A Michigan registered agent acts as an official point of contact for a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, or nonprofit.
A registered agent is responsible for accepting important correspondence like service of process.
Recommended: Get free registered agent services for a year when you form an LLC with Northwest Registered Agent ($29 plus state fees).
What Is a Michigan Registered Agent?
A registered agent, known as a resident agent in Michigan, primarily acts as your business’s main point of contact with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. Your registered agent will be responsible for receiving important tax notifications and compliance information.
A registered agent’s most important role is to accept service of process. Service of process is the action of informing an individual or entity that there's a pending lawsuit against him or her, or in this case, against one's company.
Business owners must appoint a registered agent when they form an LLC or corporation.
Should I Use a Registered Agent Service?
Before you decide to hire a Michigan registered agent service — also called a commercial registered agent — it’s important to consider the advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages
- Privacy: Your registered agent’s address will be listed on the public record — not your personal or office address. This is especially important if your business operates out of your home.
- Focus on Growth: A professional registered agent service will send you regular compliance reminders and notify you of any requirements needed to keep your organization in good standing. You, on the other hand, will be focusing on growing your business.
- Discretion: When a business owner acts as their own registered agent, service of process could be delivered to your home or in front of employees or customers at your office.
- Convenience: Hiring a registered agent service allows you to keep a flexible schedule. A registered agent is required to be available at their given address during normal business hours.
- National Support: If you think you may want to grow your organization nationally, a national registered agent service will be able to continue service there.
Disadvantages
We aren’t sure there are any real disadvantages to hiring a registered agent service. The only downside is that hiring a commercial registered agent service costs money, but the time you will save can outweigh that cost. And after all, time is money.
What Is the Best Registered Agent Service in Michigan?
Northwest Registered Agent
Northwest Registered Agent’s competitive prices and great customer service are also a solid choice for Michigan businesses.
Northwest’s online form system only requires customers to provide information once, which then auto-populates in every form that asks for that info. They also scan every document locally — not just certain documents — to make sure that you never miss a filing. Their discount on multiple-state service is also a nice perk.
On top of all that, Northwest’s customer service is praised for being personable, knowledgeable, and timely in their responses.
Are you forming an LLC?
Northwest Registered Agent to form your LLC for $29 and get one full year of registered agent services free.
Just looking for a registered agent?
Northwest Registered Agent offers registered agent services for $125 per year.
Can I Be My Own Registered Agent in Michigan?
You can be your own registered agent. Your friend can be your registered agent, too. Really, anyone can be a registered agent as long as they meet these three requirements:
- They’re at least 18 years old.
- They have a physical address in Michigan.
- They’re always available during regular business hours at the address you provide.
Should I Be My Own Registered Agent?
Being your own registered agent will work for a handful of business owners. A registered agent needs to be organized, available, and aware. Most importantly, they need to have the time to be all of these things too.
If you miss a filing deadline or lose a document, you could put your compliance status at risk and the state could revoke your LLC or corporate status.
Many business owners choose to hire a professional registered agent service so they can focus on growing their business without the fear of missing a notice or deadline.
Is a Registered Agent Liable?
A registered agent is ONLY liable for any losses incurred by failing to notify the business of service of process documents in a timely manner. The registered agent may have to pay damages to the court in this situation.
How to Elect a Registered Agent in Michigan
In Michigan, LLCs, corporations, and nonprofit organizations elect their registered agents on the formation document for each type of business entity.
Elect a Registered Agent for Your LLC
Complete the Articles of Organization - Domestic LLC. Your registered agent information will go into Article IV.
The cost to file the LLC Articles of Organization is $50.
File by Mail
Mail your completed LLC Articles of Organization to the address below:
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau
Corporations Division
P.O. Box 30054
Lansing, MI 48909
File In Person
Submit your LLC Articles of Organization to the address below:
Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau
2501 Woodlake Circle
Okemos, MI 48864
File Online
Form your LLC with the Michigan Corporations Online Filing System website.
You do not need to set up an account with the Michigan Corporations Online Filing System to file online.
Elect a Registered Agent for Your Corporation
Complete the Articles of Incorporation - Domestic Profit Corporation. Your registered agent information will go into Article IV.
The cost to file the For-Profit Articles of Incorporation starts at $60 and increases based on the number of authorized shares.
File by Mail
Submit your completed Domestic Profit Corporation Articles of Incorporation to the address below:
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau
Corporations Division
P.O. Box 30054
Lansing, MI 48909
File In Person
Submit your For-Profit Articles of Incorporation to the address below:
Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau
2501 Woodlake Circle
Okemos, MI 48864
File Online
Form your corporation with the Michigan Corporations Online Filing System website.
You do not need to set up an account with the Michigan Corporations Online Filing System to file online.
Elect a Registered Agent for Your Nonprofit
Complete the Articles of Incorporation - Domestic Nonprofit. Your registered agent information will go into Article IV.
The cost to file the Nonprofit Articles of Incorporation is $20.
File by Mail
Submit your completed Nonprofit Articles of Incorporation to the address below:
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau
Corporations Division
P.O. Box 30054
Lansing, MI 48909
File In Person
Submit your Nonprofit Articles of Incorporation to the address below:
Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau
2501 Woodlake Circle
Okemos, MI 48864
File Online
Form your nonprofit with the Michigan Corporations Online Filing System website.
You do not need to set up an account with the Michigan Corporations Online Filing System to file online
How to Change Your Registered Agent in Michigan
To legally change your Michigan registered agent, simply fill out a Certificate of Change of Registered Office and/or Change of Registered Agent form and submit it to the Michigan Department of Licencing and Regulatory Affairs along with the filing fee.
You can file online or by submitting the form to one of the addresses below:
By Mail
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau
Corporations Division
P.O. Box 30054
Lansing, MI 48909
In Person
Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau
2501 Woodlake Circle
Okemos, MI 48864
The filing cost is $5.
Michigan Registered Agent FAQ
Who can be a registered agent?
In the state of Michigan, anyone may serve as your registered agent as long as they’re a state resident and available at their listed address during standard business hours during the week. We do, however, recommend all LLCs, registered nonprofits, and corporations use a registered agent service.
How much does a Michigan registered agent cost?
Although using a registered agent service can cost between $50 and $300 per year, it could save you time, money, and stress in the long run.
How much does it cost to change my registered agent?
Changing your Michigan registered agent with the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs costs $5.
Does registered agent mean owner?
No. A business owner can be a registered agent, but a registered agent is not necessarily a business owner.
Can anyone be a registered agent?
Anyone can be a registered agent as long as they meet these requirements:
- They’re at least 18 years old.
- They have a physical address in Michigan.
- They’re always available during regular business hours at the address you provide.
Should I be my own registered agent?
If you plan on having a lot of free time to handle administrative work and you plan to always be at the address you provide during business hours, day after day, week after week, then it would be ok to be your own registered agent. Most business owners can't make that commitment, but there are always unique cases.
If you plan to hit the ground running and grow your business like nobody’s business, then we HIGHLY recommend hiring a registered agent.
Is a registered agent liable?
A registered agent is ONLY liable for any losses incurred by failing to notify the business of service of process documents in a timely manner. The registered agent may have to pay damages to the court in this situation.
What is service of process?
Service of process is the action of informing an individual or entity that there's a pending lawsuit against him or her, or in this case, against one's company.
What is a statutory agent?
A statutory agent is another name for a registered agent.
What is a resident agent?
A resident agent is another name for a registered agent. Michigan calls its registered agents “resident agents.”
What is a service of process agent?
A service of process agent is another name for a registered agent.
