How to Change Your Registered Agent
Need to change your registered agent? Learn the exact steps to file a change with your state, what the new agent needs to do, and what happens if you skip it.
Bizee Editorial Staff
Editorial Team
Introduction
Yes, you can change your registered agent at any time. The process requires filing a change form with your Secretary of State, getting written consent from the new agent, and paying a state filing fee — typically $10 to $50. Most states process the change within a few business days.
What is a registered agent?
A registered agent is a person or business designated to receive legal documents and official government notices on behalf of your business. Every LLC and corporation is required to have one in each state where it's registered. The agent must have a physical street address in that state and be available during normal business hours to accept service of process.
You may also see the role called a resident agent, statutory agent, or agent for service of process — these all refer to the same requirement. The registered agent's name and address become part of your public business record with the state, which is why keeping that information current matters.
When to change your registered agent
There are a few situations that make changing your registered agent the right move. The most common one people overlook is expanding into a new state — if you don't know anyone there who can serve in the role, a registered agent service fills that gap.
- Your current agent is moving, retiring, or no longer available during business hours
- You're expanding into additional states and need coverage in each one
- Your agent's address has changed and the state records haven't been updated
- You named yourself as registered agent and want to stop receiving legal notices at your home or office address
- You want a service that handles document forwarding and sends notifications when mail arrives
How to change your registered agent
Changing your registered agent is a state filing — not a federal one. The exact form name varies by state, but the process follows the same pattern everywhere. Most states call it a Statement of Change of Registered Agent or a similar amendment form.
Step 1: Choose your new registered agent
The new agent must have a physical street address in the state — a P.O. box won't work. They also need to be available during normal business hours to accept service of process. If you're using a registered agent service, they handle this automatically. If you're naming an individual, get their written consent before filing.
Step 2: Get written consent from the new agent
Many states require the new registered agent to sign a consent form or include a consent statement in the filing. This confirms they've agreed to take on the role. If you're switching to a registered agent service, they'll typically provide this as part of their onboarding.
Step 3: File the change form with your Secretary of State
Go to your Secretary of State's website and search for the registered agent change form for your entity type. Fill it out with your business name, the outgoing agent's information, and the new agent's name and address. File it online or by mail, depending on what your state allows, and pay the state filing fee.
Step 4: Pay the fee and check the timeline
Filing fees for a registered agent change typically run $10 to $50, depending on the state and entity type. Most states update their records within a few business days of receiving the filing. Some states allow you to update your registered agent through your annual report instead of a standalone form — check your state's rules before filing separately.
What happens if you don't update your registered agent
Outdated registered agent information is one of those things that feels low-stakes until it isn't. If your agent's address is wrong and a lawsuit gets filed against your business, the service of process goes to the wrong place — and you may not find out until a default judgment has already been entered against you.
Beyond litigation risk, states can administratively dissolve or revoke your business's good standing if you don't maintain a valid registered agent on file. That means your business loses its legal status — and reinstating it takes more time and money than keeping the record current in the first place.
Most states require you to file the change within 30 to 60 days of the agent switch. Don't let that window close.
FAQ
Yes. You can change your registered agent at any time by filing a change form with your Secretary of State and paying the state filing fee, which typically runs $10 to $50. The new agent must have a physical address in the state and be available during business hours. Most states process the update within a few business days.
File a Statement of Change of Registered Agent — or the equivalent form for your state — with your Secretary of State. You'll need the new agent's name and physical address, their written consent in states that require it, and the filing fee. If you're using a registered agent service, they'll typically handle the paperwork on your behalf.
Yes. Your registered agent is the person or entity that receives lawsuits, government notices, and official correspondence on behalf of your business. If they're unreachable, have the wrong address on file, or aren't available during business hours, you can miss critical legal notices — and end up with a default judgment against your business before you even know a case was filed.
Generally, no — each state requires one registered agent per registered entity in that state. However, if your business is registered in multiple states, you'll need a separate registered agent in each state. That's one reason many businesses use a registered agent service: it covers all the states where they're registered under a single arrangement.
In California, LLCs file a Statement of Information with the California Secretary of State to update their registered agent — also called an agent for service of process in California. The filing fee is $20 for LLCs. Corporations use a Statement by Domestic Stock Corporation. California requires this update within a specific window, so file as soon as the change happens.
In Georgia, you file a Notice of Change of Registered Agent or Registered Office with the Georgia Secretary of State's Corporations Division. You can file online through the Georgia Corporations Division portal. The new agent must have a physical Georgia address and consent to the appointment. Filing fees vary by entity type — check the Georgia Secretary of State's website for current amounts.
It depends on the state, but most states give you a window — often 30 to 60 days — to appoint a replacement after your agent resigns. During that gap, your business may not have a valid agent on file, which puts you at risk of missing legal notices. File the replacement as soon as you know the change is coming, not after the resignation takes effect.
