How to Change Registered Agents in Michigan (MI) in 2024

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

What is Resident Agent in Michigan

The Michigan 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 Michigan, one must meet the following requirements,

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

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

To change the Resident Agent in Michigan, one has to file the statement of change of the registered agent. You must pay the filing fee of $5 to complete your application. To file for the Statement of Change of Registered Agent and Registered Office Address with the Michigan Secretary of State, you can opt for any of the following methods:

Online Filing

To file the statement of change of registered agent in Michigan 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 Michigan 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 Michigan Statement of Change of Registered Agent (PDF) from the official website of the Michigan 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 Michigan Statement of Change of Registered Agent – PDF Michigan Registered Agent – Requirement	Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau — Corporations Division, P.O. Box 30054, Lansing, MI 48909

Fee: The filing fee charged for changing the Michigan registered agent is $5. This fee will be paid to the Michigan 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 Michigan

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 Michigan, there is no separate Consent Letter to be produced to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. You must get the Certificate 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 Michigan 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 Michigan. 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 Michigan

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

To change your registered agent in Michigan, you must file a Statement of Change of Registered Agent with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA).

Can I change my registered agent online in Michigan?

Yes, you can change your registered agent online through the LARA website using the Corporations Online Filing System (COFS).

What is the fee to change my registered agent in Michigan?

The fee to change your registered agent in Michigan is $5 if submitted online through COFS.

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

The processing time for a change of registered agent in Michigan is typically 10 business days.

Do I need the consent of my new registered agent to change them in Michigan?

Yes, you must have the consent of your new registered agent before filing a change with the Michigan LARA.

What information do I need to provide when changing my registered agent in Michigan?

You will need to provide the name and address of the new registered agent, as well as the name of the entity.

Can I change my registered agent to a PO Box in Michigan?

No, a PO Box is not acceptable as a registered agent address in Michigan. The new agent must have a physical street address in the state.

Can I serve as my own registered agent in Michigan?

Yes, you can serve as your own registered agent in Michigan if you have a physical street address in the state.

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

Failure to maintain a registered agent in Michigan can result in administrative penalties and may lead to your business being dissolved.

Can I appoint a professional registered agent service to be my new registered agent in Michigan?

Yes, you can appoint a professional registered agent service to act as your registered agent in Michigan.

Do I need to notify the old registered agent when changing in Michigan?

No, you do not need to notify the old registered agent when making a change in Michigan. The new agent will receive official correspondence going forward.

Can I change my registered agent and the principal office address at the same time in Michigan?

Yes, you can make changes to both the registered agent and principal office address simultaneously when filing with the Michigan LARA.

Do I need to notify the IRS when changing my registered agent in Michigan?

No, you do not need to notify the IRS when changing your registered agent in Michigan. However, any change to your business address may need to be reported to the IRS separately.

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

In Michigan, a registered agent must be an individual resident of the state or a business entity authorized to do business in Michigan.

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

Yes, you can appoint a family member as your registered agent in Michigan if they meet the residency or authorization requirements.

Can I change my registered agent multiple times in a year in Michigan?

Yes, you can change your registered agent multiple times in a year in Michigan; however, each change will incur a $5 fee.

How will I be notified once my registered agent has been changed in Michigan?

Once your registered agent change has been processed in Michigan, you will receive a Certificate of Amendment from the Michigan LARA.

Can I complete the change of registered agent process by mail in Michigan?

Yes, you can submit the required forms for a change of registered agent in Michigan by mail along with the appropriate fee.

Do I need to provide a reason for changing my registered agent in Michigan?

No, you are not required to provide a reason for changing your registered agent in Michigan. Simply complete the necessary forms and submit them to the LARA.

Can I change my registered agent if my business is domesticated in another state but operating in Michigan?

Yes, you can change your registered agent in Michigan even if your business is domesticated in a different state. You will need to comply with Michigan’s requirements for registered agents.

Can I change my registered agent at the time of formation in Michigan?

Yes, you can designate a new registered agent at the time of filing your Articles of Organization or Articles of Incorporation in Michigan.

Can I change my registered agent for a non-profit organization in Michigan?

Yes, the process for changing a registered agent for a non-profit organization in Michigan is the same as for a for-profit entity.

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

Yes, you can appoint an attorney who is licensed to practice law in Michigan as your registered agent in the state.

Can I change my registered agent if my business is suspended in Michigan?

No, if your business is currently suspended in Michigan, you will need to first reinstate your business before changing your registered agent.

Can I change my registered agent for a foreign business entity in Michigan?

Yes, you can change your registered agent for a foreign business entity operating in Michigan by filing the necessary forms with the LARA.

What happens to the old registered agent’s information once I make the change in Michigan?

Once the change of registered agent is processed in Michigan, the old registered agent’s information will no longer be associated with your business on record.

Can I change my registered agent if there is pending litigation involving my business in Michigan?

Depending on the specific circumstances of the litigation, you may need to seek permission from the court or parties involved before changing your registered agent in Michigan.

Can I file my change of registered agent paperwork early in Michigan?

Yes, you can file your change of registered agent paperwork early in Michigan; however, the effective date will correspond to when the paperwork is officially processed by the LARA.

Can I change my registered agent for multiple business entities at the same time in Michigan?

Yes, you can file a single Statement of Change of Registered Agent form to change the registered agent for multiple business entities in Michigan simultaneously.

Is there a fee to change my registered agent in Michigan?

Yes, there is a filing fee to change your registered agent in Michigan. The fee varies depending on the method of submission.

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 Michigan registered agent can be necessary in various situations.

Changing Resident Agent in Michigan 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.