(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) and § 48-51-305(c), a document accepted for filing is effective:

(1) At the time of filing on the date it is filed by the secretary of state, as evidenced by the secretary of state's date and time endorsement on the original document; or

(2) At the time specified in the document as its effective time on the date it is filed.

(b) A document may specify a delayed effective time and date and, if it does so, the document becomes effective at the time and date specified. If a delayed effective date but no time is specified, the document is effective at the close of business on that date. A delayed effective date for a document may not be later than the ninetieth day after the date it is filed by the secretary of state. Notwithstanding the foregoing, documents specified in § 48-51-303(a)(3)-(7), (16), (20), (21), (25), (31), (33), (34), may not specify a delayed effective time and date.

(c) The secretary of state shall not file any charter or application for a certificate of authority unless that document designates the registered agent and registered office of such domestic or foreign corporation in accordance with chapters 55 and 65 of this title. The secretary of state shall not file any other document under chapters 51-68 of this title if at the time of filing the domestic or foreign corporation does not have a registered agent or registered office designated at such time, unless at the time such document is received for filing the secretary of state also receives for filing a statement designating such registered agent or registered office, or both.