How to Change Registered Agent in North Carolina – A Complete Guide


Steve Goldstein
Steve Goldstein
Business Formation Expert
Steve Goldstein runs LLCBuddy, helping entrepreneurs set up their LLCs easily. He offers clear guides, articles, and FAQs to simplify the process. His team keeps everything accurate and current, focusing on state rules, registered agents, and compliance. Steve’s passion for helping businesses grow makes LLCBuddy a go-to resource for starting and managing an LLC.

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Change registered agent in North Carolina

Change Registered Agent in North Carolina: A registered agent in North Carolina is a point of contact between your LLC and the state. You must appoint a Registered Agent when you form an LLC in North Carolina. At any point in time, you might need to replace/change your Registered Agent in North Carolina. When it comes to changing the registered agent in North Carolina, it is a straightforward method. To change your Registered Agent in North Carolina, 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 North Carolina. Also, you will get to learn when and why you have to change your Registered Agent, appointed for your North Carolina LLC.

What is Registered Agent in North Carolina

The North Carolina 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 North Carolina, one must meet the following requirements,

  1. The person must be or above 18 years old
  2. The person has to be a permanent resident of North Carolina
  3. The person should have a legal permit to conduct business in North Carolina
  4. The person must be available during business hours at the designated office address in North Carolina

You can also be your own registered agent in North Carolina. 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 North Carolina

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

Online Filing

To file the statement of change of registered agent in North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina Statement of Change of Registered Agent (PDF) from the official website of the North Carolina 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 LinksSubmit Offline Form
Change of Registered Agent – Online
North Carolina Statement of Change of Registered Agent – PDF
North Carolina Registered Agent – Requirement		The Secretary of State, Business Registration Division, P.O. Box 29622, Raleigh, NC 27626

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

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 LegalZoom Registered Agent – $299 Per Year

Registered Agent Consent Letter in North Carolina

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 North Carolina, 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 North Carolina Secretary of State for fee details.

Why Do You Need to Change a Registered Agent in North Carolina

There can be several reasons why LLCs want to change their registered agent in North Carolina. 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina. 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 North Carolina Registered Agent only if they are the North Carolina resident. So, if you are forming a foreign LLC in North Carolina, you might need to change your registered agent because not all registered agents are eligible to work in different states. 

FAQs

What is a registered agent in North Carolina?
A registered agent is a person or entity appointed to receive service of process and other official documents on behalf of a business in North Carolina.
Can I change my registered agent in North Carolina?
Yes, you can change your registered agent in North Carolina.
How do I change my registered agent in North Carolina?
To change your registered agent in North Carolina, you need to file a document called a Statement of Change of Registered Agent and/or Registered Office with the North Carolina Secretary of State.
What is the fee for changing my registered agent in North Carolina?
The fee for changing your registered agent in North Carolina is $10.
Can I change my business address at the same time as my registered agent in North Carolina?
Yes, you can change your business address at the same time as your registered agent in North Carolina by filing a Statement of Change of Registered Agent and/or Registered Office.
How long does it take to change my registered agent in North Carolina?
It typically takes 1-3 business days for the North Carolina Secretary of State to process a change of registered agent request.
Can I change my registered agent online in North Carolina?
Yes, you can change your registered agent online in North Carolina by using the North Carolina Secretary of State’s online filing system.
Does my new registered agent have to be located in North Carolina?
Yes, your new registered agent must have a physical address in North Carolina.
Can I be my own registered agent in North Carolina?
Yes, you can be your own registered agent in North Carolina, as long as you have a physical address in the state.
Can I appoint a friend or family member as my registered agent in North Carolina?
Yes, you can appoint a friend or family member as your registered agent in North Carolina, as long as they have a physical address in the state.
Can I appoint a law firm or professional registered agent service as my registered agent in North Carolina?
Yes, you can appoint a law firm or professional registered agent service as your registered agent in North Carolina.
Does my registered agent need to sign any documents when I change them in North Carolina?
No, your registered agent does not need to sign any documents when you change them in North Carolina.
Do I need to notify my old registered agent when I change them in North Carolina?
No, you do not need to notify your old registered agent when you change them in North Carolina.
What happens to my old registered agent when I change them in North Carolina?
Your old registered agent will no longer receive official documents on behalf of your business once your new registered agent is appointed in North Carolina.
Will I receive confirmation of my registered agent change in North Carolina?
Yes, you will receive confirmation of your registered agent change from the North Carolina Secretary of State.
Can I change my registered agent if my business is in another state but registered to do business in North Carolina?
Yes, you can change your registered agent in North Carolina if your business is registered to do business in the state.
Can I change my registered agent if my business is not registered to do business in North Carolina?
No, you cannot change your registered agent in North Carolina if your business is not registered to do business in the state.
Is there a deadline for changing my registered agent in North Carolina?
No, there is no deadline for changing your registered agent in North Carolina.
Will my business information be updated on the North Carolina Secretary of State’s website when I change my registered agent?
Yes, your business information will be updated on the North Carolina Secretary of State’s website once your registered agent change is processed.
What happens if I don’t change my registered agent in North Carolina?
If you don’t change your registered agent in North Carolina, you may not receive official documents related to your business.
Can I change back to my old registered agent in North Carolina?
Yes, you can change back to your old registered agent in North Carolina by filing a Statement of Change of Registered Agent and/or Registered Office.
Can I receive my own official documents if I am my own registered agent in North Carolina?
Yes, you can receive your own official documents if you are your own registered agent in North Carolina.
Do I need to include my old registered agent’s information on the Statement of Change of Registered Agent and/or Registered Office in North Carolina?
Yes, you need to include your old registered agent’s name and address on the Statement of Change of Registered Agent and/or Registered Office in North Carolina.
Can I change my registered agent and registered office at the same time in North Carolina?
Yes, you can change your registered agent and registered office at the same time in North Carolina by filing a Statement of Change of Registered Agent and/or Registered Office.
Can I change my registered agent to a person or entity located outside of North Carolina?
No, you cannot change your registered agent to a person or entity located outside of North Carolina.
Can I change my registered agent if my business is suspended in North Carolina?
No, you cannot change your registered agent if your business is suspended in North Carolina.
Can I change my registered agent if my business is dissolved in North Carolina?
No, you cannot change your registered agent if your business is dissolved in North Carolina.
Why would I want to change my registered agent?
There are various reasons, including if your current registered agent is no longer available or if you want to switch to a more reliable or reputable registered agent.
What is the fee for changing a registered agent in North Carolina?
There is a $10 filing fee to change a registered agent in North Carolina.
How long does it take to change the registered agent in North Carolina?
It usually takes about 5-7 business days for the change to be processed.
What forms do I need to fill out to change my registered agent in North Carolina?
You need to fill out form RA-102, which is the Statement of Change of Registered Agent and/or Registered Office for a Domestic business.
Can I make the change of registered agent online in North Carolina?
Yes, you can change your registered agent online in North Carolina.
What happens if I change my registered agent in North Carolina, but my old agent doesn’t release their company fees?
You should contact your previous registered agent and ask them to remove their company fees.
Who can act as my new registered agent in North Carolina?
Any individual or entity with a physical address in North Carolina can serve as your registered agent.
If I change my registered agent in North Carolina, will I need to update my operating agreement?
It depends on your operating agreement. You should review it to determine if any changes are needed.
Will my annual report be affected by changing my registered agent in North Carolina?
No, changing your registered agent will not affect your annual report.
Can I change my registered agent in North Carolina without closing my business?
Yes, you can change your registered agent without closing your business in North Carolina.
Do I need to provide a reason for changing my registered agent in North Carolina?
No, you do not need to provide a reason for changing your registered agent.
Will the government be notified of the new registered agent in North Carolina?
Yes, the North Carolina Secretary of State will be notified of the new registered agent.
Will my clients or customers be notified of the change in registered agent in North Carolina?
No, your clients and customers will not be notified of the change in registered agent.
Will the IRS be notified of the change in registered agent in North Carolina?
No, the IRS will not be notified of the change in registered agent.
Do I need to be a North Carolina resident to be a registered agent in North Carolina?
No, you do not need to be a North Carolina resident to be a registered agent.
Can a PO box be used as a registered agent in North Carolina?
No, a physical address is required to be a registered agent in North Carolina.
What happens if I fail to change my registered agent in North Carolina?
Legal documents (such as lawsuits) may be sent to the old registered agent, leading to missed notices and a potential loss of rights.
How will I know if my registered agent has been successfully changed in North Carolina?
You will receive confirmation from the North Carolina Secretary of State.
What is an acceptable physical address for a registered agent in North Carolina?
A physical address can be any location within North Carolina.
Is there a deadline to change the registered agent in North Carolina?
No, there is no deadline to change the registered agent in North Carolina.
Do all businesses in North Carolina require a registered agent?
Yes, all businesses in North Carolina are required to have a registered agent.
What is the role of a registered agent in North Carolina?
A registered agent receives legal documents and other important correspondence on behalf of a business.
Can I change the registered office address and registered agent at the same time in North Carolina?
Yes, you can change the registered office address and registered agent at the same time in North Carolina.
Will changing the registered agent in North Carolina impact my business’s legal standing?
No, changing the registered agent will not impact your business’s legal standing in North Carolina.
How do I ensure my new registered agent is reliable and trustworthy in North Carolina?
You should conduct research on the registered agent to ensure they have a good reputation, and consider getting references from other clients.

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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 North Carolina 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.

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