How to Change the Registered Agent for Your Washington Business

If you are making a change to your registered agent in Washington , you’ll need to inform the Washington Division of Corporations and Commercial Code. It’s 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 Washington Registered Agent

Here’s a step by step guide with everything you need to change your registered agent in Washington.

Step 1: Visit the Washington Secretary of State website Go to the Washington Secretary of State website at www.sos.wa.gov and click on the “Corporations & Charities” tab in the main menu.

Step 2: Log in to your account If you already have an account, log in using your email address and password. If you do not have an account, click on the “Register Now” button to create one.

Step 3: Select the business entity you want to update Once you’re logged in, select the business entity you want to update from the list of entities associated with your account.

Step 4: Click on “Change Registered Agent/Office” On the business entity’s overview page, look for the “Change Registered Agent/Office” link and click on it.

Step 5: Review the requirements Before proceeding, review the requirements for changing your registered agent in Washington. You may need to provide a consent form from your new registered agent, depending on your entity type.

Step 6: Enter the new registered agent’s information Enter the name and address of your new registered agent in the appropriate fields. If you have a consent form from your new registered agent, you can upload it at this stage.

Step 7: Confirm the information Review the information you have entered for accuracy and make any necessary changes.

Step 8: Submit the form Once you’re satisfied with the information you have entered, submit the Change Registered Agent/Office form. If there are no errors, you will receive a confirmation message.

Step 9: Wait for confirmation Once you have submitted the form, wait for confirmation that your registered agent has been updated. You should receive a confirmation email from the Secretary of State within a few business days.

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 Washington

All businesses, domestic and foreign, that register with the Washington 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 designated individual or company that is authorized to receive legal and official documents on behalf of a business entity. In Washington, every business entity is required to have a registered agent.

Finding a new registered agent in Washington is the responsibility of the business entity. You can conduct research to find a suitable registered agent, or you can hire a professional registered agent service. Make sure to verify that the new registered agent meets all the requirements set forth by the state of Washington.

No, there is no fee to change a registered agent in Washington. However, if you are using a professional registered agent service, they may charge a fee for their services.

Once you submit the Change Registered Agent/Office form, it generally takes a few business days for the Secretary of State to process the request. You will receive a confirmation email once the change has been made. It is important to note that the new registered agent must consent to the appointment before the change can be completed.