If you are making a change to your registered agent in California, you’ll need to inform the California Secretary of state. It costs $20 for an LLC and $25 for a corporation to do it yourself. Read this guide to learn how.
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Step 1. Check your company’s current registered agent: Check your California Secretary of State (SOS) records to verify who your current registered agent is.
Step 2. Choose a new registered agent: Select a new registered agent who meets the requirements set by the California Secretary of State. The new agent must be a resident of California or a corporation authorized to do business in the state.
Step 3. Get consent from the new registered agent: Once you have chosen a new registered agent, you must obtain their consent to act as your new agent. You can do this by having them sign a consent form.
Step 4. Fill out the appropriate form: Complete the California Secretary of State’s Statement of Information form (form SI-550). You will need to provide information about your company, your current registered agent, and your new registered agent.
Step 5. Pay the fee: You will need to pay a fee when you submit the form. As of 2023, the fee is $20. You can pay online through the California Secretary of State’s Business Search or by mailing in a check or money order.
Step 6. Submit the form: Once you have completed the form and paid the fee, you can submit it to the California Secretary of State. You can submit it online through the California Secretary of State’s Business Search or by mail.
Step 7. Notify your old registered agent: After the California Secretary of State approves your new registered agent, you should notify your old registered agent in writing that they have been replaced.
The minimum requirements of a registered agent are to receive your official state mail and service of process, but a good registered agent can become an essential part of your business’ compliance needs.
An excellent registered agent will:
All businesses, domestic and foreign, that register with the California Secretary of State must maintain a registered agent. This includes all:
It does not include:
Yes, you can change your registered agent online in California through the California Secretary of State’s Business Search system. You can also mail in the form to the California Secretary of State.
As of 2023, the fee for changing your registered agent in California is $20. This fee can be paid online through the California Secretary of State’s Business Search system or by mailing in a check or money order.
The processing time for changing your registered agent in California can vary, but it typically takes around 2-3 weeks for the California Secretary of State to approve the change.
If you do not have a registered agent or fail to maintain a registered agent in California, your company can be at risk of losing good standing status with the California Secretary of State. It is important to maintain a current and valid registered agent to ensure that you receive important legal and tax documents for your business.