Top Vermont Registered Agents – Comprehensive Guide (March 2024)


Steve Goldstein
Steve Goldstein
Business Formation Expert
Steve Goldstein runs LLCBuddy, helping entrepreneurs set up their LLCs easily. He offers clear guides, articles, and FAQs to simplify the process. His team keeps everything accurate and current, focusing on state rules, registered agents, and compliance. Steve’s passion for helping businesses grow makes LLCBuddy a go-to resource for starting and managing an LLC.

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Vermont Registered Agent: If you wish to start a Vermont LLC, you have to appoint a registered agent. According to Vermont State Law, it is mandatory to have a Vermont 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 Vermont, and who can be a registered agent for your LLC. Read this guide carefully before you hire a Vermont Registered Agent.

What is a Vermont Registered Agent

A registered agent (or a statutory agent or a resident agent) in Vermont 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 Vermont 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 Vermont, you can go for two options, hiring an in-house registered agent or outsourcing the service.

Hiring a Registered Agent in Vermont

You may have several options for hiring a registered agent in Vermont. To become a registered agent, one has to meet the basic eligibility criteria. If the minimum requirements are fulfilled, anyone residing in Vermont can represent your LLC as your registered agent.

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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 Vermont 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,

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  • 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 –

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How to Choose a Registered Agent in Vermont

You can choose a Vermont 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.

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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 a Vermont 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 Vermont

At the time of submitting the Vermont Articles 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.

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Appoint Registered Agent Online

To appoint a registered agent online, you have to go to the Vermont LLC Online Filing page and provide the information of your Registered Agent accordingly.

Appoint Registered Agent By Mail

To appoint a registered agent in Vermont by mail, you need to download the Vermont 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 Vermont Articles of Organization.

Cost of a Vermont 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 Vermont.

Registered Agent services that also provide LLC formation packages can provide the same service at a lower price. For example, LegalZoom Registered Agent 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 low cost registered agent.

How to Change a Registered Agent in Vermont

To change the Vermont registered agent, you must file a Change of registered agent or office by entity form. This form can be submitted to the Vermont Secretary of State via mail or email.

File Online

For email filing, you need to get the online form, which is available on the Vermont 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: $25

File By Mail

You can request a paper form from the Vermont Secretary of State. You need to go to the Online Form Request page on the portal to get the list of forms. Find the Change of Registered Agent or Office form from the list and request. You will receive a paper form to register your newly appointed registered agent.

How to Pay: The filing amount is payable to the Vermont secretary of state through a credit card when filing online.

Why Do LLCs in Vermont Need a Registered Agent Service

There are several reasons why a business should appoint a registered agent in Vermont. Some of the most important reasons are listed below,

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  • Confidentiality: Having a registered agent service in Vermont 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 Vermont to publicly upload their address to the Vermont 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 Vermont 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 Vermont or any other state usually takes an 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.

Vermont Business Laws for Registered Agents to Note

Choosing an appropriately registered agent is also one of the essential steps in forming an LLC. Since a registered agent is responsible for state-related regulations, it is advisable to choose one based in that particular state.

It is his or her responsibility to be well aware of the business laws prevalent in the state. Check out the below-listed business laws that any Vermont registered agent must be aware of:

Vermont Antitrust Laws

Antitrust laws are invoked when a company announces a merger or purchase of another large company, resulting in a virtual monopoly. Contracts, combinations, or conspiracies in breach of contract; Monopolization offenses; Mergers and acquisitions that substantially reduce competition; Unfair methods of competing, as well as unfair acts and practices in the conduct of trade or commerce, are all prohibited under Vermont antitrust laws, which are all modeled after federal statutory provisions.

Vermont Civil Statute of Limitations Laws

Be it a misconduct lawsuit or a debt collection demand, every state has stringent time constraints for bringing a civil case. Statutes of limitations are time limits that apply to different kinds of legal actions. They’re designed to protect physical evidence and witness testimony while also removing the danger of a lawsuit for the foreseeable future.

Vermont Deceptive Trade Practices Laws

When a customer buys an item or service, Vermont law states that the supplier must not mislead the buyer about the service or product. Deceptive commercial practices are when a vendor makes a false statement or exaggeration about its goods or services or refuses to disclose significant data about its goods or services. The Attorney General of Vermont is responsible for enforcing the law when he or she considers that it is in the public interest.

Vermont Wage and Hour Laws

Wage and hour rules in Vermont ensure that firms comply with minimum wage and overtime rates, ensuring that employees are properly compensated and protected while working. Employers in Vermont are prohibited from paying employees less than $10.50 per hour.

Vermont Pyramid and Ponzi Schemes Laws

For decades, consumer markets have been plagued by various types of pyramid and Ponzi schemes. While there are some distinctions between a pyramid and a Ponzi scheme, the final purpose is the same: to defraud others of their money in order to pay one or a few “original investors” within the plan. Vermont’s attorney general has broad authority to enact rules to prevent fraudulent consumer activities.

Vermont Insurance Fraud Laws

Vermont insurance fraud laws safeguard consumers by imposing stiff penalties on violators, including prison time and fines. Before signing any agreement, buyers should confirm that the vendor is currently licensed to do business with the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation. If a seller isn’t on the state’s registry, it’s a red signal worth looking into.

Vermont Interest Rates Laws

Personal loans in Vermont have a statutory interest rate of 12 percent for these forms of unsecured consumer loans. This is the maximum interest rate that can be charged in Vermont on any personal consumer loan. This is the maximum interest rate, regardless of whether money is lent to the customer by another person or a business.

FAQ

How To Change Registered Agent In Vermont?

In Vermont, the registered agent may be changed. You must do so by submitting an application form along with a $25 fee. Send the Secretary of State the RA change application. Both online and by mail options are available. You must fill out a request form in order to ship anything.

How To Become A Registered Agent In Vermont?

A registered agent may be hired by anybody in Vermont who is at least 18 years old and resides there permanently. To operate a business in the state, the individual must be authorized. Anyone may register as a registered agent if these conditions are met.

Who Can Be A Registered Agent In Vermont?

A registered agent may be any Vermont resident who is at least 18 years old. Anyone who satisfies the qualifications, whether connected to you or not, maybe named as your Vermont LLC’s registered agent.

How To Change Registered Agent Address In Vermont?

You must notify the Vermont SOS of the new address if you wish to alter the registered agent’s address. You must do this by giving the Vermont Secretary of State the RA Change Form. Replace the old address in the form’s area for it. You may send it in or submit it online. You must submit a Request Form in order to send anything. The procedure may cost money.

How To Find A Company’s Registered Agent In Vermont?

You may locate a company’s information by going to the Vermont Secretary of State’s website. Find the firm by using the business search tool. Check the registered agent information on the site after you’ve located it.

What Does A Registered Agent Do In Vermont?

On behalf of your business, any process or notifications must be served via a registered agent in Vermont. The official address for any such documents should be the office of the Registered Agent. In Vermont, registered agents may be anybody who qualifies.

How To Appoint Someone As The Registered Agent In Vermont?

When registering your company in Vermont, you must provide the information of the registered agent you hired. The registered agent’s name, residence, contact information, and appointment date must all be included. Your registered agent will be listed with the Vermont SOS when the formation is complete.

How To Search For Registered Agent Address In Vermont?

You must use the Vermont SOS to look up a registered agent’s address in Vermont. Look for the registered agent information on the website after doing a search using the business name. The location and phone number of the Vermont registered agent are included in the registered agent section.

How Do I Look For A Business In Vermont By The Registered Agent Name?

Visit the Vermont SOS website if you want to look up the company name using the name of a registered agent. The registered agent’s name may be used in the search option to get information about the company. Under the list of search results, you may look up the company.

What Is Required Of A Registered Agent In Vermont?

A registered agent must be at least 18 years old and a resident of the state to be appointed. The individual may act as a registered agent in Vermont if all requirements are met.

How To Look Up The Registered Agent Of A Corporation In Vermont?

In Vermont, it is simple to locate a registered agent for a company. Access the site of the Vermont Secretary of State. The name, tax ID, and registered agent of a company may all be used to locate it. To get the registered agent information for a corporation, search for a company by name.

How Do I Resign As A Registered Agent In Vermont?

A registered agent in Vermont may quit without any difficulty. A formal resignation letter must be sent to the firm by the individual before leaving. The resignation notification must be sent to the Vermont SOS by letter, fax, or online after it has been accepted by the employer in order to go forward.

How To Update Registered Agent In Vermont Online?

Visit the Vermont Secretary of State’s website if you wish to edit the registered agent there online. To change the registered agent in Vermont, you must send or submit the RA Change Form (if accessible online).

How To Get A Free Registered Agent In Vermont?

You have a variety of options for becoming a free registered agent in Vermont. You must first sign up to serve as your company’s registered agent. A member of your family may serve as a registered agent as a second option. Last but not least, you may hunt for free service providers if you are employing a competent registered agent.

How To Research For Registered Agent Information In Vermont?

You must go to the Vermont SOS if you want to look for a registered agent in Vermont. To get the information, search for your company using its name. You may look out for the registered agent’s address and contact details after you have the company’s information in hand.

Where To Mail Registered Agent Forms In The State Of Vermont?

The request Form must be addressed to the address on the registered agent form (the company formation paperwork). The appointed registered agent is not named on any specific form. In Vermont, the formation papers must name a registered agent on their behalf.

If A Company Does Not Have A Registered Agent In Vermont, Who Is Served?

A registered agent is required if you operate a company in Vermont. If you don’t have a registered agent or yours has resigned, you must immediately appoint a new one. Alternatively, you may act as the company’s registered agent in Vermont.

How To Serve A Deceased Registered Agent in Vermont?

The authority granted to your company’s registered agent becomes null and void in the event of his death. Through the RA change procedure, businesses in Vermont must appoint or replace a different registered agent. Mail, internet, or fax are all acceptable methods for changing a registered agent.

How To Hide Registered Agent Name From SOS Vermont?

You cannot always be sure that the name of the registered agent may be concealed because the name and address of a registered agent must be posted on the Vermont Secretary of State’s website. The owners’ and members’ identities may be kept private if you operate an Anonymous LLC.

Who To Call To Identify Registered Agent Information In Vermont?

You may find out more about the registered agent in Vermont by calling this number: 802-828-2148. In Vermont, this is the number for the secretary of state’s office. It’s possible that you’ll need to wait and follow the caller’s directions in order to get to the department you’re looking for.

What Is Registered Agent’s Consent In Vermont?

Before beginning to represent a company, each Vermont registered agent must grant their approval. In certain circumstances, the registered agent must send the permission letter to the Vermont SOS separately. However, in certain circumstances, they are only able to convey their approval by signing the formation paperwork or the RA change form.

What Is The Difference Between Registered Agent And Resident Agent In Vermont?

A registered agent and a resident agent are the same titles in Vermont. Just the name varies depending on the state. In Vermont, both the resident agent and the registered agent must be appointed via the same procedure.

What Happens If The Registered Agent Does Not Give A Consent In Vermont?

In Vermont, if the specified individual does not provide their approval, the business may be held liable. It might be seen as a deceptive depiction. However, an uninvited agent has the power to refuse any task that has been given to that individual.

Can An LLC Be Sued If There Is No Registered Agent In Vermont?

In Vermont, a business may be sued even if there isn’t a registered agent. Because there isn’t a registered agent’s office to collect the paperwork, the corporation will get the legal notification in a unique method from the norm.

How To Reject The Registered Agent’s Designation In Vermont?

A designated registered agent has the option to refuse the designation. You must, in Vermont, sign and deliver a declaration of refusal to the Vermont SOS. You may quit your work as soon as the rejection statement is received.

How to Remove a Registered Agent for LLC in Vermont

A registered agent for LLC in Vermont can be removed by filing a Registered Agent Change Form with the Vermont Secretary of State with a filing fee of $25.

In Vermont, the process of removing a registered agent for an LLC is straightforward, but it is important to follow the proper steps to ensure all legal requirements are met. The first step is to appoint a new registered agent before removing the existing one. This is crucial to ensure there is no gap in representation for the company.

Next, the company must file a Statement of Change of Registered Office or Agent form with the Vermont Secretary of State. This form can be filed online through the Secretary of State’s website or by mail. The form requires company information, the name and address of the new registered agent, and must be signed by a company officer.

Once the Statement of Change form has been filed and approved by the Secretary of State, the old registered agent can be officially removed. It is important to notify the existing registered agent of the change in writing and to retrieve any company documents or mail held by them.

While the process of removing a registered agent may seem straightforward, there are important considerations to keep in mind. It is crucial to ensure that the new registered agent meets all legal requirements for serving in that role. The registered agent must have a physical address in Vermont and be available during regular business hours to receive legal documents on behalf of the company.

Additionally, it is important to communicate the change in registered agent to any relevant parties, such as the company’s attorney, accountant, and any government agencies or organizations that may have the registered agent’s information on file. Keeping all parties informed of the change will help to ensure a smooth transition and prevent any disruptions in the company’s operations.

In conclusion, removing a registered agent for an LLC in Vermont is a necessary process that requires attention to detail and compliance with all legal requirements. By following the proper procedures and keeping all relevant parties informed, business owners can ensure a seamless transition to a new registered agent and continue to operate their company effectively and efficiently.

In Conclusion

Before you choose a registered agent for your Vermont 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.

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