What is a Registered Agent
![A man with a title Registerd Agent in the background](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fs3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com%2Fbizee-website-assets%2FVideo-Do-I-Need-a-Registered-Agent.webp&w=3840&q=75)
A Registered Agent in New York provides various services, such as accepting formal documents and correspondence from the NYS Department of State Division of Corporations. Your corporation must have New York Registered Agent services at all times. You appoint one when you first start your business. You can also replace your existing service of process agent after formation, provided there is no period during which your business is without a Registered Agent.
Requirements for a Registered Agent in New York
The address for your Registered Agent in New York doesn't need to be the same as your business address. In fact, you can use a New York virtual mailbox for your business address. Important: A virtual mailbox is not a replacement for a Registered Agent. They perform two separate functions and per NYS corporation law, you are required to have a Registered Agent.
What New York Registered Agents Do
A Registered Agent’s primary function is to accept official correspondence and documentation, including but not limited to:
Having a Registered Agent also allows you to prove to the state that your business exists.
Bizee Provides Free New York Registered Agent Services for the First Year
Bizee provides complete New York Registered Agent services for any corporation formed in the state. Even better, if you form your corporation through Bizee, your Registered Agent is completely free for the first year and only $119 a year after that. Bizee is authorized to conduct business in New York and able to legally act as your Registered Agent. Here’s what our New York Registered Agent services include:
Appointing a Registered Agent for Your Corporation
When you're forming a New York State corporation, you must appoint a Registered Agent at that time. You can change the agent at any time after that. Here’s how.
Assign a Registered Agent When You Form Your Corporation
Your business needs to have a Registered Agent as soon as it’s formed. You can do this two ways:
Assign a New Registered Agent After Incorporation
You can also assign someone else as your Registered Agent in New York after you’ve incorporated. There are a couple of ways to do this.
NY Registered Agent Search
In some situations, you may need to know the name of the Registered Agent that represents other NY corporations. You'll find this information in the state's business database. If you can’t find the Registered Agent information there, you can request it from the Department of State.
What Happens If You Don’t Have a Registered Agent?
If you don’t assign or provide a Registered Agent's details to the Department of State, you may be subject to certain ramifications, including but not limited to:
Acting as Your Own Registered Agent
You can be the Registered Agent for your New York corporation if you have a business office in the state. There can be some drawbacks to this approach:
Other Useful Resources
FAQs About New York Registered Agents
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