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Explained—How Do I Change the Registered Agent on My LLC?
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:
- Same-day documents from our local offices in all 50 states.
- Immediate online access to state forms with our address and, where required, our signature
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Starting at $99 for new customers per state, renewing at $149 annually.
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.
How To Change Your Registered Agent
The steps to replace a statutory agent depend on the specific state an LLC operates in, but they generally include:
- Selecting a new registered agent
- Obtaining the consent of the new agent
- Filing a change of agent form with the state
- Paying the required filing fee
- Updating your operating agreement and internal records
Selecting a New Registered Agent
When selecting a new registered agent, you usually have two main options:
- An individual above 18 years who resides in the state where your LLC operates
- A domestic or foreign organization (other than your LLC) authorized to do business in your state
In most states and territories, these entities must meet several requirements, such as:
- Having a physical address in the state where your LLC is registered—P.O. boxes and virtual addresses are not allowed.
- Being available during regular business hours to receive service of process and other official mail on behalf of your LLC—Ensuring a consistent point of contact with the state.
Beyond statutory requirements, you should consider other factors to ensure your new agent is dependable, which we’ll discuss later.
Obtaining the Consent of the New Agent
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.
Filing a Change of Agent Form With the State
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:
- The name of your LLC
- Your current registered agent’s information
- The incoming agent’s name and address
Depending on the options the registering agency provides, you can file the statement online, in person, or by mail.
Paying the Required Filing Fee
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 + $1.95 convenience fee |
| 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 | $17 |
| Vermont | $35 |
| 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.
Updating Your Operating Agreement and Internal Records
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.
Factors To Consider When Choosing a New Agent
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:
- Reliability
- Familiarity with different state requirements
- Capacity to deliver notices timely
Reliability
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:
- A proven track record
- Positive client testimonials
- A strong reputation in the industry
Familiarity With Different State Requirements
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.
Capacity To Deliver Notices Instantly
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.
Choosing a New Agent—Individual Agent vs. Commercial Service
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.
Comprehensive Registered Agent Services by 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:
- Local offices in every state
- Same-day electronic delivery of legal and government documents
- Personal phone calls to ensure you’ve received and read important notices
- A secure Client Portal for quick access to your notices and pre-filled state forms
We also offer a suite of comprehensive solutions to help your organization meet other legal obligations:
- Beneficial ownership information reporting, including filing the initial report and up to four annual updates and corrections to ensure you meet the requirements set by the Corporate Transparency Act
- Drop-off filing and document retrieval (certificate of good standing and authority, certified copies, etc.)
- Comprehensive entity lifecycle management, including everything from early-stage tasks, such as name reservation and obtaining an EIN, to DBA management, initial and annual reports, and more
- Business licensing support, including general business and industry-specific licenses (construction, engineering, etc.)
- Nonprofit incorporation and charitable registration with 501(c) tax exemption
Benefits of Appointing Harbor Compliance as Your New Registered Agent
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:
- Constant availability—Our local office is open during regular business hours, and our team is always available to receive notices.
- Privacy—When you appoint Harbor Compliance, we share our details with the secretary of state, keeping your information private.
- Security—Harbor Compliance employs comprehensive security measures such as strong data encryption and cloud monitoring to ensure the safety and confidentiality of your information.
- Multistate presence—With local offices across the U.S., Harbor Compliance can help you expand your organization to other jurisdictions and integrate all notices into one platform.
Procedure To Appoint Harbor Compliance as Your New Registered Agent
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:
- Order our Registered Agent Service.
- Select Add Change of Agent before checkout.
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:
- Forming a new business—You can appoint us in your business formation documents (Articles of Organizations for LLCs and Articles of Incorporation for profit and nonprofit corporations). All you have to do is order our Registered Agent Service and choose from our entity formation services, including:
- Expanding into a different state—Leverage our Foreign Qualification Service and obtain a certificate of authority in any U.S. state or territory to expand your business without setbacks. Complete the signup wizard, and we’ll appoint ourselves as your registered agent and provide the service for a year at no extra cost.
Registered Agent FAQs
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.
Navigating Statutory Obligations With Harbor Compliance
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: