How to Change the Registered Agent for Your North Carolina Business

If you are making a change to your registered agent in North Carolina, you’ll need to inform the North Carolina Secretary of state. It costs $5 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 North Carolina Registered Agent

Here’s everything you need to know to change your registered agent in North Carolina.

Changing your registered agent in the state of North Carolina is a relatively straightforward process. With a few simple steps, you can get your new registered agent set up in no time. Here’s what you’ll need to do:

Step 1: Obtain the “Statement of Change of Registered Agent or Office” form from the North Carolina Secretary of State website.

Step 2: Fill out the form with information about your business and your new registered agent. Make sure all required fields are completed accurately.

Step 3: Submit the form online using their filing portal, along with payment for filing fees (currently $30 for paper filing). Depending on your entity type, you also may be able to file electronically which could expedite processing time significantly. You will be able to check on progress of your application at any time, by logging back into the same portal.

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 North Carolina

All businesses, domestic and foreign, that register with the North Carolina 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, also known as a resident agent, is an individual or company that is responsible for accepting legal documents on behalf of a business. In North Carolina, the registered agent must be located in the state.

You can change your registered agent in North Carolina by obtaining and filling out the Statement of Change of Registered Agent or Office form from the North Carolina Secretary of State website, signing it and having it notarized (if necessary), then submitting with payment of filing fees either via regular mail or electronically through their online filing portal.

The current filing fee for changing your registered agent in North Carolina is $30 when submitted via paper filing. Electronic filing may be an option depending upon your entity type—check with the Corp Division for more information.

Once received, the corp division will process your request within 7-10 business days. If everything is in order, you’ll receive confirmation of your change within that time frame!