Illinois Registered Agent
Illinois corporations and LLCs need an in-state registered agent to maintain good standing with Illinois law. With a professional Illinois Registered Agent like Registered Agent Center, we can mind the procedural compliance stuff for you while you focus on running your business.
Our office in Springfield is just a short drive away from the Secretary of State’s office, providing your business with a local address—and we’ll forward your state legal mail to wherever you are. Keep reading to learn about why it just makes sense to hire a professional registered agent for your Illinois business.
What Is a Registered Agent in Illinois?
A registered agent is a person or business that is designated to accept service of process (legal mail) on behalf of your Illinois business. Illinois law requires registered businesses to have a registered agent. You'll also need to include your registered agent's name and address on state formation documents you file with the Illinois Secretary of State.
Registered agents in Illinois must:
- Accept legal documents and official mail on behalf of your Illinois business and deliver them to you as fast as possible
- Have a physical address (no P.O. Boxes) in the state of Illinois where they can accept legal documents (service of process) and official mail like tax notices
- Maintain normal business hours (9 AM to 5 PM)
These are just the minimum legal requirements for registered agents in Illinois. At Registered Agent Center, we believe in going above and beyond expectations to ensure top speed, security, privacy, and support for all of our clients.
Do I hire a registered agent before or after I start my business in Illinois?
Yes. Choose or hire an agent first, then form your LLC or corporation. The Secretary of State's Corporations Division will reject your business registration filing if you don't include your registered agent's contact information when you submit your documents.
When you hire Registered Agent Center as your registered agent in Illinois, you'll find all the forms and instructions you need to complete your filing instantly after you place an order.
Why do I need a registered agent in Illinois?
There are a few reasons a registered agent is needed for your Illinois business:
- State law (Illinois Compiled Statutes 805 ILCS 180/1-35) requires all legitimate, registered businesses to appoint one.
- The Secretary of State will reject your business filing if you don't appoint a registered agent.
- A registered agent requirement gives the public and the state a reliable way to contact your business.
You can be your own business's registered agent in Illinois. However, the role's requirements mean most business owners hire a registered agent service instead. Why? Because even though being your own registered agent is free, the name and address of your registered agent in Illinois becomes part of the public record. Additionally, a registered agent is required to be available to accept service of process during normal business hours.
How do registered agents in Illinois get served?
Serving a registered agent is legal proof of notification. Whether you receive the documents your Illinois registered agent signs for or not, once they accept the documents, you've legally been notified. Here's how it works:
- A process server, the county sheriff, or any third party will walk into our Springfield office and hands us the documents (service of process), then we sign for them.
- The process server then gives an affidavit (a receipt of service) to the court which states that they served us.
- If you've hired us, long before the server hands in their affidavit to the court, you've received your documents because we scanned them to your online account within minutes of having been served.
To sum it up, acting as a registered agent is a serious responsibility and we don't take it lightly.
How do I search for a registered agent in Illinois?
- Perform an Illinois business name search.
- Type in the name of the company you're searching for.
- Find the registered agent's name and registered office street address in the search results.
If you want to legally notify an Illinois business through their registered agent, just send a certified letter directly to the registered agent at their registered office address.
How Do I Change a Registered Agent in Illinois?
Changing your registered agent in Illinois is pretty straightforward. Here's how it works:
- 1File a Statement of Change of Registered Agent form with the Illinois Secretary of State.
- 2If you have a corporation, you file Form BCA 5.10/5.20, Statement of Change of Registered Agent and/or Registered Office.
- 3If you have an LLC, you file Form LLC-1.36/1.37, Statement of Change of Registered Agent and/or Office.
- 4If you place an order with us, the form will be available instantly.
It's a simple process, but for more information, see our page on changing your registered agent in Illinois.
Why Registered Agent Center Is the Best Registered Agent in Illinois
At Registered Agent Center, we do business the right way. We're dedicated to getting you your docs fast, protecting your privacy and offering you support. Here's how:
Same-Day Scans, Instant Notifications
We accept and scan your docs at our local office the same day. We notify you instantly and reach out to you if your essential mail goes unread.
Privacy by Default®
We automatically minimize the exposure of and access to your personal data. We have tough privacy policies to keep your data safe and private. And we never sell your data.
Free Limited Mail Forwarding
Of course we'll get you your state and legal mail. That's our job. But what if we get some of your regular business mail? It happens a lot—clients and businesses trying to connect with you via your registered agent. We scan five documents per year for FREE. If you receive additional documents, you can view those digitally for $15. We can even ship them to you, but you'll need to pay shipping and handling charges.
Unlimited Mail Forwarding
Expecting much more business mail? We also offer unlimited mail forwarding in Illinois. Our unlimited option includes an Illinois business address with a unique suite number—great for listing on your website, establishing a business presence, or giving a home or online business a more professional appearance. If you'd like mail forwarding plus a month-to-month lease and a local phone number, check out our virtual office in Illinois.
Brand Protection
Keep an eye on your business name, domains, and trademarks, with Brand Protection. We'll alert you to potential conflicts early, and give you simple tools to build and manage your brand all in one place.
Corporate Guides®
Have questions? We have answers. Our guides are business experts whose sole job is to provide phone and email support for all your toughest business questions.
Business Identity
Registered Agent Center is a Business Identity provider. Get a domain name that matches your business name. Tack on website hosting, we'll get you an expert-built website, hosted and secured by us. Want to start talking to suppliers, advertisers, customers, and more? Set up business email addresses and a separate business phone number so you can protect your data and keep your communication professional.
FAQs
Where is Registered Agent Center's registered office in Illinois?
All of our Illinois clients' documents are accepted and scanned on-site at our registered office in Springfield, IL.
Can I have my business's mail delivered to your Illinois office?
We don't want to get all your mail. If you don't have a lease at our address, the postal service might not deliver your mail anyway.
But as your registered agent in Illinois, things come directly to us—Registered Agent Center—care of you. So if we do receive any mail for you, though, we'll scan it to you in real time, in minutes.
Do you accept Amazon Verification Cards?
As your registered agent we allow the use of our address wherever it is accepted. We want your information to be as secure as possible. However, Amazon changed their Terms of Service to start a business account and now requires additional documentation such as utility bills and more, which registered agents cannot provide.
Will you let me know when my Illinois Annual Report is due?
Definitely! If you own an LLC or corporation in Illinois, you'll need to file your Illinois Annual Report each year. As part of our Registered Agent Service, we'll not only send you a reminder, but we'll give you the form you need to file and instructions on how to file it.
How to Order Illinois Registered Agent Service
You sign up online, clicking on one of the buttons or links that says HIRE US.
We collect the first year's fee for Registered Agent Service up front.
For new businesses, once your business registration filing with the Illinois Secretary of State is complete, we'll become your registered agent in Illinois.
About a year later, we'll send an invoice for another year of Illinois Registered Agent Service. If you want to keep using us, great; if you don't, you can easily cancel.
It's easy to add registered agent services in other states if your business expands. We have offices in every state. We don't farm out work (or your info) to other companies—wherever you are, WE are your registered agent.
We make your account a real go-to resource for you, not just for Registered Agent Service or paying a bill but for keeping up with corporate paperwork formalities like the Illinois Annual Report.
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