused, fine up to $10,000 per violation, attorneys’ fees reimbursement, and class A misdemeanor upon wilful deceptive trade practice.
Arkansas Insurance Fraud Laws
The State restricts any activity wherein false statements or intentional misrepresentations are made to benefit from any insurance policy. Such activities constitute insurance fraud and are classified as a Class D felony punishable with imprisonment of up to 6 years and/or a fine of up to $10,000 per violation. Fraud laws prohibit any solicitation of insurance risk on behalf of an insurer, embezzlement of property from an insurer, transacting insurance business in violation of laws, counterfeiting insurance policies, destroying the assets/records of the insurer, etc.
Arkansas Pyramid and Ponzi Schemes Laws
Any pyramid or Ponzi scheme is considered illegal in Arkansas as they are contrary to the public policy of the State. These schemes are deceptive in nature, and participating in or organizing such activities is prohibited by the laws of the State. Some common examples include Mail and wire fraud, Commodities, lottery, and securities fraud. As per the statute of limitations, all prosecutions under this law must be initiated within 5 years of the violation. Such activities constitute a Class D misdemeanor, punishable with imprisonment of up to 1 year and a fine of up to $2500.
Arkansas Interest Rate Laws
Every state in the United States has an Interest law for businesses. Normally, the general interest rate guidelines are less than the legal threshold of interest rate. Arkansas has laws to limit the interest rates, and significantly, high-interest rates are considered unlawful and open to criminal prosecution. The maximum legal interest rate is 5% above the Federal Reserve discount rate. The interest rate on judgments is fixed at 6% per annum. The penalty for usury can render such contracts in violation of the interest laws as void, and the debtor may recover twice the amount of interest paid.
Arkansas Wage and Hour Laws
The Employers in Arkansas must abide by the wage and hour laws of the State. The minimum wage is set at $8.50 per hour. Any employee who works for more than 40 hours in a week should be compensated with overtime pay which is 1.5 times the regular hourly rate. The minimum wage for tipped employees is $2.63 per hour. However, the tip must be earned sufficiently up to $7.50 state minimum. Any employer found in violation of the laws shall be liable to civil penalties, and action can be instituted to recover the full wage amount.
The Registered Agents are the people who act as points of contact between your business and the State Authorities. They assist your business in ensuring compliance with all regulations and codes of the State. Hiring a registered agent in Arkansas will help you handle your business in a smooth and legally compliant manner.
How to Remove a Registered Agent for LLC in Arkansas
A registered agent for LLC in Arkansas can be removed by submitting a Statement of Change form with Arkansas Secretary of State without any filing amount.
The process of removing a registered agent for an LLC (Limited Liability Company) in Arkansas may appear daunting at first, but understanding the steps involved can make it much easier. Hiring a registered agent is a vital requirement for operating an LLC, as they serve as the point of contact with the state and play a crucial role in ensuring legal compliance. However, circumstances may arise where you need to change or remove your registered agent. Whether it’s due to their incompetence, unavailability, or simply a desire for a new agent, the state of Arkansas has put in place clear guidelines to facilitate this process.
Before delving into the steps, it’s important to mention that an LLC in Arkansas, like in most states, is legally obliged to have a registered agent. The registered agent is responsible for receiving important legal documents and official correspondence on behalf of the LLC. Thus, it is a good practice to have open and effective communication with your registered agent, ensuring they understand their requirements and fulfill them promptly.
If the need to remove your registered agent arises, the first step is to consult your LLC’s operating agreement. This agreement, which outlines the internal functions of the LLC, may provide specific instructions on how to remove a registered agent. Adhering to the operative provisions outlined in this document is key to ensuring all actions are conducted lawfully and the interests of all parties involved are respected.
In Arkansas, the next step involves filing a Statement of Change with the Secretary of State. This document is ordinarily filed online through the Arkansas Secretary of State website, ensuring seamless and efficient processing. The Statement of Change requires you to provide identifying information about the LLC, such as the entity name, entity type, and the name of the current registered agent. Additionally, you must also fill in the details of the new registered agent you wish to appoint, including their name, address, and contact information. Accuracy is key here to avoid any potential complications.
Upon filing the Statement of Change, it is essential to pay the required fee, which is generally modest. The fee may vary from time to time, so it is recommended to consult the Secretary of State website or contact them directly to obtain the most up-to-date information. Keep in mind that timely payment of this fee is essential to ensure that the change in your registered agent is processed smoothly.
Once your request to change the registered agent has been submitted, it will be reviewed by the Secretary of State. Typically, this process takes a relatively short amount of time, enabling you to progress smoothly in utilizing the services of your new registered agent. The correctness and clarity of the documentation prepared play an important role in determining the efficiency of this review process.
Letting the pressure build up due to an unsatisfactory registered agent is unnecessary when steps to replace them are readily available. By thoroughly understanding and adhering to Arkansas’s process of removing a registered agent, members of an LLC can ensure their business operations continue unimpeded with a new agent that best suits their needs. Understanding these general steps will help ensure a successful transition from your old registered agent to a new one, with minimal complications or interruptions to your business.
FAQ
You must submit the RA change application form to the Arkansas Secretary of State in order to modify the registered agent there. You may submit this electronically, through mail to the Arkansas Secretary of State at 1401 W. Capitol Ave., Suite 250, Little Rock, AR 72201, or via fax, depending on whatever option is most convenient for you. In Arkansas, changing a registered agent is free of charge.
In Arkansas, being a registered agent is simple. You must be at least 18 years old and a resident of the state to serve as a registered agent. A certain educational background is not necessary to work as a registered agent in Arkansas.
Anyone may serve as a registered agent in Arkansas. Anyone who meets the requirements, including your spouse, family members, LLC members, and you yourself, may serve as a registered agent. The applicant must be an adult who is a resident of Arkansas.
In Arkansas, you must submit the RA Change Form with the new address listed in order to change a registered agent’s address. Depending on what option is most convenient for you, you may submit the form online, by mail to the Arkansas Secretary of State, 1401 W. Capitol Ave., Suite 250, Little Rock, AR 72201, or by fax. The Arkansas SOS should get this paperwork.
You must go to the Arkansas Secretary of State website in order to locate a company’s registered agent in Arkansas. You will have the option to search for the company by name. To see the data, enter the company name and then choose the registered agent’s name.
In Arkansas, a registered agent is in charge of collecting legal notifications and permits as well as serving any processes on behalf of the business. In Arkansas, having a registered agent is required. In Arkansas, you have the option of hiring a pro or serving as your own registered agent.
By providing their information at the time of business registration in Arkansas, registered agents may be designated. You must provide information such as the name, address, and phone number of the designated registered agent in a section of the formation document. Give your personal details if you are acting as a registered agent.
You must carry out the following actions in order to look for a registered agent’s address:
1. Visit the webpage for the Arkansas Secretary of State
2. Look up the firm using its name
3. Verify the address list and the Registered Agent section.
This will enable you to look up the Arkansas address of the registered agent.
Visit the website of the Arkansas Secretary of State to look up a company. The “Search” option is present. You may look for a company using both its name and the name of its registered agent. To get the business information, choose “registered agent” and input the name of your registered agent.
Three requirements must be met in order to become a registered agent in Arkansas. The first is that you need to be older than 18 years old. The second requirement is that you must live in the state. In other words, you must have a real street address in Arkansas. Lastly, you need to be able to do business in Arkansas legally.
Finding a corporation’s registered agent in Arkansas is simple. You must go to the Arkansas Secretary of State’s website to accomplish this. Select Business Search from the menu. You may look for a company by name by choosing the Look up by name option. Once you have the company, you may look up the information on the registered agent.
In Arkansas, a registered agent who wishes to quit must provide a letter of resignation to the business that they are currently working for. After a certain number of days, along with the resignation letter, a resignation notice should be sent to the Arkansas Secretary of State to confirm the resignation of the registered agent.
You must submit the RA Change Form to the Arkansas Secretary of State in order to modify an Arkansas registered agent online. Not all states provide you the option to update a new registered agent online. If the online approach is offered, check the Arkansas SOS website.
In Arkansas, there are three methods to get a free registered agent. The first method entails acting as your own registered agent. Second, if any of your friends, family members, or spouses take on the role of registered agent. In Arkansas, there are firms that help with company creation that provide free registered agent services.
Finding an Arkansas registered agent is simple. You must go to the Arkansas Secretary of State’s official website. You can choose the “search by name” option if you know the company name. You may investigate a registered agent’s data from the list when you discover the firm information.
The Arkansas Secretary of State is located at 1401 West Capitol Avenue, Suite 250, Little Rock, AR 72201, and is where the registered agent form for the state of Arkansas should be delivered. You must designate the registered agent and provide all of their information on the formation paperwork when registering your firm. Post it to the aforementioned address after that.
You must have a registered agent for your business in Arkansas. If your firm does not have a registered agent, you might face legal issues. As a result, it’s crucial to work with a registered agent in Arkansas (you may alternatively serve as your own registered agent).
If a registered agent passes away in Arkansas, all of their authority is lost. In Arkansas, having a registered agent is required. As a result, the business has to choose or replace a new registered agent. A manager, an official of the business, or the owner may act as the registered agent in the interim.
The possibility of hiding a registered agent’s name is not 100% certain. because the name and address of a registered agent must be published on the website of the Arkansas Secretary of State, you may prevent the public from seeing the identities of your owners and members if you operate an Anonymous LLC.
Call 501-682-1010 to get information on the registered agent in Arkansas. The Arkansas Secretary of State’s regular business hours are from 8 am to 5 pm (central time). You may dial this number and follow the prompts to speak with the desired division.
A registered agent’s permission is a declaration in writing that the agent is prepared to represent the business. In Arkansas, if you appoint a new registered agent or change the previous person, then the new person appointed must submit their consent to the SOS.
In Arkansas, a registered agent and a resident agent are the same titles. While the registered agent is the word used in the majority of states, the resident agent is used in other states. In every state, the designation, appointment, and registration procedures are the same.
If a person appointed as a registered agent in Arkansas has not given his/her consent, then a legal penalty and liability can be imposed on the person who is appointing a registered agent without their consent. They also have the freedom to refuse any obligations imposed by the procedure.
Yes, even if your LLC doesn’t have a registered agent in Arkansas, you may still be sued. In Arkansas, there are several avenues to sue any company. There will be another means to sue the firm if no one is available to accept the legal paperwork.
In Arkansas, a registered agent has the option to accept or reject the designation. The individual may sign the declaration of refusal and deliver it to the Secretary of State in order to reject the designation. The SOS website hosts the declaration of refusal.
In Conclusion
Before you choose a registered agent for your Arkansas LLC, compare their price and services from the table. They will be responsible for all your documentation, filings, and other LLC-related tasks. Hence, choose the best one for your business that provides 100% accurate service at a reasonable price.
