How To Change Registered Agent in Minnesota? (Guide)
If you are an LLC owner in Minnesota and want to change your registered agent, it is important to adhere to state laws and requirements.
I've walked Minnesota business owners through numerous registered agent transitions, personally handling Secretary of State filings and ensuring compliance with state regulations every step of the way. This guide draws on that hands-on experience to show you exactly how to successfully change your registered agent in Minnesota.
Quick Summary
- To change your registered agent in Minnesota, you must fill out and submit a Notice of Change of Registered Office/Agent form with the Minnesota Secretary of State, Business Services.
- It costs $35 for domestic businesses to change their Minnesota registered agents and $50 for foreign corporations.
- With a first-year business failure rate of 22.7% in Minnesota, updating your registered agent could be a strategic move to enhance your business's resilience and legal standing.
- Based on my professional experience, a well-chosen registered agent is the backbone of effective business communication with the Minnesota Secretary of State, underscoring its importance in successful LLC management.
How To Change Your Minnesota Registered Agent?
To change your registered agent in Minnesota, you must fill out and submit a Notice of Change of Registered Agent form with the Minnesota Secretary of State, Business Services.
As of our latest review, it costs $35 to file the registered agent form by mail and have your new statutory agent details on record with the SOS.
This is the filing amount for domestic businesses; foreign businesses will pay $50 to complete the process.
You can change your registered agent online, in person, by mail, or through a professional service. Online filing through the Minnesota Secretary of State's portal is typically the fastest option—you can usually complete the process within minutes and receive instant confirmation of your submission, which serves as useful documentation for your records. Mail submissions may take several business days to process, while in-person filing at the Secretary of State's office may offer same-day processing depending on current office workload. When filing online, have your business entity number and new registered agent information readily available to expedite the submission process.
Before submitting your change request, verify that your current registered agent information is accurate to avoid processing delays, and retain copies of your filed Notice of Change for your business records. Ensure your new registered agent meets Minnesota requirements—they must be a resident of Minnesota or a business entity authorized to conduct business in the state. Additionally, confirm that your new registered agent has a valid Minnesota street address, as the Secretary of State requires a physical location rather than a P.O. box for service of process purposes.
If you're using a professional registered agent service to manage the change on your behalf, they typically handle the filing process and any associated service fees may apply in addition to the state filing fee. Some registered agent companies also offer expedited processing options, though these typically come at an additional cost beyond the state's standard filing fee. It's advisable to confirm the timeline with your service provider, as processing speeds can vary depending on their internal procedures and current workload.
Keep in mind that your business's liability coverage and legal protections remain effective during the transition, as the change of registered agent does not interrupt your business's status or existing filings. If you're changing registered agents due to a move or relocation, you may also need to file additional formation documents depending on whether you're changing your business address or principal place of business. Additionally, some registered agent changes may require updating your operating agreement or bylaws to reflect the new agent's information, so review your business documents to ensure complete compliance.
Note that the registered agent change becomes effective once the Minnesota Secretary of State processes and approves your Notice of Change filing. During the transition period, ensure that your old registered agent continues to accept service of process until the new agent's information is officially recorded. This overlap is critical—any missed documents during the changeover could create gaps in your legal protection and potentially impact your business's compliance standing or expose you to liability issues. We recommend notifying all relevant parties (clients, partners, vendors) of the change to ensure important legal documents reach your new agent without delay. Additionally, check your business insurance policy to confirm that your coverage remains uninterrupted during the agent transition, as some policies require updated agent information on file.
Here's how:
1. Changing Your Registered Agent Using a Professional Service
Hiring a professional service to change your LLC registered agent is an easy way to let an expert handle the filing.
The professional service will file your Notice of Change of Registered Agent on your behalf; you'll only pay and wait for the approval.
Once the registered agent paperwork is approved, the professional service will notify you.
2. Changing Your Registered Agent Online
Changing your Minnesota registered agent online is quick and easy.
Create an online account on the Minnesota SOS website, log in, and click the Notice of Change of Registered Agent/Office form.
Please fill out the form and submit it.
If you’re using the same LLC registered agent with a new address, fill out the new address on the field provided.
Pay the $55 filing fee using a credit card or electronic check and wait for approval in a few hours. The processing fee is $50 plus an additional $5 convenience fee.
3. Changing Your Registered Agent by Mail
To change your statutory agent by mail, you must download the PDF form of the Notice of Change of Registered Agent/Office from the Minnesota Secretary of State website.
Fill out the details, including:
- File number
- Business entity name
- New registered agent office address
- Signature of the authorized person/agent
Remember to include the name and phone number of the person the SOS can contact concerning the form, especially if details need to be amended.
Once you verify all the details, print the form and attach the $35 filing fee before mailing it to the following address:
Minnesota Secretary of State
Business Services Retirement Systems
First National Bank Building
332 Minnesota Street, Suite N201
Saint Paul, MN 55101
4. Changing Your Registered Agent In-person
You can print the Notice of Change of Registered Agent/Office form and submit it to the head office in person.
While standard processing of paper forms takes 7-10 business days, you can pay an additional $20 to expedite the process and have the SOS approve your papers while you wait.
The office staff is available from 8 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday, and you should strive to deliver your forms before 3 pm.
All in-person filings can be submitted to the following address:
Minnesota Secretary of State
Business Services Retirement Systems
First National Bank Building
332 Minnesota Street, Suite N201
Saint Paul, MN 55101
Related articles:
- How Long Does It Take To Form an LLC in Minnesota
- Cost of an LLC in Minnesota
- Top LLC Formation Services in Minnesota
Who Can Be A Minnesota Registered Agent?
An individual or business entity can be a Minnesota registered agent if they meet the state's requirements for registered agents.
This role is crucial given that small businesses constitute 99.4% of all Minnesota businesses, totaling 525,156, according to the US Small Business Administration [1].
"Registered agents in Minnesota act as an intermediary between a business entity and the Minnesota Secretary of State."
-Jon Morgan, Co-Editor & Co-Founder of Venture Smarter
They're in charge of communicating with the SOS and handling legal correspondence on behalf of a business.
To be a registered agent service in Minnesota, you must meet the following requirements:
- Have a Minnesota registered office address
- Authorized to provide registered agent services in Minnesota
- Must be available throughout regular office hours
- Must be 18 years or older
If you're using a foreign limited liability company or corporation as your registered agent, they must be operating legally in Minnesota [2].
FAQs
Can I Be My Own Registered Agent in Minnesota?
Yes, you can be your own registered agent in Minnesota if you're of legal age, have a Minnesota business address, and are authorized to handle legal papers.
How Long Does It Take To Change a Registered Agent in Minnesota?
It takes 7-10 business days to change a registered agent in Minnesota, including the mailing time. However, you can file online or in person, pay for expedited service, and have your papers approved in a few hours.
How Much Does It Cost To Change a Registered Agent in Minnesota?
It costs $35 to change a registered agent in Minnesota by mail and $55 if you complete the process online or in person. Foreign corporations pay $70 for online filing and $50 to change registered agents by mail.
References:
- https://advocacy.sba.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2023-Small-Business-Economic-Profile-MN.pdf
- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/5.36
