Alabama Registered Agent

Written by: Mary Gerardine

Last updated:

Alabama Registered Agent

Whether you’re starting a new LLC or updating the registered agent for your existing business, it’s important to choose the best Alabama registered agent for your needs.

This article will help you to choose the registered agent that best fits your business, go over the basic functions of registered agents, and answer common questions about registered agents.

If you haven’t yet formed your LLC, you can get one year of registered agent services for free if you form your LLC with Northwest Registered Agent ($29 + state fees). (This is a great deal!).

An Alabama registered agent is an individual or business entity that is appointed by an Alabama LLC or corporation to receive tax and legal documents such as service of process, government correspondence, and compliance documents on behalf of the business.

Best Alabama Registered Agent Service

When choosing a registered agent service, you want someone who understands the importance of staying compliant and being diligent about legal processes and paperwork. That’s why Northwest Registered Agent is our #1 registered agent service choice for Alabama businesses.

Recommended Registered Agent Service

Northwest Registered Agent is our #1 overall pick for registered agent services. Their cost is $125/year – or get a year of service free when you form your LLC with them ($29 + state fees).

4.7 out of 5 starsNorthwest Registered Agent ($29 + state fees)

We recommend Northwest Registered Agent, which offers everything that you need to form your LLC along with Registered Agent services. The company boasts over 20 years of operations helping small businesses start or grow.

Northwest has a 100% Error-Free Guarantee with outstanding customer support, exceptional services, and high prices to match. If data privacy and access to customer support are top on your list, the extra costs of working with Northwest Registered Agent may be well worth it for you and your business.

See how Northwest Registered Agent compares to other registered agent services in StateRequirement’s Best Registered Agent Services review.

What Does an Alabama Registered Agent Do?

A registered agent does a few things for a company. Their main task is to be present when or if the company needs to receive tax or legal paperwork. These would be documents that can’t be sent to a mailbox or delivered to a front desk; rather, documents that must be handed directly to the person who represents the company.

A simple example would be a service of process, which is the delivery of legal documents in a lawsuit. These service documents must be delivered directly to the company’s representative – the registered agent – to ensure they are received.

This may seem like a small task, but the caveat that makes this a critical position is that the registered agent is required to be at the documented location to receive these papers during all regular business hours.” This is the main reason that most people choose to use a registered agent service rather than operating as their own agent.

Other forms that your registered agent may receive on your behalf are:

  • Tax forms
  • Legal documents
  • Official government correspondence
  • Service of process

Another function of a registered agent is to file official documents with the state in which the LLC or corporation is established. In most states, businesses are required to file an annual report once per year to keep the business in “good standing” with the state.

Can I Be My Own Registered Agent in Alabama?

The short answer is yes, you can be your own registered agent.

Whether or not that’s the best plan for you or your company is another question entirely. If you are looking to spend the absolute, bare minimum amount of money on your business, then being your own registered agent may not be a terrible choice. Still, even in that scenario, we don’t recommend it.

Benefits of Using a Registered Agent Service

There are only a few realistic options when it comes to whom you file as your registered agent:

  • Yourself
  • An attorney
  • A registered agent service

As mentioned above, being your own agent has pitfalls and isn’t recommended. What’s more, an attorney in this position would be quite expensive and is generally only a viable option if you had them form your business for you.

So, that leaves you with the option of using a service. Here are the biggest benefits of using a professional registered agent service:

Privacy

When you form an LLC or corporation, your formation data goes into a state database which is open and searchable to the public. The information in this database can include:

  • Business name
  • Formation date
  • Registered agent name
  • Registered agent address

While you can’t stop the state from publishing this information, you can retain the privacy of your name and your address by using a registered agent service. Since this information is public, marketing companies use these databases to gather information to market their products and services to business owners. Your mailbox will thank you for keeping your business address private.

Another major privacy benefit is having legal documents delivered to your agent and not you personally. If, for some reason, someone brings a lawsuit against your company, would you rather have your agent call you with these documents or have them served to you in front of your customers, clients, or employees?

Easy Compliance

Along with privacy, another of the main benefits of using a registered agent service is that they will help to keep your business in “good standing” with the state.

Some states require LLCs and corporations to file annual reports or other timely documents. While these generally aren’t difficult tasks, they are often easily forgotten or lost in the day-to-day work that your business hands you.

Your registered agent will send you reminders that this work needs to be completed, and some will even provide you with the proper documents to make your work even easier.

How Do I Elect a Registered Agent in Alabama?

Alabama state law requires LLC business owners to assign a registered agent to represent their business. The registered agent will appear on the formation documents for your company. These registered agents will accept all appropriate documents and paperwork on your LLC’s behalf.

A registered agent must have a physical address in the state of Alabama, where they can be available during regular business hours to accept mail on behalf of a business. They are not allowed to have a P.O. box in place of a physical address, and they must respond to all mail in a timely manner.

To form an LLC in the state of Alabama, you will need to file the Certificate of Formation. This is where you will officially assign your LLC’s registered agent. If you are using an LLC formation service to file your LLC, they will handle all of this for you.

After choosing your LLC registered agent, you can choose one of the following filing methods:

  1. File your LLC’s Certificate of Formation online through the Alabama Interactive portal. If you haven’t yet reserved your LLC name, the wizard will prompt you to reserve your name. Then, after selecting your county of formation, you can input your registered agent’s information. To complete your registration, you will need to pay the online Alabama LLC filing fee of $208 via credit card.
  2. Download, complete, and print the Alabama Domestic Limited Liability Corporation Certificate of Formation Form for mailing. If the form is handwritten, it will be automatically rejected and not viewed. You will be required to mail in two copies of the form, your payment, and an attached copy of the Name Reservation Certificate from the Office of the Secretary of State. In section three of the form, this is where you will input your registered agent’s name, their street address, and the address of their office (if it is different from the street address).

How Do I Change My LLC’s Registered Agent in Alabama?

In Alabama, you can change the name of your registered agent, the office, or the registered agent themselves using their form which can be found on their Secretary of State website.

  • File Change of Registered Office or Registered Agent

    Download and fill out the Change of Registered Agent or Registered Office by Entity with all the information about your registered agent. The filing fee is $100 paid via check, credit card, or money order. Alabama requires that this form be typed instead of handwritten. Submit the form to the Secretary of State – Business Entities office by mail or by email. Your new registered agent name and office should also be listed on the form in sections two and three. The mailing address and filing email address can be found below. Mailed filings should include two copies of the form as well as a self-addressed envelope, while email filings should provide a return email address.

If you choose to use or switch to a registered agent service, they should complete and file the changes for you. For more information about our recommended Registered Agent service for your LLC, check out our Northwest Registered Agent review.

Recommended Registered Agent Service

We recommend Northwest Registered Agent, which offers their Alabama registered agent service free for one year along with your LLC formation.

4.7 out of 5 starsNorthwest Registered Agent ($29 + state fees)

Alabama Secretary of State Contact Information

Mailing Address

Alabama Secretary of State
Business Entities Division
P.O. Box 5616
Montgomery, AL 36103-5616

Physical Address

RSA Plaza – Suite 580
770 Washington Ave.
Montgomery, AL 36104

Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Phone: (334) 242-5324

Email:

Corporations Records Supervisor – Elaine Swearengin: Elaine.Swearengin@sos.alabama.gov

Filings: miscellaneous.filings@sos.alabama.gov

Alabama Registered Agent FAQ

Who can be an Alabama registered agent?

Anybody who meets the necessary requirements can act as your registered agent. These requirements include:
Must be at least 18 years old
Must have a physical street address in the state of Alabama
Must be available during typical work hours (i.e., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday)

Is a statutory agent the same as a registered agent?

Yes. Some states refer to registered agents as statutory agents. Other names for registered agents include resident agent and agent for service of process.

Can I be my own registered agent?

While you can be your own registered agent, it comes with a lot of responsibility. This could take you away from the parts of your business that you enjoy the most. It can also be stressful trying to keep up with all compliance requirements, and your information will also be available on the public record.

Can I get a free registered agent?

Yes, as long as they meet all of the necessary requirements and follow the state’s guidelines. It can lead to trouble if you use someone that doesn’t follow all rules and regulations. Many LLC formation services offer free registered agent services with their packages for a certain amount of time.

Why do I need a registered agent?

All states require that LLCs have a registered agent. Businesses need registered agents because there needs to be a point of contact for every business, for legal processes, communication, and staying in compliance. Check out StateRequirement’s guide on why you need an LLC registered agent.

How do I choose a registered agent?

The best registered agent or service will be responsible, helpful, and honest. They should have a track record of being on time and working with other influential businesses.

How much does a registered agent service cost?

registered agent service can cost as low as $99/year for some services, but others may charge considerably more depending on what services they offer.

Ready for more?

Form Your LLC

Learn More