How to Change Registered Agents in Illinois (IL) in 2024

Changing an appointed Registered Agent is not a frequent activity in any business. While forming an LLC in Illinois, it is mandatory to appoint a Registered Agent as a point of contact between the state and your LLC. However, there might be some times when changing of a registered agent is necessary. It might be the resignation or termination of the individual.

In Illinois, also known as The Prairie State, there is a process to change the Registered Agent. In this article, the LLCBuddy editors come up with the methods available to change the registered agent in Illinois. The statement of change can be filed online or offline (whichever method is convenient).

What is Registered Agent in Illinois

The Illinois 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 Illinois, one must meet the following requirements,

The person must be or above 18 years old
The person has to be a permanent resident of Illinois
The person should have a legal permit to conduct business in Illinois
The person must be available during business hours at the designated office address in Illinois

You can also be your own registered agent in Illinois. 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 Illinois

To change the Registered Agent in Illinois, 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 Illinois Secretary of State, you can opt for any of the following methods:

Online Filing

To file the statement of change of registered agent in Illinois 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 Illinois Secretary of State’s official website
Log in to the portal using your credentials.
On your dashboard, you will find the option to update your documents.
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 change of registered agent update 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 immediately.

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 Illinois Statement of Change of Registered Agent (PDF) from the official website of the Illinois 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
Change of Registered Agent – Online Illinois Statement of Change of Registered Agent – PDF Illinois Registered Agent – Requirement	Department of Business Services, Limited Liability Division, 501 S. Second St., Rm. 351, Springfield, IL 62746

Fee: The filing fee charged for changing the Illinois registered agent is $25. This fee will be paid to the Illinois 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 –

#1 TOP PICK

ZenBusiness Registered Agent – $199 Per Year

Registered Agent Consent Letter in Illinois

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 Illinois, there is no separate Consent Letter to be produced to the Secretary of State. You must get the Statement of 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 Illinois Secretary of State for fee details.

BOI Reporting

As per the Corporation Transparency Act, from the 1st of January, 2024, every LLC and any other business entity must file the BOI report with FinCEN. In the BOI Report, the owner(s)’ details must be mentioned. It is to maintain the transparency of the organization. It is not required to mention the change of a registered agent while filing the BOI Report in Illinois. However, it is recommended to maintain a proper process and document for any changes made inside the LLC to maintain transparency under any act.

Why Do You Need to Change a Registered Agent in Illinois

There can be several reasons why LLCs want to change their registered agent in Illinois. Some of the main and most important reasons are listed below,

Be Your Own Registered Agent

A prevalent 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 Illinois 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. 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 Illinois. 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 Illinois Registered Agent only if they are the Illinois resident. So, if you are forming a foreign LLC in Illinois, you might need to change your registered agent because not all registered agents are eligible to work in different states.

FAQs

How do I change registered agent in Illinois?

To change your registered agent in Illinois, you need to file a Statement of Change of Registered Agent and/or Registered Office form with the Illinois Secretary of State.

Where can I find the necessary forms to change registered agent in Illinois?

The required forms for changing a registered agent in Illinois can be found on the website of the Illinois Secretary of State.

How much does it cost to change a registered agent in Illinois?

The filing fee to change a registered agent in Illinois is $25.

Can I change my own registered agent in Illinois or do I need to hire a professional service?

You can change your own registered agent in Illinois or hire a professional service to assist you with the process.

Is there a specific deadline to change registered agent in Illinois?

No, there is no specific deadline to change registered agent in Illinois, but it is recommended to do so as soon as possible.

What information is required in the Statement of Change of Registered Agent form for Illinois?

The Statement of Change of Registered Agent form for Illinois requires the name of the business, the old registered agent information, the new registered agent information, and the signature of an authorized individual.

How long does it take for the change of registered agent to be processed in Illinois?

The processing time for changing a registered agent in Illinois typically takes 1-2 weeks.

Can I change my registered agent online in Illinois?

Yes, you can change your registered agent online in Illinois through the Secretary of State’s website.

Can I change my own address if I’m acting as the registered agent for my Illinois business?

Yes, you can change your own address as the registered agent for your Illinois business by filing a Statement of Change of Registered Agent and/or Registered Office.

Do I need to notify my old registered agent of the change in Illinois?

Yes, you are required to notify your old registered agent of the change in Illinois by sending them a copy of the Statement of Change of Registered Agent form.

Will the new registered agent in Illinois receive notifications from the Secretary of State on behalf of my business?

Yes, the new registered agent in Illinois will receive notifications from the Secretary of State on behalf of your business.

What happens if I fail to change my registered agent in Illinois?

If you fail to change your registered agent in Illinois, your business may face penalties, fines, or potential legal issues.

Can I change my registered agent in Illinois if I am moving out of state?

Yes, you can change your registered agent in Illinois if you are moving out of state, but you will need to appoint a registered agent located in Illinois.

Can a business entity be its own registered agent in Illinois?

No, a business entity cannot be its own registered agent in Illinois, but an individual associated with the business can serve as the registered agent.

How can I verify if my registered agent change has been processed in Illinois?

You can verify if your registered agent change has been processed in Illinois by checking the Secretary of State’s online business entity database.

Can I change registered agent for multiple businesses at once in Illinois?

Yes, you can change the registered agent for multiple businesses at once in Illinois by filing separate Statement of Change of Registered Agent forms for each business.

Can I appoint a professional registered agent service in Illinois?

Yes, you can appoint a professional registered agent service in Illinois to act as the registered agent for your business.

Is there a particular qualification for a registered agent in Illinois?

The registered agent for a business in Illinois must have a physical street address in the state.

What is the role of a registered agent in Illinois?

The registered agent in Illinois is responsible for receiving legal documents, tax notices, and other official correspondence on behalf of the business.

Can I change my registered agent’s address only in Illinois?

Yes, you can change your registered agent’s address only in Illinois by filing a Statement of Change of Registered Agent and/or Registered Office form.

Do I need to obtain consent from the new registered agent before changing them in Illinois?

Yes, you need to obtain the consent of the new registered agent before changing them in Illinois.

Can I change my registered agent more than once in a year in Illinois?

Yes, you can change your registered agent more than once in a year in Illinois, but it is recommended to keep changes to a minimum to avoid potential issues.

What happens if my registered agent resigns in Illinois?

If your registered agent resigns in Illinois, you will need to appoint a new registered agent and file a Statement of Change of Registered Agent form with the Secretary of State.

Can I act as my own registered agent in Illinois?

Yes, you can act as your own registered agent in Illinois as long as you have a physical street address in the state.

Can I change my registered agent by mail in Illinois?

Yes, you can change your registered agent by mail in Illinois by sending the completed forms to the Secretary of State’s office.

Can I appoint an attorney as my registered agent in Illinois?

Yes, you can appoint an attorney as your registered agent in Illinois, as long as they have a physical street address in the state.

Can I appoint a family member as my registered agent in Illinois?

Yes, you can appoint a family member as your registered agent in Illinois, as long as they consent to the role and have a physical street address in the state.

What should I do if I have more questions about changing my registered agent in Illinois?

If you have more questions about changing your registered agent in Illinois, you can contact the Illinois Secretary of State’s office for assistance.

How do I change my registered agent in Illinois?

To change your registered agent in Illinois, you need to file a Statement of Change of Registered Agent and/or Registered Office with the Secretary of State.

What is the fee for changing a registered agent in Illinois?

The fee for changing a registered agent in Illinois is $25.

In Conclusion

Registered Agents are the most important individuals in an LLC. They must be trustworthy, capable, and efficient to handle all the paperwork and documentation. 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 Illinois registered agent can be necessary in various situations.

Changing Registered Agent in Illinois is not a complicated process, however, it is better to get a service provider, such as ZenBusiness. It not only offers the registered agent service at a reasonable price but also offers LLC formation at $0. This article has it all. If you have any queries about changing a registered agent, you can drop a comment below in the box.