WEBVTT 00:00:00.213 --> 00:00:06.213 The 5 best registered agents in Kentucky in 2026 are Mainstay Filing, Northwest 00:00:06.257 --> 00:00:11.013 Registered Agent, KY Registered Agent.org, Bizee, and 00:00:11.075 --> 00:00:13.573 Kentucky Registered Agent.co. 00:00:13.573 --> 00:00:16.453 Welcome to The Business Formation Podcast. 00:00:16.542 --> 00:00:20.133 Kentucky. Can my LLC just name itself? 00:00:20.133 --> 00:00:26.053 No. The state's change form says the company seeking formation shall not act as its 00:00:26.133 --> 00:00:29.973 own registered agent. And a change of agent is $10. 00:00:30.731 --> 00:00:31.978 Give me the rule. 00:00:31.978 --> 00:00:38.379 KRS 14A.4-010 says every entity must 00:00:38.447 --> 00:00:42.939 continuously maintain a registered office, which can be the same as one of its 00:00:42.996 --> 00:00:45.659 places of business, and a registered agent. 00:00:45.659 --> 00:00:47.419 Who can be the agent? 00:00:47.419 --> 00:00:53.579 An individual who resides in Kentucky, or an entity or foreign entity qualified to 00:00:53.646 --> 00:00:58.939 transact business here. Either way the agent's business address must be identical to 00:00:58.979 --> 00:01:00.139 the registered office. 00:01:00.139 --> 00:01:02.059 What about the address itself? 00:01:02.059 --> 00:01:08.219 A street address only. The articles form says no post office box numbers, and the 00:01:08.276 --> 00:01:11.499 change form calls a P.O. box insufficient. 00:01:11.859 --> 00:01:15.579 A highway, rural route or building location can do. 00:01:15.579 --> 00:01:16.699 Hours? 00:01:16.699 --> 00:01:20.379 We checked the official pages and found no business-hours rule. 00:01:20.379 --> 00:01:22.939 I'm Maya, by the way, here with Dan. 00:01:22.939 --> 00:01:25.499 Thanks, Maya. Now the five. 00:01:26.724 --> 00:01:28.163 Number one? 00:01:28.163 --> 00:01:34.244 Mainstay Filing, $149 a year, the same $149 at renewal. 00:01:34.244 --> 00:01:35.844 What's covered? 00:01:35.844 --> 00:01:39.044 Its Kentucky address on the public record instead of yours. 00:01:39.324 --> 00:01:44.484 Served papers are scanned and uploaded the same business day at no fee, and your 00:01:44.524 --> 00:01:47.365 first three government mailings a year are scanned free. 00:01:47.365 --> 00:01:48.885 Changing from another agent? 00:01:48.885 --> 00:01:53.764 Mainstay files the change. The $10 state fee passes through at cost. 00:01:54.702 --> 00:01:56.645 Honest downside? 00:01:56.645 --> 00:02:01.045 Two agents below it are $99, so it isn't the lowest flat price. 00:02:04.084 --> 00:02:05.044 Second place? 00:02:05.044 --> 00:02:09.124 Northwest Registered Agent, $125 a year. 00:02:09.324 --> 00:02:14.564 Its page says the price hasn't gone up in 20 years, and up to 10 pieces of regular 00:02:14.628 --> 00:02:16.884 mail a year are scanned free. 00:02:16.884 --> 00:02:17.444 Catch? 00:02:17.444 --> 00:02:23.204 Auto-enrollment in its annual report filing service, $100 plus state fees per 00:02:23.284 --> 00:02:25.444 filing, until you cancel. 00:02:25.444 --> 00:02:27.764 Kentucky's report is $15. 00:02:27.764 --> 00:02:33.204 So with that service on, it's $100 plus $15, which is 00:02:33.284 --> 00:02:37.364 $115 for a report that takes minutes. 00:02:37.433 --> 00:02:38.804 Cancel it if you don't want it. 00:02:39.538 --> 00:02:40.977 Third? 00:02:40.977 --> 00:02:46.378 KY Registered Agent.org, $99 a year, same at renewal. 00:02:46.488 --> 00:02:51.058 The address on your filings, same-day scans of state correspondence and service of 00:02:51.128 --> 00:02:53.378 process, plus deadline reminders. 00:02:53.378 --> 00:02:55.058 What does it take to switch? 00:02:55.058 --> 00:03:00.018 Just the $10 state fee. Annual report filing is a separate service. 00:03:00.018 --> 00:03:01.538 Compared with Mainstay? 00:03:01.538 --> 00:03:06.018 $50 a year less, $150 over three years. 00:03:06.790 --> 00:03:07.830 Four? 00:03:07.830 --> 00:03:13.990 Bizee, formerly Incfile. Free the first year with any formation package, then $149 a 00:03:14.038 --> 00:03:15.670 year, renewed automatically. 00:03:15.670 --> 00:03:18.230 And if I didn't buy a formation package? 00:03:18.230 --> 00:03:22.310 There's no free year. It's $149 straight away. 00:03:22.310 --> 00:03:23.830 Two-year totals? 00:03:23.830 --> 00:03:27.190 Free then $149 with a package. 00:03:27.260 --> 00:03:33.110 Without one, $149 and $149, $298. 00:03:33.855 --> 00:03:34.655 And five? 00:03:34.655 --> 00:03:39.135 Kentucky Registered Agent.co, a flat $99. 00:03:39.295 --> 00:03:44.415 The address used on filings, same-day legal mail scanning and compliance reminders. 00:03:44.415 --> 00:03:46.095 Any difference from number three? 00:03:46.095 --> 00:03:49.615 Not on the listings. Same price, same catch. 00:03:50.230 --> 00:03:52.470 Does the agent have to agree in writing? 00:03:52.470 --> 00:03:56.870 Unless the agent signs the document making the appointment, the appointment isn't 00:03:56.934 --> 00:04:01.510 effective until the agent delivers a written acceptance to the Secretary of State. 00:04:01.510 --> 00:04:02.870 Is there a form for that? 00:04:02.870 --> 00:04:07.510 Form CRA, the Statement of Consent of Registered Agent. 00:04:07.603 --> 00:04:13.190 There is no filing fee. But the articles form and the change form both carry the 00:04:13.257 --> 00:04:15.190 agent's consent signature already. 00:04:16.182 --> 00:04:18.150 What's the communications contact? 00:04:18.150 --> 00:04:24.070 Your company must give the agent a natural person's name, business address and phone 00:04:24.116 --> 00:04:28.310 number, someone authorized to receive communications from the agent. 00:04:28.417 --> 00:04:31.030 If it doesn't, the agent may resign. 00:04:33.670 --> 00:04:35.910 What does a Kentucky agent have to do? 00:04:35.910 --> 00:04:40.790 Forward to the company any service of process, notice or demand it receives, and 00:04:40.838 --> 00:04:43.270 keep the communications contact information. 00:04:43.270 --> 00:04:45.670 Where does the state's own mail go? 00:04:45.670 --> 00:04:49.750 To the principal office. The forms say that's where all correspondence from the 00:04:49.806 --> 00:04:51.670 Secretary of State will be mailed. 00:04:51.670 --> 00:04:55.270 So the agent isn't who gets my annual report notice. 00:04:55.270 --> 00:04:59.430 Right. That's why keeping the principal office current is a separate job. 00:05:00.107 --> 00:05:02.427 Where is the agent named at formation? 00:05:02.427 --> 00:05:07.547 Article II of the Articles of Organization, Form KLC, which also carries the agent's 00:05:07.607 --> 00:05:12.507 consent. It's $40, and a copy goes to the county clerk where the registered office 00:05:12.614 --> 00:05:12.827 is. 00:05:12.827 --> 00:05:14.347 And a change? 00:05:14.347 --> 00:05:20.027 Form RAC, the Statement of Change of Registered Agent and Registered Office. 00:05:20.087 --> 00:05:24.347 The fee is $10, and it can be filed online or by mail. 00:05:24.347 --> 00:05:25.466 Who signs? 00:05:25.466 --> 00:05:28.427 The new agent signs that it consents to serve. 00:05:28.427 --> 00:05:29.387 How fast? 00:05:29.387 --> 00:05:32.267 It's effective when the Secretary of State files it. 00:05:32.367 --> 00:05:36.667 The state says it's usually processed the same day, but can take up to three 00:05:36.720 --> 00:05:37.547 business days. 00:05:37.547 --> 00:05:39.627 Can I do it on my annual report? 00:05:39.627 --> 00:05:45.867 No. The postcard says changes to the principal and registered office or agent must 00:05:45.920 --> 00:05:47.867 be made by a statement of change. 00:05:48.731 --> 00:05:50.331 What if my agent resigns? 00:05:50.331 --> 00:05:54.971 Form SRA, the Statement of Resignation of Registered Agent. 00:05:55.064 --> 00:05:57.931 There is no filing fee, and the agent signs it. 00:05:57.931 --> 00:05:58.971 Who hears about it? 00:05:58.971 --> 00:06:03.693 The Secretary of State mails one copy to the registered office and one to the 00:06:03.743 --> 00:06:05.213 company's principal office. 00:06:05.213 --> 00:06:06.973 When does it take effect? 00:06:06.973 --> 00:06:11.453 On the earlier of a successor being appointed or the 31st day after filing. 00:06:13.356 --> 00:06:14.796 What if there's no agent at all? 00:06:14.796 --> 00:06:21.436 Under section 14A.4-040, process can be served by registered or certified 00:06:21.516 --> 00:06:26.236 mail, return receipt requested, to the company at its principal office. 00:06:26.236 --> 00:06:28.156 And the danger to the LLC? 00:06:28.156 --> 00:06:33.196 Being without a registered office or agent for 60 days or more is a ground for 00:06:33.244 --> 00:06:38.316 administrative dissolution. So is failing to tell the state within 60 days that the 00:06:38.383 --> 00:06:39.756 agent resigned. 00:06:39.756 --> 00:06:40.636 Is there a warning? 00:06:40.636 --> 00:06:45.196 Yes. After notice, the company has 60 days to correct. 00:06:46.496 --> 00:06:48.176 What does Kentucky want every year? 00:06:48.176 --> 00:06:55.136 The annual report, $15, filed between January 1 and June 30, starting 00:06:55.156 --> 00:07:00.736 the year after formation. It confirms the principal office and the registered agent 00:07:00.776 --> 00:07:01.456 and office. 00:07:01.456 --> 00:07:03.216 Total yearly spend? 00:07:03.216 --> 00:07:10.016 With Mainstay, $149 plus $15 is $164. 00:07:10.176 --> 00:07:14.416 With a $99 agent, $114. 00:07:14.416 --> 00:07:15.616 And formation? 00:07:15.616 --> 00:07:20.816 $40 for the articles. So the first year with Mainstay, assuming you form it 00:07:20.887 --> 00:07:25.936 yourself, comes to $189 plus the report next year. 00:07:27.501 --> 00:07:28.781 Can I be my own agent? 00:07:28.781 --> 00:07:33.621 If you're a Kentucky resident whose business address is the registered office, yes. 00:07:33.621 --> 00:07:35.021 What's the tradeoff? 00:07:35.021 --> 00:07:39.901 That address goes on the public record, and you're the one who has to be reachable 00:07:39.954 --> 00:07:41.101 to receive papers. 00:07:41.101 --> 00:07:42.461 And for owners who travel? 00:07:42.461 --> 00:07:47.741 A service scanning the same business day means a served lawsuit doesn't sit in an 00:07:47.794 --> 00:07:48.861 unattended office. 00:07:50.656 --> 00:07:53.055 How should a Louisville or Lexington owner pick? 00:07:53.055 --> 00:07:58.736 Three things. Does the price hold, is the address a real Kentucky street address, 00:07:58.836 --> 00:08:01.137 and who files the $10 change. 00:08:01.137 --> 00:08:02.737 And your answer? 00:08:02.737 --> 00:08:09.137 Mainstay Filing. Our pick for Kentucky, at $149 a year. 00:08:10.787 --> 00:08:11.987 All five, once more? 00:08:11.987 --> 00:08:17.107 One, Mainstay Filing: $149, same at renewal. 00:08:17.387 --> 00:08:23.667 Two, Northwest: $125, with the report service to cancel. 00:08:23.867 --> 00:08:29.747 Three, KY Registered Agent.org: $99 flat. 00:08:30.019 --> 00:08:35.427 Four, Bizee: free the first year with a formation order, then 00:08:35.487 --> 00:08:41.907 $149. Five, Kentucky Registered Agent.co: 00:08:42.021 --> 00:08:44.547 $99 flat. 00:08:44.547 --> 00:08:45.907 The links are in the show notes. 00:08:45.998 --> 00:08:49.107 Thanks for listening to The Business Formation Podcast.