How to Change Registered Agents in Virginia (VA) in 2024

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

What is Registered Agent in Virginia

The Virginia 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 Virginia, one must meet the following requirements,

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

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

To change the Registered Agent in Virginia, one has to file the statement of change of the registered agent. You must pay the filing fee of $0 to complete your application. To file for the Statement of Change of Registered Agent and Registered Office Address with the Virginia Secretary of State, you can opt for any of the following methods:

Online Filing

To file the statement of change of registered agent in Virginia 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 Virginia 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 Virginia Change of Registered Agent Form Request (PDF) from the official website of the Virginia 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 Virginia Change of Registered Agent Form Request – PDF Virginia Registered Agent – Requirement	State Corporation Commission, Clerk’s Office, P.O. Box 1197, Richmond, VA 23218-1197

Fee: The filing fee charged for changing the Virginia registered agent is $0. This fee will be paid to the Virginia 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 Virginia

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 Virginia, 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 Virginia 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 Virginia. 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 Virginia

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

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

Can I change my registered agent online in Virginia?

Yes, you can change your registered agent online through the Virginia State Corporation Commission’s website.

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

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

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

Once the necessary paperwork is submitted to the Virginia State Corporation Commission, the registered agent change typically takes effect immediately.

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

Yes, you should notify your current registered agent in Virginia of the change to ensure a smooth transition.

Can my new registered agent also be located outside of Virginia?

No, your new registered agent must have a physical street address in Virginia.

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

You will need to provide the name and address of the new registered agent, as well as the name of the entity for which the change is being made.

Can I be my own registered agent in Virginia?

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

Are there any restrictions on who can be a registered agent in Virginia?

Yes, the registered agent must be an individual or a business entity authorized to conduct business in Virginia.

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

Failure to maintain a registered agent in Virginia can result in penalties, fines, and potentially the administrative dissolution of your business entity.

Can I change my registered agent if my business is not in good standing in Virginia?

No, you must first bring your business into good standing with the Virginia State Corporation Commission before changing your registered agent.

Do I have to notify the Virginia State Corporation Commission of the change in registered agent?

Yes, you must notify the Virginia State Corporation Commission of the change by submitting the required paperwork.

Can I amend other information about my business when changing the registered agent in Virginia?

No, you can only amend the registered agent information on the form. If you need to update other information, you will need to submit a separate amendment filing.

Will changing my registered agent in Virginia affect my business entity’s EIN (Employer Identification Number)?

No, changing your registered agent will not affect your business entity’s EIN.

How do I find a new registered agent in Virginia?

You can search for a new registered agent in Virginia through various online directories or hire a professional registered agent service.

Can I change my registered agent and my business address at the same time in Virginia?

No, changing your registered agent and business address require separate filings in Virginia.

Do I need to change my registered agent if my business address changes?

No, changing your business address does not require a change in the registered agent unless the registered agent’s address is also affected.

Can I change my registered agent if I am in the process of dissolving my business in Virginia?

Yes, you can change your registered agent while in the process of dissolving your business.

What happens if the Virginia State Corporation Commission rejects my change of registered agent filing?

If your filing is rejected, the Virginia State Corporation Commission will provide a reason for the rejection, and you must resubmit the correct documentation.

Can I change my registered agent for multiple business entities at once in Virginia?

No, each business entity requires a separate filing to change the registered agent in Virginia.

Can I fax or email the change of registered agent form to the Virginia State Corporation Commission?

No, the form must be physically mailed or submitted online through the Virginia State Corporation Commission’s website.

How do I confirm that my registered agent change has been processed in Virginia?

You can check the status of your registered agent change by visiting the Virginia State Corporation Commission’s website and searching for your business entity.

Can I expedite the processing of my registered agent change in Virginia?

Yes, the Virginia State Corporation Commission offers expedited processing for an additional fee.

Can I change my registered agent if my business is involved in ongoing legal proceedings in Virginia?

Yes, you can change your registered agent even if your business is involved in ongoing legal proceedings.

Do I need an attorney to change my registered agent in Virginia?

No, you do not need an attorney to change your registered agent in Virginia. You can handle the process yourself or use a professional registered agent service.

How often can I change my registered agent in Virginia?

There is no limit to how often you can change your registered agent in Virginia, but frequent changes may raise red flags with the Virginia State Corporation Commission.

Can I change my registered agent if my business is foreign to Virginia?

Yes, foreign business entities can also change their registered agent in Virginia by following the required procedures.

Can I submit the change of registered agent form in person at the Virginia State Corporation Commission office?

No, the Virginia State Corporation Commission does not accept in-person filings for a change of registered agent. The form must be submitted by mail or online.

What is the fee to change a registered agent in Virginia?

The fee to change a registered agent in Virginia is $25.

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

No, you do not need to notify your current registered agent when changing in Virginia. Just make sure to file the necessary documents with the Virginia State Corporation Commission.

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 Virginia registered agent can be necessary in various situations.

Changing Registered Agent in Virginia 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.