Kansas Registered Agent
When you form a Kansas LLC, you'll be required to appoint a Kansas registered agent — also known as a resident agent — to accept service of process.
Most business owners choose to hire a third-party service to fulfill this requirement. This is because a registered agent service will:
- Protect your private information from the public.
- Reduce risk
- Collect important legal documents and store them securely online.
We’ll help you make the best choice for your business.
Recommended: Northwest Registered Agent offers free registered agent services with LLC formation ($29 plus state fees).
Choosing a Registered Agent in Kansas
A Kansas registered agent will serve as your business’s point of contact with the state, and will also be responsible for receiving service of process in the event that a lawsuit is filed against you.
Appointing a resident agent can be a legal requirement in Kansas depending on how your business is registered. This can be a registered agent service or an individual (i.e., yourself, a partner, etc), so long as:
- They’re at least 18 years old.
- They have a physical street address in Kansas.
- They’re always available during normal business hours at their registered office address.
Kansas Registered Agent Services
- Convenience: Hiring a third-party service will mean that you will not have to be physically present at your business’s address during regular business hours.
- Privacy: Your registered agent’s address and name will become publicly available in Kansas. This means you can choose to hire a third-party service in order to protect your privacy.
- Legal compliance: Some resident agent services come with additional features that can help your business stay compliant (e.g., 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.
Having said that, this is generally only recommended if you are going to be operating on an exceptionally small budget (since it can be done free of charge). This is because acting as your own Kansas registered agent will inevitably come with a few drawbacks, such as the fact that:
- You will be legally required to be physically present in your business’s address during normal business hours in order to receive service of process.
- Acting as your own agent can be quite a time-consuming endeavor.
- Potential errors (e.g., missing an important document, etc.) can result in fines and/or penalties from the SOS and other federal agencies.
- You will likely not have access to the same compliance-related resources (e.g., annual report reminders, etc.).
If you are forming a new LLC, it makes sense to hire a formation service that includes a free year of registered agent services. These can charge as little as $29 per formation (excluding 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 Kansas guide.
Best Kansas Registered Agent Service
Northwest is the best 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 as your registered agent service, you'll get an online account to access essential 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 professional registered agent service when they form an LLC. This is because it can offer a number of benefits, including:
- Legal compliance: A registered agent 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 Kansas Business Entity Database Search. Using a registered agent 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 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 Kansas
For your LLC in Kansas, you will need to elect a resident agent when you are completing your LLC’s Articles of Organization.
This is the formation document that needs to be filed with the Secretary of State in order for your LLC to be formed.
Note: Filings sent via mail are subject to an additional $5 processing fee.
Electing a Registered Agent Online
You can form your LLC online by creating a KanAccess account ($160 filing fee required).
Electing a Registered Agent by Mail
To form your LLC by mail, download the Articles of Organization ($165 filing fee required), fill out the required fields and submit a physical copy at the Kansas Secretary of State. You’ll be asked to provide your registered Agent’s information in section 2:
How Do I Change My Registered Agent In Kansas?
In order to appoint a new resident agent, you will need to file a Change of Registered Office/Resident Agent form with the Kansas Secretary of State.
The filing fee for this is $35 (for-profit entities) or $20 (not-for-profit corporations).
If you want to file the form online, you can do so via the SOS’ Kansas Business Center website.
Mail or In Person:
Kansas Secretary of State
Memorial Hall, 1st Floor
120 S.W. 10th Avenue
Topeka, KS 66612-1594
Fax:
(785) 296-4570
Note: There is an extra $20 fee for filings submitted via fax.
Check out our full guide on how to change registered agents in Kansas.
Kansas Registered Agent FAQ
Can I be my own registered agent in Kansas?
Yes, you can, although this is generally not recommended.
This is because acting as your own Kansas resident agent will come with several drawbacks (e.g., fewer compliance features, less time, etc.) while at the same time not saving you a significant amount of money (i.e., around $90 per annum.).
Does Kansas require a registered agent?
Kansas can require you to elect a resident agent, although this will depend on how your business is registered.
For example, LLCs and corporations are legally required to appoint Kansas resident agents in order to be formed, whereas this is not the case for sole proprietorships and general partnerships.
How do I find a resident agent in Kansas?
You can find a resident agent through our review of the best registered agent services in Kansas.
If you do not want to use a commercial third-party service, you can also act as your own resident agent by writing down your own details in your Articles of Organization.
Who can be a registered agent in Kansas?
All Kansas registered agents are required to satisfy the following requirements in order to be accepted:
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must have a physical address in Kansas
- Must be available at their registered office during regular business hours
This can be a registered agent service, partner, or yourself.
How do I change my registered agent in Kansas?
You can appoint a new Kansas resident agent by submitting a Change of Registered Office/Resident Agent form with the Secretary of State.
This can be done online ($30), via mail, or in-person ($35).
See our How Do I Change My Registered Agent in Kansas article for more information.