How to Change Your Registered Agent in Arkansas (2026)
To change your registered agent in Arkansas, file the Notice of Change of Registered Agent Information. Send it to the Arkansas Secretary of State. The state charges no filing fee for this change.
You can file online, by mail or in person. Arkansas doesn't publish a standard processing time for this form. Your filing becomes effective the moment the Business and Commercial Services Division receives it.
We researched Arkansas's registered agent rules directly from the Secretary of State. So this guide covers each step you need.
Quick Summary
- Double-check the new agent's name and street address before you submit. There's no extra sign-off to catch a typo later.
- The online filing system is the DIY route to default to. Mail or a walk-in works if you want a paper trail instead.
- A resigning agent files its own forms. So don't wait on your old provider before lining up the new one.
| Filing Method | Cost | Processing Time | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | $0 | About 2 business days | Arkansas SOS Online Filing System |
| By mail | $0 | About 2 business days | Business and Commercial Services, Little Rock |
| In person | $0 | No published timing (effective on receipt) | Victory Building, Little Rock, or the Fayetteville office |
How to Change Your Registered Agent in Arkansas
To update a registered agent in Arkansas, start by lining up the new registered agent. Arkansas doesn't ask for an extra signed consent document.
Appointing a registered agent counts as proof that the new agent agreed to serve (Ark. Code § 4-20-105(b), § 4-20-108) [1][2].
Arkansas law doesn't require you to notify your outgoing agent. The form has no extra line for the new agent to sign either.
The steps below cover Arkansas. For the process in each state, see our national guide on changing your registered agent.
1. Online Through the Arkansas SOS Online Filing System
The Secretary of State's Corporations/LLC/Nonprofit Online Filing System covers the LLC registered-agent update. It has a direct entry point, linked above. Use it to submit your updated registered-agent details instead of mailing a paper form.
2. By Mail
To change your registered agent in Arkansas by mail, follow these steps:
- Obtain the Correct Form: Download the registered-agent change form, or request a copy by calling the Business and Commercial Services office.
- Complete the Form: Fill out the form with correct details, including:
- The name of your business and whether it's domestic or foreign.
- The street address your registered agent is changing from.
- The new registered agent's name and street address in Arkansas.
- The signature of an authorized officer of your company.
- Mail the Form: Send the completed form to Business and Commercial Services, Victory Building, 1401 W. Capitol Avenue, Suite 250, Little Rock, AR 72201.
- Wait for Confirmation: The filing takes effect on the date the Business and Commercial Services Division gets it [3].
3. In Person
You can also file the same registered-agent update form in person. Fill it out the same way as the mail version.
Drop it off at the Little Rock Business and Commercial Services office or the Fayetteville office. Either location accepts the filing in person.
In-person filing is open during business hours. Arkansas doesn't publish a same-day guarantee or a specific turnaround figure for this filing.
4. Using a Professional Registered Agent Service
Using a registered agent service is one way to update your Arkansas registered agent. It works well for an owner who can't guarantee someone is on-site during business hours. That's exactly when legal papers need to be received.
Many run lean enough that no one is reliably on hand at the registered address. Small businesses make up 99.3% of Arkansas companies [4].
The best registered agent services in Arkansas charge an annual service fee. That's on top of the free state filing. A full-service team can keep the forms correct for you.
A full-service team can:
- Confirm the new agent's consent on the filing
- Submit the forms with the Arkansas Secretary of State
- Serve as your new registered agent going forward
If you're still setting up, start with our guides. They cover how to start an LLC in Arkansas and the best LLC formation services in Arkansas.
Who Can Be an Arkansas Registered Agent
Arkansas law lets a person, a general partnership or a business entity serve as a noncommercial registered agent. A commercial registered agent works differently. It registers on its own with the Secretary of State for that line of work (Ark. Code § 4-20-102, § 4-20-106) [5][6].
The registered agent must:
- Maintain a physical street address in Arkansas. P.O. boxes don't qualify.
- Have a place of business in Arkansas, for an LLC's registered agent (Ark. Code § 4-38-115(c)) [7].
- Forward any process, notice or demand served on it to the business, and keep its filed details current (Ark. Code § 4-20-114) [8].
Arkansas doesn't require an individual agent to live in the state. Only the address requirement above applies. If you serve as your own agent, keep this in mind.
The address you list becomes part of the public record. Owners who prefer privacy usually compare the best registered agent services instead.
FAQs
What Are the Office Hours for Filing in Person in Arkansas?
Office hours for filing in person are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Central Standard Time, at the Arkansas Secretary of State's Business and Commercial Services offices in Little Rock and Fayetteville.
Can a Registered Agent Resign in Arkansas?
Yes, a registered agent can resign in Arkansas by filing an Agent's Statement of Resignation with the Secretary of State. There is no fee for this filing.
References:
- https://law.justia.com/codes/arkansas/title-4/subtitle-2/chapter-20/section-4-20-105/
- https://law.justia.com/codes/arkansas/title-4/subtitle-2/chapter-20/section-4-20-108/
- https://www.sos.arkansas.gov/business-commercial-services-bcs/frequently-asked-questions-faqs/business-services-faq
- https://advocacy.sba.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Arkansas_2025-State-Profile.pdf
- https://law.justia.com/codes/arkansas/title-4/subtitle-2/chapter-20/section-4-20-102/
- https://law.justia.com/codes/arkansas/title-4/subtitle-2/chapter-20/section-4-20-106/
- https://law.justia.com/codes/arkansas/title-4/subtitle-3/chapter-38/subchapter-1/section-4-38-115/
- https://law.justia.com/codes/arkansas/title-4/subtitle-2/chapter-20/section-4-20-114/
