What is a Registered Agent in Kansas and How to Appoint One for your LLC

Registered Agent in Kansas states map Kansas map

Starting a business in Kansas? Forming a limited liability company (LLC) is one of the most popular ways for small business owners to protect their personal assets. But to make your Kansas LLC official, you’ll need to take a few key steps. One of those is designating a registered agent.

A registered agent is a person or business authorized to accept legal documents and official government correspondence on behalf of your LLC. This ensures your business never misses important mail that could affect your legal standing.

While appointing a registered agent may sound complicated, it doesn’t have to be! This comprehensive guide from Tailor Brands will walk you through everything you need to know about designating a registered agent in Kansas.

What does a registered agent do?

Before diving into the specifics for Kansas, let’s make sure you have a clear understanding of what exactly a registered agent is and their important role.

A registered agent’s primary responsibility is to be the main point of contact for all official communications your business receives. This includes:

  • Legal documents – Lawsuits, summons, or any court notices will go to your registered agent first. They will then inform you so you can take appropriate legal action.
  • Tax documents – Items like notices from the IRS will be sent to your registered agent. They’ll notify you of anything that requires your response.
  • Government correspondence – Any communications from the Secretary of State, such as annual report reminders or compliance notices, will pass through your registered agent first.
  • Service of process – If you’re sued or face any legal action, the initial notice is served to the registered agent. They’ll immediately forward the documents to you.

Appointing a registered agent essentially ensures there’s always someone keeping an eye out for important business communications for your LLC. This prevents vital mail from getting lost in the shuffle of running your company.

Requirements for a registered agent in Kansas

Kansas law sets out a few basic requirements for who can serve as a registered agent:

  • The registered agent must be at least 18 years old.
  • They must have a physical address in Kansas to receive official mail and legal notices. A PO box doesn’t qualify.
  • The registered agent must be available and accessible during normal business hours to sign for deliveries.

In addition to these requirements, it’s highly recommended that your registered agent has extensive availability. After all, you don’t want to miss a legal notice just because your registered agent stepped away during the workday.

Some other qualities to look for include reliability, organization, and responsiveness. The best registered agents will contact you right away about any important documents they receive.

How to appoint a registered agent in Kansas?

When preparing your articles of organization to form your Kansas LLC, you’ll need to designate your registered agent. Here are the steps to make it official:

Registered agent's consent to appointment

Before naming someone as your registered agent, you must obtain their written consent. This ensures the registered agent is aware of their responsibilities. Some registered agent services include this consent form as part of their onboarding process.

Appointing online

The fastest way to appoint a registered agent is through the Kansas Secretary of State website. You’ll submit your articles of organization electronically and enter your registered agent’s name and address.

The filing fee is $165. You can pay online via credit card.

To appoint through the Secretary of State’s online system:

  1. Visit the Kansas Business Center site
  2. Click “File documents online” and create an account
  3. Select the option to form a new domestic LLC
  4. Fill out your articles of organization and include your registered agent’s details
  5. Pay the $165 filing fee with your card
  6. Submit your articles of organization

This will instantly register your new LLC and designated registered agent with the state.

Appointing by mail

You can also file your articles of organization by mail. Simply fill out the form, input your registered agent’s details, and mail it to:

Memorial Hall, 1st Floor
120 S.W. 10th Avenue
Topeka, KS 66612-1594

The filing fee is $165 if paid by check. Remember to include your payment when mailing your documents.

To appoint your registered agent by mail:

  1. Obtain and complete a paper Articles of Organization form
  2. Input your chosen registered agent’s name and Kansas address
  3. Enclose your $165 filing fee paid by check or money order
  4. Mail the completed documents to the Kansas Secretary of State
  5. Allow 3 to 4 weeks for processing time

No matter which method you choose, double check that all the information you provide matches your registered agent’s details exactly. Any typos could lead to missed mail.

How to change my registered agent in Kansas?

Sometimes, your business may need to change its registered agent after initially appointing one. Reasons could include:

  • Your original registered agent resigns or becomes unavailable
  • You decide to switch to a registered agent service for enhanced reliability
  • You move locations and your registered agent address is no longer accurate

Luckily, changing registered agents in Kansas is straightforward. You’ll just need to file an amendment to your articles of organization. Here are your options for doing so:

By mail

Fill out Form AM-16, Amendment to Articles of Organization of a Kansas Limited Liability Company. Input your new registered agent’s details. The filing fee is $35.

Mail the completed form to the filing address above. Allow 3 to 4 weeks for processing.

In person

Print and complete Form AM-16. Bring it to the Kansas Secretary of State’s office, along with your $35 filing fee paid by check or money order. This will process the change immediately.

The Secretary of State’s office is located at:

Memorial Hall, 1st Floor
120 S.W. 10th Avenue
Topeka, KS 66612

By fax

Fax your completed AM-16 form with credit card payment information to (785) 296-4570. The fax filing fee is $45.

Be sure to follow up and verify that the Secretary of State has processed your amendment. Once approved, your new registered agent will be designated.

Can I be my own Registered Agent in Kansas?

In Kansas, you are allowed to designate yourself as the registered agent for your LLC. However, this isn’t the best idea for a few reasons:

  • Privacy concerns – Your name and address will become part of public record. This exposes your home address if you use it as the registered office.
  • Missing mail – As a business owner, you’re often out of the office. This makes it easy to miss important legal documents.
  • Non-compliance – Without reminders, it’s easy to forget to stay on top of compliance filings. This could lead to penalties.

While permissible, being your own registered agent has significant downsides. Working with a dedicated registered agent service is a smarter choice.

Benefits of using a Kansas Registered Agent service

Partnering with a third-party registered agent service based in Kansas offers major advantages for your LLC.

Peace of mind

A reputable registered agent takes reliability seriously. They have dedicated staff on hand during all business hours specifically to receive your important mail. This takes the pressure off you as a business owner so you can focus on core priorities.

They’ll notify you as soon as they receive legal documents so you can take any necessary action right away. You’ll never have to worry about missing notices that could affect your company.

Compliance with the state law

Meeting all your compliance obligations can be challenging, especially when first launching a Kansas LLC.

Registered agents are compliance experts. They’ll provide you with filing reminders and helpful guidance so you never miss an important deadline with the state. This prevents costly penalties down the road.

A good registered agent service will also prepare and file annual reports on your behalf so you can focus on your business.

Flexibility

Running a business often means an unpredictable schedule. With an agent service, you gain flexibility since you don’t have to be available at your office during all business hours.

Registered agents also allow for seamless business registration across multiple states, without needing a physical presence in every location.

Reduces paperwork

A professional registered agent has the resources to handle time-consuming paperwork on your behalf. This includes preparing and filing your annual reports.

Rather than getting bogged down in bureaucratic business obligations, you can stay focused on your company’s growth when you partner with the right registered agent service.

Benefits of using a Kansas Registered Agent service

Tailor Brands provides an easy registered agent solution to Kansas LLC owners. With Tailor Brands as your registered agent, you get:

  • A dedicated Kansas address for private, reliable mail handling
  • Reminders for important deadlines and filings
  • Preparation and filing of annual reports
  • Instant notifications upon receiving legal documents
  • Easy online account management
  • Convenient anytime availability – no worrying about business hours
  • Affordable pricing with no hidden fees

Take the stress out of meeting your Kansas registered agent requirements by partnering with Tailor Brands. 

A Registered Agent is a must, but does not have to be difficult

Appointing a registered agent is a requirement for every LLC in Kansas. But it’s more than just a box you have to check. The right registered agent provides tremendous value as an asset for your business.

Whether you choose to represent yourself or opt for an experienced registered agent service like Tailor Brands, make sure you take the process seriously. A reliable point of contact for official documents and legal notices will ensure your Kansas LLC avoids issues down the road.

With this comprehensive guide, you now have all the key information to appoint your registered agent smoothly so you can focus on running your growing Kansas business! Don’t hesitate to contact the team at Tailor Brands if you need any help getting your registered agent set up.

FAQs

To serve as a registered agent in Kansas, you must be over 18 years old, have a physical address in the state, and be available during normal business hours.

Failing to name a registered agent when forming your LLC means your filing will be rejected. Appointing an agent is a mandatory requirement.

Registered agent service fees vary, but expect to pay $100-300 per year for a Kansas-based company like Tailor Brands to represent your LLC.

No, in Kansas an LLC cannot appoint itself as its registered agent. You must designate a third party.

If your business is sued, the registered agent will receive the summons on your LLC’s behalf. They then notify you so you can respond appropriately.