Can You Change The Registered Agent In California

Change California Registered Agent You formed your California LLC. You did the paperwork. You started operating your business organisation.

And now, for one reason or another, you need to change your registered amanuensis. No worries, we've got you lot covered.

At that place are a number of reasons y'all might need to change your California LLC'due south registered agent. Maybe your designated registered agent moved out of state, left the visitor, or no longer wants the responsibleness. Maybe you had assigned the task to yourself, and you lot no longer want your accost on public record. Possibly (hopefully) your business has expanded so much that yous no longer have fourth dimension to handle the registered amanuensis responsibilities.

Whatever your reason may be, changing a registered agent in California might seem similar a daunting task, with a mount of paperwork and legal proceedings involved. Still information technology'south actually quite unproblematic, and this guide will help brand the process quick and painless.

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What the State of California Says nearly changing an Agent for Service of Procedure

A quick note to avoid potential confusion: what California calls the "agent for service of process" on its Secretary of State website and documents, you may encounter other states call a "registered agent" or "statutory agent." Know that these terms are synonymous and all three have the same position and responsibilities.

That said, the land of California has certain requirements nigh changing your LLC'due south agent for service of procedure. Your ticket to a new amanuensis is Grade LLC-12, otherwise known as a "Statement of Data." You can find it, along with detailed instructions for its completion on the California Secretary of Land's Forms, Samples, and Fees webpage. You may submit this form online, or by mailing it to the Secretarial assistant of State'south office.

In that location'due south a ton of great information about California'south agent for service of process procedures on the South.O.S. website's FAQ folio.

Who tin can exist a California Registered Agent

You can't pick just anyone to exist a registered agent for your LLC. The state of California puts sure restrictions on who tin serve as one. If you're choosing or changing your registered agent, keep these requirements in heed. The registered amanuensis in California must:

Be an individual California resident or a business entity located in California
Accept a California street accost (P.O. boxes are not immune)

* If your registered agent is a foreign business organisation entity, information technology must be authorized to transact business in California

How to Change Your California Amanuensis for Service of Process

In club to alter your registered agent in California, you lot must file a Argument of Information. This is the same form whether you're a domestic or foreign LLC. It's a multipurpose course that California requires all LLCs to file within 90 days of germination and every two years after that. However, you're also allowed to submit a new ane at any time to notify the state about agent for service of process or other changes.

When you do your required 90-twenty-four hour period and biennial Argument of Data filings, at that place is a $20 fee attached. But any fourth dimension you submit this class to change your LLC information in betwixt required filings, you lot do so free of charge.

Your filing options are online, by mail, or in person and all three have the same fee structure. To submit via mail, download and complete the form, and so send it to:

Secretary of State, Argument of Data Unit

P.O. Box 944230

Sacramento, CA 94244-2300

Or, if yous're local to Sacramento and feel like getting out and about, you tin manus deliver it to the Secretary of Land's office at:

1500 11th Street

Sacramento, CA 95814

If you lot aren't almost Sacramento and don't desire to wait for your form to arrive by mail, you lot take another option. Filing online is the quickest and easiest mode to go information technology done. Simply click the reckoner icon next to the Statement of Information course and follow the onscreen instructions.

In certain states, y'all tin can change yous agent for service of process past updating your Articles of Organization or annual report. Unfortunately, California does not allow you to brand the change by updating your Articles of Organization. However, your biennial Statement of Data filings serves as your "almanac report," and you tin as well change your agent during that process.

If you lot're too busy, or if yous'd feel more comfortable letting someone else take the reins, you have the pick of hiring a company or individual to file your paperwork for you. Information technology's a bully way to save fourth dimension and stress.

Submit your form? Pay your fee? You're on your mode to a new agent for service of process. If you want to know when to expect the change, the Secretarial assistant of State website updates their processing times on a day-to-day basis, and you lot can discover them here.

Consider a Registered Agent Service

Retrieve of your registered amanuensis every bit a mediator betwixt you and the state of California, the person or business entity that handles some of your near important paperwork.

In case you thought the registered agent was just a formality, expect at the documents they handle:

service of process notices
revenue enhancement information
lawsuits
and other Secretary of Country correspondence.

A lot of important stuff. Which is why a reliable registered agent is essential to every California business possessor.

By handling high-priority and sensitive documents on your behalf, your registered agent takes care of your communications with the state, so y'all tin spend more than fourth dimension edifice your business.

Plus, if you lot operate a California small-scale business from out of land, a trustworthy registered agent is especially of import, as the state requires a local contact for your LLC. Having this contact ensures your company will receive and respond to time-sensitive documents, so yous won't miss filings and get hit with penalties.

If you're unsure where to notice a skilful California registered agent, consider using a registered agent service. These companies provide you a reliable, professional registered amanuensis so y'all can accept peace of mind knowing y'all won't always miss a filing, taxation deadline, or land correspondence.

Certain, you tin jump online, search "registered agent service," and go a ton of results. Only the truth is that not all of these services are trustworthy. So, we've done some research for you. If you want to know you're getting a top-quality registered agent, take a await at our comparing guide on the meridian five registered amanuensis services.