New Jersey Registered Agent: If you wish to start an LLC in NJ, you have to appoint a registered agent. According to New Jersey State Law, it is mandatory to have a New Jersey 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 New Jersey, and who can be a registered agent for your LLC. Read this guide carefully before you hire a New Jersey Registered Agent.
On this page, you’ll learn about the following:
What is a New Jersey Registered Agent
A registered agent (or a statutory agent or a resident agent) in New Jersey 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 New Jersey 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 New Jersey, you can go for two options, hiring an in-house registered agent or outsourcing the service.
Hiring a Registered Agent in New Jersey
You may have several options for hiring a registered agent in New Jersey. To become a registered agent, one has to meet the basic eligibility criteria. If the minimum requirements are fulfilled, anyone residing in New Jersey 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 New Jersey 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 New Jersey
You can choose a New Jersey 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 |
| |
 | $125 Per Year |
|
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 New Jersey 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 New Jersey
At the time of submitting the New Jersey Certificate of Formation, 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 New Jersey LLC Online Filing page and provide the information of your Registered Agent accordingly.
Appoint Registered Agent By Mail
To appoint a registered agent in New Jersey by mail, you need to download the New Jersey 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 New Jersey Certificate of Formation.
Cost of a New Jersey 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 New Jersey.
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 registered agent at a low cost.
How to Change a Registered Agent in New Jersey
To change the New Jersey registered agent, you must file a Change of registered agent or office by entity form. This form can be submitted to the New Jersey Secretary of State via online filing.
File Online
For online filing, you need to get the online form which is available on the New Jersey 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
How to Pay: The filing amount is payable to the New Jersey 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 New Jersey Need a Registered Agent Service
There are several reasons why a business should appoint a registered agent in New Jersey. Some of the most important reasons are listed below,
- Confidentiality: Having a registered agent service in New Jersey 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 New Jersey to publicly upload their address to the New Jersey 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 New Jersey 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 New Jersey 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.
New Jersey Registered Agent and Business Laws
The registered agents of New Jersey are accountable for the legal issues that are related to New Jersey LLC law. Every state has its own set of business laws. New Jersey is not an exception. Each state is governed by its own set of business laws. These are the most crucial business rules that every company must adhere to.
Antitrust Laws
The main purpose of antitrust laws is to identify monopolies or cartels that are formed in any market. A cartel is the combination of two or more competitors which has an unconstitutional influence on price or supply. It is unlawful to create cartels on any market. New Jersey is governed by the same antitrust laws as other states.
The New Jersey law allows the filing of a lawsuit within four years. Plaintiffs are also able to recover costs for attorney’s fees and other damages under the law. Violating the law leads to punishment and a hefty amount of fines.
Deceptive Trade Practices Laws
New Jersey has the Deceptive Trade Practice Law. Like any other state, New Jersey businesses, too, have deceptive trade practices. Any plaintiff, if raises a case under this law, can recover the attorney’s fees. The accused might pay up to $10,000 for the first violation and $20,000 for the second violation. Senior citizens may recover twice the value.
Agents registered with the state are in charge of these cases and the laws. The laws are handled by New Jersey registered agents.
How to Remove a Registered Agent for LLC in New Jersey
A registered agent for LLC in New Jersey can be removed by filing a Certificate of Change – Registered Name or Address, or Both with the New Jersey Secretary of State by paying a filing fee of $25.
Firstly, it is important to understand the role of a registered agent. A registered agent is an individual or business entity appointed by the LLC to receive legal and official correspondence on behalf of the company. They are responsible for accepting important documents such as tax notices, annual reports, and legal papers that may require immediate attention.
To begin the process of removing a registered agent in New Jersey, LLC members or owners must first review the requirements as set out by the state regulations. Adhering to these rules is crucial. The secretary of state’s office will provide specific guidelines and instructions that need to be followed precisely.
Once these guidelines have been reviewed, and all necessary steps have been taken, the LLC can then proceed with formally terminating their relationship with their current registered agent. This is typically done by submitting a formal notice of termination or removal to the registered agent themselves, as well as to the New Jersey secretary of state.
It is essential that this communication is handled with care and professionalism, as it sets the tone for future interactions between the LLC and the registered agent. Clearly stating the reasons for the termination and providing any pertinent information will help ensure a smooth transition to a new registered agent.
After the initial termination notice has been delivered, the LLC should proceed with appointing a new registered agent. This can be done simultaneously with the removal process or after the current registered agent’s appointment has been officially dissolved. It is advised that the new registered agent is secured before submitting the notice of termination to avoid any lapse in representation.
When selecting a new registered agent, it is crucial to consider their reputation, reliability, and expertise. They must have a physical address in New Jersey and be available during normal business hours to receive important documents. Additionally, the LLC should consider finding a registered agent service that easily adapts to their unique business needs, providing comprehensive support.
Once the new registered agent has been secured, a formal notice to the New Jersey secretary of state should be submitted, solidifying the appointment of the new registered agent. This step is crucial as failing to designate a registered agent can lead to severe consequences, including potential fines and penalties.
In conclusion, while removing a registered agent for an LLC in New Jersey may not be a regular occurrence, it is a process that should be understood and implemented when necessary. Adhering to the state’s regulations, ensuring transparent and professional communication, and promptly appointing a new registered agent will help facilitate a seamless transition. By following these steps, LLC owners can maintain compliance and ensure vital correspondence reaches their business in a timely manner.
FAQ
In New Jersey, you may change the registered agent. To accomplish this, you must submit an application form along with a $25 fee. Send the Secretary of State the RA change application form. You may complete it online by entering all the necessary information.
A registered agent may be any person who is at least 18 years old and a long-term resident of New Jersey. The individual must be authorized to operate a company inside the state. Anybody may register as an agent if these conditions are met.
A registered agent may be any New Jersey resident who is older than 18 and resides there. A registered agent for your LLC in New Jersey may be chosen from among your friends, family members, or anybody else who meets the criteria.
The New Jersey SOS must be updated with the new address if the registered agent’s residence is to be changed. You must submit the RA Change Form to the New Jersey Secretary of State in order to achieve this. Update the form’s address area with the updated information. By including all the necessary information, you may submit it online. The procedure may cost money.
You may locate a company’s information by going to the New Jersey Secretary of State’s website. Find the firm by using the business search tool. Once you’ve located it, look up the registered agent information on the site.
Any legal documents or notifications must be served on your behalf by a registered agent in New Jersey. The proper address for such documents is the registered agent’s office address. Anyone eligible may serve as a registered agent in New Jersey.
You must include the information about the registered agent you hired in New Jersey when you register your company with the New Jersey Secretary of State. Name, address, phone number, and the date the registered agent was appointed must all be included. Upon completion of the formation, your registered agent will be listed with the New Jersey SOS.
You must go to the official website of the New Jersey Secretary of State in order to look for a registered agent’s address there. The following procedures may be used to seek the registered agent’s address:
1. Navigate to the New Jersey SOS website
2. Use the business name to get information about the firm
3. Look for the list of registered agents’ addresses
The registered agent’s address will be simpler to locate this way.
If a company has a registered agent, you may look them up in New Jersey. Navigate to the official website of the New Jersey Secretary of State. “Business Search” should be an available option. The option to “Search by the registered agent” is located in the search section. A registration agent’s name should be entered after choosing the choice. The company name will be yours.
The individual designated as a registered agent must be at least 18 years old and a resident of the state in order to qualify. That individual is qualified to act as a registered agent in New Jersey if all requirements are met.
In New Jersey, finding a registered agent for a company is simple. You must access the site of the New Jersey Secretary of State. A company may be located using its name, tax ID, and registered agent’s name. To find out who the registered agent is for a corporation, do a search on the name of the company.
Suppose the business that the registered agent was representing requires a signed resignation letter. A resignation notification must be sent by mail, fax, or online to the New Jersey Secretary of State once the firm accepts the letter. The notification must be submitted within the allotted period.
The New Jersey Secretary of State’s official website must be accessed in order to make changes to the registered agent in New Jersey online. To change the registered agent in New Jersey, you must send the RA Change Form through mail or online (if available).
You may become a free registered agent in New Jersey. You won’t have to physically pay anything to yourself if you act as your own registered agent. You could save money if your partner or a friend joins an agency. The last option is to use a free registered agent service in New Jersey.
You must go to the New Jersey SOS in New Jersey if you want to look up the registered agent. You may get the information by doing a search for your company using its name. Once you have the company’s details, you may look for the registered agent’s name, address, and phone number.
The company creation paperwork, known as the registered agent form, must be sent to the address shown online. No specific paperwork is required to name the registered agent. The formation paperwork in New Jersey should name a registered agent.
You need a registered agent if you operate a company in New Jersey. However, if you don’t have one or your registered agent has resigned, you should find a new agent right once. Alternatively, you may act as the company’s registered agent in New Jersey.
The authority granted to your company’s registered agent becomes inactive once he passes away. Companies in New Jersey must go through the RA change procedure to appoint or replace another registered agent. A registered agent may be changed by letter, online, or by fax.
A registered agent’s name may be hidden, although this is not a given. The name and address of a registered agent must be provided in New Jersey in order for them to be posted on the website of the New Jersey Secretary of State. The identities of the owners and members may be kept private if you operate an Anonymous LLC.
To find out who the registered agent is in New Jersey, you must contact this number: 609-292-9292. In New Jersey, 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.
A person’s agreement to act as a registered agent in New Jersey constitutes their acceptance of that responsibility. In New Jersey, the newly appointed individual must provide his or her permission before beginning the process of serving.
The terms “registered agent” and “resident agent” have the same meanings in New Jersey. The only difference between states is the name. In New Jersey, the procedure for designating the registered agent and the resident agent is the same.
In New Jersey, if the designated individual does not provide their approval, the business may be held liable. It might be seen as a deceptive depiction. On the other hand, an uninvited agent is free to refuse any responsibility that has been delegated to them.
Even without a registered agent, a business in New Jersey may be sued. Due to the absence of a registered agent’s office where the papers would normally be received, the corporation will get legal notification in a unique manner.
The designation may be rejected by a registered agent who has been appointed. A declaration of rejection must be signed and sent to the New Jersey SOS in order to reject anything in New Jersey. You may quit your work as soon as the rejection statement is received.
In Conclusion
Before you choose a registered agent for your New Jersey 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.
