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.
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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.
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 Illinois Secretary of State must maintain a registered agent. This includes all:
It does not include:
A registered agent is a person or entity appointed by a business entity to receive legal documents, such as lawsuits and official government notices, on behalf of the business entity.
To change your registered agent in Illinois, you must file a Statement of Change of Registered Agent and/or Registered Office with the Illinois Secretary of State. You can file this form online or by mail, and you must pay a filing fee.
Yes, you can be your own registered agent in Illinois if you meet the state’s requirements. You must be at least 18 years old, have a physical street address in Illinois (no PO boxes), and be available during regular business hours to receive legal documents.
The processing time for changing your registered agent in Illinois varies depending on how you file your paperwork and the volume of filings the Secretary of State is processing. If you file online, the change may be processed within a few days. If you file by mail, it may take several weeks.