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 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.
- With a 27.2% business failure rate in Missouri within the first year, maintaining up-to-date records, including the correct registered agent details, becomes even more critical to navigate the challenging early stages of business ownership successfully.
- In my opinion, choosing a professional service for changing your registered agent in Missouri is a wise investment for peace of mind and legal compliance.
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.
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, in person, or through a professional service, as I've done many times in my practice.
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, especially in a booming business environment where, according to the US Small Business Administration, 29,925 new establishments opened in Missouri between March 2021 and March 2022 [1].
Ensuring correct filing according to the SOS guidelines is more crucial than ever.
- Choose a professional service: 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.
- Submission and Fees: The professional staff will file and submit the registered agent paperwork; you'll only pay the state fees \$10 if done by mail plus the service charge and await approval.
- Confirmation: Once the SOS approves your amendment request, you'll receive an email notification from the professional service.
And here's my advice: 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.
"Great things in business are never done by one person; they're done by a team of people"
- Steve Jobs, Founder Apple
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.
Based on my professional experience so far, online filings take up to 1 business day to be approved.
3. Changing Your Registered Agent by Mail, or In-Person
You can also submit a physical Statement of Change of Registered Agent form by mail or in person 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."
-Jon Morgan, Co-Editor & Co-Founder of Venture Smarter
You should also include the authorized signature of the officer, member, manager, or, if applicable, board chairperson, along with 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
Or you can hand-deliver the documents to the SOS head office.
4. Changing Your Registered Agent by Annual Report
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.
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.
Related articles:
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 the 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 of age or older
You can act as your own registered agent if you meet the above requirements.
FAQs
Can Changing a Registered Agent Impact my Business's Legal Standing?
No, changing a registered agent does not affect the legal standing of a business, provided the change is properly reported and the new agent is qualified.
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.
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.
References:
- https://advocacy.sba.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2023-Small-Business-Economic-Profile-MO.pdf
- https://www.sos.mo.gov/CMSImages/Business/corp59.pdf
