Change Registered Agent in Florida: A registered agent in Florida is a point of contact between your LLC and the state. You must appoint a Registered Agent when you form an LLC in Florida. At any point in time, you might need to replace/change your Registered Agent in Florida. When it comes to changing the registered agent in Florida, it is a straightforward method. To change your Registered Agent in Florida, one has to submit the statement of change of the Registered Agent. It can be filed online or by mail.
In this article, you will learn how to change registered agent in Florida. Also, you will get to learn when and why you have to change your Registered Agent, appointed for your Florida LLC.
On this page, you’ll learn about the following:
What is Registered Agent in Florida
The Florida Registered Agent, appointed by the limited liability company, is a person who receives all the legal documents on your company’s behalf. To become a registered agent in Florida, one must meet the following requirements,
- The person must be or above 18 years old
- The person has to be a permanent resident of Florida
- The person should have a legal permit to conduct business in Florida
- The person must be available during business hours at the designated office address in Florida
You can also be your own registered agent in Florida. However, it is not wise to be your own agent as it can divert your attention from the core of your business.
How to Change a Registered Agent in Florida
To change the Registered Agent in Florida, one has to file the statement of change of the registered agent. You must pay the filing fee of $25 to complete your application. To file for the Statement of Change of Registered Agent and Registered Office Address with the Florida Secretary of State, you can opt for any of the following methods:
Online Filing
To file the statement of change of registered agent in Florida online, you must search for the appropriate online form. You can file your change of Registered Agent statement online if the online form is available through the Secretary of State. Follow the below-given instructions:
- Visit the Florida Secretary of State’s official website
- Log in to the portal using your credentials.
- You will find the ‘Update’ option in your dashboard if the online update option is available.
- Click on the ‘update’ option to find the ‘registration’ option.
- You will get an online form (or in PDF format)
- Fill out the form (or download it on your PC, then fill it out) with the old and new registered agent’s details.
- Submit (or upload) the completed form to the portal.
- In the next section, you will get payment details (if applicable) and pay the fees using a credit card.
Your online updation is done! It takes some time to update the details on the portal. Once it is updated, your new registered agent can start conducting business on your behalf.
Filing Through Mail or In-person
If you want to file the statement of change of registered agent via mail or in person (if available), then you should follow the rules. For in-person or mail filings, you need to download the Florida Statement of Change of Registered Agent (PDF) from the official website of the Florida Secretary of State. Complete the form by filling in all the information about the LLC and both (new and existing) registered agents. The form has to be signed by the new registered agent. This will provide the consent of the new agent. Once completed, submit it to the below-mentioned address:
Important Links | Submit Offline Form |
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Change of Registered Agent – Online Florida Statement of Change of Registered Agent – PDF Florida Registered Agent – Requirement | New Filing Section, Division of Corporations, P.O. Box 6327, Tallahassee, FL 32314 |
Fee: The filing fee charged for changing the Florida registered agent is $25. This fee will be paid to the Florida Secretary of State by check or credit card.
If you hire a Registered Agent service, filing the Statement of Change would be much easier. Also, the registered agent will help you with the consent letter the new registered agent has to sign. LLCBuddy editorial team suggests a list of the best LLC services that offer registered agent services. Some of them offer standalone registered agent services.
Recommended: You can get the best registered agent service at a reasonable price with online LLC service providers. We recommend using –
LegalZoom Registered Agent – $299 Per Year
Registered Agent Consent Letter in Florida
The registered Agent’s Consent letter is a document that a new registered agent must submit along with the formation document. It is a statement that the agent submits upon agreeing to work with the LLC. When you change the Registered Agent, you must also submit the consent letter signed by the new agent. In many states, submitting the Change of Registered Agent form does the job; sending any additional consent document to the SOS is unnecessary. However, there are many states where you must submit the consent letter separately and pay a certain fee (if applicable). This consent must include the following details-
- LLC name
- A letter that says the person gives consent to serve the LLC as a registered agent
- The execution date
- Name of the registered agent
- Signature of the registered agent
In Florida, there is no separate document. The newly appointed registered agent must sign the Acceptance of Appointment in the Change of Registered Agent form. The previous agent has to resign by submitting the Letter of Resignation. You must get the Change of Registered Agent Form, fill it out, and submit it to the SOS. The agent must sign the form or self-attest. It is proof that the new Registered Agent has given the nod to provide their services to the LLC. An additional filing fee (or expedited fee) might be charged. Check Florida Secretary of State for fee details.
Why Do You Need to Change a Registered Agent in Florida
There can be several reasons why LLCs want to change their registered agent in Florida. Some of the main and most important reasons are listed below,
Be Your Own Registered Agent
A very common reason is that if anyone wants to be his/her own registered agent. Any LLC owner can be the registered agent himself/herself as per the Florida Secretary of State. So, you may want to change the registered agent and become one yourself for your LLC. In that case, you must submit the change form with your details.
Want to Hire a Professional Registered Agent
You may have designated yourself or someone from the family as the registered agent for your LLC in the initial phase. But with expansion in business, your roles and responsibilities also expand. You may not be present at the office during working hours. And a registered agent is required to be available in the office. So, you must hire a registered agent who could replace you.
Existing Registered Agent Resigns
If your current registered agent resigns or your service provider is out of business, you can change your Registered Agent in Florida. You must change the registered agent if the existing one resigns or is out of service.
Forming foreign LLC
This is to be noted that a person is eligible to be a Florida Registered Agent only if they are the Florida resident. So, if you are forming a foreign LLC in Florida, you might need to change your registered agent because not all registered agents are eligible to work in different states.
FAQs
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Why Change Registered Agent in Florida is So Important
The registered agent serves as the official point of contact between your business and the state. They are responsible for receiving important legal and tax documents on behalf of your company, such as official notices from the state government, tax documents, and service of process in the event of a lawsuit. This means that having a reliable and responsible registered agent is vital to ensure that your company stays in good standing with the state and promptly responds to any legal matters that may arise.
Choosing the right registered agent can make a world of difference for your business. A professional and knowledgeable registered agent will ensure that you stay on top of important deadlines, notifications, and compliance requirements. They will also help you navigate any legal issues that may arise, providing valuable support and guidance to help your business succeed.
On the other hand, a negligent or unreliable registered agent can put your business at risk of fines, penalties, and other legal consequences. If your registered agent fails to receive and respond to important documents in a timely manner, your business could face serious consequences, including the loss of your right to do business in the state. This can have a devastating impact on your company’s reputation, financial stability, and long-term success.
Changing your registered agent is a decision that should not be taken lightly. While it may seem like a simple administrative task, selecting a new registered agent requires careful consideration and due diligence. You want to choose a registered agent that is professional, reliable, and experienced in handling the unique challenges and requirements of doing business in Florida.
There are several reasons why you may need to change your registered agent. Perhaps your current registered agent is no longer able to fulfill their duties due to retirement, relocation, or other reasons. Maybe you are dissatisfied with the level of service and support provided by your current registered agent and are looking for a more responsive and dependable alternative. Whatever the reason, it is important to carefully research and vet potential new registered agents to ensure that you are making the best decision for your business.
In conclusion, changing your registered agent in Florida is an important decision that can have far-reaching consequences for your business. By selecting a reliable and professional registered agent who is well-versed in the complexities of doing business in Florida, you can ensure that your company stays in good standing with the state and is well-equipped to handle any legal challenges that may arise. Make the change to a new registered agent with confidence, knowing that you are setting your business up for success in the long run.
In Conclusion
During your business, you may arrive at a point where you need to change the registered agent. The need may arise when the existing agent wants to quit, or you are terminating the existing agent or expanding your business. Changing the Florida registered agent can be necessary in various situations. It is quite simple as it can be done online and through mail filing. This article has it all. If you have any queries about changing a registered agent, you can drop a comment below in the box.