How to Change Your LLC or Corporation's Registered Agent

Updated September 2026

Changing a registered agent means officially updating who's on file with the state to receive legal notices and official mail on an LLC or corporation's behalf. It's a common filing — businesses switch for all kinds of reasons, from moving to using a commercial agent service instead of a member's home address — and most states follow the same basic sequence to process it, even though the exact form and fee vary.

This site is an independent, non-government business entity search directory and isn't affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by any state government or Secretary of State office. Always verify details directly with the official agency before filing or paying any fee.

Quick Answer

Choose a new registered agent who meets your state's requirements (a physical in-state address, and either an adult individual or a business entity authorized in that state), get their consent, file the state's change-of-agent form with the fee — some states let you make the change directly on your annual report instead — and update your own internal records to match. Notify your old registered agent of the change as a courtesy once it's filed.

Step 1: Choose a new registered agent

The new agent has to meet your state's requirements: typically a physical street address in the state (not a P.O. box), and either an individual who's at least 18, or a business entity that's domestic to the state or authorized to do business there as a foreign entity. Beyond the legal minimum, it's worth weighing reliability, privacy (a registered agent's address becomes public record), and whether you want a person, a commercial service, or a company officer to take on the role.

Many states require the new registered agent to formally acknowledge or consent to the appointment, usually by signing the change form itself. Make sure the agent has your entity's current contact information too, since they'll need it for billing and to know who to forward legal and tax notices to.

Step 3: File the change with the state and pay the fee

The form goes by different names depending on the state — change of registered agent form, statement of change, change of statutory agent — but it's usually available directly on the Secretary of State's website, filed online or by mail along with a filing fee. In some states, you can make the change directly on your next annual report instead of filing a separate form.

Step 4: Update your records and notify the old agent

Update the entity's internal records — its operating agreement or bylaws — to reflect the new registered agent, since the state filing alone doesn't update those internal documents automatically. Keep a copy of the filed change form and confirmation for your own records, and it's good practice to formally notify the previous registered agent that the relationship has ended.

What happens if you don't keep this current

A registered agent is a legal requirement in every state, not an optional courtesy. Letting the listed agent lapse — because they resigned, moved, or you simply never updated it — is one of the most common reasons an LLC or corporation ends up administratively dissolved, since the state has no reliable way to deliver legal notices or service of process. Keeping this information current avoids that risk entirely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my registered agent cost money?

Usually, yes — most states charge a filing fee for the change-of-agent form, though the amount varies by state. A handful allow the change to be included in an annual report you're already filing, at no extra cost beyond that report's own fee.

How long does it take to change a registered agent?

It depends on the state and whether you file online or by mail — online filings are often processed within days, while mailed paper forms can take a few weeks. Check your specific state's processing time on its Secretary of State site.

Do I have to notify my old registered agent that I'm switching?

It's not always a legal requirement, but it's standard practice and avoids confusion, especially if the old agent is a commercial service that will otherwise keep billing you or expecting to forward mail.

Can I change my registered agent and my address at the same time?

Yes — most states' change forms let you update the registered agent, the registered office address, or both in a single filing, since they're closely related pieces of information.

This guide is informational only and is not legal or tax advice. Rules and fees vary by state — verify specifics on your state's Secretary of State office page.