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What Are the Duties of a Wisconsin Entity Registered Agent?

06.24.26

By Sophia Smith, Boardman Clark Law Clerk

Wisconsin law requires every corporation and limited liability company (entities) registered in Wisconsin to continuously maintain a registered office and a registered agent within the state.[1] The registered agent is a resident in Wisconsin who is designated by the entity to receive official communications on its behalf. The designation of a registered agent is an affirmation of the fact by the entity that the agent has consented to serve.[2] A registered agent must be one of the following:[3]

  • A natural person residing in Wisconsin, whose business office is identical with the registered office of the entity.
  • A domestic corporation, limited liability company, limited partnership, registered limited liability partnership or a nonprofit or nonstock corporation organized in Wisconsin, whose business office is identical with the registered office of the entity.
  • A foreign corporation, nonprofit or nonstock corporation, limited liability company, limited partnership, or registered limited liability partnership that is authorized to transact business in Wisconsin, and whose business office is identical with the registered office of the entity.

A registered agent for an entity must have an e-mail address and a place of business or activity in this state.[4] The only duties are the following:[5]

  • To forward to the entity at the address most recently supplied to the agent by the entity any process, notice, or demand pertaining to the entity which is served on or received by the agent.
  • If the registered agent resigns, to provide the notice required to the entity at the address most recently supplied to the agent by the entity.
  • To keep current the information with respect to the agent in the articles of incorporation.

The registered agent may resign. The agent does this by delivering to the Department of Financial Institutions for filing a written statement that includes all of the following information:[6]

  • The name of the entity.
  • The name of the registered agent.
  • The address of the entity’s current registered office and its principal office to which the department will send the notice.
  • A statement that the registered agent resigns.
  • If applicable, a statement that the registered office also is discontinued.

After filing the statement, the Department mails a copy of the statement to the entity at its principal office. The resignation of a registered agent, and, if applicable, the discontinuance of a registered office, is effective on the earlier of either 60 days after the statement is received by the Department of Financial Institutions for filing or the date that the appointment of a successor registered agent is effective. When a statement of resignation takes effect, the registered agent ceases to have responsibility for any matter thereafter tendered to it as agent for the entity. The resignation does not affect any contractual rights the entity has against the agent or that the agent has against the entity. A registered agent may resign regardless of whether the entity is in good standing.[7]

[1] See generally, § 53:127. Change of registered office or registered agent of foreign limited liability company, 2 Wis. Prac., Methods of Practice § 53:127 (5th ed.); § 53:12. Registered office and registered agent, 2 Wis. Prac., Methods of Practice § 53:12 (5th ed.); § 53:128. Resignation of registered agent of foreign limited liability company, 2 Wis. Prac., Methods of Practice § 53:128 (5th ed.).[2] Wis. Stat. § 180.0501; Wis. Stat. § 183.0115.[3] Wis. Stat. § 180.0501(1m); Wis. Stat. § 183.0115(1m); (Wis. Stat. § 165.68(5)(f)1 provides an exception that a single member LLC may list the Wisconsin Department of Justice as the LLC?s registered agent and registered of?ce, if the LLC?s member is a participant in the Department of Justice?s address con?dentiality program).[4] Wis. Stat. § 180.0501(2m); Wis. Stat. § 183.0115(2).[5] Wis. Stat. § 180.0501(3m); Wis. Stat. § 183.0115(3).[6] Wis. Stat. § 180.0503(1); Wis. Stat. § 183.0117(1).[7] Wis. Stat. § 180.0503(2-5): Wis. Stat. § 183.0117(2-5).

DISCLAIMER: The information provided is for general informational purposes only. This post is not updated to account for changes in the law and should not be considered tax or legal advice. This article is not intended to create an attorney-client relationship. You should consult with legal and/or financial advisors for legal and tax advice tailored to your specific circumstances.

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