As a business owner in Alabama, you may be forced to change your registered agent for one reason or another.
When this happens, it's critical to understand the steps involved and the regulations you must follow to have your amendment request approved and to keep your firm in compliance with Alabama state requirements.
To help you, we teamed up with our LLC experts with over thirteen years of experience in the industry and spent four weeks researching the Secretary of State website for the correct registered agent amendment documents and procedures.
Here's everything you need to know about changing your registered agent in Alabama.
Quick Summary
- You can change your Alabama registered agent by filing the Change of Registered Agent entity form for $100.
- An Alabama registered agent must be of legal age and have a physical office location in Alabama.
- You can change your Alabama registered agent by yourself online or through a professional service.
Who Can Be an Alabama Registered Agent?
Any individual or business entity can be an Alabama registered agent, provided they meet all the Alabama state requirements.
A registered agent is an individual or business entity that is the primary point of contact with the Secretary of State to receive legal proceedings and notices.
An LLC’s registered agent also files an annual report and service of process during regular business hours.
To be a registered agent in Alabama, you must meet the following Requirements:
- Must have a physical address in Alabama, where all legal notices will be sent. P.O. boxes are not accepted.
- Must be authorized to receive legal documents on behalf of a business.
- Must be open through normal business hours to handle compliance.
- Must be of legal age (18+).
Note that you can also act as your own registered agent for your business if you meet the state requirements.
How To Change Your Alabama Registered Agent?
To change your Alabama registered agent, you need to download the Change of Registered Agent form, complete your details, and submit it to the Business Services Division of the Alabama Secretary of State.
This amendment document costs a $100 filing fee, but you may incur extra convenience fees if you pay using a credit card or pay for expedited services [1].
You can change your Alabama registered agent using a professional service, online or by mail.
Here’s how.
1. Changing Your Registered Agent Using a Professional Service
If you don't want to replace a registered agent yourself, you can hire a professional service to handle the filing for you.
Once you hire a professional registered agent service, log into their website and share your business details, including the old and new LLC registered agent details.
They'll handle all the registered agent paperwork filing for you; you only need to pay their processing fee plus the state filing fee.
This is an excellent way for novice and busy entrepreneurs to complete the amendment process correctly and avoid costly blunders.
Once the state approves your Change of Registered Agent form, you'll log in to your online account to access and download the document.
2. Changing Your Registered Agent Online
The most straightforward way to change registered agents in Alabama is to complete the process online.
Download the Change of Registered Agent form, fill it out, and email it to the appropriate parties.
To download the forms, go to the Alabama Secretary of State website, and navigate to the "Business Entities" section. Click on "Business Downloads" to access a rundown of different documents, then select the Change of Registered Agent form.
You'll need to have the following details to complete the Change of Registered Agent form:
- Your business I.D. number
- Your Alabama LLC/business name
- Name of the current registered agent or registered office
- Name of the new Alabama registered agent or registered office
- The new registered agent’s address
- Your official signature
- Official signature from the new registered agent
- Your payment details (credit card if you're filling the amendment form by email).
Once you fill out all the details, scan the completed form and email it to the SOS for processing.
In contrast to postal filings, which may take longer, this will be instantly received by the Alabama Secretary of State and will process within 3-5 days.
Email your Change of Registered Agent Form to this address:
You can also send the completed form by fax at 334-242-2444.
3. Changing Your Registered Agent by Mail
To submit your Change of Registered Agent form by mail, you must download the form online and fill out your business details, including the right registered agent information.
Because the Alabama Secretary of State doesn't approve handwritten registered agent amendment documents, you must either laser print them or type them in black ink.
Print two copies of the form and attach the $100 processing fee as a check or money order.
Mailed orders take longer to be processed, between 6-8 weeks [2]. Ensure you write the correct Alabama Secretary of State office address on the envelope before mailing it.
Mail your Change of Registered Agent form to this official address:
Secretary of State, Business Services Division
P.O. Box 5616
Montgomery, AL 36103-5616
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FAQs
How Long Does It Take To Change A Registered Agent in Alabama?
It takes 3-5 business days to change a registered agent in Alabama online. However, submitting your Change of Registered Agent form by mail can take 6-8 weeks to be approved.
How Much Does It Cost To Change an Alabama Registered Agent Service?
It costs $100 to change a registered agent in Alabama. This filing fee is for processing the Change of Registered Agent form and can be paid as a check, money order, or using a credit card.
Do You Want to Change Your Alabama Registered Agent?
As an entrepreneur, changing a registered agent by yourself can be challenging due to the intense paperwork and intricate legal regulations surrounding this process.
However, hiring these best Alabama registered agent services can make this process straightforward and painless.
Apart from the amendment process, these services also offer dependable, competent Alabama registered agents, so you can rest assured that you will never miss tax deadlines or legal correspondence from the Alabama SOS.
Additionally, these services can facilitate you if your business transacts in multiple states and you want to reap the perks of consolidated and affordable registered agent services.
References:
- https://www.sos.alabama.gov/sites/default/files/2022-09/ChangeRegisteredAgent.pdf
- https://www.sos.alabama.gov/contact
