How to Change Registered Agents in Pennsylvania (PA) in 2024

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

What is Registered Agent in Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania, one must meet the following requirements,

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

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

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

Online Filing

To file the statement of change of registered agent in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania Statement of Change of Registered Agent (PDF) from the official website of the Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania Statement of Change of Registered Agent – PDF Pennsylvania Registered Agent – Requirement	Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations, P.O. Box 8722, Harrisburg, PA 17105

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

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 Pennsylvania, 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania. 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 Pennsylvania

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

To change your registered agent in Pennsylvania, you must submit a Statement of Change of Registered Office or Registered Agent form to the Pennsylvania Department of State.

Can I change my registered agent online in Pennsylvania?

Yes, you can change your registered agent online in Pennsylvania through the Pennsylvania Department of State’s online filing system.

How much does it cost to change the registered agent in Pennsylvania?

The fee to change the registered agent in Pennsylvania is $70.

What information is needed to change the registered agent in Pennsylvania?

To change the registered agent in Pennsylvania, you will need to provide the name and address of the new registered agent.

How long does it take to change the registered agent in Pennsylvania?

The processing time to change the registered agent in Pennsylvania is typically 3-5 business days.

Can I act as my own registered agent in Pennsylvania?

Yes, you can act as your own registered agent in Pennsylvania, but it is recommended to hire a professional registered agent for convenience.

What happens if I don’t update my registered agent in Pennsylvania?

Failure to update your registered agent in Pennsylvania can result in penalties or your business losing good standing status with the state.

Can I hire a commercial registered agent in Pennsylvania?

Yes, you can hire a commercial registered agent in Pennsylvania to handle legal and official documents on behalf of your business.

Do I have to notify the current registered agent when changing in Pennsylvania?

Yes, you are required to notify the current registered agent when changing in Pennsylvania and update the state’s records accordingly.

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

Yes, you can change your registered agent when filing your annual report in Pennsylvania by including the request with the filing.

How do I change the registered agent for my Pennsylvania business entity?

To change the registered agent for your Pennsylvania business entity, you must file a Statement of Change of Registered Office and/or Registered Agent form with the Pennsylvania Department of State.

Where can I find the Statement of Change of Registered Office and/or Registered Agent form in Pennsylvania?

The form can be found on the Pennsylvania Department of State’s website.

What information is required on the Statement of Change of Registered Office and/or Registered Agent form in Pennsylvania?

You will need to provide the name of the business entity, the current registered agent and office address, the new registered agent and office address, and the signature of an authorized person.

Is there a fee to change the registered agent in Pennsylvania?

Yes, there is a filing fee associated with changing the registered agent in Pennsylvania.

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

The processing time for a registered agent change in Pennsylvania can vary, but typically it takes a few business days to a week.

Can I change the registered agent for my Pennsylvania business entity online?

Yes, you can file the Statement of Change of Registered Office and/or Registered Agent form online through the Pennsylvania Department of State’s website.

What happens if I fail to update the registered agent information for my Pennsylvania business entity?

Failure to update the registered agent information for your Pennsylvania business entity can result in penalties and could jeopardize the good standing of your business.

Can I serve as my own registered agent in Pennsylvania?

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

Can I hire a professional registered agent service to handle the change in Pennsylvania?

Yes, you can hire a professional registered agent service to handle the change in Pennsylvania.

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

No, you do not need to notify the old registered agent when changing agents in Pennsylvania.

Is there a deadline for updating the registered agent information for my Pennsylvania business entity?

It is important to update the registered agent information for your Pennsylvania business entity promptly to avoid any potential issues.

Can I change the registered agent for multiple business entities at once in Pennsylvania?

Yes, you can change the registered agent for multiple business entities at once in Pennsylvania by submitting a separate form for each entity.

Can I appoint a family member or friend as the registered agent for my Pennsylvania business entity?

Yes, you can appoint a family member or friend as the registered agent for your Pennsylvania business entity as long as they meet the requirements.

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

No, a business entity cannot serve as its own registered agent in Pennsylvania.

What happens if the registered agent moves out of Pennsylvania?

If the registered agent moves out of Pennsylvania, you will need to appoint a new registered agent who has a physical address in the state.

Is there a requirement for the registered agent to be available during normal business hours in Pennsylvania?

Yes, the registered agent must be available during normal business hours in Pennsylvania to accept legal documents on behalf of the business entity.

Can I change the registered agent for a foreign business entity in Pennsylvania?

Yes, you can change the registered agent for a foreign business entity in Pennsylvania by following the same process as a domestic entity.

Can a business entity change its own registered agent in Pennsylvania?

No, a business entity cannot change its own registered agent in Pennsylvania. The change must be made by an authorized person.

What is the role of a registered agent in Pennsylvania?

A registered agent in Pennsylvania is responsible for receiving legal documents on behalf of a business entity and ensuring that the entity is properly notified.

Can I appoint multiple registered agents for my Pennsylvania business entity?

No, you can only appoint one registered agent for your Pennsylvania business entity.

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 Pennsylvania registered agent can be necessary in various situations.

Changing Registered Agent in Pennsylvania 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.