How to Get a Registered Agent in Idaho
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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.
Idaho businesses are legally required to elect a registered agent, a person or entity representing the business who receives and processes official paperwork from the Secretary of State’s office.
This article goes over the roles of an Idaho registered agent, their responsibilities, and the benefits of choosing an experienced third-party agent so you can select the best registered agent service for your company.
Key Takeaways
Idaho corporations, nonprofits, and LLCs must elect and keep a registered agent on record to avoid administrative dissolution.
Third-party registered agent services offer more privacy, better document management, and ensure compliance with the Idaho Secretary of State.
An agent must maintain a physical address to properly represent their client and remain in good standing with the state.
Protect your privacy, avoid compliance issues, and choose a service trusted by over 300,000 businesses.
What Is a Registered Agent?
An Idaho registered agent, also known as a resident agent, is an appointed person or business entity empowered to act as a point of contact between your company and others. For instance, your registered agent may process legal documents, like a service of process, as part of a lawsuit with another Idaho LLC.
Moreover, registered agents may manage communications between their clients and Idaho state agencies. These official documents may include annual reports, tax filings, or certificates of good standing.
Registered Agent Responsibilities
Besides serving as a point of contact between the state and a business, a registered agent has additional responsibilities, such as:
Maintaining a valid business address as their registered office
Disclosing contact information and office street address to the public record
Making themselves available during regular business hours (Mon.-Fri., 9 am - 5 pm) to receive, organize, and file important legal documents like an Idaho annual report[1]
Note that a registered office in Idaho is valid only if it’s an actual street address. Mailing services and PO Boxes aren’t allowed. Failing to maintain an address or select an Idaho registered agent with a registered office can result in administrative dissolution by the Idaho secretary of state.
Choosing Your Idaho Registered Agent
Many individuals and business entities may qualify to serve as an Idaho registered agent. However, choosing the right person to trust with so many responsibilities isn’t easy.
Idaho Registered Agent Requirements
Individuals under the age of 18 can’t serve as an Idaho registered agent. Furthermore, only a state resident can serve as a registered entity for a corporation or limited liability company (LLC). When choosing an individual, they must be willing to make their address and other contact information publicly available.
The agent’s address, or registered office, is where the Idaho Secretary of State office and other entities will forward legal documents. Of course, this responsibility means maintaining regular business hours of 8 am to 5 pm, from Monday to Friday.
An Idaho LLC or corporation may also serve as a registered agent for your company. But before naming one in your formation documents, make sure the business entity meets the following requirements for an LLC registered agent:
They maintain regular business hours
They have a valid, public business address as a registered office
They are in good standing with the Idaho Secretary of State
Can I Be My Own Idaho Registered Agent?
You don’t always have to hire a third-party registered agent. In Idaho, business owners may elect themselves as their registered agent. Of course, you must abide by the abovementioned requirements, including maintaining a physical office address, staying open during regular business hours, and putting your address into the public record.
There are a few advantages to serving as your own registered agent:
You eliminate an annual expense, saving money
You avoid letting important legal documents pass through multiple parties
You have fewer partners and associates to worry about
You can get your legal paperwork faster
While being your own registered agent may seem appealing, there are several downsides to consider:
Your contact details and registered address must become a matter of public record
Poor organizational skills and understanding of the law can lead to missed filing deadlines
You can get served in front of staff, clients, and partners
The extra responsibilities can affect your productivity
You have less scheduling flexibility because you must be available to receive and sign documents
Public contact information means junk mail comes to the same address as critical legal notices
Benefits of a Third-Party Registered Agent
Although you can save money by acting as your own registered agent, it’s rarely worth the tradeoff. Instead, consider how a third-party registered agent service can help you receive documents quickly and privately without exposing your company to embarrassing situations or taking on extra responsibilities.
Here are a few reasons you may prefer working with an Idaho registered agent service like Swyft Filings.
More Privacy
Most business owners would prefer not to have law enforcement officials or service of process agents showing up on their company’s doorstep. But that happens if you don’t elect a third-party registered agent.
Imagine being in a client or staff meeting. Maybe you’re rolling out a new project or preparing to sign a lucrative deal. Then someone comes into your office and serves you with a service of process document in front of everybody.
No one wants to make a lawsuit public, especially when they’re on the receiving end. A third-party registered agent service casts a veil of privacy on your Idaho LLC or corporation. Important documents, like service of process notifications, don’t come to you. They go to your point of contact, who can forward them privately at a convenient time.
It’s an easy way to avoid embarrassing moments and maintain a solid reputation in front of employees, associates, and clients.
More Time To Grow Your Business
Some business owners work in the business, and others work on the business. Managing legal documents shouldn’t be your responsibility if you want to be the latter. Being a registered agent means sorting through junk mail, issuing same-day notifications, forwarding legal notices, and much more.
These tasks are more time-consuming than many Idaho business owners think. They may keep you at your desk instead of meeting an important client, attending staff meetings, or signing contracts.
A third-party service lets you have a professional registered agent as a point of contact to handle these things. In addition, you can spend your time traveling, working on crucial business processes, or taking time off. After all, not all business owners need to be hands-on.
More Office Relocation Flexibility
Moving your company’s office in Idaho isn’t as simple as sending a notification to the secretary of state. It requires a different filing process than registering a business and a few state fees. At least, that would be the case if you were to serve as your own registered agent in the state of Idaho.
However, using a third-party agent can save you time and money. First, your registered agent’s office is your company’s registered office. The registered office stays the same if you move, but your agent doesn’t.
Therefore, you can switch locations as often as needed without running into state compliance issues. It can be a big money and time saver, especially if you anticipate substantial business growth or want to hire more employees.
Easier Cross-State Operations
Another significant advantage of working with a third-party registered agent service in Idaho is the ease of branching out operations in multiple states.
Whenever you want to conduct business in any state, you must do one of the following:
Set up a new physical office
Get an employee or associate from that state to act as a registered agent
Hire an established third-party service
Building, buying, or renting new office space in Idaho or other states is costly. And depending on the amount of business you have, it can be counterproductive. This is especially true for someone running an e-commerce business that doesn’t need a physical presence except for compliance.
Electing an employee as a registered agent is an option, but that person must list their address in the public record. Moreover, not all states allow non-residents and company officers other than business owners to act as registered agents.
Ultimately, a third-party registered agent service provider is the most efficient way to start conducting business in Idaho as an out-of-state company legally. You can maintain privacy, ensure compliance, and avoid significant costs associated with establishing a physical presence in the state.
More Scheduling Flexibility
Electing yourself or a company officer as an Idaho registered agent can cause serious scheduling issues. It often means using the company’s business address as its registered office and ensuring the agent can receive and manage legal paperwork during regular business hours.
Using a third-party service allows you to work at irregular hours and with clients from different time zones without worrying about compliance. In addition, you can set up a hybrid or remote workplace and give every employee more freedom.
Furthermore, you can travel freely to meet with clients, knowing you will receive legal notices on time via private channels.
How To Set up an Idaho Registered Agent
New entrepreneurs and out-of-state small business owners must know how to set up their Idaho registered agents. In addition, you should know how to change your agent promptly and correctly to remain in good standing with the state.
Electing an Idaho Registered Agent
Each state has specific rules and processes to follow regarding the election of a registered agent. In Idaho, the filing process differs slightly for LLCs, corporations, and nonprofit entities.
Whichever business entity you want to register, your elected agent must consent to be named in the formation documents. But regardless of what business entity you register, all filings can be done in person or via mail at this address:
Office of the Secretary of State
450 N 4th Street
PO Box 83720
Boise ID 83720-0080
Electing an Idaho Registered Agent for an LLC
According to Title 30, Chapters 21 and 23, Idaho Code, an LLC must elect an Idaho registered agent in its Certificate of Organization.[2] Submitting the LLC formation form costs $100 in state filing fees. It requires the registered agent’s name and address, the street and mailing address of the principal office, and other information. You may pay another $20 for manual processing.[3]
Electing an Idaho Registered Agent for a Corporation
An Idaho corporation must name its registered agent in the Articles of Incorporation. This process costs $100 in state fees and another $20 to expedite it. Be sure to include the registered agent’s address, name, and other requested information.[4]
Electing an Idaho Registered Agent for a Nonprofit
Domestic nonprofit organizations must also elect an Idaho registered agent in their Articles of Incorporation. However, the form is slightly different. Additionally, nonprofit business filings cost $30 and an extra $20 for faster processing.[5]
Changing an Idaho Registered Agent
Changing your registered agent is relatively straightforward. First, all business entities, LLCs, corporations, and nonprofits can use the same form. It’s called the Statement of Change of Registered Agent, Registered Office, or Both and doesn’t have state filing fees. You will only pay $20 for the manual processing.[6]
You can deliver it in person or mail it to the following address:
Office of the Secretary of State
450 N 4th Street
P.O. Box 83720
Boise ID 83720-0080
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 an Idaho registered agent?
Business entities and state residents over 18 can be Idaho registered agents if they meet specific requirements, including keeping regular business hours and having a publicly listed street address as their registered office. However, your LLC or corporation can’t represent itself as a registered agent.
How much does a registered agent in Idaho cost?
Depending on their business service package, you may find a registered agent provider for upwards of $300 per year. However, Swyft Filings offers a standard service for an annual $199 fee.
How can I change my registered agent in Idaho?
There are two ways. First, you can deliver or mail a Statement of Change of Registered Agent, Registered Office, or Both to the secretary of state in Idaho and pay the state fees. You can also hire a third-party registered agent service to streamline the process.
How can I find a registered agent in Idaho?
Searching online and reading reviews and testimonials is the fastest way to find a new registered agent in Idaho. Alternatively, you can look through the state’s database for existing agents in good standing.
What is an Idaho registered office?
An Idaho registered office is the physical street address where a registered agent receives, manages, and forwards legal documents for their clients. It can be a commercial and residential address, not a PO box or a similar mailing service.
What’s the difference between a registered agent, resident agent, or statutory agent?
The terms registered, resident, and statutory agent refer to the same role and describe the individual or business entity elected to act as a point of contact for businesses and receive legal paperwork.
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
Idaho Secretary of State. “Registered Agent Information.“ Accessed January 09, 2023.
Idaho Legislature. “Idaho Statutes.” Accessed January 09, 2023.
Idaho Secretary of State. “Certificate of Organization Limited Liability Corporation.” Accessed January 09, 2023.
Idaho Secretary of State. “Articles of Incorporation General Business.” Accessed January 09, 2023.
Idaho Secretary of State. “Articles of Incorporation Nonprofit.” Accessed 01.09.2023.
Idaho Secretary of State. “Statement of Change of Registered Agent, Registered Office, or Both.” Accessed January 09, 2023.
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