The Schroeder Law Firm, P.C.

Do I Need a Registered Agent for my Corporation or LLC?

W. Harrison Schroeder, Esq.

Posted January 18, 2016, by W. Harrison Schroeder, Esq.

Virginia law requires all registered business entities to have a registered agent and have a registered agent office listed with the State Corporation Commission (SCC). This applies to all Virginia entities and entities from other states that want to do business in Virginia. The purpose is to have someone available to receive formal notices, such as service of a lawsuit complaint or receipt of the annual registration forms sent by the SCC. Failure to maintain a registered agent will result in termination of the business entity.

It is very common for a business owner to designate him or herself as registered agent, and to provide a home or business address as the registered agent office. However, there are several drawbacks to doing that. First, if you decide to use a home address, you’ve made that address a public record. Second, if you do not understand the nature of the documents that you receive as registered agent, you may not respond properly or in a timely manner. Third, if the lawsuit is filed against the entity and you are not present at the registered agent office when the sheriff or process server attempts to serve the lawsuit, either because you have moved or you are on vacation or simply not at home or at the business, the plaintiff is entitled to serve the lawsuit by other indirect means. When this happens, there is always a risk that you will never actually see the lawsuit and that a default judgment will be entered against your company without your knowledge. This is most common when the registered agent moves and fails to give the new address to the State Corporation Commission.

Take the worry and burden out of acting as your own registered agent. Our law firm offers registered agency services at a very reasonable cost. We can also help you register your entity with the State Corporation Commission. Contact our office at (540) 745-4435 to schedule an appointment to discuss your business and corporate law needs.


THE SCHROEDER LAW FIRM, P.C.
Burwell House
304 East Main Street
Post Office Box 156
Floyd, Virginia 24091-0156

Telephone: (540) 745-4435
Facsimile: (540) 745-4436

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