Arkansas Registered Agent
All limited liability companies (LLCs) and corporations in Arkansas are required to appoint a registered agent.
Your Arkansas registered agent can be yourself, a partner, or a registered agent service.
Most small businesses choose to use a third-party service. This is because acting as your own agent carries a certain degree of risk and reduces your flexibility and privacy.
This article will help you make the best choice for your business.
Recommended: Northwest Registered Agent offers free registered agent services with LLC or corporation formation ($29 plus state fees).
Choosing a Registered Agent in Arkansas
Your Arkansas registered agent will receive important legal correspondence from the Secretary of State (e.g., annual report reminders, etc.), and will also be responsible for receiving service of process in the event of a pending lawsuit.
You may be legally required to appoint a registered agent in Arkansas, depending on how your business is registered. This can be a registered agent service or an individual.
Having said that, all Arkansas registered agents are required to satisfy the following requirements in order to be formed:
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- Must have a physical address in Arkansas.
- Are always available during normal business hours at their registered office address.
Arkansas Registered Agent Services
- Convenience: Hiring a third-party service will allow you to operate with more flexibility on a day-to-day basis; this is because you will not be responsible for receiving service of process on behalf of your business.
- Privacy: Your registered agent’s address and name will become publicly available as soon as your corporation or LLC is registered. This means you can use a third-party service to protect your personal information.
- Legal compliance: Most registered agent services offer additional features that can help you ensure that your business remains compliant (e.g., online document storage, annual report reminders, etc.).
Let’s Find the Right Registered Agent for Your Business
We’ve tested and reviewed the most popular registered agent services.
Can You Be Your Own Registered Agent?
Yes you can.
Acting as your own agent can be a good idea if you are operating on an exceptionally tight budget (since it can be done for free).
Having said that, you should note that this approach will also inevitably come with certain risks, such as the fact that:
- You will have less flexibility on a day-to-day basis; this is because you will need to accept service of process on behalf of your business
- You will be required to stay within your business’s premises during normal working hours
- You will be solely responsible for going through and storing all paperwork sent to you from the Secretary of State.
- Your private information (e.g., name, address, etc.) will become publicly searchable.
It’s also worth noting that acting as your own agent will not save you a significant amount of capital in comparison to a third-party service (i.e., between $90 and $300 per year).
If you are planning to form a new LLC, it will make sense to hire an LLC formation service that includes a free year of registered agent services. Reputable services charge as little as $29 for formation (plus state fees).
If you are forming an LLC but prefer to file the paperwork yourself and act as your own registered agent, take a look at our How to Start an LLC in Arkansas guide.
Best Arkansas Registered Agent Service
Northwest is our highest-rated registered agent service based on overall quality and transparent pricing. Northwest offers a seamless user experience and best-in-industry customer service and privacy protection.
When you choose Northwest, you'll get an online account to access essential legal documents, mail forwarding, and business address services.
Northwest’s virtual mailbox service will scan your mail and forward it to you electronically. This means that you can keep track of your mail no matter where you are in the world.
LLC Formation + 1 yr Free Registered Agent Service
One Year Free Registered Agent with LLC Formation $29 (Plus State Fees)
Benefits of Using a Registered Agent Service
Many businesses choose to use a commercial registered agent service when they form an LLC. This is because it can offer a number of benefits, including:
- Legal compliance: A third-party service will ensure that you don’t miss an important legal document or notification (e.g., service of process, etc.) as a result of not being in your office (or as a result of a human error).
- Improved privacy: If you act as your own agent, your name and address will become public record on the Arkansas Business Entity Search. Using a third-party service will help keep your information private.
- Discretion: When it comes to legal disputes, you will want to avoid receiving lawsuit-related documents in front of your clients and/or some employees.
- Better storage: Your service will generally scan all documents received and upload them online in PDF form. This means that you will always be able to access them online, and won’t have to worry about losing an important document.
A professional registered agent service can also be beneficial if you plan to expand into other states as a foreign LLC. This is because, otherwise, you would need to find an individual or business entity that is a resident — or is allowed to transact business — in each state that you want to register in.
How to Elect a Registered Agent in Arkansas
If you are planning to form an LLC in Arkansas, you will be required to appoint a registered agent when you’re completing your LLC’s Certificate of Organization.
This is also known as the Articles of Organization outside of Arkansas and is the formation document that you will need to file with the Arkansas Secretary of State (Form LL-01) in order to register your business.
Electing a Registered Agent Online
You can form your LLC online at the Arkansas Secretary of State website ($45 filing fee required). Your registered agent’s name and contact information will be requested in the registered agent section on the online form:
Electing a Registered Agent by Mail
To form your LLC by mail, download Form LL-01 - Certificate of Organization ($50 filing fee required), fill out the required fields, and submit a physical copy to the Arkansas Secretary of State. You’ll be asked to provide your registered agent’s information under the Article III section in the middle of the page:
How to Change Your Registered Agent in Arkansas
If you want to appoint a new agent, you will need to submit Form DO-3: Notice of Change of Registered Agent form.
This can be done online via the Arkansas Secretary of State’s Corporations Online Filing System or via mail.
Mail:
Arkansas Secretary of State
1401 W. Capitol Ave.
Suite 250
Little Rock, AR 72201
For more information read our how to change registered agents in Arkansas guide.
Arkansas Registered Agent FAQs
Can I be my own registered agent in Arkansas?
Yes, you can.
Having said that, you should note that acting as your own agent will entail a certain degree of risk. This is because you will be solely responsible for receiving service of process on behalf of your business, as well as for storing all documents sent to you from the SOS.
See our Arkansas Registered Agent article for more information.
Does Arkansas require a registered agent?
It can, but this will ultimately depend on how your business is registered.
For example, limited liability companies (LLCs) and corporations are legally required to elect a registered agent in order to be formed.
This is not the case for sole proprietorships and general partnerships.
Who can be a registered agent in Arkansas?
All prospective Arkansas registered agents need to satisfy the following requirements in order to be accepted:
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must be physically available at their business address during regular business hours
- Must have a physical street address within Arkansas
This can be an individual or a business entity (e.g., a registered agent service, etc.).
What is a registered agent for an LLC in Arkansas?
A registered agent is an individual or business entity that acts as your business’s point of contact with the Secretary of State, and that will be responsible for receiving service of process in the event of a pending lawsuit.
Appointing an agent is a prerequisite to forming your Arkansas limited liability company (LLC), and as such, must be done while you are completing your Certificate of Organization.
How do I change my registered agent in Arkansas?
You can change your agent by completing a Notice of Change of Registered Agent form and submitting it to the Secretary of State.
This can be done online or via mail and has no filing fee.
See our How Do I Change My Registered Agent in Arkansas overview for more information.