How to Change Registered Agents in Tennessee (TN) in 2024

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

What is Registered Agent in Tennessee

The Tennessee 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 Tennessee, one must meet the following requirements,

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

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

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

Online Filing

To file the statement of change of registered agent in Tennessee 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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee Statement of Change of Registered Agent (PDF) from the official website of the Tennessee 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 Tennessee Statement of Change of Registered Agent – PDF Tennessee Registered Agent – Requirement	Corporate Filings, 312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue, 6th Floor, William R. Snodgrass Tower, Nashville, Tennessee 37243

Fee: The filing fee charged for changing the Tennessee registered agent is $20. This fee will be paid to the Tennessee 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 Tennessee

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 Tennessee, 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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee. 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 Tennessee

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

To change the registered agent in Tennessee, you must file a Statement of Change of Registered Office or Registered Agent form with the Tennessee Secretary of State.

Can I change my registered agent online in Tennessee?

Yes, you can change your registered agent online in Tennessee by filing the necessary form through the Tennessee Secretary of State’s website.

What is the fee for changing a registered agent in Tennessee?

The fee for changing a registered agent in Tennessee is $20 if filed online and $50 if filed by mail.

Are there any specific requirements for a registered agent in Tennessee?

Yes, the registered agent in Tennessee must have a physical street address in the state and be available during normal business hours to accept legal documents.

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

The processing time for changing a registered agent in Tennessee varies, but it typically takes a few business days to complete.

Can I be my own registered agent in Tennessee?

Yes, you can be your own registered agent in Tennessee as long as you meet the requirements, such as having a physical address in the state.

What happens if I don’t change my registered agent in Tennessee?

If you fail to change your registered agent in Tennessee, you may face penalties such as being in default or losing good standing status.

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

Yes, it is recommended to notify your current registered agent when changing in Tennessee to ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities.

What information do I need to provide when changing a registered agent in Tennessee?

When changing a registered agent in Tennessee, you will need to provide the name and address of the new registered agent, as well as the name of the entity.

Can a corporation be its own registered agent in Tennessee?

No, a corporation cannot be its own registered agent in Tennessee. It must appoint an individual or entity that meets the requirements.

How do I change a registered agent in Tennessee?

To change a registered agent in Tennessee, you need to submit a Statement of Change of Registered Office or Registered Agent form to the Secretary of State.

Is there a specific form I need to use to change my registered agent in Tennessee?

Yes, you need to use the Statement of Change of Registered Office or Registered Agent form provided by the Tennessee Secretary of State.

Do I need my new registered agent to consent to the change in Tennessee?

Yes, your new registered agent must consent to the change in Tennessee.

Can I act as my own registered agent in Tennessee?

Yes, you can act as your own registered agent in Tennessee if you have a physical address in the state.

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

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

Can I change my registered agent address when I change my registered agent in Tennessee?

Yes, you can change your registered agent address when you change your registered agent in Tennessee.

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

Yes, you are required to notify your current registered agent of the change in Tennessee.

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

You will need to provide the name and address of your new registered agent when changing your registered agent in Tennessee.

Can I change my registered agent for free in Tennessee?

No, there is a fee of $20 to change your registered agent in Tennessee.

Can I amend the articles of my business when changing my registered agent in Tennessee?

No, changing your registered agent in Tennessee does not require amending the articles of your business.

Is there a deadline for changing my registered agent in Tennessee?

There is no specific deadline, but it is recommended to change your registered agent promptly to ensure compliance with state regulations.

Can I change my registered agent by mail in Tennessee?

Yes, you can change your registered agent by mail in Tennessee by sending the necessary form to the Secretary of State’s office.

Can I change my registered agent for multiple businesses at once in Tennessee?

No, you must submit a separate form for each business entity when changing registered agents in Tennessee.

Will the Secretary of State send confirmation of the change of registered agent in Tennessee?

Yes, the Secretary of State will send confirmation of the change of registered agent to the business entity’s registered office address in Tennessee.

Can a foreign entity change its registered agent in Tennessee?

Yes, foreign entities can change their registered agent in Tennessee following the same process as domestic entities.

Can I change my registered agent to an out-of-state individual or entity in Tennessee?

Yes, you can change your registered agent to an out-of-state individual or entity as long as the individual or entity agrees to act as agent for service of process in Tennessee.

Can I change my registered agent for a nonprofit organization in Tennessee?

Yes, nonprofit organizations can change their registered agent in Tennessee following the same process as other business entities.

Can I change my registered agent by phone in Tennessee?

No, you cannot change your registered agent by phone in Tennessee; you must submit the necessary form in writing.

Can I change my registered agent to a different corporation in Tennessee?

Yes, you can change your registered agent to a different corporation as long as the corporation is authorized to conduct business in Tennessee.

Can an individual serve as the registered agent for multiple businesses in Tennessee?

Yes, an individual can serve as the registered agent for multiple businesses in Tennessee as long as they have a physical address in the 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 Tennessee registered agent can be necessary in various situations.

Changing Registered Agent in Tennessee 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.