How To Change Registered Agent in Oklahoma (Full Guide)
As an LLC owner in Oklahoma, you may need to change your registered agent during the term of the business.
If this situation occurs, it is necessary to know which legal documents to submit to the Oklahoma Secretary of State. To help you streamline the process, I collaborated with esteemed LLC specialists and legal experts in the state who have over a decade of practice.
To provide additional answers to your query, I personally navigated the Oklahoma Secretary of State's website. Read on and find out what my research revealed.
Quick Summary
- To change your registered agent in Oklahoma, you must fill out and submit a Change of Name of Registered Agent form with the Oklahoma Secretary of State, Business Filing Department.
- It costs $25 for domestic businesses to change their Oklahoma registered agents and $50 for foreign entities.
- The booming job market in Oklahoma, with an addition of 172,966 jobs, signifies a bustling business environment where the role of a registered agent becomes increasingly vital in navigating legal requirements and fostering a conducive atmosphere for business expansion and success.
- From my perspective, changing your registered agent can be a pivotal decision that significantly impacts your business's future in Oklahoma's competitive market.
Who Can Be an Oklahoma Registered Agent?
Any individual or business entity can be an Oklahoma registered agent, provided they meet all state requirements for being a registered agent.
However, given that Oklahoma businesses face a failure rate of 21.2% within the first year as per Lending Tree data, having a reliable registered agent from the outset is crucial for navigating early challenges and ensuring legal compliance [1].
The state requirements for Oklahoma registered agents include the following:
- Must have an Oklahoma physical registered agent's address.
- Must be authorized to conduct business in Oklahoma.
- Must be authorized to handle legal papers during normal business hours.
- Must be at least 18 years old.
How To Change Your Oklahoma Registered Agent?
To change your Oklahoma registered agent, you must fill out and submit a Change of Name of Registered Agent form with the Oklahoma Secretary of State, Business Filing Department.
Oklahoma registered agent change costs $25 if you file by mail and $35 if you do it online [2].
You can submit the Change of Name of Registered Agent form by mail, in person, or online on the SOS website.
Alternatively, business entities can also change their statutory agents using a professional service, which is, in my experience, a far superior option.
Let's look at the different ways to change a registered agent service in Oklahoma.
1. Changing Your Registered Agent Using a Professional Service
Limited liability companies can hire a professional service to file their Change of Registered Agent/ Registered Office form.
After selecting the expert service you wish to work with and opening an online account on their website, you’ll choose their "change a registered agent" service package.
Depending on the professional service, you may need to provide certain information about your firm before they file the registered agent paperwork.
You must also pay the service charge for the business you're working with, plus the state filing fee.
Your professional service will inform you after the Oklahoma Secretary of State has approved your Change of Name of Registered Agent form.
2. Changing Your Registered Agent Online
The easiest way to change an Oklahoma registered agent is to complete the process online on the SOS business filing services.
Once you log in, select "New," then enter your business registration number.
Your registered business will appear; click on it, and then choose "File a Document."
Select "Change or Designation of Registered Agent and/or Registered Office Form."
If you’re using the same LLC registered agent with a new address, update it on the form.
Proceed to fill out the details and complete the process by paying the $35 filing fee using a credit card.
Note that there's an additional $10 for all online filings using the SOS Business Filing Services.
3. Changing Your Registered Agent by Mail
The Oklahoma Secretary of State allows LLC owners to modify their registered agents by mail.
You must submit a physical copy of the Change of Name of Registered Agent form [3].
Before filling out the details, you must state the entity type you're filing for, whether a domestic LLC, foreign LLC or corporation.
Proceed to include the following details on the Change of Name of Registered Agent or Registered Office form:
- Business name
- Name and address of the present registered agent service
- Name and address of the new reliable registered agent service
Once you verify your details, attach the $25 filing fee for a domestic LLC or corporation.
"If you're filing for a foreign entity, you'll attach $50 as a money order or check payable to the Oklahoma Secretary of State."
- Lou Viveros, Growth & Transition Advisor of Venture Smarter
Mail your completed Change of Name of Registered Agent document to the following address:
2300 N. Lincoln Blvd., Room 101
Oklahoma City, OK, 73105-4897
4. Changing Your Registered Agent In-person
The Oklahoma Secretary of State allows business owners to change a registered agent in person.
Once you access the PDF form online, download it and fill out the correct details of your business.
Include the correct information about your old and new registered agents.
"Once you submit a physical registered agent document, the Oklahoma Secretary of State will take 3-5 business days to process it."
- Lou Viveros, Growth & Transition Advisor of Venture Smarter
All in-person filings for changing a registered agent are submitted to the Oklahoma Secretary of State, Business Filing Department office at the following address:
2300 N. Lincoln Blvd., Room 101
Oklahoma City, OK, 73105-4897
FAQs
Can I Be My Own Registered Agent in Oklahoma?
Yes, you can be your own registered agent in Oklahoma, provided you meet all the state requirements for being a registered agent.
How Much Does It Cost To Change a Registered Agent in Oklahoma?
It costs $25 to change a registered agent in Oklahoma by mail and $35 if you complete the process online. These are the rates for domestic entities; foreign entities must pay $50 to change their Oklahoma statutory agents.
How Long Does It Take To Change a Registered Agent in Oklahoma?
It takes 7-10 business days to change a registered agent in Oklahoma by mail and 3-5 business days for in-person filings. Online submissions may take up to 1 business day to be approved.
References:
- https://www.lendingtree.com/business/small/failure-rate/
- https://sos.ok.gov/business/faq.aspx
- https://formfiles.justia.com/pdf/oklahoma/0033/68.pdf
