Choosing a name for your LLC that is distinct from other business entities established in Massachusetts is the first step. You can use the Corporations Division database of the Massachusetts Secretary of State to see if your desired name is available. The words “Limited Liability Company” or the abbreviation “LLC” must also appear in your LLC name.
The second step is to select a registered agent. An individual or organization named as your LLC’s registered agent will receive legal correspondence and notices on its behalf. Your registered agent in Massachusetts must be a resident of the state or a company that is legally permitted to conduct business there. As your registered agent, you have three options: you, a fellow LLC member, or a seasoned registered agent service.
You must fill out the necessary form and submit it to the Corporations Division in order to file your article of organization. Your article of organization can be submitted online or by mail. The filing fee is $500 for online filing and $520 for mail filing. Online filing typically processes more quickly than mail-in filing.
Step 4: Obtain Your Organizational Certificate The Corporations Division will issue you a certificate of organization once your article of organization has been accepted. This certificate attests to the fact that your LLC was legitimately established and is permitted to conduct business in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Yes, a Massachusetts LLC may have a PO Box as its address; but, the LLC shall also provide a physical address at which the Registered Agent may be found. The physical address of the Registered Agent shall be a street address and shall not be a post office box.
A company called Harbor Compliance offers organizations compliance solutions. They provide services such company formation, business license, and registered agent. By supporting you with the submission of your articles of organization and by acting as your registered agent, Harbor Compliance can assist you with the procedure of establishing an LLC in Massachusetts.
Yes, an LLC’s owner can also be the registered agent. Use of a registered agent who is also the owner may not be the ideal choice, however, if you wish to keep your personal information secret, as the registered agent’s address is a matter of public record.
Being served with legal paperwork in front of your staff, customers, or the public is one of the risks of being a registered agent. Furthermore, you risk being held accountable for any damages if you don’t carry out your obligations as a registered agent, such sending key legal documents to the LLC without doing so. Due of these factors, it could be advantageous to hire a registered agent service rather than acting as your own registered agent.
When submitting an Article of Organization in Massachusetts, selecting a registered agent is a crucial step. The registered agent is tasked with obtaining legal and official paperwork on your company’s behalf, therefore it’s critical to select a dependable and trustworthy individual. The person or firm you select to serve as your registered agent must have a physical address in Massachusetts and be accessible during regular business hours to receive critical papers. Attorneys, registered agent service providers, or even one of your LLC’s members, assuming they have a Massachusetts physical address and are ready to assume the role, are choices for registered agents.