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Your business must appoint a registered agent to receive documents in legal matters, including notice of lawsuit. Our reliable registered agent service fulfills this requirement. You get:
A registered agent for service of process is a crucial partner in your limited liability company (LLC). As the designated point of contact for official legal document deliveries, the agent ensures you receive all legal deliveries and some government notices, protecting your business from potential risks. But like any other business engagement, there might come a time when you start considering a change. If you’ve been pondering this, you might wonder, “How do I change the registered agent for my LLC?”
This article will explain the steps to follow when switching your registered agent, ensuring a smooth transition. You’ll also learn about Harbor Compliance, a nationwide provider of registered agent services, and how it can help you expedite the process.
The steps to replace a statutory agent depend on the specific state an LLC operates in, but they generally include:
When selecting a new registered agent, you usually have two main options:
In most states and territories, these entities must meet several requirements, such as:
Beyond statutory requirements, you should consider other factors to ensure your new agent is dependable, which we’ll discuss later.
After identifying a new registered agent, it’s important to secure their agreement to take on this role. Consent is typically obtained through a signed form or agreement. Keeping a record of this consent is crucial as you may need to provide proof of it when you file the change with most states.
The next step involves officially notifying the state about the change. Typically, the “Change of Registered Agent” form is filed with the secretary of state in the jurisdiction where the LLC is registered. Depending on the jurisdiction, the form may ask for several details, such as:
Depending on the options the registering agency provides, you can file the statement online, in person, or by mail.
Filing the change of agent form usually involves a fee, which varies by state. Here are the filing fees for LLCs in every state:
| State | Fee |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $100 |
| Alaska | $25 |
| Arizona | $5 (optional $35 expedite fee) |
| Arkansas | $0 |
| California | $0 |
| Colorado | $10 |
| Connecticut | $50 |
| Delaware | $50 |
| District of Columbia | $50 |
| Florida | $25 |
| Georgia | $20 |
| Hawaii | $25 (plus additional $25 for expedited filing.) |
| Idaho | $0 + $20 manual fee (if mailed) |
| Illinois | $25 |
| Indiana | $0 by mail or $2 online |
| Iowa | $0 |
| Kansas | $35 for paper form or $30 for online filing. |
| Kentucky | $10 |
| Louisiana | $25 |
| Maine | $35 |
| Maryland | $25 by mail or $77.25 online |
| Massachusetts | $25 for paper or fax filings (no fee if filed electronically) |
| Michigan | $5 |
| Minnesota | $35 by mail or $55 for online or expedited filing. |
| Mississippi | $10 |
| Missouri | $10 |
| Montana | $0 |
| Nebraska | $30 by mail or $25 online |
| Nevada | $60 |
| New Hampshire | $15 |
| New Jersey | $25 filing fee + $3 service fee |
| New Mexico | $20 |
| New York | $30 |
| North Carolina | $5 + $3 processing fee if filing online |
| North Dakota | $10 |
| Ohio | $25 |
| Oklahoma | $25 |
| Oregon | $0 |
| Pennsylvania | Domestic: $5 Foreign: $250 |
| Rhode Island | $20 + $2 enhanced processing fee |
| South Carolina | $10 |
| South Dakota | $10 |
| Tennessee | $20 |
| Texas | $15 |
| Utah | $13 |
| Vermont | $25 |
| Virginia | $0 |
| Washington | $0 |
| West Virginia | $15 |
| Wisconsin | $25 |
| Wyoming | $5 |
| Puerto Rico | $80 |
Once the form and the fee are submitted, the state will process the change and update the public records accordingly.
The final step in changing your registered agent is to update your LLC’s operating agreement and internal records. The operating agreement, a key document that outlines how your LLC operates, should be updated to reflect the change in the registered agent. You should capture the new agent’s name, address, and contact information.
You should also update any internal records that list the registered agent, including minutes, resolutions, and other official documents.
You should also inform all members of the LLC about the change through an official notice or during a member meeting. Keeping everyone informed helps maintain transparency and trust within the LLC and ensures smooth operations.
When choosing a new registered agent for your LLC, many factors beyond the basic statutory requirements can greatly influence your registered agent's effectiveness. Three key considerations are:
When choosing a new registered agent, their reliability should be a top consideration. A dependable registered agent handles legal and government notices promptly and efficiently. They ensure that all documents are accounted for and that you are notified on time. Signs of a reliable agent include:
States typically have unique rules and regulations for LLC proceedings. A registered agent provider well-versed in these requirements can help your LLC maintain good standing with the state.
Knowledge of these requirements is also beneficial if you plan to expand your business into other states since the agent can guide you through the different state regulations.
Speed is crucial when it comes to delivering notices. An agent who can provide same-day delivery ensures that you are aware of any legal or government notices as soon as they arrive, allowing for an appropriate and timely response.
Appointing a new registered agent involves deciding between an individual, such as yourself, a friend, or a family member, and a commercial service. An individual agent can be beneficial due to their potentially lower cost, but the risks of missing notices are generally higher. This can happen for several reasons, most notably because an individual can lack flexibility and may be out of the office for long periods, due to illness, emergencies, or travel.
Registered agent service providers can offer benefits beyond those an individual agent provides while mitigating these challenges. Commercial agents have systems in place to manage and track notices, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks.
Many also offer additional services, such as document storage and retrieval, which can be beneficial for your LLC’s record-keeping.
If you’re looking for an agent that fits the above criteria, look no further than Harbor Compliance.
For businesses seeking a reliable partner to manage legal and governmental correspondence, Harbor Compliance provides a robust Registered Agent Service. Our service features the following:
We also offer a suite of comprehensive solutions to help your organization meet other legal obligations:
Appointing yourself or another individual as your registered agent comes with risks and could lead to missed notices and loss of good standing with the state. Harbor Compliance’s robust solution addresses these concerns effectively. Partnering with us can benefit you in many ways, including:
You can partner with us in various scenarios, including changing your LLC’s registered agent. Regardless of the reasons for changing your current registered agent, our Change of Registered Agent Service can facilitate a smooth transition. Here’s how it works:
We’ll take care of the rest and notify the secretary of state, allowing you to concentrate on your business while we handle your correspondence.
You can also rely on us in two other scenarios:
Here are answers to frequently asked questions regarding registered agent regulations. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, visit our comprehensive Information Center.
A registered agent’s duty is to receive legal and government correspondence on behalf of your business and forward it to the designated person in your organization.
You might consider changing your registered agent if you’re dissatisfied with their services, you’ve found a more affordable option, your business has expanded into a new state requiring an agent there, or your current agent is no longer in business.
Failure to notify the state about a change in a registered agent can result in penalties such as fines against the organization, restriction from entering contracts, or dissolution by the state.
Fulfilling numerous statutory obligations can be time-consuming and complex, but Habor Compliance can make it effortless. Order our Registered Agent Service to stay updated on time-sensitive notices and maintain good standing with the state.
To check if you meet other state requirements, use our free Harbor Compliance Score™. If you need further assistance, reach out to us to enquire about our additional services. To get a firsthand experience of our advanced software, schedule a demonstration. For more information about our services in different U.S. states and territories, refer to the table below:
