How to Get a Registered Agent in Kansas
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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.
Kansas offers entrepreneurs many opportunities, but new and existing business owners must comply with the state’s laws and requirements to avoid penalties. One of these requirements is having a Kansas registered agent.
Here, we’ll discuss what a Kansas registered agent is, explain their responsibilities, and outline how to elect and change one for your business.
Key Takeaways
A Kansas registered agent is a point of contact who receives service of process notifications and other legal documents on behalf of your company.
Anyone who has a physical address in Kansas and is available during normal business hours can be a registered agent.
Third-party registered agent services guarantee state compliance and peace of mind.
Protect your privacy, avoid compliance issues, and choose a service trusted by over 300,000 businesses.
What Is a Registered Agent?
A Kansas registered agent is an individual or entity that acts as a point of contact for your LLC, corporation, or nonprofit. This agent receives all your legal documents, including service of process, and ensures your company is compliant and in good standing.
Many registered agents will also remind large and small business owners of the due dates for submitting tax forms and other essential documents. New business owners need to decide on their registered agent before submitting a filing with the Kansas Secretary of State.
Every Kansas LLC, corporation, and nonprofit must list a registered agent in its formation documents. The formation document is called the articles of incorporation for corporations and articles of organization for LLCs.
If you ever decide to change your registered agent, you must update the information with the state. It’s also important to note that a Kansas registered agent is sometimes called a resident or statutory agent.
Registered Agent Responsibilities
A Kansas registered agent has many responsibilities. Here are the most important ones:
Receiving service of process: If a business entity ever gets sued, a Kansas registered agent will receive the summons and discreetly inform the owner.
Processing all incoming mail: A Kansas registered agent receives all official correspondence from the government, including legal documents. Since a registered agent’s information is part of the public record, the agent will also receive and sort out mail from solicitors and spammers.
Ensuring state compliance: Kansas businesses need to follow different regulations and laws, and a Kansas registered agent is responsible for sending reminders about annual reports, corporate filings, and other documents.
Maintaining a business address: A Kansas registered agent must include their physical address in a business’s formation documents and the public records.
Following regular business hours: Every Kansas registered agent must be available during normal business hours, typically 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday.
Keeping document copies: A Kansas registered agent will scan every critical document and store its digital copy as a backup in case of natural disaster, theft, or another unexpected loss.
Choosing Your Kansas Registered Agent
It’s essential to make an informed decision when choosing a registered agent. By understanding the requirements for a Kansas registered agent, you can ensure the agent you choose will keep your company’s mail in good hands.
Kansas Registered Agent Requirements
A Kansas corporation or LLC registered agent must:
Have a physical address (registered office) in Kansas that’s either a rural route, highway address, or street address (Note that P.O. boxes are not allowed)[1]
Be able to accept legal documents during normal business hours
List their name and address in the formation documents
You can choose an individual to be your registered agent if they are over 18. However, you can also opt for an entity. Professional, domestic, and foreign LLCs and corporations can choose a domestic or foreign LLC, corporation, limited partnership, business trust, or the entity itself as a registered agent.[2]
Every Kansas business (limited liability company, corporation, or nonprofit) must comply with these rules, regardless of their structure. If the person or business entity you elected doesn’t meet the requirements, your company will risk its good standing. You may also have to pay state fees.
Can I Be My Own Registered Agent in Kansas?
Some business owners may wonder whether they can be their own registered agents in Kansas, and the answer is yes. However, you should be aware that the same requirements apply, regardless of whether you’re the owner of the business or not. You need to have a physical address in Kansas and be available to receive mail during normal working hours.
Being your own registered agent has some advantages, including the ones listed below.
Save money by not paying fees to a registered agent service
Avoid training an employee to be a registered agent by doing the job yourself
Rely on yourself instead of worrying whether someone else will do their job
Enhance your organizational skills by being an entrepreneur and a registered agent at the same time
But while being your own registered agent may seem a great option, it's important to highlight that the role also has several significant drawbacks.
Adding the responsibilities of a registered agent to a long list of tasks can feel overwhelming
Being served in front of clients or employees can be awkward and affect your company’s reputation
Listing your personal information on the public record means anyone can access it, which can jeopardize your privacy
Following regular business hours limits your availability during a working day, making it so you have to carefully plan your working week to ensure you’re always in the office
Benefits of a Third-Party Registered Agent
Many business owners don’t have enough time or don’t want to be their own registered agents. Instead, they opt for hiring a Kansas registered agent service. Companies that offer these services are reliable and experienced and ensure your business is in good standing. Here are the benefits of a third-party registered agent:
Compliance: By hiring a third-party registered agent, you can be sure your company is compliant with all Kansas laws and regulations.
Discretion: If you choose one of your employees, a friend, or a family member as a registered agent, you risk data privacy from documents ending up in the wrong hands and jeopardizing your company’s good standing. By hiring a third-party company, you can have peace of mind knowing your information is safe.
Privacy: Registered agent services use their own registered office address, meaning you don’t have to worry about your private address becoming publicly available.
Availability: Third-party registered agents always operate during regular business hours and act as a reliable point of contact.
Flexibility: When you opt for a third-party registered agent, you can organize your schedule as you please.
Security: Your agent will make copies of all your documents and keep them safe, whether on a computer or in a folder, as a backup in case of unforeseen circumstances.
National coverage: If you decide to open a location in another state, you’ll be happy to know many third-party registered agents offer national coverage.
The best Kansas registered agents are professional, reliable, and offer top-quality services. They’ll take great care of your most important documents and notify you of any action.
Hiring a third-party registered agent can be one of the best decisions for both new and existing business owners. If you want to hire one, our registered agent service has hundreds of satisfied client reviews, years of experience, and a team of professionals on board to ensure your business stays compliant for years.
How to Set Up Your Kansas Registered Agent
The process of setting up your registered agent for your Kansas LLC, corporation, or nonprofit depends on whether you’re a new or existing business owner. Let’s break down the steps for each.
Electing a Kansas Registered Agent
You can choose whether to elect a Kansas registered agent online or by mail. We’ll handle all the paperwork on your behalf and serve as your agent to keep your business compliant. Alternatively, you can follow the steps below to elect an agent.
To elect an agent online:
Go to the Kansas Secretary of State’s online filing page and register your business
Provide the information of your Kansas registered agent in your formation document (articles of incorporation for corporations or articles of organization for LLCs) and double-check before submitting
Pay the state fees
To elect a Kansas registered agent by mail:
Download the correct Secretary of State business form[3]
Fill in the information in the Registered Agent section
Send the form to the Secretary of State’s office using the address below, including payment for state fees
Memorial Hall, 1st Floor, 120 S.W. 10th Avenue, Topeka, KS, 66612-1594
Changing a Kansas Registered Agent
If you want to change your Kansas registered agent, we’ll file the paperwork needed to make the change and cover any state filing fees associated with switching to your new registered agent. You can also complete the change online or by mail by following the steps below.
To change a Kansas registered agent online:
Go to the Kansas Secretary of State’s portal and sign in to your online account
Fill in the necessary information for your old and new registered agents in the Resident Agent or Registered Office Amendment
Pay $25 for state fees and submit the amendment
To change your Kansas registered agent by mail:
Download the Change of Registered Office or Resident Agent form from the Secretary of State’s website
Fill in the necessary information and have the new registered agent sign the form
Send the form to the following address with payment for state fees ($35 for for-profit organizations and $20 for nonprofit organizations)
Kansas Secretary of State
Memorial Hall, 1st Floor
120 S.W. 10th Avenue
Topeka, KS 66612-1594
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 Kansas registered agent?
According to the Kansas Code 17-6202 and 17-7666, anyone who has a physical street address in Kansas and is available during normal business hours can be a Kansas registered agent.[4, 5]
How much does a registered agent in Kansas cost?
A registered agent in Kansas usually costs between $100 and $300 annually.
How can I change my registered agent in Kansas?
You can change your registered agent by completing an online form on the Secretary of State’s website or downloading the Change of Registered Office or Resident Agent form and sending it by mail.
How can I find a registered agent in Kansas?
The best way to find a reputable registered agent in Kansas is to check online reviews or ask other business owners for recommendations.
What is a Kansas registered office?
A Kansas registered office is the official address of a Kansas registered agent. This address is where the registered agent receives all legal and government correspondence, including service of process.
What’s the difference between a registered agent and a resident agent or statutory agent?
Registered, resident, and statutory agents usually have the same meaning. However, sometimes a resident agent can denote an individual who isn’t an owner of a company but can act on its behalf.
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
Kansas Secretary of State. “Resident Agent and/or Registered Office Amendment Form.” Accessed December 20, 2022.
Kansas Secretary of State. “Resident Agent and/or Registered Office Amendment Frequently Asked Questions.” Accessed December 20, 2022.
Kansas Secretary of State. “Business Services Forms - By Name.” Accessed December 20, 2022.
Kansas Legislature. “2012 Statute.” Accessed December 20, 2022.
Kansas Legislature. “2014 Statute.” Accessed December 20, 2022.
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