How to Change Registered Agents in Massachusetts (MA) in 2025

Change registered agent in Massachusetts

Changing an appointed Resident Agent is not a frequent activity in any business. While forming an LLC in Massachusetts, 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 Massachusetts, also known as The Bay 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 Massachusetts. The statement of change can be filed online or offline (whichever method is convenient).

What is Resident Agent in Massachusetts

The Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts, one must meet the following requirements,

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

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

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

Online Filing

To file the statement of change of registered agent in Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts Statement of Change of Registered Agent (PDF) from the official website of the Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts Statement of Change of Registered Agent – PDF Massachusetts Registered Agent – Requirement	William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth, One Ashburton Place, Room 1717, Boston, MA 02108

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

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 Massachusetts, 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 Resident Agent has given the nod to provide their services to the LLC. An additional filing fee (or expedited fee) might be charged. Check Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts. 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 Massachusetts

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

To change your registered agent in Massachusetts, you must file a Statement of Change of Registered Agent with the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

What is a registered agent in Massachusetts?

A registered agent in Massachusetts is a person or entity designated to accept legal documents on behalf of a business and ensure that those documents are forwarded to the appropriate parties.

Can I be my own registered agent in Massachusetts?

Yes, you can be your own registered agent in Massachusetts as long as you have a physical address within the state where legal documents can be served.

How much does it cost to change registered agent in Massachusetts?

The fee to change your registered agent in Massachusetts is $54 if filed by mail or in person.

What information do I need to provide to change my registered agent in Massachusetts?

You will need to provide your entity name, corporate ID number, new registered agent information, and any additional required documentation.

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

It typically takes 5-10 business days for the change of registered agent to be processed by the Secretary of the Commonwealth in Massachusetts.

Can I change my registered agent online in Massachusetts?

No, you cannot change your registered agent online in Massachusetts. The change must be filed by mail or in person.

What happens if I do not change my registered agent in Massachusetts?

If you do not maintain a registered agent in Massachusetts, your business may fall out of good standing and face potential penalties.

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

Yes, you can change your registered agent at any time in Massachusetts by filing the required forms with the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Do I need to notify my current registered agent when changing agents in Massachusetts?

Yes, you are required to notify your current registered agent when changing agents in Massachusetts and provide them with a copy of the Statement of Change of Registered Agent.

What happens if my registered agent resigns in Massachusetts?

If your registered agent resigns in Massachusetts, you must appoint a new agent and file a Statement of Change of Registered Agent with the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Can I use the same registered agent for multiple entities in Massachusetts?

Yes, you can use the same registered agent for multiple entities in Massachusetts as long as the agent meets the requirements for each entity.

Can I hire a professional registered agent service in Massachusetts?

Yes, you can hire a professional registered agent service in Massachusetts to serve as your registered agent and ensure compliance with state regulations.

Can I change my registered agent address in Massachusetts?

Yes, you can change your registered agent address in Massachusetts by filing a Statement of Change of Registered Agent with the updated address information.

Do I need to update my registered agent information annually in Massachusetts?

Yes, you are required to update your registered agent information annually on your entity’s annual report in Massachusetts.

What if my business has multiple locations in Massachusetts, do I need multiple registered agents?

If your business has multiple locations in Massachusetts, you may appoint the same registered agent for all locations or designate separate agents for each location.

Can a family member or friend serve as my registered agent in Massachusetts?

Yes, a family member or friend can serve as your registered agent in Massachusetts as long as they meet the state’s requirements for registered agents.

Do I need a physical registered agent address in Massachusetts?

Yes, you need a physical registered agent address in Massachusetts where legal documents can be served during regular business hours.

Can I change my registered agent name in Massachusetts?

Yes, you can change your registered agent name in Massachusetts by filing a Statement of Change of Registered Agent with the updated agent information.

Can a corporation serve as its own registered agent in Massachusetts?

No, a corporation cannot serve as its own registered agent in Massachusetts. The registered agent must be a separate legal entity or individual.

Can I be the registered agent for someone else’s company in Massachusetts?

Yes, you can serve as the registered agent for someone else’s company in Massachusetts as long as you meet the state’s requirements for registered agents.

Is there a deadline to change my registered agent in Massachusetts?

It is recommended to promptly change your registered agent in Massachusetts if your current agent is resigning or if your business address is changing to ensure continuity of service.

Can I change my registered agent myself in Massachusetts or do I need a lawyer?

You can change your registered agent yourself in Massachusetts by filing the required forms with the Secretary of the Commonwealth. You do not need a lawyer to make this change.

Can I use a PO Box as my registered agent address in Massachusetts?

No, you cannot use a PO Box as your registered agent address in Massachusetts. The address must be a physical street address where legal documents can be served.

Can I appoint a foreign entity as my registered agent in Massachusetts?

Yes, you can appoint a foreign entity as your registered agent in Massachusetts as long as the entity is authorized to do business in the state.

Will changing my registered agent affect my business operations in Massachusetts?

Changing your registered agent in Massachusetts should not affect your business operations as long as you ensure a smooth transition and update your records with the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Can I change my registered agent name and address at the same time in Massachusetts?

Yes, you can change your registered agent name and address at the same time by filing a single Statement of Change of Registered Agent with the updated information in Massachusetts.

What happens if I change my registered agent multiple times in Massachusetts?

If you change your registered agent multiple times in Massachusetts, it is important to keep accurate records and ensure that the Secretary of the Commonwealth has the most up-to-date information for your business.

Can I terminate my current registered agent before appointing a new one in Massachusetts?

No, you should appoint a new registered agent before terminating your current agent in Massachusetts to maintain compliance with state regulations and avoid any lapse in service.

Can I have multiple registered agents for my business in Massachusetts?

No, you can only have one registered agent for your business in Massachusetts. If you need to change agents, you must appoint a new agent and file the necessary paperwork with the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

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 Massachusetts registered agent can be necessary in various situations.

Changing Resident Agent in Massachusetts 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.