Registered Office and Principal Place of Business
A registered office is an office registered with the state as the Registering Authority where all legal documents are stored. The registered office must be located in the state of incorporation. The designated office is where copies of organizational, financial, and business records must be kept.
A principal place of business is the primary location where a company conducts business. If the company does not have a physical location, wherever the business books and records are kept would be the Principal Place of Business. The principal place of business address can be the same as the registered agent address only if that place of business is in the state of incorporation.
Registered Agent and Corporate Office
A registered agent accepts legal documents including litigation pleadings and tax notices on behalf of the company.
The corporate office, also called the headquarters, is the main office and hub of a corporation where top executives and decisions makers are located.
Role and Risks of Registered Agents
Registered agents receive legal documents for the company. However, they risk not delivering crucial documents, causing legal issues.
Addresses and Legal Compliance
The registered office is the address where government bodies send official communications and notices relating to the company. It is the company’s responsibility to ensure access to documents received at this address. The principal place of business is where most of the company’s operations are conducted. The registered office address and principal place of business address differ and both are essential for legal purposes.