How To Change Registered Agent in Missouri? (The Guide)
As a Missouri business owner, you may wish to change your registered agent for various reasons.
In such instances, it's critical to understand the steps involved and the regulations you must adhere to have your amendment request approved and to keep your firm in compliance with Missouri state requirements.
To help you, we teamed up with our LLC experts with over eight years of experience in the business industry.
We spent four weeks researching the Missouri Secretary of State's website for the correct registered agent amendment documents and procedures.
Here's everything you should know about changing registered agents in Missouri.
Quick Summary
- To change your Missouri registered agent, members are required to fill out and submit a Statement of Change of Registered Agent form (Corp. 59) with the Missouri Secretary of State.
- You can change your Missouri registered agent service by mail, fax, in person, or through a professional service.
- It costs $10 to file the document by mail and $25 if you complete the process online.
Who Can Be A Missouri Registered Agent?
Any individual or business entity can be a Missouri registered agent if they meet the Missouri state requirements for being a registered agent.
As per business law, a Missouri LLC’s registered agent is responsible for handling all legal notices and correspondence on behalf of a business entity.
If you're using a foreign entity as your registered agent, it must be permitted to do business in Missouri.
To be a trustworthy registered agent service in Missouri, you must meet the following registered agent state requirements:
- Must have a registered office address in Missouri
- Must be authorized to handle legal documents
- Must be available during normal office hours
- Must be eligible to transact in the state of Missouri
- Must be 18 years or older
You can act as your own registered agent service if you meet the above requirements.
How To Change Your Missouri Registered Agent?
To change your Missouri registered agent, you must fill out and submit a Statement of Change of Registered Agent form (Corp. 59) with the Missouri Secretary of State.
Alternatively, you can change your registered agent service by updating the information on your LLC annual report, although this option is available for paper filings only.
It costs $10 to file the Statement of Change of Registered Agent form by mail and $25 if you complete the process online.
You can change your Missouri registered agent by mail, fax, in person, or through a professional service.
Here's how.
1. Changing Your Registered Agent Using a Professional Service
Using a professional service to change your Missouri registered agent is a great option to ensure the filing is done correctly per the SOS guidelines.
Once you hire a professional service, you'll get access to a pre-filled Statement of Change of Registered Agent form that you can edit as per your business details.
The professional staff will file and submit the registered agent paperwork; you'll only pay the state fees and await approval.
Once the SOS approves your amendment request, you'll receive an email notification from the professional service.
Also, if you choose the professional service as your new LLC registered agent, you'll only pay their registered agent service package, and they'll handle the process.
2. Changing Your Registered Agent Online
Limited liability company owners can change their Missouri registered agents online on the official Secretary of State website.
You'll first create an online account with your user ID and password to use the SOS online business filing system.
When filing online, you do not have to file the Statement of Change of Registered Agent form.
You only need to amend your existing articles of organization and update the details of your new registered agent.
Once you log in, you'll access your articles of organization on the SOS public record, edit them as needed, and submit them.
You can complete the process by paying the filing fee with a credit card or e-check.
Online filings take up to 1 business day to be approved.
3. Changing Your Registered Agent by Mail
You can also submit a physical Statement of Change of Registered Agent form by mail to change your Missouri registered agent [2].
For your amendment request to be approved, you must provide the following correct details:
- The name of the Missouri business entity
- The address, street, and number of its present registered office
- The address, including the street and number of the new registered office
- The name of its present registered agent before the change
- The name of the new Missouri registered agent
- Authorized signature of new registered agent
Ensure that the physical address of your new registered office and the address of the registered agent's business office, as changed, are identical.
You should also include an authorized signature of the officer, member, manager, or, if applicable, board chairperson and their printed name and title.
Before submitting the form, include the name and address to return the approved document.
Attach the $10 filing fee as a money order or check payable to the Missouri Secretary of State and submit the form.
Direct your completed Statement of Change of Registered Agent form to this physical Missouri address:
Corporations Division
PO Box 778 / 600 W. Main St.
Rm. 322 Jefferson City
MO 65102
Alternatively, suppose you're changing your registered agent service when the annual report is due.
In that case, you can update the new agent information on the Missouri LLC annual report and submit it by mail or fax.
The SOS will review the new annual report changes and update your new registered agent information.
However, it's a bummer that changing your registered agent using the yearly report costs more at $15.
4. Changing Your Registered Agent In-person
Owners of limited liability companies can change their Missouri registered agents in person if they want to hand-deliver their documents.
After downloading the Statement of Change of Registered Agent form online and filling it out, please take it to the SOS head office.
You can pay the filing fee using a credit card, cash, check, or money order.
The SOS will take 1-2 business days to process your change of registered agent application.
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FAQs
How Much Does It Cost To Change a Registered Agent in Missouri?
It costs $25 to change a registered agent in Missouri online and $10 if you file the Statement of Change of Registered Agent form by mail.
How Long Does It Take To Change a Registered Agent in Missouri?
It takes 30 business days to change a registered agent in Missouri by mail. In-person filing takes 1-2 business days, while online filing takes up to 1 business day to be processed. The Missouri SOS doesn't offer expedited processing for changing your registered agent service.
Can I Be My Own Registered Agent in Missouri?
Yes, you can be your own registered agent in Missouri if you're over 18, have a Missouri street address, and are authorized to handle legal files. You must also be available to accept service of process during normal business hours.
What Form Do You File To Change Your Registered Agent in Missouri?
You file the Statement of Change of Registered Agent form (Corp. 59) to change your registered agent in Missouri.
How Do I Remove Myself as a Registered Agent in Missouri?
To remove yourself as a registered agent in Missouri, you must fill out and submit the Statement of Resignation of Registered Agent to the Missouri Secretary of State. Remember to attach the original document plus two photocopies.
Do You Want To Change Your Missouri Registered Agent?
As a business entity owner, you may be forced to change your designated registered agent service for one reason or another.
For example, you expand your business into different states, or your former agent resigns.
And because changing a Missouri registered agent is intricate, we recommend getting professional help from Missouri's best registered agent services.
Apart from filing your amendment paperwork, they also offer business registration, name searches, annual reports, free registered agent services for a year, and ongoing compliance for your new and old companies.
These professional services also have a national reach, so you can expand your business to any state and still enjoy their registered agent services worry-free.
References:
- https://www.sos.mo.gov/
- https://www.sos.mo.gov/CMSImages/Business/corp59.pdf
