How to Change the Registered Agent for Your Iowa Business

If you are making a change to your registered agent in Iowa, you’ll need to inform the Iowa Secretary of state. It costs free 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 Iowa Registered Agent

Follow these steps to change your registered agent while covering all your reporting responsibilities.

Step 1: Determine who your new registered agent will be. Before you can change your registered agent in Iowa, you’ll need to choose a new one. Your new registered agent can be an individual or a company, but they must have a physical address in Iowa and be available during regular business hours to receive legal documents on your behalf.

Step 2: Get the necessary paperwork. Once you’ve chosen your new registered agent, you’ll need to fill out and file paperwork with the Iowa Secretary of State. You can download the necessary forms from the Iowa Secretary of State’s website or request them by mail.

Step 3: Fill out the paperwork. The paperwork for changing your registered agent will require you to provide some basic information about your business, such as its name and address, as well as the name and address of your new registered agent.

Step 4: File the paperwork. Once you’ve filled out the necessary paperwork, you’ll need to file it with the Iowa Secretary of State. You can file the paperwork online through the Iowa Secretary of State’s website, or you can mail it in.

Step 5: Pay the fee. There is a fee for changing your registered agent in Iowa, and you’ll need to pay this fee when you file your paperwork. The fee varies depending on the type of business entity you have.

Step 6: Wait for confirmation. After you’ve filed your paperwork and paid the fee, you’ll need to wait for confirmation from the Iowa Secretary of State that your new registered agent has been accepted. This can take several weeks, so be patient.

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 Iowa

All businesses, domestic and foreign, that register with the Iowa 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

Frequently Asked Questions

A registered agent is a person or entity authorized to receive legal documents on behalf of a business entity. Iowa law requires every business entity to have a registered agent who is available during normal business hours to accept legal documents such as lawsuits, subpoenas, and tax notices. The registered agent’s job is to receive these documents and ensure they are delivered to the appropriate person within the business entity.

Yes, you can be your own registered agent in Iowa if you are an individual and your business entity is a sole proprietorship. However, if you are not an individual or your business entity is not a sole proprietorship, you must have a separate registered agent.

There is a fee to change your registered agent in Iowa, which varies depending on the type of business entity you have. For example, as of 2023, the fee for a domestic LLC is $5.

The processing time for changing your registered agent in Indiana can vary depending on the method you use to file your paperwork. If you file your paperwork online, the processing time is usually faster than if you file by mail. It generally takes 7-10 business days for the Iowa Secretary of State to process the paperwork and update your registered agent information. However, it can take longer if there are any errors or issues with the paperwork.