How To Change A Registered Agent In New York? (Guide)

Published by Delina Chantel Yasmeh | Author

Last updated: March 31, 2024

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If you're looking to change your registered agent for your New York LLC, there are certain steps you'll need to take.

While changing your registered agent is simple, you must ensure you take the proper steps to complete the change successfully.

Our LLC experts have been handling similar cases for years, and with extensive knowledge in this field, we can provide you with the guidance and support you need. In this article, we'll help you learn how to change your registered agent easily.

Quick Summary

How To Change Your New York Registered Agent?

To change your New York registered agent, you need to fill out and submit a Certificate of Change form to the New York Department of State [1].

Drawing from my experience, you can file the form online, by mail, in person, by fax, or use a professional registered agent service to change your agent.

1. Changing Your Registered Agent Using A Professional Service

Given the significant growth in new businesses, with 78,100 establishments opening in New York between March 2021 and March 2022, as per statistics by the US Small Business Administration, many entrepreneurs might find themselves needing to change their registered agents [2].

If you're among this burgeoning group and prefer to use a New York registered agent service, you will need to follow these steps:

• Choose a reliable registered agent service.
• Provide the necessary information to your new LLC registered agent.
• Sign the necessary documents.
• Pay the New York Certificate of Change state fee of $30 plus the service charge.
• Update your business records.

Your professional service will file a Certificate of Change of Registered Agent with the New York Department of State on your behalf.

"Registered agent services can be helpful if you don't have enough time or knowledge to handle the change of LLC registered agent."

-Jon Morgan, Co-Editor & Co-Founder of Venture Smarter

2. Changing Your Registered Agent Online

You can file the Certificate of Change with the New York Department of State online by following these steps:

• Access the New York Department of State's Online Filing System: Visit the New York State Department of State's website and navigate to the online filing system for business documents.
• Create or Log In to Your Account: If you don't already have an account, you will need to create one. Otherwise, log in with your existing credentials.
• Select the Correct Form: Look for the "Certificate of Change" form. This form should be available in the section relevant to your business type (LLC, corporation, etc.).
• Fill Out the Form: Enter all required information, such as your business name, the current registered agent's details, and the new agent's details.
• Pay the Fee: There will be a fee of $30. Payment methods usually include credit cards or bank transfers. During our submission, we paid the fee using American Express.
• Submit the Form: After payment, submit the form electronically.  For our company, once we submitted the form, we received a confirmation email with details of our submission.

3. Changing Your Registered Agent By Mail, In-Person, or Fax

To change your agent in New York by mail, In-person, or fax, you must use the appropriate form based on your type of business.

• Download the Certificate of Change Form: The form is available on the New York Department of State's website. Print it out after downloading.
• The forms that can be used for changing your registered agent include the following:
  • New York Corporation
  • Foreign Corporation
  • New York Limited Liability Company
  • Foreign LLC
  • New York Nonprofit
  • Foreign Nonprofit
  • New York Limited Partnership
  • Foreign LP
• Complete the Form: Fill in all necessary fields with accurate information about your business and the new registered agent.
• Attach the Fee: Pay the state fees and include a check or money order. Please note that the fee for nonprofits is $20, and for all other entities, it is $30.
• Submission: If you want to mail in the form, send it or take it to the following address:

New York Department of State
Division of Corporations, State Records, and Uniform Commercial Code
One Commerce Plaza
99 Washington Ave.
Albany, NY 12231-0001

For one of our corporations. we faxed the form by sending it to the following number: (517) 474-1418

After submitting the form via fax, we also received a confirmation of receipt from the New York Department of State.

After we had completed the submission process, the registered agent for our corporation was changed within 24 hours as we paid an additional $25 for expedited service.

The SOS also offers other expedited services, such as same-day delivery for $75 per document or within two hours for $150 per document.

Learn more about what is a registered agent for a non-profit?

Related articles:

• How To Create an LLC in New York
• Top LLC Formation Services in New York
• How Much Does an LLC in New York Cost

Who Can Be A New York Registered Agent?

Any individual who is a resident of New York or a corporation authorized to do business in the state can be a registered agent in New York.

For the business to operate in New York, the registered agent must have the following:

• A physical street address located in the state
• The agent must be on duty during normal business hours to receive legal documents and essential correspondence on behalf of the business.
• Must be of legal age if it's an individual

FAQs

Reference:

1. https://dos.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2023/01/1556-f.pdf
2. https://advocacy.sba.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2023-Small-Business-Economic-Profile-NY.pdf