Registered Agent

A Registered Agent acts as the representative for receiving Service of Process served upon a company within the jurisdiction of any state where the company conducts business. Service of Process is broadly defined to include any legal proceeding, legal notice or official government communication presented to the company while it is within the jurisdiction of a state. A Registered Agent also receives and forwards official correspondence from the Secretary of State such as annual report notifications and other compliance filings.

Failure to designate and maintain a registered agent may cause a company to fall out of “good standing” within the state. This will subject its license to do business within a state to forfeiture, with monetary penalties assessed to reinstate the company to “good standing” again. The failure to register and designate a registered agent may also foreclose or hinder a company’s ability to legally enter into contracts and gain access to the state courts. It may also subject the company to monetary, civil, and possibly criminal sanctions.

Registered Office is defined as the official address of a company to which official documents are sent and legal notice received. It is normal for the registered agent to provide the registered office address. A company may have other business and correspondence addresses.

If you have a new business, contact NSI for Registered Agent information. If you have an established business, NSI will change your agent at no cost to you.

NSI offers a flexible service of process options. You can choose the delivery of your documents by UPS, or you can choose electronic delivery through First Serve, our SOP imaging system. First Service is available at no cost to you.

WHAT IS SERVICE OF PROCESS

The procedure employed to give legal notice to a person (defendant) of a court or administrative body’s exercise of its jurisdiction over that person so as to enable that person to respond to the proceeding before the court, body or other tribunal. Usually, notice is furnished by delivering a set of court documents to the person to be served.

Each jurisdiction has rules regarding the means of service of process. Typically, a summons with related documents must be served upon the defendant personally, or in some cases upon another person of suitable age and discretion at the person’s home or place of business or employment. In some cases, service of process may be effected through the mail as in some small claims court procedures. Ain exceptional cases, other forms of service may be authorized by procedural rules or court order, including service by publication when an individual cannot be located in a particular jurisdiction.

Proper service of process initially establishes personal jurisdiction of the court over the person served. If the defendant ignores further pleadings or fails to participate in the proceedings, then the court or administrative body may find the defendant in default and award relief to the claimant, petitioner or plaintiff. Service of process must be distinguished for service of subsequent documents (such as pleadings and motion papers) between the parties to litigation.

ABOUT FIRST SERVE

First Serve is a premium service that allows you and other members of your team to view scans of served documents received on your behalf. Documents are scanned into a secure and private network the same day the documents are received. Once scanned, you will receive an email notifying you of the Service of Process and a link to view your documents. It is quick, easy and secure.

Features of First Serve:

• Personal selection for the number of pages and types of documents you want scanned.
• No limit on the number of pages you can have scanned.
• Email notification and reminders of First Serve scans.
• Summary of legal proceedings included with email link and with transmittal of original documents.
• Originals sent UPS for your permanent files
• Archival process after 30 days in Client Reports
• Easy set up and confirmation process.
• User ID and password protected.
• Archival section maintains scanned documents for future reference.

Other Services:

Online Client Services Portal – ID and password protected access to your Registered Agent entities information, invoicing, Service of Process, Forms and Tax Calendar

Independent Director – Also known as Independent Manager, Springing Manager, and special member. Certain financial agreements have requirements for an outside party to be named to your board of directors. These agreements may include structured finance, credit, or real estate transactions. Our corporate staffing can answer your questions and help you manage your deadlines.

Contract Agency Appointment – Another requirement of certain financial agreements. Contract Agency is special representation, similar to registered agent, required in a certain state by the financial institution.

BOC-3 Coverage – BOC-3 stands for “blanket of coverage” for trucking in all 50 states. All trucking businesses must file a BOC-3 form with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).  This form designates a person or an office to accept service of process on your behalf in states you conduct business in or travel through.

Special Representation – listed below. Others? Just call NSI for information.