If you need to serve process to certain types of businesses in Florida, the first thing you’ll need to do is figure out the contact information for the company’s registered agent. A registered agent is an individual officially designated by the company to receive mail, important documents, filings, and notices, including court process and other legal communications. In this post, we’ll discuss which types of businesses must be served via their registered agent, how to find a registered agent’s information, and where to go in Tampa Bay if you need help finding a company’s registered agent.
Businesses That Must be Served via Registered Agent
Not all business types must be served via their registered agent in Florida. According to Chapter 48 of the Civil Practice and Procedure section of the 2023 Sunshine Statutes (i.e. Florida’s process server laws), service of process must be attempted on the registered agent for the following business types:
- Domestic and Foreign Corporations
- Domestic and Foreign Limited Liability Partnerships
- Domestic and Foreign Limited Liability Companies
- Certain municipal corporations or public agencies (if a registered agent is designation)
- Any company that owns real estate or holds a mortgage in Florida
There may be other business types that also have a designated registered agent. For any business that has a registered agent, service of process should first be attempted on this person (if the registered agent is not a natural person, then service should be attempted on one of the registered agent’s employees). If service on the company’s registered agent is unsuccessful, there are others who may be served instead, depending on the type of company.
How to Find a Company’s Registered Agent in Florida
Florida Division of Corporations Website
The most straightforward way to find a registered agent is through the Florida Division of Corporations website. This is the official site for all business entity records in the state of Florida. Simply use their Search Records feature to try to find the name of the person or entity that is designated as the registered agent of the business you need to serve. There are different search options available, depending on the type of business, including the business name, FEIN, owner name, address, zip code, or even document number. Articles of Incorporation and annual reports are great documents to search for registered agent information.
Contact the Company Directly
Most companies won’t mind providing the name and contact information for their registered agent, since this is public information. However, if the company knows you want this information to serve them process, they may not be so forthcoming. There is no law in Florida that requires them to verbally disclose their registered agent information.
Professional Services
There are several professional services and third-party companies that can help you find a registered agent for a fee, such as process servers and skip tracers. These companies have access to databases and resources that can make the search easier and quicker.
Need Help Finding a Company’s Registered Agent?
By following the steps above, you should be able to locate the registered agent for any company registered in Florida. If you’re in the Tampa Bay area and still need help finding a company’s registered agent so they can be served process, contact the experts at Accurate Serve® at 863-873-6691 or send us a work request online.
