If you want to start a business in Kansas or expand your existing business in this state, you’ll need to appoint a registered agent. To help you find the perfect match for your business, we’ve created a guide on the best Kansas registered agent services that contains eleven of our top recommendations.
Don’t want to read through the whole article? Check out our short summary table below, where we’ve summed up the benefits of our top three Kansas registered agent recommendations: Northwest, ZenBusiness, and IncFile.
Best Kansas Registered Agent Services
| Registered Agent Service | Cost | Wichita |
|---|---|---|
| Northwest | $125 a year | Not stated |
| ZenBusiness | $199 a year | Not stated |
| IncFile | $119 a year/ first year free with incorporation | Wichita |
| Kansas Registered Agent | $49 a year | Topeka |
| Harbor Compliance | $99 a year | Topeka |
| InCorp | $129 a year | Not stated |
| LegalZoom | $299 a year | Not stated |
| Registered Agent LLC | $97/ name the price | Not stated |
| Registered Agent Net | $89 a year | Topeka |
| CSC Global | $381 a year | Not stated |
| Registered Agent Inc. | $200 a year |
On top of giving you an overview of the registered agents and their pros and pricing, we’ve included a section where we go over all the steps required to register a business in Kansas, as well as an FAQ section at the end.
But first, let’s establish the role of a registered agent.
What Is a Registered Agent?
Essentially, a registered agent is an individual or a company whose task is to receive official mail and correspondence on behalf of your business.
Additionally, a registered agent is tasked to forward the correspondence they receive to you.
Does Kansas Require a Registered Agent Service?
Most states require you to appoint a registered agent before forming your business.
In Kansas, it’s mandatory that each LLC and corporation appoint a registered agent. With that said, there are no restrictions in terms of who can be a registered agent – you can even appoint yourself as your own registered agent, provided that you meet the requirements.
Benefits of Hiring a Registered Agent Service
Now that we defined the purpose of hiring a registered agent, let’s see what benefits you can get when appointing one.
- More privacy since you won’t have to share your personal address with the public;
- Maintaining more flexible business hours;
- Expanding your business in other states much more easily;
- You won’t have to worry about missing a notice or any other mail while on holiday;
- Improving your business image because you won’t have to risk being served in front of your customers;
Overall, it’ll help you have more peace of mind knowing you’re not missing any of the correspondence you’re being sent;
1. Northwest
If you’ve ever researched registered agent services, then you’ve undoubtedly come across Northwest. And no wonder, as they’re widely considered to be one of the best registered agent services across the United States. Once you sign up for their registered agent service, you will be granted access to the following:
- Pre-filled state forms
- Mail forwarding
- Annual report reminders
- Compliance alerts
- Digital document storage
- Scanned documents
Customers really enjoy their customer support team – Corporate Guides. The team of experts are knowledgeable and professional, ready to help you with any compliance-related problem that might arise.
On top of that, you will be granted access to their Compliance Calendar during your first year of using their registered agent service, so you won’t have to worry about missing any important deadlines. Another feature that will help you stay compliant is their regular notices regarding state compliance deadlines.
In addition, their interface is user-friendly and their signup process is swift, which customers greatly appreciate.
Thanks to their Privacy by Default technology, your private data will remain protected at all times.
Their fee is $125 a year. The pricing remains transparent and you will be offered a small discount if you use their registered agent services in multiple states.
Their Kansas office is located in Wichita, Sedgwick County.
Apart from registered agent services, they also offer the following services:
- Phone service
- Trademarking
- Annual report filings
- Payment processing
- Virtual office
- Foreign qualification
2. ZenBusiness
Another excellent choice for a Kansas registered agent service is ZenBusiness. Known for being ranked as #1 from reputable sites such as Investopedia and Forbes, ZenBusiness offer all the features you need for a worry-free compliance:
- Fast turnaround
- Access to a personalized dashboard
- Mail notifications
- Mail forwarding
- Expert handling of documents
- Document scanning
ZenBusiness’ yearly fee is $199. If you upgrade this package, you can get access to features such as two filing changes a year.
Customers love their dedication to giving back to the entrepreneurial community – a portion of their income goes to their $5K Grant Program project, which allows struggling entrepreneurs to get access to a budget to start and grow their business.
Another favourite feature is their customer support team who are always ready to help regardless of what issue you might have.
Their other services include:
- LLC formation
- Incorporation
- Annual reports
- Banking and finances
- Business license reports
- EIN Number
- Worry-free compliance
- Operating agreement
- Taxes and accounting
3. IncFile
IncFile is an excellent option if you’re in need of both a formation service and a registered agent service. If you use their formation package, you will be given a free year of registered agent services, which includes:
- Access to a personalized dashboard
- Automatic mail forwarding
- Customized email and text notifications
After your free year of registered agent services, you’ll only have to pay $119 a year.
On top of providing registered agent services, IncFile also offer:
- Trademarking
- Business licenses and permits
- EIN Number
- Virtual address
- Tax consultations
- Amendment
- Foreign qualification
- Certificate of good standing
4. Kansas Registered Agent
If you’re on the lookout for an affordable yet effective registered agent service, we highly recommend Kansas Registered Agent. Their registered agent services will set you back only $49 a year, and, in return, you will get the following benefits:
- Online document storage
- Timely notifications
- Compliance reminders
Their processing time is incredibly fast – you will be notified as soon as any official paperwork arrives at their office.
You can find their office location in Wichita.
Apart from registered agent services, they also offer:
- LLC formation
- Incorporation
- Fax filing
5. Harbor Compliance
Another Kansas registered agent service that combined affordability and exceptional service is Harbor Compliance. Having helped over 35,000 customers, they provide everything your business will need to remain compliant, including:
- Pre-filled state forms
- Annual report reminders
- Same-day electronic delivery of your documents
Their yearly fee is only $99, and you can also get access to a 10% discount if you use their multi-year service.
Harbor Compliance are known for their fast processing speed, so you’ll never have to worry about missing a document.
Their Kansas office is located in Topeka.
Their other services include:
- LLC formation
- Incorporation
- Amendments
- Business licenses
- Registration
6. InCorp
InCorp offer excellent privacy, safety, and compliance tools for their clients. For only $129 a year, you’ll get:
- Annual report filings
- Mail forwarding
- Access to their Entity Management System
- Legal notifications
If you purchase their multi-year service, you can enjoy their registered agent service for only $87 a year.
Thanks to their EntityWatch technology, you will always be up-to-date with important information regarding your filings.
Another reason to opt for InCorp is their dedication to protecting their clients from identity theft.
Their Kansas office is located in Topeka.
Other services provided by InCorp include:
- DBA filing
- Apostille service
- LLC formation
- Incorporation
- Foreign qualification
- Copyright and trademarking
- EIN Number
- UCC search
- Articles of amendment
7. LegalZoom
If you’re thinking of starting a larger business, or if you think your business will benefit from various legal services, LegalZoom might be the perfect registered agent for your business. Having helped over 2 million businesses, their invaluable experience and expert legal team combine to give you a plethora of benefits, including:
- Annual report reminders
- Unlimited cloud storage
- Online account
- Mail alerts
In addition, you’ll get access to their Compliance Calendar, allowing you to keep track of all your important due dates.
Plus, they offer $1M in identity theft protection, so your business will always be protected.
And if you’re in the process of changing registered agents, they offer to complete the process on your behalf and cover the necessary fees in the process.
While their services are slightly more expensive ($299 annually), they make for a great investment for larger businesses.
Here are the other services they offer:
- Trademarking
- Taxation
- Power of attorney
- Foreign qualification
- Annual reports
- Business registration
8. Registered Agent LLC
Registered Agent LLC is an A++ BBB rated nationwide registered agent service that offers flexible pricing. Here are all the benefits you can access if you sign up for their registered agent service:
- Kansas annual report reminders
- A library of filing forms
- Access to an online account
- Report reminders
- State status notices
- State resources
Their initial pricing is $97 a year, but you have the option of naming a price in the registration form.
9. Registered Agent Net
Another wonderful option for a Kansas registered agent is Registered Agent Net, especially if you’re looking for a registered agent service that will cost you less than $100. For only $89 a year, you can access the following tools:
- Same-day document delivery
- Three-year price guarantee
- Access to a Compliance Calendar
- Access to an Entity Manager
Their Entity Manager allows you to keep track of your annual renewal filings and access important business information.
Moreover, you will receive email notifications before every due date, so you’ll never have to worry about missing a state deadline.
Other services include:
- Corporate filings
- Annual report services
- A change of registered agent
10. CSC Global
If pricing isn’t an issue, we highly recommend the renowned CSC Global registered agent service. While they’re slightly on the more expensive side with their yearly fee of $381, they provide a myriad of benefits that will seamlessly help you stay compliant, such as:
- Annual compliance reminders
- Same-day document scans
- A personalized online dashboard
- Electronic delivery of all your documents
In addition, you’ll get access to their SOC2 facilities that’ll protect all your personal data.
Some of the other services they offer include:
- Corporate filings
- Digital brand services
- Legal management
- Entity management
- Real estate and recording
Their Kansas office is located in Topeka.
11. Registered Agent Inc.
Our last Kansas registered agent service recommendation is Registered Agent Inc. Costing $200 a year, this registered agent service gives you access to:
- A corporate accounts portal
- Compliance reminders
- Filer tips
- Digital notifications
Some of their strong suits include their intuitive design and easy interface.
Apart from registered agent services, they also offer:
- BOC-3 Process Agent
- Incorporation services
- Formation services
How Do I Register a Business in Kansas?
Now that you are acquainted with our top 11 recommendations for a Kansas registered agent service, it’s time to delve into all the steps needed to register a business in Kansas.
Name Your Business
One of the first steps to forming a business is finding a name for it.
Just like any other state, Kansas has special rules in terms of what your name should and shouldn’t include, especially in regards to LLCs and corporations. For instance, LLCs naming rules indicate that your business should have “Limited Liability Company” or its abbreviation in the name. Similar rules apply to naming a corporation.
During this stage, it’s useful to conduct an online business entity search to ensure that your name isn’t too similar to a business name that already exists in the state of Kansas.
Additionally, you may wish to reserve your name for 120 days for the price of $30 to ensure that no other business grabs hold of it while you’re preparing the formation documents.
Choose a Business Structure
The business structure you choose for your business will determine its credibility, the budget you’ll need to form your business, and your obligations with the state. The most common business structures in Kansas are:
- Sole proprietorship
- Partnership
- LLC
- Corporation
While corporations and LLCs are seen as more credible than sole proprietorships and partnerships because they provide limited liability to their owners, they are more expensive to form and maintain. Thus, opting for a sole proprietorship or partnership is a good idea if you have a smaller starting budget. On the other hand, you’ll need to be prepared to have your personal assets compromised in case of a claim or lawsuit.
File Articles of Organization
If LLC is the business structure you decided to go with, then you’ll also need to file articles of organization with the state of Kansas.
The application requires you to provide information about your business, such as its location and name, information about its owners, and information about the registered agent, so, at this stage, you’ll need to have already chosen a registered agent to follow through with the application. The filing fee for articles of organization is $160 if it’s sent online and $165 if sent by mail.
File Articles of Corporation
Articles of corporation is a set of legal documents that has a similar purpose to articles of organization. You’ll also need to provide information about your business, its owners, and the registered agent.
The fee for filing articles of corporation is lower and it will only cost you $85 if you file them online, and $90 if you send it via mail.
Get the Required Licenses and Permits
While Kansas doesn’t have a general business license, you might be required to get special licenses and permits for your business to operate legally, depending on what type of business you’re opening and what industry you’re in. The licenses are issued on a state, federal, and local level. To ensure that you have all the necessary licenses, you can do an online business license search.
For instance, if you work in the food industry, chances are you will need to get a special food and liquor license. Additionally, if your business includes selling tobacco, you will need a special tobacco license. Certain businesses will also need to get a professional license. You can find a list of all the professions that require a professional business license on the Kansas Secretary of State website. There’s also a sales tax license that allows you to collect and pay 6.5% sales tax.
Get an EIN (Employee Identification Number)
Another crucial step in registering a business in the state of Kansas is getting an Employee Identification Number. This is a requirement in case you need to hire employees for your business, or if your business is taxed as a separate entity from yourself.
An EIN is like a Social Security Number for your business – it’s a number assigned by the IRS that helps identify your business for taxation purposes. The application for an EIN is free and done online, and it only requires minutes to complete.
FAQs
How Much Does It Cost to Register a Business in Kansas?
The cost of registering an LLC in Kansas is around $165, whereas the cost of registering a corporation is $90.
Where Can I Do a Kansas Business Entity Search?
You can do a Kansas business entity search on Kansas’ Secretary of State website.
What Is Required of a Registered Agent in Kansas?
The requirements for a Kansas registered agent are as follows: they need to have a physical address in the state, be over 18 years of age, be available during normal business hours, and be a resident of Kansas.
A Word of Farewell
We hope you found our article on the best Kansas registered agent services informative and that some of our recommendations have caught your eye.
Our top three registered agent recommendations are Northwest, IncFile, and ZenBusiness. Each of these registered agent services provides every necessary tool your business needs to stay compliant with state deadlines throughout the year.
If you don’t have the budget to pay more than $100 annually for a registered agent service, you might want to opt for a more affordable option, like Kansas Registered Agent, which costs only $49 a year.