How to Change Your Registered Agent with StartBrandz
A quick and painless process handled entirely by our team.
Registered Agent Status
Agent Changed & Confirmed
A Registered Agent plays a very important role in your LLC. However, sometimes you may need to change your Registered Agent — whether due to poor service, privacy concerns, or business expansion. StartBrandz makes the process simple. Our team prepares and files the paperwork with your state, so the switch is official without any hassle on your part.
What Is a Registered Agent?
A Registered Agent (which may also be called a resident agent, statutory agent, or agent for service of process) is a person or business that officially accepts legal and tax documents on behalf of your company.
All LLCs are required to choose a Registered Agent in the state where business will be conducted when they file their formation papers. The agent must have a physical address in that state and be available during normal business hours.
If you are the owner of your business, you could designate yourself as the Registered Agent, but it's not without risks — your personal home address becomes part of the public record and you must always be available during business hours to receive official documents.
The most important thing to consider is that your Registered Agent must be dependable since they are responsible for accepting important legal documents, including lawsuits, tax notices, and government correspondence.
What Is the Benefit of a Registered Agent Service?
It's easy to just name yourself as your Registered Agent and list your business address, but there are compelling reasons to use a professional Registered Agent service:
If you want to expand your business into neighboring states, a professional Registered Agent service provides coverage in every state where you do business — without requiring you to maintain separate addresses in each.
As a business owner, you inevitably have a ton of projects on your plate. Who has time to sort through legal mail? A Registered Agent service handles all incoming legal documents and notifies you instantly when something important arrives.
Not every small business owner works out of an office. If you work from home, then your home address would appear in public state records as your Registered Agent address. A professional service protects your privacy by using their address instead.
The most important thing to consider is that your Registered Agent must be dependable since they are responsible for accepting and forwarding all legal documents related to your business. With StartBrandz, you get same-day digital delivery of all documents to your secure online dashboard.
How Do I Change My Registered Agent?
In order to change your Registered Agent, you'll need to perform the following steps:
- 1Visit your Secretary of State's website.
- 2Search for "change of registered agent."
- 3Different states have different requirements, so follow the directions provided on your Secretary of State's website carefully.
- 4Fill out the specific state change of agent form or other listed forms and send them in along with any required state fees.
While that may sound easy, you might encounter a few obstacles along the way. For example, New York requires a specific form called a Certificate of Change, while other states have unique forms, fees, and processing timelines that can catch business owners off guard.
Fortunately, StartBrandz has you covered. Not only can our business experts help you to file your change of registered agent, but we can also serve as your new registered agent — available in all 50 states + DC, with same-day digital document delivery.
We'll also help you stay on top of deadlines, such as filing annual reports and other essential documents to keep your business compliant and in good standing with the state.
Change Registered Agent