Updated on April 29, 2024
A South Dakota registered agent is a person or business authorized to receive service of any process, notice, or demand on behalf of a corporate entity.[1] The state maintains a list of commercial agents, who provide this service for a fee, but an agent can be any individual or entity with a mailing address in South Dakota. An agent’s duty is to make sure official documents are forwarded to the entity for which they are intended.[2]
Top Registered Agents (7)
| Company | Price ($) | Document Scanning | Agent Change Fee | Annual Renewal Fee | Mobile App? |
*ZenBusiness 4.7 out of 5 – 13,467 reviews | $99/year | Yes | $0 | $0 | iOS | Android |
| Incfile 4.7 out of 5 – 15,944 reviews | $119/year | Yes | $0 | $0 | – |
Harbor Compliance 4.0 out of 5 – 17 reviews | $99/year | Yes | $50 | $0 | – |
Northwest Registered Agent 3.5 out of 5 – 62 reviews | $125/year | 15/year | $0 | $0 | – |
InCorp Services 2.2 out of 5 – 16 reviews | $129/year | Yes | $0 | $49 | iOS |
DakotaPost 0 reviews | $120/year | Yes | $0 | $0 | – |
| South Dakota Registered Agent 0 reviews | $49/year | Yes | $0 | $0 | – |
*We collect affiliate fees from this company. Pricing is $99 for the first year and $199 for renewal.
Registered Agent Search
Step 1 – Visit the state’s Agent Search platform.
Step 2 – Enter the first and last name of the agent, as well as the agent’s number or business name if you have them, and click “Search.”
Step 3 – Click the agent number in the left-hand column beside the correct agent. To search a different name, input a different name and click “Search.”
Step 4 – Review information about the registered agent, including name and mailing address. This is the information currently on file with the South Dakota Secretary of State.
Who can be a Registered Agent?
Can I be a Registered Agent?
Yes, if you are a person or business in South Dakota.
Most entities appoint their registered agents when they file a formation document. To form a business in South Dakota, visit the state’s online business registration platform. Select the type of business from the drop-down menu, then click “Next.”
To file electronically, you’ll need a debit or credit card to cover the filing fees, which are listed below:
- Domestic Corporation: $165
- Foreign Corporation: $765
- Domestic LLC: $165
- Foreign LLC: $765
- Domestic Nonprofit: $30
- Foreign Nonprofit: $125
- Domestic Limited Liability Partnership: $125
- Foreign Limited Liability Partnership: $125
- Domestic Limited Partnership: $125
- Foreign Limited Partnership: $125
To register by mail, choose the appropriate form below, then print and mail it, along with payment for the filing fee, to Secretary of State Office, 500 E Capitol Ave, Pierre, SD 57501. Paper filings carry an additional $15 processing fee on top of the fee charged for online filing.
- Domestic Corporation: Articles of Incorporation
- Foreign Corporation: Application for Certificate of Authority
- Domestic LLC: Articles of Organization
- Foreign LLC: Certificate of Authority
- Domestic Nonprofit: Articles of Incorporation
- Foreign Nonprofit: Non-Stock Application for Certificate of Authority
- Domestic Limited Liability Partnership: Statement of Qualification
- Foreign Limited Liability Partnership: Statement of Qualification
- Domestic Limited Partnership: Domestic Certificate of Limited Partnership
- Foreign Limited Partnership: Foreign Limited Partnership Registration
Changing a Registered Agent
To change its registered agent, a corporation must file a Statement of Change.
A statement of change can be filed online and the filing fee is $10.[3] The change takes effect upon filing.[4] Failing to file a statement of change after a registered agent resigns puts an entity at risk of being dissolved by the state.
Resigning as a Registered Agent
A registered agent can resign by filing a signed Statement of Resignation with the Secretary of State.[5]
The resignation takes effect 31 days after filing or when a new agent is appointed, whichever comes first. There is no filing fee.
Statement of Resignation
Download: PDF