Michigan Registered Agent: If you wish to start a Michigan LLC, you must appoint a Registered Agent. According to Michigan State Law, it is mandatory to have a Michigan 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 Michigan, and who can be a registered agent for your LLC. Read this guide carefully before you hire a Michigan Registered Agent.
On this page, you’ll learn about the following:
What is a Michigan Registered Agent
A Registered Agent (also known as a resident agent) in Michigan is an individual or a business representing 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 resident agent.
When you file the Michigan LLC formation papers with the Secretary of State, LLCs must mention their registered agent’s name and address. When you choose a registered agent in Michigan, you can go for two options, hiring an in-house registered agent or outsourcing the service.
Note: In Michigan, a registered agent is called a Resident Agent. The Resident Agent is an individual or a business that receives all the legal and state-related documents for your Michigan LLC. An LLC must maintain a Resident Agent and his/her office till the LLC shuts down or gets dissolved. In Michigan, the requirements and duties of the Resident Agent can be found in the Michigan Statutes Section 450.4207.
Hiring a Registered Agent in Michigan
You may have several options for hiring a registered agent in Michigan. To become a registered agent, one has to meet the basic eligibility criteria. If the minimum requirements are fulfilled, anyone residing in Michigan 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 Michigan 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 owner’s family, such as a spouse, relatives, or other family members, can also act as a resident 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 or 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 –
ZenBusiness – $99 Per Year
How to Choose a Registered Agent in Michigan
You can choose a Michigan 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  | $99 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 Northwest Registered Agent, you will get the full formation package, including 1-year FREE registered agent service.
What to Consider While Choosing a Michigan 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 Michigan
At the time of submitting the Michigan 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.
Appoint Registered Agent Online
To appoint a registered agent online, you have to go to the Michigan LLC Online Filing page and provide the information of your Registered Agent accordingly.
Appoint Registered Agent By Mail
To appoint a registered agent in Michigan by mail, you need to download the Michigan 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 Michigan Articles of Organization.
Cost of a Michigan 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 Michigan.
Registered Agent services that also provide LLC formation packages can provide the same service at a lower price. For example, Northwest Registered Agent offers standalone registered agent service at $125 per year, but if you buy their LLC formation package at $39 + state fees, you will get registered agent service free for 1 year.
How to Change a Registered Agent in Michigan
To change the Michigan registered agent, you must file a Change of registered agent or office by entity form. This form can be submitted to the Michigan Secretary of State via mail, online, or in person.
File Online
For online filing, you need to get the online form which is available on the Michigan 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: $5
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 Michigan 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: Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau
Corporations Division
P.O. Box 30054
Lansing, MI 48909
In-person submission: State of Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Corporations Division
2501 Woodlake Cir.
Okemos, MI 48864
How to Pay: The filing amount is payable to the Michigan secretary of state through a credit card when filing online/by email. For paper filing, you can choose to pay through money order or check.
Why Do LLCs in Michigan Need a Registered Agent Service
There are several reasons why a business should appoint a registered agent in Michigan. Some of the most important reasons are listed below,
- Confidentiality: Having a registered agent service in Michigan 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 Michigan to publicly upload their address to the Michigan 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 Michigan 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 Michigan 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.
Michigan Business Laws and Registered Agent
Registered Agents are responsible for handling the business laws related to your LLC and other legal issues related to your Michigan LLC. Every state has its own business laws. Michigan is no exception. It has its own set of standard business laws to regulate businesses in the State. Here are some of the important business laws every business should follow in Michigan.
Michigan 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 Michigan Antitrust Reform Act prohibits any agreement in restraint of trade or commerce, price-fixing, scheme of arrangements executed to reduce competition in the market, and any other unfair methods of competition. The State allows the filing of private lawsuits and a successful plaintiff to recover attorney’s fees as well. The time limit to enforce such claims is 4 years.
Michigan Deceptive Trade Practices Laws
The State of Michigan 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 Michigan Consumer Protection Act provides remedies for such acts, including injunction, actual damages or $250.00, whichever is greater in addition to the attorney’s fees and costs, and any other additional relief necessary to compensate the victim. In case of willful violation, the violator may be fined up to $25000. Also, in case of odometer tampering, the offender may be liable for three times the actual damages of $1500, whichever is greater, attorney’s fees.
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 Michigan will help you handle your business in a smooth and legally compliant manner.
How to Remove a Registered Agent for LLC in Michigan
A registered agent for LLC in Michigan can be removed by submitting a Certificate of Change of Registered Office/Agent with the Michigan Secretary of State with a filing fee of $5.
If you own a limited liability company (LLC) in Michigan and need to remove a registered agent, there are a few steps you must take. The Registered Agent is someone who has agreed to accept legal documents for the business, such as service of process and notices from the state. The agent must also maintain a physical address in Michigan, where all legal documents and notices can be sent.
The first step in removing a Registered Agent is to file a Statement of Change of Registered Office or Registered Agent form with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). This form can be found on the LARA website. On the form you will need to provide the name of the LLC, the name and address of the current Registered Agent, and the name and address of the new Registered Agent (if applicable). You will also need to provide the signature of a member or manager of the LLC, as well as the date of the change.
Once the form is completed and submitted, the new Registered Agent will be officially registered with the state. The old Registered Agent will no longer be responsible for accepting legal documents and notices on behalf of the LLC. However, the old Registered Agent may still be listed as the contact for the LLC in the state’s database.
To ensure that the old Registered Agent is removed from the state’s database, you will need to file a Statement of Termination of Registered Office or Registered Agent form with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). This form can also be found on the LARA website. On the form, you will need to provide the name of the LLC, the name and address of the old Registered Agent, and the signature of a member or manager of the LLC. The date of the termination must also be provided.
Once the form is completed and submitted, the old Registered Agent will be officially removed from the state’s database. The LLC will no longer be responsible for the old Registered Agent and their responsibilities will be transferred to the new Registered Agent.
In conclusion, removing a Registered Agent for an LLC in Michigan is a straightforward process. All you need to do is file a Statement of Change of Registered Office or Registered Agent form and a Statement of Termination of Registered Office or Registered Agent form with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). Once the forms are submitted, the new Registered Agent will be officially registered with the state and the old Registered Agent will be officially removed from the state’s database.
FAQ
You must submit the RA change application form to the Michigan Secretary of State in order to modify the registered agent in Michigan. You may submit this online, through mail to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau, Corporations Division, P.O. Box 30054, Lansing, MI 48909, or via fax, depending on whatever option is most convenient for you. In Michigan, it costs $5 to switch a registered agent.
In Michigan, it is simple to register as an agent. You must be at least 18 years old and a resident of the state in order to register as an agent. In Michigan, being a registered agent doesn’t call for a certain educational background.
Anyone is eligible to serve as a registered agent in Michigan. Anyone who meets the requirements, including your spouse, family members, LLC members, and you yourself, are eligible to serve as a registered agent. The applicant must be an adult who is a resident of Michigan.
In order to update a registered agent’s address in Michigan, you must submit the RA Change Form with the updated address. You may submit the form in three different ways, depending on what method works best for you: online, by mail to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau, Corporations Division, P.O. Box 30054, Lansing, MI 48909, or by fax. You must send the Michigan SOS this form.
You must go to the Michigan Secretary of State website to locate a company’s registered agent there. You will have the ability to search for the company by name. To see the information, enter the company name and then choose the registered agent’s name.
In Michigan, a company’s registered agent is in charge of obtaining permits and legal notifications as well as serving any paperwork on the company’s behalf. In Michigan, a registered agent is required. In Michigan, you have the option of using a professional or serving as your own registered agent.
By providing their information at the time of Michigan business registration, registered agents may be designated. The formation paperwork features a part where you must provide information like the name, address, and phone number of the designated registered agent. Don’t forget to provide your personal details if you’re acting as a registered agent.
You must do the following actions in order to look up a registered agent’s address:
1. Visit the website of the Michigan Secretary of State
2. Look up a corporation using its name.
3. Verify the Registered agent section and the address list.
You may use this method to look for the Michigan address of the registered agent.
You may do a company search in Michigan using the name of the registered agent. visit the official website of the Michigan Secretary of State. Find the “Business Search” option. You may “Search by the registered agent” in the search area. Choose the option and type the registered agent’s name. You will get the company name.
There are three basic requirements to become a registered agent in Michigan. The first is that you have to be older than 18 years old. The second requirement is that you must live in the state. In other words, you need a Michigan street address. And last, you need to be able to legally do business in Michigan.
In Michigan, it is simple to locate a corporation’s registered agent. To accomplish this, go to the Michigan Secretary of State’s website. Go to the Business Search option. 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 registered agent information.
In Michigan, a registered agent who wishes to quit must provide a letter of resignation to the business that they are currently working for. A resignation notification should be given to the Michigan Secretary of State to certify the registered agent’s departure after a certain number of days, along with the resignation letter.
You must submit the RA Change Form to the Michigan Secretary of State in order to update a registered agent in Michigan through the internet. Not all states provide an online way to change a new registered agent. To see whether the online option is offered, visit the Michigan SOS website.
In Michigan, there are three different methods to get a free registered agent. The first option is to act as your own registered agent. Second, if any member of your family, spouse, or friends is appointed as a registered agent. In Michigan, free registered agent services are offered by a few company creation firms.
A registered agent in Michigan is simple to find online. You should go to the Michigan Secretary of State’s official website. If you know the company name, choose “search by name.” You may investigate a registered agent’s information from the list when you discover the firm information.
The Corporations Division, Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau, P.O. Box 30054, Lansing, MI 48909, should receive the registered agent form for the state of Michigan. You must designate the registered agent and provide all of their information on the formation paperwork when you register your firm. then send it via mail to the aforementioned address.
In Michigan, you must have a registered agent for your business. If your firm doesn’t have a registered agent, however, you might face legal issues. Therefore, it’s crucial to appoint a registered agent in Michigan (you may alternatively serve as your own registered agent).
Your firm won’t have a registered agent if a registered agent passes away. Your firm must have a registered agent in Michigan. All of the authority will be nullified once he or she passes away. Companies are required to inform the SOS immediately if their registered agent changes or is replaced.
If the registered agent’s name is concealed or not concealed cannot be answered with certainty. In certain states, it is possible to keep the names of LLC owners or members secret from the public register. If you have an anonymous LLC, it may happen. The name of the registered agent cannot be masked in certain states. For further information, see the Secretary of State of Michigan’s company registration rules.
Call 888-767-6424 to acquire the registered agent details for Michigan. The Michigan Secretary of State is open from eight in the morning to five in the afternoon (central time). To contact the department you’re searching for, dial this number and follow the instructions.
A registered agent’s permission is a declaration in writing that the agent is prepared to represent the business. If you replace or appoint a new registered agent in Michigan, the new agent must get the SOS’s approval beforehand.
A registered agent and a resident agent are the same. In Michigan, the registered agent may also be referred to as a resident agent. A resident agent is also known as a registered agent in the majority of states. The phrase “resident agent” is only used in a few states.
A legal sanction and obligation may be imposed on the person appointing a registered agent without the permission of a person designated as a registered agent in Michigan if that person has not provided his or her consent. Additionally, individuals have the ability to refuse any obligations imposed by the procedure.
Yes, even if your LLC doesn’t have a registered agent in Michigan, you may still be sued. Any corporate entity in Michigan may be sued in a number of ways. There will be another means to sue the business if no one is available to accept the legal paperwork.
In Michigan, a registered agent has the option of accepting or declining 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 has the statement of rejection accessible.
In Conclusion
Before you choose a registered agent for your Michigan 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.