How to Change Your Registered Agent in New York (2026)
To change your registered agent in New York, you file a Certificate of Change (form DOS-1359-f for an LLC) with the Department of State. The fee is $30, and you can file it by mail, by email, or through a professional registered agent service.
New York works differently than most states here. The Secretary of State already stands in as your LLC's agent for service of process the moment you form, so a private registered agent is optional, not required. This guide covers how to add or swap one, what it costs, and who can serve.
Quick Summary
- Naming a registered agent in New York is optional. Your LLC already has one by default: the Secretary of State.
- Adding or swapping one is a single filing with the state, not a multi-step process.
- File it yourself by mail or email, or have a professional service handle the whole thing.
New York Doesn't Require a Registered Agent
| Detail | New York |
|---|---|
| Registered agent required? | No. The Secretary of State is the default agent for every domestic LLC. |
| Form to add/change one | Certificate of Change (DOS-1359-f) |
| Filing fee | $30 |
| Filing agency | New York Department of State, Division of Corporations |
| Mailing address | One Commerce Plaza, 99 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12231-0001 |
| Optional expedite fees | $25 (24-hour), $75 (same-day), $150 (2-hour) |
| Biennial Statement fee | $9, due every 2 years in the LLC anniversary month |
New York's Limited Liability Company Law makes the Secretary of State the agent for service of process for every domestic LLC the moment its Articles of Organization are on file [1]. A private registered agent is an add-on, not a requirement.
The law still lets you designate one if you'd rather have court papers and state notices go straight to a person or company you've chosen [2]. That's what a Certificate of Change is for, whether you're naming your first agent or replacing one already on file. See our full guide to changing a registered agent for how this compares across other states.
Using a Professional Registered Agent Service
A registered agent service will handle the whole filing for you. That includes preparing the Certificate of Change, listing the new agent's information, and sending it to the Department of State.
Here's what the process looks like:
- Choose a registered agent service.
- Give the service your business details and the new registered agent's information.
- Sign the certificate the service prepares.
- Pay the state filing fee plus the service's own charge.
- Confirm your business records show the update once it's filed.
The service files the Certificate of Change on your behalf. You don't have to track the form or the mailing address yourself. If you haven't picked one yet, compare the best registered agent services in New York, or browse the full registered agent service roundup for options outside the state.
Filing It Yourself by Mail, Email, or Fax
To file it yourself, use form DOS-1359-f for a domestic LLC. Corporations use a different form, so pick the one that matches your entity type:
- Download the form. The Department of State posts the Certificate of Change for Domestic Limited Liability Companies as a fillable PDF.
- Fill it in. Enter your LLC's exact name, its original filing date, and the new registered agent's name and address.
- Attach the fee. Pay by check, money order, or credit card, depending on how you submit.
- Send it in. Mail, email, or fax the completed form to the Department of State.
Mail submissions go to:
New York Department of State
Division of Corporations, State Records, and Uniform Commercial Code
One Commerce Plaza
99 Washington Ave.
Albany, NY 12231-0001
The Department of State also posts separate Certificate of Change forms for foreign LLCs and limited partnerships. Confirm you have the version built for your entity type before you file.
You can also fax the form to (518) 474-1418. The Department of State's own guidance is inconsistent about fax, though, so mail or email is the safer route. Learn more about what a registered agent for a nonprofit does.
Optional Expedited Processing
Standard processing takes longer during busy filing periods, so the Department of State offers paid expedited handling on top of the base filing fee.
- 24-hour service: $25 per document.
- Same-day service: $75 per document, if received by noon.
- 2-hour service: $150 per document, if received by 2:30 p.m.
You pay the expedite fee whether or not the state accepts your filing, so double-check the form before you submit it. None of these expedite options apply to the Biennial Statement, which processes immediately when filed online and cannot change your registered agent's address on its own.
Who Can Be a New York Registered Agent
New York LLC Law lets three kinds of registered agents serve, and none of them has to be you personally (LLC Law § 302).
- A person who lives in New York or has a business address there.
- A domestic LLC, or a foreign LLC authorized to do business in New York.
- A domestic corporation, or a foreign corporation authorized to do business in New York.
The statute doesn't set a business-hours rule the way some other states do, and it doesn't spell out a street-address-only requirement for a natural-person agent, as long as that person is a New York resident or keeps a business address in the state.
Whichever way you file, the process itself stays simple: pick your agent, complete the Certificate of Change, and send it to the Department of State.
FAQs
Do I have to have a registered agent in New York?
No. New York assigns your LLC a registered agent automatically: the Secretary of State. Naming your own is a later choice, usually so paperwork lands directly at an address you control instead of routing through the state first.
Can I change my registered agent at any time?
Yes. You can change your registered agent whenever you want. There's no waiting period and no limit on how often you file the paperwork.
Can I be my own registered agent in New York?
Yes, you can be your own registered agent in New York if you're a resident or keep a business address in the state.
Can a company serve as my registered agent instead of a person?
Yes, a company can serve as your registered agent instead of a person. New York's law extends eligibility to LLCs and corporations, not just individuals, as long as they're allowed to operate in the state.
What happens if my Certificate of Change has an error in it?
The Department of State won't process a Certificate of Change if your LLC's name doesn't exactly match its records, so double-check the spelling and details before you send it in.
References:
- https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/LLC/301
- https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/LLC/302
