How to Change Registered Agents in Rhode Island (RI) in 2024

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

What is Resident Agent in Rhode Island

The Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island, one must meet the following requirements,

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

You can also be your own registered agent in Rhode Island. 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 Rhode Island

To change the Resident Agent in Rhode Island, one has to file the statement of change of the registered agent. You must pay the filing fee of $20 to complete your application. To file for the Statement of Change of Registered Agent and Registered Office Address with the Rhode Island Secretary of State, you can opt for any of the following methods:

Online Filing

To file the statement of change of registered agent in Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island Statement of Change of Registered Agent (PDF) from the official website of the Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island Statement of Change of Registered Agent – PDF Rhode Island Registered Agent – Requirement	Division of Business Services, 148 W. River Street, Providence, RI 02904

Fee: The filing fee charged for changing the Rhode Island registered agent is $20. This fee will be paid to the Rhode Island 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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ZenBusiness Registered Agent – $199 Per Year

Registered Agent Consent Letter in Rhode Island

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 Rhode Island, 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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island. 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 Rhode Island

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

To change your registered agent in Rhode Island, you must submit a Statement of Change of Registered Agent form to the Secretary of State.

Can I change my registered agent online in Rhode Island?

Yes, you can change your registered agent online through the Rhode Island Secretary of State’s website.

What is the fee to change a registered agent in Rhode Island?

The fee to change a registered agent in Rhode Island is $50.

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

Typically, it takes about 5-7 business days to process a registered agent change in Rhode Island.

Do I need to notify my current registered agent of the change in Rhode Island?

Yes, you must notify your current registered agent of the change in Rhode Island.

Can I be my own registered agent in Rhode Island?

Yes, you can be your own registered agent in Rhode Island if you have a physical address in the state where you are available during normal business hours.

Can I hire a registered agent service in Rhode Island?

Yes, you can hire a registered agent service in Rhode Island to act as your agent for service of process.

What are the responsibilities of a registered agent in Rhode Island?

The responsibilities of a registered agent in Rhode Island include receiving legal documents on behalf of the business and ensuring they are forwarded to the appropriate party.

Can a business entity be its own registered agent in Rhode Island?

No, a business entity cannot be its own registered agent in Rhode Island.

Do I need to update my registered agent information with the state annually in Rhode Island?

Yes, you are required to update your registered agent information with the state annually in Rhode Island.

Can I change my registered agent address in Rhode Island?

Yes, you can change your registered agent address in Rhode Island by submitting a Statement of Change of Registered Office or Registered Agent Address form.

What happens if I don’t have a registered agent in Rhode Island?

If you do not have a registered agent in Rhode Island, your business may fall out of compliance with state regulations and face penalties.

Can I change my registered agent on multiple entities at once in Rhode Island?

Yes, you can change your registered agent on multiple entities at once in Rhode Island by submitting separate forms for each entity.

Can a non-resident be a registered agent in Rhode Island?

Yes, a non-resident can be a registered agent in Rhode Island as long as they have a physical address in the state and are available during normal business hours.

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

You will need to provide the name and address of the new registered agent, as well as the name and date of formation of the business entity in Rhode Island.

Can I change my registered agent by mail in Rhode Island?

Yes, you can change your registered agent by mail in Rhode Island by submitting the required form along with the appropriate fee.

Do I need to obtain consent from the new registered agent before making a change in Rhode Island?

Yes, you must obtain consent from the new registered agent before making a change in Rhode Island.

Will the Secretary of State notify me once the registered agent change is processed in Rhode Island?

Yes, the Secretary of State will send a confirmation once the registered agent change is processed in Rhode Island.

Can I change my registered agent for a foreign entity in Rhode Island?

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

Can I change my registered agent online if my entity is administratively dissolved in Rhode Island?

No, you cannot change your registered agent online if your entity is administratively dissolved in Rhode Island.

What is the mailing address to send the registered agent change form in Rhode Island?

The mailing address to send the registered agent change form in Rhode Island is

Can I expedite the processing of a registered agent change in Rhode Island?

Yes, you can expedite the processing of a registered agent change in Rhode Island by paying an additional fee for expedited service.

Can I appoint an individual or a company as my registered agent in Rhode Island?

Yes, you can appoint either an individual or a company as your registered agent in Rhode Island.

Can I change my registered agent if my business is in good standing in Rhode Island?

Yes, you can change your registered agent even if your business is in good standing in Rhode Island.

Can I change my registered agent if I have pending legal matters in Rhode Island?

Yes, you can change your registered agent even if you have pending legal matters in Rhode Island.

Can I transfer the registered agent responsibilities to a different party in Rhode Island?

Yes, you can transfer the registered agent responsibilities to a different party in Rhode Island by submitting the requisite forms to the Secretary of State.

Can I change my registered agent during a merger or acquisition in Rhode Island?

Yes, you can change your registered agent during a merger or acquisition in Rhode Island by updating the necessary information with the Secretary of State.

Can I cancel the appointment of my registered agent in Rhode Island?

Yes, you can cancel the appointment of your registered agent in Rhode Island by filing a Statement of Resignation of Registered Agent with the Secretary of State.

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

Yes, the registered agent must have a physical address in Rhode Island and be available during normal business hours to accept legal documents on behalf of the business entity.

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

To change the registered agent for your business in Rhode Island, you must file a Change of Registered Agent form with the Secretary of State.

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 Rhode Island registered agent can be necessary in various situations.

Changing Resident Agent in Rhode Island 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.