As owners of Limited Liability Companies (LLCs), changing your registered agent in Georgia is simple.
To update your information, fill out and submit an Amended Annual Registration form to the Georgia Secretary of State's Corporations Division.
After years of experience in the industry, we have gathered all the relevant information needed to make the changes independently.
Quick Summary
- You can change your registered agent in Georgia by filing a Statement of Change of Registered Agent and Registered Office form with the Georgia Secretary of State and paying the required filing fee.
- Those who can be Georgia registered agents are residents of Georgia or a corporation authorized to do business in Georgia.
- To be your own registered agent in Georgia, you must fulfill the residency and physical address requirements.
Who Can Be A Georgia Registered Agent?
Georgia registered agents are residents of Georgia or a corporation authorized to do business in Georgia.
Here is what you need to become a registered agent:
- An individual who is a resident of Georgia can be a registered agent.
- The individual must have a registered office address in Georgia (not a P.O. Box) where they can receive legal and official documents on behalf of the business.
- The individual must be available during regular business hours to receive these documents.
- The Georgia corporation must have a physical street address for an LLCÂ in Georgia to receive and send legal documents on behalf of the LLC.
- Registered agents must consent to serve in this role and agree to receive legal and official documents on behalf of the business.
Note that you can become your own registered agent; however, you must fit the criteria mentioned above.
Sometimes, not all registered agents are authorized to act as registered agents in every state, which means that some companies prefer to have the same registered agent for all states instead of having multiple separate agents.
How To Change Your Registered Agent In Georgia?
To change your LLC registered agent in Georgia, you'll need to choose a new one who meets the state's requirements, obtain written consent from the new LLC registered agent, and prepare and submit an Amended Annual Registration form to the Georgia Corporations Division.
To ensure your records are current with the Georgia Secretary of State, please file your Annual Registration through the mail, in person, or online.
I will provide further details for each method.
1. Changing Your Registered Agent Using Professional Registered Agent Services
Changing your registered agent using a professional registered agent service in Georgia is a convenient and efficient option.
Here are the steps to change your registered agent in Georgia using a professional service:
- Choose a registered agent service provider
- Sign up for the service
- Complete the necessary forms
- Submit the forms
- Notify your old registered agent
- Update your business documents
2. Changing Your Registered Agent Online
In case you have already filed for annual registration, the agent information can be changed by submitting an amended annual registration.
To finish and send an Amended Annual Registration online on the Georgia Corporations Division website, you need to follow these steps and pay a $20 filing fee online [1].
- To access your Georgia eCorp online account, visit the Georgia Corporations Division website and log in there.
- File your amended annual registration online and choose "File Annual Registration."
- Please find and select your business, fill out the form, and include payment information and the new registered agent information.
- Pay the fee by credit card.
Please remember that changing your registered agent requires timely and accurate completion to avoid negative consequences, like losing your ability to conduct business in Georgia.
Suppose you're unsure how to change registered agents or have questions about the process. In that case, consulting with a lawyer or a registered agent service provider may be helpful to ensure that everything is done correctly.
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3. Changing Your Registered Agent by Mail
Submit an Amended Annual Registration in Georgia on the Georgia Division of Corporations website and download the appropriate form for your company structure.
Various forms are available for different types of companies, so be sure to select the correct one.
- Form CD 920 – Limited Liability Company (LLC)
- Form CD 900 – Corporation
- Form CD 910 – Limited Partnership (L.P.) or Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)
To submit an Amended Annual Registration in Georgia, you must have already submitted an Annual Registration form for the current filing period, either by mailing a printed paper copy or filing it online.
FAQs
Why Is a Registered Agent Important?
A registered agent is important for a business because they act as the official point of contact between the company and the state.
What Are The Options For Changing Your Georgia Registered Agent?
There are several ways to change your Georgia registered agent. You can change your registered agent by mail by submitting an Amended Annual Registration form to the Georgia Secretary of State's Corporations Division.
How Long Does It Take The State To Process And Complete The Change Of Registered Agents In Georgia?
It takes the state to process and complete the change of registered agents in Georgia, typically between 7 to 10 business days.
Want To Change Your Registered Agent?
While changing registered agents may seem daunting, it can be quickly done by following the steps outlined in this article.
Whether you change your registered agent by mail or using a professional service, it's essential to ensure the process is completed correctly to avoid negative consequences for your business.
If you are looking for a new registered agent for your business, there are numerous professional registered agent services that will make your day-to-day easier.
Reference:
- https://sos.ga.gov/sites/default/files/forms/Filing%20Template%20-%20Amended%20Annual%20Registration%20for%20LLC%20%28CD%20920%29.pdf
