Pennsylvania law requires every entity to designate a registered agent whose responsibilities are to ensure the business complies with state regulations and to receive important legal documents on behalf of the business.
What is a Registered Agent?
A registered agent, also known as a statutory agent, is a person or entity appointed to accept service of process and official mail on behalf of your company. This agent must have a physical, registered office address in Pennsylvania and be available during business hours. Duties include promptly reviewing documents, forwarding them to the business owner, and interacting with the Pennsylvania Department of State.
The address of the registered agent is a matter of public record. If privacy is a concern, you might prefer to hire a professional registered agent service.
Selecting Your Registered Agent
- You can act as your own registered agent, or appoint a friend or a professional service.
- The agent must comply with state regulations.
- Consider privacy issues, since the agent’s address is publicly available.
- Ensure the agent can handle proper document processing and communication with the state.
Legal Requirements
- Must have a registered office address in Pennsylvania.
- Availability during normal business hours is mandatory.
- For LLCs and corporations, a continuous registered agent must be maintained.
- Can choose a Commercial Registered Office Provider (CROP) for the service.
Remember that proper agent selection is important for meeting legal obligations and ensuring efficient communication with the Pennsylvania Department of State.