How to Change the Registered Agent for Your Illinois Business

If you are making a change to your registered agent in Illinois, you’ll need to inform the Illinois Secretary of state. It costs $25 to do it yourself. Read this guide to learn how.

Looking for a new registered agent? Our favorite, Northwest Registered Agent, will pay your transfer fees and take care of all the reporting requirements at no additional charge.

Step By Step Guide to Change Your Illinois Registered Agent

Follow these steps to change your registered agent and report your change correctly to the Illinois Secretary of State.

Step 1: Understand the Role of the Registered Agent

The registered agent is an essential component of your business’s legal structure. They are responsible for receiving legal documents and official correspondence on behalf of your business. They must have a physical address in the state of Illinois and be available during business hours to receive these documents.

Step 2: Choose a New Registered Agent

Before you can change your registered agent, you need to choose a new one. You may choose an individual, such as yourself or an employee, or a business entity that is authorized to act as a registered agent in Illinois. The new agent must have a physical address in the state of Illinois and agree to serve as your registered agent.

Step 3: File the Change of Agent Form

To change your registered agent in Illinois, you need to file the Change of Agent form with the Illinois Secretary of State. This form is available on the Secretary of State’s website and can be filed online or by mail. When filling out the form, you will need to provide the name and address of your new registered agent and the date the change will take effect.

Step 4: Pay the Required Fee

There is a fee associated with changing your registered agent in Illinois. The fee is currently $25 and can be paid online or by mail with your Change of Agent form.

Step 5: Wait for Confirmation

Once you have submitted your Change of Agent form and paid the required fee, you will need to wait for confirmation from the Illinois Secretary of State. This confirmation will be sent to you via email or mail and will indicate that your registered agent has been changed.

What Do Registered Agents Actually Do?

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:

• Help keep your address off public documents.
• Send you same day digital scans of all legal documents and state notifications.
• Offer services in all 50 states.
• Provide compliance management like annual report reminders and filing services.

Businesses Structures That Are Required to Have a Registered Agent in Illinois

All businesses, domestic and foreign, that register with the Illinois Secretary of State must maintain a registered agent. This includes all:

• LLCs
• Corporations
• Limited partnerships
• Limited Liability Partnerships

It does not include:

• Sole proprietors
• General partnerships