As a Texas LLC owner, you must be prepared to change your registered agent when needed.
When that time comes, it’s essential to know where to start and what requirements you need to fulfill.
We collaborated with our LLC professionals with over a decade of practical expertise in the business industry and spent hundreds of hours searching the Texas Secretary of State’s website for accurate information on how to change registered agents in this state.
Here's everything you'll need to change your registered agent in Texas.
Quick Summary
- You must file a Change of Registered Agent Form to change your registered agent service in Texas.
- The filing fee to change a registered agent in Texas is $15 for business entities and $5 for nonprofits.
- You can change your registered agent by mail, in person, by fax, or online.
Who Can Be a Texas Registered Agent?
A Texas registered agent can be an organization or an individual that meets all state requirements.
To perform this duty, you must:
- Be an individual Texas resident or a company authorized to transact business there.
- Keep your registered office address in Texas the same as your physical business address.
- Consent to the appointment.
The registered agent may be an officer or employee of the company, but the business entity may not act as its own registered agent.
How To Change Your Texas Registered Agent?
To change your Texas registered agent, you must fill out and file a Change of Registered Agent (Form 401) with the Texas Secretary of State.
The Texas Change of Registered Agent form must be filed by fax, mail, online, or in person and costs $15 for LLCs and $5 for nonprofits.
You must fill out the following information on the change of registered agent:
- Texas entity I.D number.
- Name of your business entity.
- Name and address of your current LLC registered agent.
- Name and address of the new LLC registered agent.
- Signature of the authorized representative from your company.
- Signature of your new registered agent consenting to their appointment.
- Credit card details if filing online.
Before changing registered agent services in Texas, you must receive your new agent's written consent [1].
This can be done using Form 401-A, Acceptance of Appointment and Consent to Serve as Registered Agent [2].
Although this form is not required to be submitted to the Secretary of State, it should be retained on file with the internal paperwork for your business.
You can change your registered agent using a professional service online, by mail, or by fax.
1. Changing Your Registered Agent Using a Professional Service
You can hire a professional service to submit your papers if you're too busy.
You will be automatically logged into your client account after signing up for a professional service.
From there, you may access your Form 401 and all the state forms available on the various Texas company websites.
Your registered agent service will fill out the paperwork with your information and submit it for a fee.
2. Changing Your Registered Agent Online
To complete the online change of registered agents form, go to Texas SOS Direct.
You must first create an account by providing your name, company name, and address.
Find Form 401, fill it including the payment information, and review it before submitting.
You'll need to pay a 2.7% convenience fee with a credit card.
Once filed, you can access your filed documents online on the Secretary of State website.
Each time you log in, there is a $1 cost [3].
3. Changing Your Registered Agent by Mail, In-person, or Fax
First, download and fill out Form 401 from the Texas Secretary of State's website to mail in a hard copy of the form to mail, fax it, or take it by yourself.
Submit the duplicate form to this address by mail:
Secretary of State
P.O. Box 13697
Austin, TX 78711-3697
For In-person delivery:
James Earl Rudder Office Building 1019 Brazos St.
Austin, TX 78701
For fax deliveries, send your 401 forms in duplicate to (512) 463-5709 with a credit card payment form.
Processing can take up to two weeks, although it often takes 3-5 working days.
Once processed, the state will return your stamped duplicate copy.
Texas allows you to expedite your application for an extra $25 state filing fee charge.
Provide a cover letter outlining this request and listing a phone number for contact.
Your application will be approved by the end of business the next day.
4. Changing Your Registered Agent by Amendment
Filing a Texas Certificate of Amendment might also update your registered agent service.
But it requires $150 to file, making it an extremely costly choice.
Putting all of those changes on a Certificate of Amendment may be a smart alternative if you need to make other changes to your business.
If you wish to change your Texas registered agent service, you should use one of the other recommended options.
5. Changing Your Registered Agent by Annual Report
You can submit your form if you're due to file an annual report, so you won't have to file extra registered agent paperwork.
We recommend it if you're within the deadline for the Texas LLC Annual Report of your business.
FAQs
How Much Does It Cost to Change a Registered Agent in Texas?
It costs $15 to change a registered agent in Texas. This fee applies to limited liability companies (LLCs), corporations, or partnerships. However, other entities, like nonprofits and cooperative associations, are only charged $5.
How Long Does It Take to Change a Registered Agent in Texas?
It takes 3-5 days to change a registered agent in Texas. You can also expedite the process at an additional $25, and you'll receive your paperwork in one business day.
Can I Change Texas Registered Agents?
Yes, you can change Texas registered agents by completing and submitting the Change of Registered Agent/ Office (Form 401) with the Texas Secretary of State.
Do You Want to Change Your Texas Registered Agent? Â
If you want to relieve yourself from acting as your own registered agent of your Texas LLC, you'll need to file a change of registered agent form with the Texas Secretary of State.
We recommend these best registered agent services in Texas if you're unsure where to start.
These services are qualified to receive legal documents on their behalf.
They will offer you a trustworthy, capable registered agent so you can rest easy knowing you'll never forget to file a document, meet a tax deadline, or answer a state letter.
Additionally, a reliable registered agent is crucial if you run a Texas small business from another state since Texan law mandates that your LLC have a local contact.
References:
- https://direct.sos.state.tx.us/help/help-corp-filing-401.html
- https://www.sos.state.tx.us/corp/registeredagentfaqs.shtml
- https://www.sos.state.tx.us/corp/sosda/index.shtml
