Frequently Asked Questions

What is a registered agent in Illinois?

A registered agent is an individual or business entity designated to receive official documents, legal notices, and correspondence from the Illinois Secretary of State on behalf of your business. Every LLC, corporation, and limited partnership formed in Illinois generally needs to maintain a registered agent with a physical address in the state.

Why do I need a registered agent?

The Illinois Secretary of State requires registered business entities to maintain a registered agent to ensure there's a reliable point of contact for service of process, compliance notifications, and other official correspondence. This provides a consistent mechanism for the state and other parties to reach your business for legal and administrative matters.

Who can serve as a registered agent in Illinois?

Individuals must be over 18 years old and reside in Illinois. Business entities must be authorized to conduct business in the state. The entity itself cannot serve as its own registered agent. Illinois requires that the registered office and the agent's business office be identical, meaning the agent must have a genuine physical presence at the registered address. The agent must be present at this office during normal business hours.

What types of documents will I receive?

As your registered agent, we receive service of process (legal summons, lawsuits, subpoenas), notices from the Illinois Secretary of State, annual report reminders, tax documents, compliance notifications, and other official correspondence related to your business entity.

Can I be my own registered agent?

Illinois does not allow a business entity to serve as its own registered agent. However, individual business owners can serve as the registered agent for their company. This approach means your personal address becomes part of public records and you need to maintain availability at that address during normal business hours.

How much does it cost to change my registered agent in Illinois?

Illinois charges a $25 filing fee when you change your registered agent by mail, or $75 when filed online. This fee goes directly to the Illinois Secretary of State when you submit the change form. Our annual service is $99 per year, which covers all registered agent services going forward.

What are Illinois's annual report requirements?

Illinois requires annual reports due before the first day of your LLC's anniversary month each year. The filing fee is $75. Late filing results in a $100 penalty in addition to the regular filing fee. Illinois also has a 1.5% replacement tax on partnership income for LLCs taxed as partnerships.

Where do I file business documents in Illinois?

The Illinois Secretary of State maintains the business registry at ilsos.gov. This is where you file formation documents, annual reports, registered agent changes, and other official business filings.

Why does your service only cost $99 per year?

We focus exclusively on providing registered agent service without the overhead of offering multiple business services or maintaining expensive operations. By specializing in registered agent service and operating efficiently, we can provide professional service at a lower price than competitors who typically charge between $125 and $436 annually.

What's included in the annual fee?

Your $99 annual fee includes everything: a registered office address in Illinois, same-day document scanning and forwarding, compliance reminders and alerts, an online document portal, and privacy protection by using our address on public filings. There are no additional fees or hidden charges.

How quickly do you forward documents?

We scan and email documents the same day we receive them. You also have immediate access to view documents through our secure online portal, ensuring you receive important correspondence without delay.

How do I sign up for your service?

Visit our checkout page to begin enrollment. You'll provide your business information and complete payment for your first year of service. Once enrolled, we'll send confirmation along with our registered office address to use for your business filings.

Can I use your address for my business location?

Our address serves as your registered agent address—the official contact point for legal and government correspondence. It should not be used as your business's primary operating location or for purposes other than registered agent service.

What happens if I miss my annual report deadline in Illinois?

Missing annual report deadlines in Illinois results in a $100 penalty in addition to the regular $75 filing fee. Extended delays can lead to administrative dissolution of your business entity. We send compliance reminders to help you file on time, though you remain responsible for ensuring timely submission.

Do you serve businesses throughout Illinois?

Yes, we provide registered agent service for businesses throughout Illinois. Our physical location in Springfield meets the Illinois Secretary of State's requirements for a registered agent address anywhere in the state.

How do I change from my current registered agent to your service?

Once you enroll with us, you'll file a registered agent change form with the Illinois Secretary of State along with the filing fee ($25 by mail or $75 online). We'll provide guidance on completing the form properly. The change typically becomes effective within several business days after the state processes your filing.

What if I have questions after signing up?

You can reach our team at support@ilregisteredagent.org or call us at . Our hours are Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM Central Time. We're available to answer questions about your service, documents we've received, or Illinois compliance requirements.