WEBVTT 00:00:00.151 --> 00:00:06.071 The 5 best registered agents in Indiana in 2026 are Mainstay Filing, Northwest 00:00:06.115 --> 00:00:11.751 Registered Agent, IN Registered Agent.org, Bizee, and 00:00:11.841 --> 00:00:14.471 Indiana Registered Agent.co. 00:00:14.471 --> 00:00:17.031 Welcome to The Business Formation Podcast. 00:00:17.171 --> 00:00:20.391 Indiana. Any special rule for agents? 00:00:20.391 --> 00:00:25.831 A firm one. A business can't serve as its own registered agent there. 00:00:25.991 --> 00:00:30.951 But changing your agent carries no state filing fee, which makes switching painless. 00:00:33.830 --> 00:00:34.810 Start with the basics. 00:00:34.810 --> 00:00:39.930 Indiana law says a filing entity must designate and maintain a registered agent in 00:00:39.950 --> 00:00:42.410 the state, along with a registered office. 00:00:42.650 --> 00:00:46.730 The state's FAQ says PO boxes are not acceptable. 00:00:46.730 --> 00:00:48.570 Who can be the agent? 00:00:48.570 --> 00:00:54.490 An individual, a general partnership, a domestic filing entity or a registered 00:00:54.530 --> 00:00:59.930 foreign entity. We found no residency or age rule in the chapter, but the address 00:00:59.990 --> 00:01:02.650 has to be a street address in Indiana. 00:01:02.650 --> 00:01:04.010 What if I live out of state? 00:01:04.010 --> 00:01:09.770 The Business Entity Report page says if you don't have an Indiana address, you can 00:01:09.818 --> 00:01:13.130 hire a service company or a law firm to be your agent. 00:01:13.130 --> 00:01:14.970 Does the agent consent? 00:01:14.970 --> 00:01:20.570 A registered agent filing must state the agent's consent, or a representation that 00:01:20.590 --> 00:01:21.771 the agent has consented. 00:01:21.771 --> 00:01:24.251 I'm Maya, by the way, here with Dan. 00:01:24.251 --> 00:01:26.491 Thanks, Maya. Let's go through the five. 00:01:28.576 --> 00:01:29.376 Number one? 00:01:29.376 --> 00:01:35.776 Mainstay Filing, $149 a year, and the same $149 at 00:01:35.836 --> 00:01:36.616 renewal. 00:01:36.616 --> 00:01:37.936 What's inside? 00:01:37.936 --> 00:01:43.296 It puts its own name on the Indiana public record as your agent, instead of yours. 00:01:43.422 --> 00:01:48.016 Papers served on the company are scanned and uploaded the same business day with no 00:01:48.116 --> 00:01:53.456 fee, and your first three government mailings a year are scanned free. 00:01:53.456 --> 00:01:55.616 Switching from another agent? 00:01:55.616 --> 00:02:00.335 Mainstay files the change. Indiana charges no filing fee for it. 00:02:01.156 --> 00:02:02.896 And the downside? 00:02:02.896 --> 00:02:08.736 Two services below it cost $99, so Mainstay can't win on price alone. 00:02:09.462 --> 00:02:10.901 Number two? 00:02:10.901 --> 00:02:14.822 Northwest Registered Agent, $125 a year. 00:02:15.062 --> 00:02:20.342 It says it hasn't raised the price in 20 years, and it scans up to 10 pieces of 00:02:20.392 --> 00:02:22.182 regular mail a year for free. 00:02:22.182 --> 00:02:23.222 The catch? 00:02:23.222 --> 00:02:29.222 You're automatically enrolled in its annual report filing service, $100 plus state 00:02:29.302 --> 00:02:31.943 fees per filing, until you cancel. 00:02:31.943 --> 00:02:34.742 Indiana's report is every two years, right? 00:02:34.742 --> 00:02:41.062 Right, so that service would come around less often, but at $100 plus the state's 00:02:41.119 --> 00:02:47.462 $32 online fee it's still $132 for something you can file yourself. 00:02:48.220 --> 00:02:49.020 Three? 00:02:49.020 --> 00:02:53.900 IN Registered Agent.org, $99 a year, the same at renewal. 00:02:54.060 --> 00:02:59.180 The address used on filings, same-day scanning of legal mail and reminders for state 00:02:59.236 --> 00:03:00.220 deadlines. 00:03:00.220 --> 00:03:00.860 To switch? 00:03:00.860 --> 00:03:06.140 No state filing fee. The catch is that report filing is a separate service. 00:03:06.140 --> 00:03:07.740 Versus Mainstay? 00:03:07.740 --> 00:03:12.540 $50 a year less, so $150 over three years. 00:03:13.312 --> 00:03:14.352 Four? 00:03:14.352 --> 00:03:19.792 Bizee, formerly Incfile. The agent is free the first year with a formation package, 00:03:19.824 --> 00:03:22.112 then $149 a year. 00:03:22.112 --> 00:03:23.472 What are the strings? 00:03:23.472 --> 00:03:29.192 The free year needs a formation order, and the $149 renewal is automatic. 00:03:29.192 --> 00:03:31.912 If I formed my Indiana company elsewhere? 00:03:31.912 --> 00:03:38.112 Then it's $149 from day one, which is $298 for two years. 00:03:38.887 --> 00:03:40.246 And five? 00:03:40.246 --> 00:03:44.167 Indiana Registered Agent.co, a flat $99. 00:03:44.287 --> 00:03:48.167 The registered office address, same-day scanning of legal documents and 00:03:48.220 --> 00:03:49.447 state-deadline alerts. 00:03:49.447 --> 00:03:52.086 Different from number three? 00:03:52.086 --> 00:03:55.047 Not on the listings. Same price, same catch. 00:03:55.847 --> 00:03:58.567 Does Indiana treat professional agents differently? 00:03:58.567 --> 00:04:04.007 Yes. A commercial registered agent files a listing statement with the state. 00:04:04.140 --> 00:04:10.087 After that, a company's filing needs only the agent's name, with no address. 00:04:10.087 --> 00:04:11.447 And a regular person? 00:04:11.447 --> 00:04:16.087 A noncommercial agent's filing gives the name and a street address. 00:04:16.187 --> 00:04:21.367 The form says a P.O. box isn't acceptable unless it comes with a Rural Route number. 00:04:22.377 --> 00:04:23.367 Can I add an email? 00:04:23.367 --> 00:04:28.407 Yes, there's an optional spot for an email where the agent will accept electronic 00:04:28.467 --> 00:04:29.927 service of process. 00:04:30.534 --> 00:04:32.134 What are the agent's duties? 00:04:32.134 --> 00:04:38.534 Fewer than people assume. By statute, the agent forwards any process, notice or 00:04:38.637 --> 00:04:42.054 demand to the company at the address most recently supplied. 00:04:42.054 --> 00:04:44.134 So I have to keep that address current. 00:04:44.134 --> 00:04:49.894 And you must give the agent a communications contact: a name, a business address and 00:04:49.934 --> 00:04:53.734 a phone number. If you don't, the agent may resign. 00:04:53.734 --> 00:04:56.934 Does the agent also get the state's reminders? 00:04:56.934 --> 00:05:03.254 Yes. The state emails reminders 90 and 30 days before a report is due, to the 00:05:03.307 --> 00:05:05.734 business email and the agent's email. 00:05:07.571 --> 00:05:08.851 How do I change an agent? 00:05:08.851 --> 00:05:13.571 State Form 56367, the Statement of Change of Registered Agent. 00:05:13.731 --> 00:05:16.211 The form says no filing fee. 00:05:16.211 --> 00:05:16.851 Online? 00:05:16.851 --> 00:05:21.171 In INBiz, under Change of Registered Agent or Office. 00:05:21.451 --> 00:05:27.891 A payment processing fee can show at checkout, a minimum of $1 and no more than 2.15 00:05:27.941 --> 00:05:28.371 percent. 00:05:28.371 --> 00:05:29.491 Do members approve it? 00:05:29.491 --> 00:05:34.851 No. Interest holders and governing persons need not approve the filing. 00:05:34.851 --> 00:05:36.851 And naming the first agent? 00:05:36.851 --> 00:05:42.451 Article II of the Articles of Organization, State Form 49459. 00:05:42.638 --> 00:05:47.091 It's $95 online or $100 on paper. 00:05:49.011 --> 00:05:50.611 What if my agent resigns? 00:05:50.611 --> 00:05:57.491 State Form 26285, the Statement of Resignation, also no filing fee, signed 00:05:57.544 --> 00:05:58.451 by the agent. 00:05:58.451 --> 00:05:59.251 Timing? 00:05:59.251 --> 00:06:04.531 It takes effect on the earlier of the 31st day after filing or a new agent being 00:06:04.596 --> 00:06:08.371 designated. The agent must promptly tell the company the date. 00:06:09.291 --> 00:06:11.171 Can an agent say they never agreed? 00:06:11.171 --> 00:06:16.531 Yes. The form lets a person state that they never consented and ask to be removed 00:06:16.563 --> 00:06:17.331 from the record. 00:06:18.556 --> 00:06:19.996 What if there's no agent at all? 00:06:19.996 --> 00:06:23.996 Papers can be mailed to the company at its principal office, as shown on its most 00:06:24.042 --> 00:06:25.356 recent biennial report. 00:06:25.356 --> 00:06:27.676 And the risk to the company? 00:06:27.676 --> 00:06:33.036 Administrative dissolution can start if there's no agent for 60 consecutive days, or 00:06:33.116 --> 00:06:37.036 if the state isn't told within 60 days of a change or resignation. 00:06:37.236 --> 00:06:42.156 The state sends written notice first, then the company has 60 days to cure. 00:06:42.156 --> 00:06:44.156 Anything else that triggers it? 00:06:44.156 --> 00:06:49.836 INBiz says businesses that fail to file their Business Entity Report or maintain a 00:06:49.880 --> 00:06:53.036 registered agent will be administratively dissolved. 00:06:54.264 --> 00:06:56.664 How often does Indiana want a report? 00:06:56.664 --> 00:06:58.824 Every other year, in your anniversary month. 00:06:59.064 --> 00:07:04.384 It's $32 on INBiz and $50 on paper, and there's no late fee. 00:07:04.384 --> 00:07:06.424 So the real yearly cost? 00:07:06.424 --> 00:07:11.864 With Mainstay, $149 a year plus $32 every second year. 00:07:11.992 --> 00:07:16.744 With a $99 agent, $99 a year plus the same. 00:07:16.744 --> 00:07:18.984 And past-due notices? 00:07:18.984 --> 00:07:21.624 They go to the business email and the agent's email. 00:07:21.757 --> 00:07:26.344 Paper notices go to the principal office, the agent's address or a governing 00:07:26.401 --> 00:07:28.744 person's address, depending on what's on record. 00:07:29.511 --> 00:07:31.911 Can I be my own agent in Indiana? 00:07:31.911 --> 00:07:35.031 If you're an individual with an Indiana street address, yes. 00:07:35.171 --> 00:07:37.111 The business itself can't, though. 00:07:37.111 --> 00:07:38.311 What's the tradeoff? 00:07:38.311 --> 00:07:42.871 Your name and street address are on the public filing, and you need to be reachable 00:07:42.951 --> 00:07:43.831 at that address. 00:07:43.831 --> 00:07:44.791 And if I travel? 00:07:44.791 --> 00:07:49.031 A service that scans the same business day means you don't have to be at the door. 00:07:50.151 --> 00:07:52.471 How would an Indianapolis owner choose? 00:07:52.471 --> 00:07:57.991 Three things. Does the price hold, is there a real Indiana street address, and who 00:07:58.071 --> 00:07:59.191 files the change. 00:07:59.191 --> 00:08:00.551 And your answer? 00:08:00.551 --> 00:08:06.551 Mainstay Filing. Our pick for Indiana, at $149 a year. 00:08:07.311 --> 00:08:08.911 Let's hear all five once more. 00:08:08.911 --> 00:08:15.151 One, Mainstay Filing: $149, same at renewal. 00:08:15.451 --> 00:08:21.791 Two, Northwest: $125, with the report service to cancel. 00:08:22.018 --> 00:08:27.471 Three, IN Registered Agent.org: $99 00:08:27.567 --> 00:08:34.031 flat. Four, Bizee: free the first year with a formation order, then 00:08:34.091 --> 00:08:40.831 $149. Five, Indiana Registered Agent.co: 00:08:40.865 --> 00:08:42.271 $99 flat. 00:08:42.271 --> 00:08:44.591 The links are in the show notes. 00:08:44.682 --> 00:08:47.551 Thanks for listening to The Business Formation Podcast.