A registered agent is a business or individual who serves as a company’s representative. They are typically tasked with accepting documents on the LLC’s behalf, including official government correspondence. This can include service of process notices, tax information, communication from the Secretary of the Commonwealth, and notices of lawsuits. Registered agents act as a middle-man, as it is their job to see that members of the LLC receive these documents.
Massachusetts Registered Agent Requirements For an Individual
The Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth has set forth numerous requirements for individual registered agents in the state.
- A registered agent must be a company authorized to conduct business in the state.
- Registered agents must have a physical address in the state of Massachusetts. A P.O. box will not suffice.
- The registered agent must be at this location during regular business hours.
- All registered agents must be at least 18 years of age.
Massachusetts Registered Agent Requirements For a Company
The Secretary of the Commonwealth also provides clarification as to what companies can serve as a registered agent in the state.
- A registered agent must be a company authorized to conduct business in the state.
- The company must provide a physical address in the state of Massachusetts.
- The company must be at this location during regular business hours.
DoMyLLC Can Serve As Your Registered Agent
It’s critical that new business owners find a registered agent upon who they can trust and rely. At DoMyLLC, we offer registered agent services to those looking to file as an LLC or corporation in the state of Massachusetts. When hiring us to serve as a registered agent, business owners can rest assured that they are receiving reliable, professional services, including:
- A physical address in the state of Massachusetts, meeting requirements set forth by the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Office.
- An office available during business hours from Monday through Friday. We can accept all legal correspondence for a company.
- A secure online account where business owners can manage your documents.
- An innovative management system design making it easier than ever for business owners to handle all legal correspondence, even if they’re not in the state.
- A compliance reminder system that informs business owners when annual report filings are due, ensuring they never miss a deadline.
- A compliance calendar, which is an easy-to-view method that allows owner to track when annual reports are due.
- A vast document library that includes both state and internal paperwork for Corporations and LLCs
- Links to state and government agencies
- Unlimited document storage
If businesses in Massachusetts miss important deadlines, such as annual report filings, they could be subject to harsh penalties. When hiring DoMyLLC as a Massachusetts registered agent, business owners can trust that their information will be uploaded to the online management system immediately upon delivery and that they will never miss an important deadline. DoMyLLC allows business owners to focus on running their business instead of having to burden themselves with compliance paperwork.
How To Change Your Massachusetts Registered Agent
If you are a business owner in the state of Massachusetts who is not satisfied with the registered agent currently representing your company, it’s possible that you can make a change.
- Hire a New Agent – Before getting rid of an existing registered agent, businesses should hire a new agent. This ensures a seamless transition while also ensuring that the state of Massachusetts accepts your Change of Agent paperwork.
- File the Required Change of Agent Paperwork with the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth – Once business owners have secured a new registered agent, they should file Change of Agent paperwork with the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Corporations Division. When completing this paperwork, business owners must provide the name and address for both their former and new registered agents. The Change of Agent form is not the only way Massachusetts businesses can update their registered agent information, they can also do so through their annual report.
- Pay the Filing Fee – The amount that a business owner pays to change their Massachusetts registered agent depends on how they submit the paperwork. If they file online, they do not owe anything to the Secretary of the Commonwealth. If they submit by mail or in person, the cost is $25. If they send by fax, the price is $25 plus an additional $5 processing fee.
State Filing Fees
Filing fees in Maryland depend significantly on the business entity submitting the paperwork and their reason for doing so. Below, business owners will find charts detailing the various filing fees in the state.
| Entity Type | State Fee Registered Agent Change |
| Domestic Massachusetts Corporation | $0-$25 |
| Domestic Massachusetts Limited Liability Company | $0-$25 |
| Domestic Massachusetts Non-Profit Corporations | $0-$25 |
| Domestic & Foreign Partnerships (LP, LLP, LLLP) | $0-$25 |
| Foreign Corporations | $0-$25 |
| Foreign Non-Profit Corporations | $0-$25 |
| Foreign Limited Liability Companies | $0-$25 |
| Corporation Entity Type | State Fee for Formation |
| Domestic Massachusetts Corporation | $250 |
| Domestic Massachusetts Non-Profit Corporation | $40 |
| Foreign Corporation Qualification | $375 |
| Foreign Non-Profit Corporation Qualification | $100 |
| LLC Entity Type | State Fee for Formation |
| Domestic Massachusetts Limited Liability Company | $500 |
| Domestic Massachusetts Partnerships | $200-$500 |
| Foreign Limited Liability Company Qualification | $500 |
| Foreign Partnership Qualification | $200-$500 |