What is an Oklahoma registered agent?

In Oklahoma, having a registered agent is a requirement for every formal enterprise that’s doing business in the state. Their primary responsibility is to receive and collect official documents related to your business. Whether it’s paperwork issued by the state or records associated with your business being served in a lawsuit, the registered agent for an Oklahoma LLC is the formal entity gathering this information.

Registered agent’s purpose

The position of registered agent is a formal, legal designation. Registered agents perform many different roles. Primarily, a registered agent will receive information from the state of Oklahoma, whether it’s official government documents, such as annual reports, or other legal documents and forms necessary for doing business in the state.

In addition, the registered agent can receive tax forms and notices from the state. Finally, the registered agent is the entity to receive legal documents, such as service of process, which is the formal name for “being served” with information related to a lawsuit filed against your business.

Requirements for a registered agent in Okahoma

A registered agent in Oklahoma must meet the following criteria:

• Be an Oklahoma resident, domestic or foreign corporation, limited partnership or limited liability company, or the business itself
• Be represented in the Oklahoma Secretary of State’s records
• Have a physical address within the state, where the registered agent can be personally served with process during regular business hours (P.O. Boxes are not allowed.)
• Be over the age of 18

How to appoint a registered agent in Oklahoma?

When you’ve decided who your registered agent will be, it’s time to record that information with the Oklahoma Secretary of State. The documentation used varies based on your business structure. Let’s look at the process for filing for an registered agent.

The information is filed with the Articles of Organization form available on the state’s website. There is a $100 fee for filing Articles of Organization. The form asks for the following information regarding your registered agent:

• Name
• Street address
• City
• ZIP code
• Term of existence (“perpetual,” for a set number of years, or at a specified future expiration date)

The documents may be mailed or delivered in person using a check, cashier’s check, or money order to:

Secretary of State

421 N.W. 13^th, Suite 210

Oklahoma City, OK 73103

If the information is delivered in person, there is an additional $25 fee for each document filed on the same day.

The forms can also be filed online at www.sos.ok.gov using a Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover card. However, if using a credit card in person or online, there is a 4 percent service charge added.

How to change my registered agent in Oklahoma?

At times, you may need to change your registered agent. Doing so is simple and can be done using the same methods and mailing address described above. Here are two of the most common forms related to a change in registered agents for an LLC.

Resignation of Registered Agent

This form is available online and can be submitted electronically, by mail, or in person. The cost is $25. It asks for the following information:

• Business name
• The day and month the agent notified the business of their resignation (at least 30 days prior to the filing)
• Business address
• The date on which the relationship will be terminated (at least 30 days after the filing)
• Date, signature, printed name of the registered agent
• Date, signature, and printed name of the president or vice president of the LLC

Change of Registered Agent

This form is also available online and can be submitted electronically, by mail, or in person. The filing fee is $25. The form asks for:

• Business name
• Name, street address, city, and ZIP code of the registered agent
• Email address of the primary contact for the registered agent

• • Signature, date, and printed name of a manager at the LLC

Can I be my own registered agent in Oklahoma?

Often, business owners ask if they can act as their own registered agents in Oklahoma. The short answer is yes, you can. However, it’s best to consider the pros and cons of acting on your own behalf.

The main advantage is that you’ll save a little bit of money. Obviously, it’s less expensive to act as your own registered agent rather than paying someone else to do so.

Another significant benefit is that only you will see the materials delivered to you. No one will need to see the documents if you choose not to share them.

However, the disadvantages are considerable.

• Discretion—With an external registered agent, you wouldn’t have to receive sensitive documents, including notices of litigation, at your place of business, which may otherwise be a potentially embarrassing situation in front of employees or clients.
• Availability—When you’re a registered agent, you need to be available every day at a listed physical address, meaning no vacations, sick days, or time away from the office, which is not reasonable or feasible for most.
• Organization—Keeping track of all the documentation that comes for your business can be an organizational challenge, with tax forms, legal documents, state notifications, and materials all needing to be stored, managed, and accessible.

• • Loss of Privacy—The records of Oklahoma registered agents are public information, meaning that if you act as your own registered agent, potentially personal information is accessible to anyone who searches for it. For example, if your business operates out of your house and you act as your own registered agent, your home address will be openly available.

Benefits of using an Oklahoma Registered Agent service

The registered agent is an essential component of your business operations. Given the sensitivity and complexity of the work involved, many businesses in Oklahoma choose to use a registered agent service. Doing so is a way to ensure your documents are delivered, received, and filed appropriately.

The following are some benefits of using an Oklahoma registered agent service.

Peace of mind

Knowing that your crucial business documents are in good hands lets you focus on more critical operations. You can separate your business life from your personal life and be confident that your time and energy can be focused on growing your business.

Compliance with the state law

Oklahoma state law requires businesses to have a registered agent. You can ensure your business meets required mandates and is not subject to fines or other penalties for failure to comply.

Flexibility

Registered agent requirements are strict. You need your registered agent to be available daily during regular business hours. That requirement could leave you constrained, unable to be out of the office for work, vacation, or illness. By having a registered agent service available to receive documents, you can gain the flexibility to be where you need to be without restraint.

Reduced paperwork

Oklahoma, like other states, requires many different filings annually. With a registered agent service, you do not need to worry about completing this paperwork. Registered agents maintain your paperwork obligations, which is critical, especially if you operate in multiple states. Let the service manage your annual filings and confirm that paperwork is completed, filed, and received.

You don’t have to be your own registered agent

As soon as you make the decision to get an LLC, the potential is endless. It’s very valuable to have a registered agent engaged and working on your behalf so you can focus on the most important aspects of your work. Let a registered agent service take on the hassle, complexity, and challenges of managing your state filings and other paperwork.

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