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Swyft Filings is committed to providing accurate, reliable information to help you make informed decisions for your business. That's why our content is written and edited by professional editors, writers, and subject matter experts. Learn more about how Swyft Filings works, our editorial team and standards, what our customers think of us, and more on our trust page.
If you want to form an LLC, corporation, or nonprofit in Connecticut, you must have a registered agent. As a state requirement, this agent has numerous duties to keep a business in good standing.
In this guide, we’ll explore the responsibilities of a registered agent, the benefits of a third-party service, and how to elect or change one for your business.
Key Takeaways
A registered agent is a business's point of contact for legal and government correspondence.
Registered agents help a business maintain its good standing by receiving and forwarding legal documents and sending timely compliance notifications.
Many business owners hire a third-party registered agent for additional advantages.
Protect your privacy, avoid compliance issues, and choose a service trusted by over 300,000 businesses.
What Is a Registered Agent?
A Connecticut registered agent accepts service of process and other mail on behalf of a business. The agent, whether an individual or company, also receives legal documents, handles service of process, and ensures the company remains in good standing with the Connecticut Secretary of State.
As the point of contact between a business owner and the state of Connecticut, a registered agent is a state requirement for all large and small business owners in Connecticut.
Registered Agent Responsibilities
A Connecticut registered agent’s main responsibilities include receiving, forwarding, and maintaining legal documents and corporate filings. However, registered agents can fulfill many other duties to benefit a business owner. These include the following:
Receiving service of process, or the legal notice of a lawsuit
Sending annual report deadlines, tax notices, and other compliance notifications
Maintaining a Connecticut business’s compliance with the state’s laws and regulations
Keeping a business address on the public record
Being available during normal business hours
Creating copies and records for security purposes in case of natural disaster, theft, or loss
Forwarding mail to business owners for timely receipt
Choosing Your Connecticut Registered Agent
A Connecticut registered agent must meet specific requirements prescribed by the Secretary of State. Before you choose one for your business, it’s essential to ensure the agent fits the role.
Connecticut Registered Agent Requirements
A Connecticut registered agent must:
Be at least 18 years old
Have authorization to do business in Connecticut
Have a physical address, known as the registered office, in Connecticut (a P.O. box won’t suffice)
Be available during regular business hours
Every Connecticut limited liability company, corporation, or nonprofit must have a registered agent that meets these requirements. The information about a registered agent is required in the formation documents.
If a selected registered agent doesn’t meet one or more of these requirements, you risk your company’s good standing and could end up paying numerous state fees.[1]
Can I Be My Own Registered Agent in Connecticut?
Many states, including Connecticut, allow you to be your own registered agent, but you must first meet all the requirements listed above. Also, it’s important to note that while you or your employees can perform the role, your business can not be its own registered agent.
One advantage of being your own registered agent is saving upfront costs. You don’t have to pay for a third-party service, and you can avoid spending time training an employee. However, there are some drawbacks.
If you want to be your registered agent, remember that you must be at the registered office address during regular business hours. This can greatly limit your schedule. More importantly, your office address becomes part of the public record, which removes your privacy if you use your home or business address.
Let’s break down the numerous disadvantages of being your own agent.
Removed privacy because address is on the public record
Limited schedule since you always have to be available during business hours
Affected reputation by receiving a lawsuit notice in front of your employees or customers
Stacked workload for business owners with many obligations and responsibilities
Risked compliance in case paperwork goes missing
Benefits of a Third-Party Registered Agent
Since being their registered agent has more drawbacks than advantages, many business owners hire a Connecticut registered agent service like Swyft Filings as their point of contact. Here are some of the benefits of working with a third-party registered agent.
Privacy
Many business owners don’t want their address in the public record. If you’re one of them, you’ll be happy to know that your privacy is guaranteed with third-party registered agents. These agents use their own professional addresses, so yours remains private.
Flexibility
You take charge of your schedule when you hire a third-party registered agent. You’re not tied to your office during business days and don’t have to be available during regular business hours if you don’t want to. Instead, you can work from home or another remote location, work odd hours, or go on vacation whenever you want.
Compliance
A third-party registered agent ensures your company is always in line with Connecticut laws and regulations, thus guaranteeing your company’s good standing. A reliable agent will:
Maintain a compliance calendar
Notify you of due dates for annual reports, tax forms, and other vital documents
Assist you in filing compliance paperwork
Ensure you don’t miss any deadlines
Offer same-day mail scanning and forwarding
Create and save digital copies of essential documents in case of theft, loss, natural disaster, or other circumstances
National coverage
You need one registered agent in every state you conduct business. But with a third-party service, you don’t have to worry about finding another agent when you expand. Many Connecticut registered agent services offer national coverage, meaning you can operate in any state.
Discretion
Third-party registered agents handle detailed information regarding your company besides just the business name, especially if your company receives service of process regarding a lawsuit. Since these agents are trustworthy, data privacy and a good company reputation are guaranteed.
As a Connecticut business owner, you can enjoy these and many more benefits if you hire a third-party registered agent like Swyft Filings. Our experts have vast experience in compliance matters, including state deadlines and regulations, allowing us to take on the burden of state compliance while you focus on growing your business.
How to Set Up Your Connecticut Registered Agent
Whether you’re trying to elect a Connecticut registered agent for the first time or change an existing one, we’ll cover both here to help you complete the process. That way, you can get your Connecticut LLC, corporation, or nonprofit up and running.
Electing a Connecticut Registered Agent
The process of electing a Connecticut registered agent differs depending on whether you’re forming an LLC, corporation, or nonprofit. No matter the case, you must include your registered agent’s information and signature on the formation documents and pay state fees.
We’ll handle all the paperwork and serve as your business's professional and reliable registered agent. Alternatively, follow the steps below by entity type to elect a registered agent.
Electing a Connecticut Registered Agent for an LLC
To form a Connecticut LLC and elect a registered agent, you must complete the Certificate of Organization issued by the Connecticut Secretary of State. The information about your registered agent goes in Article 4.
You can file the certificate online, via mail, or in person. To do it online, visit the Connecticut government’s website and create an online account. From there, you can complete and submit the Certificate of Organization and form your LLC.[2]
To do it via mail, you’ll need to submit your certificate to the following address:
Business Services Division
Connecticut Secretary of the State
P.O. Box 150470
Hartford, CT 06115-0470
If you want to file the certificate in person, fill out the certificate and bring it here:
Business Services Division
Connecticut Secretary of the State
165 Capitol Ave., Suite 1000
Hartford, CT 06106
The state filing fee for an LLC is currently $120.
Electing a Connecticut Registered Agent for a Corporation
Electing a registered agent for a Connecticut corporation requires you to complete the Certificate of Incorporation - Stock Corporation and enter the registered agent’s address, name, and other info in Article 6.
You can opt to submit the certificate online, via mail, or in person. Those who want to do it online should go to the Connecticut government’s website and create an account. You can then form your corporation by completing and submitting the certificate.[3]
To complete the process via mail, you should complete the certificate and mail it to this address:
Business Services Division
Connecticut Secretary of the State
P.O. Box 150470
Hartford, CT 06115-0470
Those who prefer to submit the certificate in person should go to this address:
Business Services Division
Connecticut Secretary of the State
165 Capitol Ave., Suite 1000
Hartford, CT 06106
The filing fee for a Connecticut corporation is currently $250.
Electing a Connecticut Registered Agent for a Nonprofit
To form a nonprofit and elect a Connecticut registered agent, you need to submit the Certificate of Incorporation - Nonstock Corporation. Enter your registered agent’s name, address, and other information in Article 7.
When forming a nonprofit and electing a registered agent, you can choose whether to submit the certificate online, via mail, or in person. If you do it online, visit the Connecticut government’s website to set up an account and submit the certificate.
You can also send the form via mail to the following address:
Business Services Division
Connecticut Secretary of the State
P.O. Box 150470
Hartford, CT 06115-0470
If you decide to submit it in person, go to this address:
Business Services Division
Connecticut Secretary of the State
165 Capitol Avenue, Suite 1000
Hartford, CT 06106
The nonprofit filing fee is currently $50.
Changing a Connecticut Registered Agent
Connecticut business owners can change their registered agent whenever they want, and the process looks the same whether it’s an LLC, corporation, or nonprofit. You must fill out the Change of Agent form and submit it to the Connecticut Secretary of State.
LLCs or corporations must pay $50 in state fees. If you have a nonprofit, the fee is somewhat lower at $20.[4]
You can submit the form online, via mail, or in person. If you choose to mail it, send the form to this address:
Commercial Recording Division
Connecticut Secretary of the State
P.O. Box 150470
Hartford, CT 06115-0470
If you want to submit the Change of Agent form in person, go to the following address:
Business Services Division
Connecticut Secretary of the State
165 Capitol Ave., Suite 1000
Hartford, CT 06106
Avoid Penalties: Every business is legally required to have a registered agent in any state where it operates.
Prioritize Your Privacy: We go on record with the government so you don’t have to, meaning any legal actions come to us, not your home or office.
Stay Flexible: We are always available at a physical address during business hours, so you’ll never miss an official notice.
FAQs
Who can be a Connecticut registered agent?
A Connecticut registered agent can be any individual or entity with a physical address in Connecticut and a schedule with availability to receive mail during normal working hours. Individuals must be at least 18 and a resident of Connecticut. Entities need authorization to do business in Connecticut.
How much does a registered agent in Connecticut cost?
The price of a Connecticut registered agent depends on the type of service. For example, you can find basic packages for as low as $50, while the best registered agent service providers cost more for additional compliance and filing services. Prices usually range between $100 and $300 per year.
How can I change my registered agent in Connecticut?
You can change your registered agent in Connecticut by filling out the Change of Agent form and submitting it online, in person, or via mail. State fees are $50 for an LLC or corporation and $20 for a nonprofit. Ensure your new registered agent’s signature is on the form to complete the process successfully.
How can I find a registered agent in Connecticut?
You can find a registered agent in Connecticut by conducting an online search or asking other entrepreneurs for recommendations on registered agent services.
What is a Connecticut registered office?
A Connecticut registered office is the physical street address of your registered agent. This address is listed on your formation documents and in the public record. It’s where all legal and government correspondence is sent.
What’s the difference between a registered agent and a resident agent or statutory agent?
In most contexts, you’ll find no difference between a registered, resident, and statutory agent. However, the term resident agent can also be used to describe an individual who can act on behalf of a company even though they don’t own it.
What is a registered agent service?
A registered agent service is a third party that fulfills the registered agent requirements on behalf of the business. Swyft Filings offers a reliable registered agent service that maintains your privacy, provides immediate access to vital documents, and gives you more time to focus on your business.
Bibliography
Connecticut Secretary of the State. “Frequently Asked Questions.” Accessed December 21, 2022.
Connecticut Secretary of State. “Certificate of Organization - Limited Liability Company: Domestic.” Accessed December 21, 2022.
Connecticut Secretary of State. “Certificate of Incorporation: Stock Corporation.” Accessed December 21, 2022.
Connecticut Secretary of State. “Change of Agent: Domestic.” Accessed December 21, 2022.
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