How to Find a Registered Agent in Nebraska (Step-by-Step Guide)
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Nebraska registered agent requirements
It doesn’t matter whether you plan to hire a commercial registered agent company or be your own registered agent. There are requirements for this important position. At the same time, the restrictions are not many.
Generally speaking, any one individual or business entity can be a registered agent in the State of Nebraska.
Being your own registered agent
Individuals must be at least 18 years old. They must also be residents of the state (or registered to conduct business in the state) and have a physical street address (that is not a P.O. box address) in-state.
Hiring a registered agent service
Your registered agent needs to be physically present at their listed registered agent address during normal business hours throughout the week, Monday through Friday.
Keep in mind that although you, as the business owner, can be your business’s registered agent, you cannot have your business itself be your registered agent.
If you don’t want to take on this position yourself, you can hire an employee to do it for you or even ask a close friend or reliable family member to act as your registered agent. Some small businesses will do this when they are just starting out. They will then transfer to a registered agent service company as their business takes off.
Why use a registered agent service
Trying to decide between being your own registered agent and using a registered agent service?
The majority of Nebraska corporations and limited liability companies find that appointing a commercial registered agent to fill this position is the best course of action. Here are the top reasons why.
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You can keep your work and business separate from your personal life.
Having your personal home address available to the public isn’t ideal. Keep your home life separate from your work life by hiring a registered agent service.
The registered agent service company you hire will use their office address as your registered agent address, and you can keep your home own private.
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You can be more flexible with your work hours.
If you act as your own registered agent, you have to be present at your registered agent address at all times during normal business hours. When you hand over registered agent responsibilities to a commercial registered agent service, you can free up a lot of your own time and focus more on growing your company.
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You can keep your P.O. box address.
Registered agents are required to have physical street addresses and cannot have P.O. box addresses. If you prefer to use a P.O. box as your business address, you can maintain this practice and won’t need to obtain a physical property just to be your own registered agent.
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You’ll stay more organized.
Registered agent services specialize in ensuring you remain in good standing with the state. They will notify you of upcoming business filings you need to complete (such as your Annual Report), tax due dates, and other obligations. Staying organized is easy when you work with an experienced commercial registered agent company.
Nebraska registered agent costs
In the end, how much you pay for a registered agent will depend on whether you hire a company or an individual. If you hire an individual and that individual is yourself, you don’t have to pay yourself anything. If you hire an individual employee to be your registered agent (or someone like your spouse or a close friend), you may choose to pay them if you like, but it is not mandatory.
Certainly, it is pricier to hire a registered agent company. Still, the cost is not prohibitive. Most Nebraska LLCs and corporations pay between $50 and $300 per year for this service.
Therefore, it is usually well worth it to hire out the position. You will not have to do it yourself or worry about losing important correspondence with the state or court system.
How to change a registered agent in Nebraska
You must file a Change of Registered Agent form with the Nebraska Secretary of State in order to change your registered agent in Nebraska. This form must be accompanied by the required filing fee. LLCs and corporations will be charged different amounts for this filing.
If you plan to have a registered agent company be your new registered agent, ask them if they will change your agent with the state on your behalf. This is a common practice of commercial registered agent companies and could be something they offer. If so, they may even pay the filing fee for you.
To change your Nebraska registered agent on your own, follow these instructions:
- Notify your old registered agent. Tell them that you will be going with someone new and that you would like to obtain any remaining business documents they may still have in their possession.
- Obtain a Change of Registered Agent form from the Nebraska Secretary of State’s office. This form can be obtained in person or online. Fill it out, and file it with the Nebraska SOS.
- Pay the necessary filing fee (typically by credit card). Keep in mind that LLCs and corporations need to pay different amounts in Nebraska.
Why you need a registered agent
Are you incorporating a business in Nebraska and looking for a registered agent? Registered agents are required by state law for all registered businesses in Nebraska.
Your registered agent (also known as a resident agent or statutory agent) will have only one job, and it’s a simple one. They will be tasked with receiving service of process and additional official documents and notifications on behalf of your business. These time-sensitive documents and legal notices need to be handled carefully and acted upon immediately, which is why this position is so important.
In some cases, registered agents also perform other duties such as notifying their clients of Annual Report filing due dates and more.
When you need a registered agent
The registered agent position should be chosen when filling out your Articles of Incorporation or Articles of Organization formation documents. This document is essential as you incorporate your business in Nebraska. It requires you to fill out several portions, one of which deals with who your registered agent will be.
Generally speaking, businesses fill out this portion of their Articles of Incorporation or Articles of Organization after they have already chosen a new business name for their company. Choosing a name is typically the first step of incorporation.
As you decide whether you want to be your own registered agent or hire a registered agent service, remember that although this is a simple position, it comes with a lot of responsibility.
If you have your hands full with your business, you may want to pass this role on to a commercial registered agent service. They will be able to take on this burden for you and handle important documents that your business receives.
Useful links
Below, find a list of important government websites and links to forms that can help you as you choose your registered agent and begin the incorporation process in Nebraska.
FAQs
Why do I need a Nebraska registered agent?
Registered agents play a very important role for Nebraska LLCs (limited liability companies) and corporations. Their job is to accept legal mail, including service of process, on behalf of your business and forward it to you for your immediate action.
Can you be your own registered agent in Nebraska?
Yes. Any owner of an LLC in Nebraska can be his or her own registered agent. Just remember that you will have a lot of responsibilities in this position. The registered agent for your business needs to be available during regular business hours from Monday through Friday in the event that any official correspondence is directed to your business.
What does service of process mean?
Service of process refers to the legal procedure wherein a business entity or individual is notified that they are being sued or subpoenaed. If your business is being sued or subpoenaed and lawsuit papers are addressed to you, it will be your registered agent who accepts these documents and forwards them to you.
What is required for an LLC in Nebraska?
You will need to select a business name (that no other business has in Nebraska), choose a registered agent, file your Articles of Organization, appoint board members, hold your first board meeting, outline your corporate bylaws, and obtain an employer identification number or EIN in order to incorporate your business in Nebraska.
Can I use a residential address for my registered agent address?
Yes. Residential addresses can be used as registered agent addresses. Keep in mind, however, that registered agent addresses need to be on public records. Therefore, if you decide to use your residential address and be your company’s own registered agent, anyone looking for your business will be able to find your home address.
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