Businesses operating in the United States are obliged to hold a registered business address in the state or country in which it operates, with the individual or organization responsible for communicating official papers and court documents known as a registered agent. If you’re based in New York and need an efficient registered agent service that understands the local regulations, here are the top five considerations for having the best fit.

Ease of appointing a registered agent

When picking a registered agent service, ease of appointment should be your primary concern. Services should provide clear and concise instructions to guide you through the appointment process. The appointing procedure should also be fully automated, taking a fraction of the time of a conventional service. Furthermore, it should provide an effortless means of meeting deliverables such as payroll and tax filing, legally filing documents to necessary agencies in various jurisdictions, and general compliance management.

Costs associated with the service

The cost of the service should be clear, reliable, and fair. While some services could be cheaper and more comprehensive than others, the cost should ultimately reflect the type and extent of the service offered. Be sure to ask about subscription fees, fees for adding or deactivating agent services, and implementation or customization fees if applicable.

Length of time in business

Always perform due diligence when selecting a registered agent service. A good place to start is to find out how long the service has been in business. If it has been in business for a while, inquire about its compliance record. Do they have a good track record of filing documents with respect to their other clients? This will give you an idea of how effective and reliable the service provider is.

Geographic coverage

When searching for a registered agent service, be sure to inquire about the geographical scope of its coverage. Make sure the service covers the applicable territories in the U.S. and other countries, if applicable. In addition, find out if the service offers any additional support in countries outside the U.S., such as bank account opening assistance or compliance filings depending on the country of operation.

Convenience

No matter how great the registered service is, it can quickly become inconvenient if you cannot easily get in touch with the service. The ideal registered service should have multiple contact channels to reach your service provider. These can include phone, email, chat, video conferencing, or any combination of these.

Finding a registered agent service is now easier than ever with the advent of online service providers. These service providers operate in the United States and other countries, and provide a streamlined process for filing, processing, and approving documents for businesses ready to incorporate and start operating. When choosing a registered agent service in New York, flexibility, cost, and convenience should be your top considerations.

Topics:

Registered Agent Services,

Business Lawyers,

New York