How to Change Registered Agents in Maryland (MD) in 2025

Changing an appointed Resident Agent is not a frequent activity in any business. While forming an LLC in Maryland, 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 Maryland, also known as The Old Line State, there is a process to change the Resident Agent. In this article, the LLCBuddy editors come up with the methods available to change the registered agent in Maryland. The statement of change can be filed online or offline (whichever method is convenient).

What is Resident Agent in Maryland

The Maryland Resident 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 Maryland, one must meet the following requirements,

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

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

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

Online Filing

To file the statement of change of registered agent in Maryland online, you must search for the appropriate online form. You can file your change of Resident Agent statement online if the online form is available through the Secretary of State. Follow the below-given instructions:

Visit the Maryland 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 Maryland Resolution to Change Resident Agent (PDF) from the official website of the Maryland 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 Maryland Resolution to Change Resident Agent – PDF Maryland Registered Agent – Requirement	CoState Department of Assessments and Taxation, Charter Division 301 W. Preston Street; 8th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21201-2395

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

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 Resident 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 Maryland, there is a separate document called the Resolution to Change Principal Office or Resident Agent has to be submitted to the SOS office. You must get the Resolution of Change 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 Resident Agent has given the nod to provide their services to the LLC. An additional filing fee (or expedited fee) might be charged. Check Maryland 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 Maryland. 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 Maryland

There can be several reasons why LLCs want to change their registered agent in Maryland. 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 Maryland 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 Maryland. 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 Maryland Resident Agent only if they are the Maryland resident. So, if you are forming a foreign LLC in Maryland, 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 my registered agent in Maryland?

To change your registered agent in Maryland, you must file a Statement of Change of Resident Agent and/or Registered Office with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation.

Can I change my registered agent online in Maryland?

No, the form to change your registered agent in Maryland must be filed by mail or in person.

What is the fee to change a registered agent in Maryland?

The fee to change your registered agent in Maryland is $50.

How long does it take to process a registered agent change in Maryland?

It typically takes 7-10 business days for the State Department of Assessments and Taxation to process a registered agent change in Maryland.

Do I need the consent of the new registered agent to change in Maryland?

Yes, you must obtain the consent of the new registered agent before filing the Statement of Change of Resident Agent and/or Registered Office in Maryland.

Can I be my own registered agent in Maryland?

Yes, individuals can serve as their own registered agent in Maryland, but it is recommended to use a professional registered agent service for convenience and privacy.

When does a registered agent need to be changed in Maryland?

A registered agent in Maryland may need to be changed if the current agent is no longer available or if you want to switch to a professional registered agent service.

What information do I need to include in the Statement of Change of Resident Agent in Maryland?

You will need to include the name of the entity, the current registered agent information, the new registered agent information, and the effective date of the change in the Statement of Change of Resident Agent in Maryland.

Can I change my registered agent when filing my annual report in Maryland?

No, changing your registered agent in Maryland requires a separate filing of the Statement of Change of Resident Agent and/or Registered Office.

What happens if I forget to update my registered agent in Maryland?

Failure to maintain a registered agent in Maryland can result in penalties, fines, and even the administrative dissolution of your entity.

Can I change my registered agent without incurring additional fees in Maryland?

You can change your registered agent in Maryland without incurring additional fees if it is done concurrently with the filing of your original entity formation or annual report.

Do I need a new EIN when changing registered agents in Maryland?

No, changing your registered agent in Maryland does not require obtaining a new Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS.

Can a business entity itself serve as a registered agent in Maryland?

No, a business entity cannot serve as its own registered agent in Maryland; it must appoint an individual or a professional registered agent service.

How do I verify that my registered agent change has been processed in Maryland?

You can verify the status of your registered agent change in Maryland by searching your entity on the State Department of Assessments and Taxation’s online database.

What happens to legal notices if the registered agent is changed in Maryland?

Legal notices and official correspondence will be sent to the new registered agent’s address after a change has been processed in Maryland.

Can I change my registered agent to an out-of-state entity in Maryland?

Yes, you can choose an out-of-state entity to serve as your registered agent in Maryland as long as it is authorized to conduct business in the state.

Is there a statutory requirement for the registered agent to sign the change form in Maryland?

No, there is no specific requirement for the registered agent to sign the Statement of Change of Resident Agent in Maryland.

Can I change my registered agent at any time in Maryland?

Yes, you can change your registered agent at any time in Maryland as long as the necessary form is properly filed with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation.

What is the role of a registered agent in Maryland?

A registered agent in Maryland is responsible for receiving service of process, legal notices, and other official correspondence on behalf of a business entity.

Can I change my registered agent for multiple entities at once in Maryland?

You can change the registered agent for multiple entities at once in Maryland by filing a separate Statement of Change of Resident Agent for each entity or by using a bulk filing service.

Can I submit the change of registered agent form in person in Maryland?

Yes, you can submit the Statement of Change of Resident Agent in person at the State Department of Assessments and Taxation’s office in Maryland during normal business hours.

What is the business entity’s responsibility when changing the registered agent in Maryland?

The business entity must notify the current registered agent of the change and ensure that the new registered agent has consented to take on the responsibilities in Maryland.

Can I appoint a professional registered agent service when changing agents in Maryland?

Yes, you can appoint a professional registered agent service to act as your registered agent when changing agents in Maryland to ensure compliance and reliability.

Does the registered agent address need to match the entity’s physical address in Maryland?

The registered agent’s address does not need to match the entity’s physical address in Maryland, but it must be a valid street address where legal documents can be served.

Can I change my registered agent before my entity is formed in Maryland?

No, you cannot change your registered agent before your entity is formed in Maryland since the filing of the Statement of Change of Resident Agent requires an existing entity.

How can I remove or resign as a registered agent in Maryland?

If you want to remove or resign as a registered agent in Maryland, you must file a Statement of Resignation of Resident Agent with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation.

Are there any restrictions on who can serve as a registered agent in Maryland?

The registered agent in Maryland must be an individual resident of the state, a domestic business entity, or a foreign business entity authorized to conduct business in Maryland.

Can I change my registered agent multiple times in Maryland?

Yes, you can change your registered agent multiple times in Maryland by filing a new Statement of Change of Resident Agent each time a change is necessary.

How do I change the registered agent for my business in Maryland?

To change the registered agent for your business in Maryland, you must file the appropriate forms with the State Department.

Do I need to notify the current registered agent when changing agents in Maryland?

Yes, you must notify the current registered agent when changing agents in Maryland.

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 Maryland registered agent can be necessary in various situations.

Changing Resident Agent in Maryland 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.