As an LLC owner in Connecticut, you may be forced to change your registered agent for various reasons.
In such a case, 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 Connecticut state requirements.
To help you, we teamed up with our LLC experts with over fifteen years of experience in the industry and spent three weeks researching the Secretary of State’s website for the correct registered agent amendment documents and procedures.
Here's everything you need to know about changing your registered agent in Connecticut.
Quick Summary
- To change your Connecticut registered agent, you must fill out and submit the file a Change of Agent form with the Connecticut Secretary of the State, Commercial Recording Division (SOTS).
- Filing the Change of Agent form costs $50 for corporations and limited liability companies and $20 for limited partnerships and nonprofits.
- You can change your registered agent in Connecticut online, by mail, in person, or through a professional service.
Who Can Be A Connecticut Registered Agent?
Any individual or business entity can be a Connecticut registered agent, provided they meet the state's requirements for being a registered agent.
A registered agent is responsible for handling all correspondence with the SOS and receiving legal notices on behalf of a company [1].
Connecticut registered agent requirements include the following:
- Must have a Connecticut physical address
- Must be authorized to handle legal papers
- Must be permitted to transact business in Connecticut
- Must be available throughout normal business hours to take legal notices
- Must be 18 years or older
How To Change Your Connecticut Registered Agent?
To change your Connecticut registered agent, you must fill out and submit the file a Change of Registered Agent form with the Connecticut Secretary of the State, Commercial Recording Division.
This document costs $50 to file for limited liability companies and corporations and $20 for nonprofit corporations and limited partnership business structures.
Note that a business entity cannot appoint itself as its own agent in Connecticut.
Entrepreneurs can change their Connecticut registered agents online, by mail, in person, or through a professional service.
Here's a description of each filing method.
1. Changing Your Registered Agent Using a Professional Service
Using a professional service is a great way to designate the filing procedures to an expert.
Once you choose a professional service, create an online account on their website. Inform them that you'd like to change your registered agent, and they'll guide you on what to do.
The professional service will file the registered agent paperwork on your behalf; you only pay and wait for the request to be approved by the SOS.
Once approved, you'll receive a notification and can access the document on your dashboard.
Note that you'll also pay extra service charges apart from the state filing fee for changing a registered agent. Different companies charge different amounts to change a registered agent.
2. Changing Your Registered Agent Online
Business owners can change their registered agent services online on the Connecticut Business Filings portal.
You must create an account with your username and password to access the forms.
The Change of Registered Agent online form is easy to fill out the details and submit.
Once you complete, you can pay using any major credit card, Visa, Discover Mastercard, or American Express.
3. Changing Your Registered Agent by Mail
You can change your registered agent service by mail by completing the PDF amendment forms and mailing them to the SOS.
If the current LLC registered agent is an individual, you must include the following details on the Change of Agent form:
- Full legal names
- Business address; P.O. boxes are not acceptable
- Connecticut residence/personal address
- Official acceptance signature to show that the individual accepts the new registered agent role
If the new statutory agent is a business or corporation, you must provide the following details:
- Correct business name as it appears on the SOS records
- Connecticut business address ( city, state, and zip code)
- Official acceptance signature
Before you complete filing, you, the filer, must provide your name, title, and official signature.
Once you verify all the details, print the document in black ink. Attach the filing fee in the form of a check or money order and mail it to this official address:
Commercial Recording Division
Connecticut Secretary of State
P.O. BOX 150470
Hartford, CT 06115-0470
Standard processing for the mailed Change of Agent forms takes 3-5 business days, but you can pay an additional $50 to expedite the process and have it approved within 24 hours.
4. Change Your Registered Agent In-person
To change your registered agent service in person, you must walk into the head office and deliver your documents.
Once you download the Change of Agent form on the official SOS website, fill it out, print it, and submit it to this official physical street address:
Commercial Recording Division
Connecticut Secretary of State
30 Trinity Street
Hartford, CT 06106
Hand-delivered Change of Agent forms are accepted between 8:30 and 4:00, and you can pay using a Visa, Mastercard, check, or cash. All payments are made payable to the Connecticut Secretary of State.
If you pay for expedited processing, the SOS staff will review and approve your form while you wait.
FAQs
Can I Be My Own Registered Agent in Connecticut?
Yes, you can be your own registered agent in Connecticut, provided you have a resident address in the state, you're authorized to handle legal papers, and you're of legal age.
How Much Does It Cost To Change a Registered Agent in Connecticut?
It costs $50 to change a registered agent in Connecticut for corporations and LLCs and $20 for nonprofits and limited partnerships. If you want rush filing, you can fill out the expedited service request form and pay an additional $50 for the service.
Do You Want To Change Your Connecticut Registered Agent?
As a business owner, you may need to change your Connecticut registered agent service during your business term.
To ensure you follow the proper steps and maintain your business in the right standing, we recommend hiring the best Connecticut registered agent services to help you file your Change of Registered Agent forms.
With these registered agent services, you'll not run the risk of undelivered papers because they are readily available and physically present at the registered office during regular business hours.
They also comprehend Connecticut state's company and compliance laws, ensuring your vital legal documents are handled correctly and on time.
References:
- https://portal.ct.gov/SOTS/Business-Services/Frequently-Asked-Questions
