Rhode Island Registered Agent Services
CorpNet can act as your Rhode Island registered agent ensuring your business stays compliant with any service of process, legal notices, or official mailings.
Our registered agent services are fast, affordable, guaranteed, and just $149 per year.
Why You Need to Appoint a Registered Agent in Rhode Island
When a new Rhode Island business is formed, the company must designate a registered office within the Articles of Organization for an LLC or the Articles of Incorporation for a Corporation.
Appointing a resident agent is legally required under 2013 Rhode Island General Laws, Title 7 – Corporations, Associations and Partnerships, Chapter 7-16 – The Rhode Island Limited Liability Company Act, Section 7-16-11 – Resident agent.
Failure to appoint and maintain a proper resident agent could result in default judgments (in the case of a lawsuit), fines, and penalties. You might also risk having your business suspended or terminated in the state of Rhode Island.
Quick & Easy Ordering
What Does a Registered Agent Do?
A resident agent is an individual or business that is appointed by the company to receive and sign for any legal service of process documents, notices, or demands served upon the company.
Some examples of the documentation include:
- Official federal and state correspondence
- Subpoenas for information
- Tax notices
- Lawsuit notifications
- Summonses to appear in court
- Wage garnishment notices
- Corporate filing notifications
What Rhode Island Business Entities Require a Registered Agent?
The following domestic and foreign businesses require a resident agent in Rhode Island:
- Business Corporation
- Professional Service Corporation
- Benefit Corporation
- Nonprofit Corporation
- Limited Liability Company (LLC)
- Limited Partnership (LP)
- Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)
- Low-Profit Limited Liability Company (L3C)
- Workers’ Cooperative
- Producers’ Cooperative
- Consumers’ Cooperative
Who Qualifies as a Registered Agent in Rhode Island?
To serve as a resident agent or office, you must meet the following requirements:
- Must be 18 years of age or older
- Must have a Rhode Island street address
- Must be available at the given address during normal business hours to accept service of process
- An individual resident of Rhode Island or a Corporation, Limited Partnership, or Limited Liability Company authorized to transact business in Rhode Island
Why a Commercial Registered Agent is Your Best Option
A commercial registered agent has filed a special listing statement with a state’s agency responsible for business registrations and compliance. Information that a commercial registered agent provides on the list includes its company name, entity type, and address to which service of process should be sent.
Commercial registered agents often maintain a physical address in multiple states and work with many business entities. Commercial agents like CorpNet also will notify businesses of upcoming state filings and legal notices and they can prepare and submit compliance filings on your behalf.
There are many advantages to working with a commercial registered agent. From convenience and privacy to easy online document access, a commercial registered agent offers peace of mind.
Verified Trustpilot Review of ★★★★★
For many years, and through several different companies, CorpNet has been there for me. I have used their LLC formation and dissolution services…and then their formation service again, and then once again. I have also taken advantage of their services for annual report filing as well as registered agent monitoring and notification. I honestly don’t know what I’d do if left to my own devices with these matters.
What really makes CorpNet stand out, in my opinion, is the level of service, the consistency of the experience, and the price. You speak to live humans whenever you want (during business hours, of course). And beyond that, these are live humans that actually get to know you. State fees aside, the fees for CorpNet services are so nominal. And you just can’t put a price on doing the best you can for your small business. You and your company provide endless examples of how to rock a small business on every level.
FAQs About Rhode Island Registered Agent Services
Does Rhode Island require a registered agent?
Yes. The majority of businesses within the state of Rhode Island must appoint a resident agent and office.
What government entity manages resident agents in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island Secretary of State
Department of State Business Services Division
148 W River St
Providence, RI 02904
Phone: 401-222-3040
Website: https://www.sos.ri.gov/divisions/business-services
What forms are used to appoint or change a resident agent in Rhode Island?
- Articles of Incorporation (Form 100)
- Articles of Incorporation for a Domestic Professional Service Corporation (Form 112)
- Articles of Incorporation for a Domestic Benefit Corporation (Form 114)
- Articles of Incorporation for a Domestic Professional Service Benefit Corporation (Form 115)
- Articles of Incorporation for a Domestic Worker’s Cooperative (Form 116)
- Certificate of Limited Partnership (Form 300)
- Articles of Organization (Form 400)
- Articles of Organization for a Domestic L3C Limited Liability Company (Form 400A)
- Statement of Qualification of Limited Liability Partnership (Form 500)
- Articles of Association for a Non-Profit Producers’ Cooperative Association (Form 600)
- Articles of Association for a Non-Profit Consumers’ Cooperative Association (Form 601)
- Change/Resignation of Resident Agent for LLC (Form 642)
- Change/Resignation of Resident Agent for Corporations (Form 640)
- Change/Resignation of Specified Office or Registered Agent for LP, LLP, LLLP (Form 643)
How much does a registered agent cost?
There is a wide range of pricing for registered agents. Some service providers offer super low rates, however, this comes with limited services, hidden costs, and they do not offer important things your business needs like compliance monitoring, online customer portals, live customer service, or a money-back guarantee.
While at face value, a low-priced registered agent may seem like a sweet deal, things can turn sour quickly. So rather than looking only at the price low-cost providers flash prominently on their websites, dig deeper into what you’ll be getting and what you’re not getting.
How do I change my existing registered agent?
Resident Agent changes must be made by filing a Change/Resignation of Resident Agent form with the Rhode Island Secretary of State.
If you hire a commercial registered agent, they can process the paperwork for you. Request CorpNet to change your registered agent for you.
Can my registered agent manage my annual report?
Yes! When you appoint a commercial registered agent you can receive a wide range of business compliance assistance. CorpNet handles online filings for a wide range of requirements at the state, federal, and local levels:
- File Articles of Incorporation
- File Articles of Organization
- File a foreign qualification
- File a DBA (Doing Business As)
- File initial reports and annual reports
- Request an S Corporation election
- Request EINs (Federal Tax ID Numbers)
- Register for business licenses
- Register for sales and use tax permits
- Register for payroll taxes
Are discounts available for multiple businesses or states?
CorpNet offers nationwide registered agent services supporting multi-state, multi-company, and bulk registrations. Our full coverage across the United States is enhanced by a single point of contact that offers volume discounts for multiple entities, states, or years of service. Learn more about CorpNet’s bulk registered agent discounts.
