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 State, and notices of lawsuits. An Iowa Registered Agent acts as a middle-man, as it is their job to see that members of the LLC receive these documents.
Iowa Registered Agent Requirements For an Individual
The Iowa Secretary of State’s office has put together a detailed description of what they’re looking for in a registered agent. Below, you’ll find a synopsis of the requirements for an individual serving as an agent.
- If an individual, they must be an Iowa resident
- The agent must be at least 18 years old.
- The registered office address must be a street address, as opposed to merely a P.O. box
- The resident agent’s business office address must be the same as the registered office address
Iowa Registered Agent Requirements For a Company
Iowa businesses also have the option of choosing to have a company to serve as a registered agent on their behalf, as long as they meet the requirements below.
- The corporation must be authorized to do business in the state of Iowa.
- In some unique scenarios, the Iowa Secretary of State can act as an agent for service of process
- The resident agent’s business office address must be the same as the registered office address
DoMyLLC Can Serve As Your Iowa Registered Agent
It’s critical that new business owners find a registered agent upon who they can trust and rely. At DoMyLLC, we offer Iowa registered agent services to those looking to file as an LLC or corporation in the state of Iowa. 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 Iowa, meeting requirements set forth by the Secretary of State’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 Iowa miss important deadlines, such as annual report filings, they could be subject to harsh penalties. When hiring DoMyLLC as a 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 Iowa Registered Agent
If you are a business owner in the state of Iowa 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 – When it comes time to change registered agents, the first thing that business owners must do is hire a new agent. They’ll need to provide the latest information to the Secretary of State’s office when they change agents, so they should take the time to choose their new agent before doing so.
- File the Required Change of Agent Paperwork with the Iowa Secretary of State – Those looking to change registered agents in the state of Iowa are required to complete a Statement of Change of Registered Office and/or Registered Agent form. When doing so, it’s vital that businesses print the full name of their business entity. Additionally, the new registered agent must sign the document, indicating that they agree to the appointment. Companies can mail or deliver their paperwork to the Business Services Division of the Secretary of State’s office. Iowa businesses do not have the option of updating their registered agent information when they file their annual report.
- Pay the Filing Fee – For most business owners, there is no fee associated with changing registered agents in the state of Iowa. The only companies required to pay are partnerships.
State Filing Fees
Business owners should be mindful of fees they may have to fee when filing paperwork with the Iowa Secretary of State. Below, you’ll find the fee structures for various filings related to registered agents, including forming the business entity and changing registered agents.
| Entity Type | State Fee Registered Agent Change |
| Domestic Iowa Corporation | $0 |
| Domestic Iowa Limited Liability Company | $0 |
| Domestic Iowa Non-Profit Corporations | $0 |
| Domestic & Foreign Partnerships (LP, LLP, LLLP) | $5 ($20 for Limited Partnerships) |
| Foreign Corporations | $0 |
| Foreign Non-Profit Corporations | $0 |
| Foreign Limited Liability Companies | $0 |
| Corporation Entity Type | State Fee for Formation |
| Domestic Iowa Corporation | $50 |
| Domestic Iowa Non-Profit Corporation | $20 |
| Foreign Corporation Qualification | $100 |
| Foreign Non-Profit Corporation Qualification | $25 |
| LLC Entity Type | State Fee for Formation |
| Domestic Iowa Limited Liability Company | $50 |
| Domestic Iowa Partnerships | $50-$100 |
| Foreign Limited Liability Company Qualification | $100 |
| Foreign Partnership Qualification | $100 |