Registered agent for an Arkansas LLC
Data last updated: Apr 22, 2026The quick read on Arkansas registered agents
Every Arkansas LLC is legally required to maintain a registered agent with a physical street address in the state. The role is to receive service of process (lawsuit papers), state tax notices, and other official government mail on the LLC's behalf. You can serve as your own agent if you live in Arkansas and meet the requirements, or hire a commercial service for typically $99 to $299 per year.
Arkansas-specific rules matter. The statute is Ark. Code § 4-20-105 and § 4-38-113. The registered agent's address goes on the public state record, so most owners who want privacy use a paid service to keep their home address off the record. Owners who live in the state and don't mind the public listing often save $100 to $250 per year by serving as their own agent.
Who can serve as a registered agent in Arkansas
Arkansas allows an individual Arkansas resident at least 18 years old with a physical Arkansas street address, or a domestic or foreign entity authorized to transact business in Arkansas, to serve as registered agent. PO boxes do not qualify as the registered office under Ark. Code § 4-20-105. The agent must be available during business hours to accept service of process.
Arkansas does maintain a Commercial Registered Agent registry under Ark. Code § 4-20-107. Any person or entity acting as registered agent for multiple LLCs must register separately as a commercial agent. National services like Northwest, CT Corporation, Bizee, and InCorp are already listed. An individual serving as agent for just their own LLC does not need to register as a commercial agent. See our Arkansas LLC formation guide for the broader setup.
What Arkansas requires of a registered agent
- Physical street address in Arkansas
Not a PO box, not a mail-drop. The address becomes part of the public record visible on the Secretary of State's business entity search.
- Available during business hours
Typically 9 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday. The agent has to be physically present (or have staff present) to accept service, not just reachable by phone or email.
- At least 18 years old and a resident or registered entity
Individual agents must be 18+ and reside in Arkansas. Entity agents must be registered to transact business in Arkansas.
- Written consent on file
Arkansas requires the registered agent to consent in writing to serve. Formation services handle this automatically when you sign up. For an individual agent, a simple signed consent letter suffices.
Arkansas statute and change-of-agent rules
| Statute | Ark. Code § 4-20-105 and § 4-38-113 |
| Change of registered agent form | Statement of Change of Registered Office and/or Agent (Form RA-01) |
| Change filing fee | $25 |
| Online filing | Accepted |
| Processing time | 3 business days |
| Commercial agents must register separately | Yes |
Choosing the right registered agent in Arkansas
If you live in Arkansas and run the LLC from a fixed address, self-serving saves $100 to $250 per year. Your address goes on the public Secretary of State record, which is the standard tradeoff in every state. The commercial agent registry doesn't affect individual owner-members serving their own LLC, so the registry rule only matters if you're considering an unusual out-of-state arrangement.
For non-Arkansas residents, a commercial service is the only viable option. Pricing runs $99 to $149 per year for the major national services (Bizee $119, Northwest $125, ZenBusiness $99 first year). Arkansas does have a small number of local boutique registered agents running $50 to $85 per year, usually serving Little Rock and Fayetteville LLCs. Northwest at $125 with price-lock is the most common middle-ground choice for out-of-state owners.
Registered agent services that operate in Arkansas
National commercial registered agent services operate in all 50 states plus DC, so every provider below accepts Arkansas LLCs. Sorted by annual renewal cost. Click the service name for the full review.
| Service | Annual renewal | Trustpilot | Review count |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZenBusiness | $99/yr | 4.8 | 28,984 |
| Bizee fka Incfile | $119/yr | 4.7 | 25,227 |
| MyCorporation | $120/yr | 3.7 | 279 |
| Northwest Registered Agent | $125/yr | 3.8 | 217 |
| CorpNet | $149/yr | 4.9 | 1,205 |
| doola | $197/yr | 4.6 | 2,005 |
| Tailor Brands | $199/yr | 4.7 | 14,203 |
| BizFilings | $220/yr | 4.5 | 170 |
| Inc Authority | $249/yr | 4.9 | 46,831 |
| LegalZoom | $249/yr | 4.6 | 30,014 |
| Rocket Lawyer | $250/yr | 4.5 | 9,717 |
| Firstbase | $299/yr | 4.8 | 1,045 |
If you let your Arkansas registered agent lapse
Under Ark. Code § 4-38-705, the Arkansas Secretary of State can administratively dissolve an LLC that fails to maintain a registered agent for 60 consecutive days. Reinstatement requires filing an Application for Reinstatement with a $150 fee plus payment of any unpaid Franchise Tax Reports (Arkansas charges a minimum $150 annual franchise tax on LLCs). Processing takes about two weeks. Because Arkansas's franchise tax stacks each year, a multi-year lapse can cost $500 or more before the LLC is fully reinstated.
Arkansas filing agency
Arkansas Secretary of State, Business and Commercial Services Division
- Website
- www.sos.arkansas.gov/business-commercial-services-bcs
- Phone
- (501) 682-3409
- corprequest@sos.arkansas.gov
- Victory Building, 1401 W. Capitol Avenue, Suite 250, Little Rock, AR 72201
- Hours
- 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Central, Monday to Friday
Frequently Asked Questions
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Who can serve as a registered agent for an Arkansas LLC?
An individual Arkansas resident at least 18 years old with a physical Arkansas street address, or a domestic or foreign entity authorized to transact business in Arkansas. PO boxes are not accepted under Ark. Code § 4-20-105. The agent must be available during business hours. The LLC's member or manager can serve if they meet the residency rule.
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How much does an Arkansas registered agent service cost?
National services run $99 to $149 per year (Bizee $119, Northwest $125, ZenBusiness $99 first year). Arkansas has a small local boutique market with some agents at $50 to $85 per year, typically serving Little Rock and Fayetteville LLCs. LegalZoom charges $249 per year without meaningfully better service.
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Can I be my own registered agent in Arkansas?
Yes, if you're at least 18, have a physical Arkansas street address, and are available during business hours to accept service of process. Your address becomes part of the public Secretary of State record. Because Arkansas also requires an annual $150 franchise tax report, owners who self-serve need to track compliance manually.
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What does it cost to change my Arkansas registered agent?
$25 by mail or $22.50 online for Form RA-01 Statement of Change of Registered Office and/or Agent. Online filing through the Corporations Online Filing System typically processes in 3 business days. Most commercial services handle the paperwork for free when you switch your RA to them.
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What happens if my Arkansas LLC's registered agent resigns?
You have 60 days to designate a replacement before the Secretary of State can administratively dissolve the LLC under Ark. Code § 4-38-705. Reinstatement costs $150 plus any unpaid $150 per year franchise tax reports. Multi-year lapses can stack to $500 or more before reinstatement completes.
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Does Arkansas require commercial agents to register separately?
Yes. Arkansas runs a Commercial Registered Agent registry under Ark. Code § 4-20-107. Any person or entity serving as agent for multiple LLCs must register as a commercial agent, which applies to all major national services. Northwest, CT Corporation, Bizee, and InCorp are already listed. An individual serving as agent for just their own LLC does not need to register.
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Do I need a registered agent for a Arkansas LLC?
Yes. Arkansas law requires every LLC to designate a registered agent with a physical street address in Arkansas and availability during business hours. There is no exception for inactive or small LLCs. If the LLC loses its registered agent and doesn't designate a replacement within the state's grace period, Arkansas begins administrative dissolution of the entity.
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How much does a registered agent service cost in Arkansas?
National services range from $99 per year (ZenBusiness) to $299 per year (Firstbase). The $190 average is close to the market median. Arkansas-based local registered agent services also operate in the state, typically pricing between $50 and $150 per year.
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How do I change my registered agent in Arkansas?
File Statement of Change of Registered Office and/or Agent (Form RA-01) with Arkansas Secretary of State, Business and Commercial Services Division. The fee is $25. Online filing is accepted. Processing takes about 3 business days. Most formation services handle this paperwork for free when you sign up.
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Is the registered agent fee tax deductible?
Yes. Registered agent fees are an ordinary and necessary business expense deductible on the LLC's federal tax return (Schedule C, Form 1065, or 1120/1120-S depending on tax treatment). Arkansas state tax treatment follows federal on this deduction. Keep the invoices with your tax records.
Related
Sources
- Statute: law.justia.com/codes/arkansas/title-4/subtitle-3/chapter-38/ · verified April 22, 2026
Arkansas Small Business Entity Tax Pass Through Act, Title 4, Chapter 38. § 4-38-113 requires every LLC to maintain a registered agent. Ark. Code § 4-20-101 et seq. (Model Registered Agents Act) provides the general registered agent framework applicable to all entities. - Change of agent: www.sos.arkansas.gov/business-commercial-services-bcs/fee-schedule · verified April 22, 2026
Arkansas Secretary of State fee schedule. Change of Registered Agent (Form RA-01) filing fee is $25 paper, or $22.50 online. Online filing available through the Corporations Online Filing System. - Penalty: law.justia.com/codes/arkansas/title-4/subtitle-3/chapter-38/subchapter… · verified April 22, 2026
Ark. Code § 4-38-705 authorizes administrative dissolution for failure to maintain a registered agent for 60 days. Reinstatement fee $150 under § 4-38-706. - Commercial agent registration: www.sos.arkansas.gov/business-commercial-services-bcs/registered-agent… · verified April 22, 2026
Arkansas operates a Commercial Registered Agent registry under Ark. Code § 4-20-107. Commercial agents (those serving multiple entities) must register separately.