How to Change Registered Agents in Washington (WA) in 2024


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 Washington

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

What is Registered Agent in Washington

The Washington 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 Washington, one must meet the following requirements,

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

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

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

Online Filing

To file the statement of change of registered agent in Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington State Statement of Change of Registered Agent (PDF) from the official website of the Washington 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
Washington State Statement of Change of Registered Agent – PDF
Washington Registered Agent – Requirement
Secretary of State, Corporations Division. P.O. Box 40234

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

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 Washington, 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 Washington 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 Washington. 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 Washington

There can be several reasons why LLCs want to change their registered agent in Washington. 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 Washington 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 Washington. 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 Washington Registered Agent only if they are the Washington resident. So, if you are forming a foreign LLC in Washington, 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 for my company in Washington?
To change the registered agent for your company in Washington, you must file a Change of Registered Agent form with the Washington Secretary of State.
Can I be my own registered agent in Washington?
Yes, you can serve as your own registered agent in Washington as long as you have a physical street address in the state where legal documents can be served.
How much does it cost to change the registered agent in Washington?
The fee to change the registered agent in Washington is $10 if filed by mail, $20 if filed online, or $30 if filed in person.
Are there any requirements for a registered agent in Washington?
The registered agent in Washington must have a physical street address in the state and be available during normal business hours to accept legal documents on behalf of the business.
How long does it take to change the registered agent in Washington?
The processing time to change the registered agent in Washington can vary, but it typically takes a few days to a few weeks.
Do I need to notify my current registered agent when changing agents in Washington?
Yes, it is a good practice to notify your current registered agent when changing agents in Washington to ensure a smooth transition of service.
Can I use a business entity as the registered agent in Washington?
Yes, a business entity can serve as the registered agent for another business entity in Washington as long as it is authorized to do so.
What happens if I don’t change my registered agent in Washington?
If you fail to change your registered agent in Washington, you may miss important legal documents or notices, which could have negative consequences for your business.
Is there a deadline to change the registered agent in Washington?
There is no specific deadline to change the registered agent in Washington, but it should be done promptly to ensure that your business stays compliant.
What information do I need to provide to change the registered agent in Washington?
To change the registered agent in Washington, you will need to provide the name and address of the new registered agent, as well as the name of your business and your UBI number.
Can I change my registered agent online in Washington?
Yes, you can change your registered agent online in Washington by filing the necessary form and paying the fee through the Washington Secretary of State’s website.
What happens to my old registered agent when I change in Washington?
When you change your registered agent in Washington, your old registered agent will no longer be responsible for accepting legal documents on behalf of your business.
Can I change my registered agent and file an annual report at the same time in Washington?
Yes, you can change your registered agent and file an annual report at the same time in Washington to ensure that your business stays compliant with state regulations.
Is there a list of registered agents available in Washington?
Yes, the Washington Secretary of State’s website has a searchable database of registered agents that can be used to find a new registered agent for your business.
Do I need to update my operating agreement when changing the registered agent in Washington?
It is a good idea to update your operating agreement when changing the registered agent in Washington to reflect the new agent’s information and responsibilities.
What is the role of a registered agent in Washington?
The role of a registered agent in Washington is to accept legal documents and notices on behalf of a business and forward them to the appropriate party.
Can I change my registered agent multiple times in Washington?
Yes, you can change your registered agent multiple times in Washington if necessary, but it is recommended to do so infrequently to avoid any disruptions in service.
Can I appoint an individual as my registered agent in Washington?
Yes, you can appoint an individual as your registered agent in Washington as long as they are willing and able to fulfill the responsibilities of the role.
Do I need to update my business address when changing the registered agent in Washington?
It is not required to update your business address when changing the registered agent in Washington, but you should ensure that the new agent has a valid address on file.
What happens if I move out of Washington and need to change my registered agent?
If you move out of Washington, you will need to appoint a new registered agent with a physical street address in the state where legal documents can be served.
Can I use a commercial registered agent service in Washington?
Yes, you can use a commercial registered agent service in Washington to fulfill the requirements of the role and ensure that legal documents are received in a timely manner.
Are there any additional fees for changing the registered agent in Washington?
In addition to the filing fee for changing the registered agent in Washington, you may incur fees if you choose to use a commercial registered agent service or hire an attorney to assist with the process.
Can I change my registered agent without notifying the Washington Secretary of State?
No, you must notify the Washington Secretary of State when changing the registered agent for your business to ensure that their records are up to date.
What should I do if I have trouble changing my registered agent in Washington?
If you encounter difficulties while changing your registered agent in Washington, you can contact the Washington Secretary of State’s office for assistance with the process.
Can I change the registered agent for multiple businesses at the same time in Washington?
Yes, you can change the registered agent for multiple businesses at the same time in Washington by submitting separate Change of Registered Agent forms for each business.
Do I need to provide a reason for changing the registered agent in Washington?
You do not need to provide a reason for changing the registered agent in Washington, but it is a good practice to do so to keep accurate records of your business operations.
Can I change the registered agent for a foreign entity in Washington?
Yes, you can change the registered agent for a foreign entity operating in Washington by following the same process as a domestic entity and ensuring compliance with state laws.
Can I change the registered agent for a nonprofit organization in Washington?
Yes, you can change the registered agent for a nonprofit organization in Washington by filing the necessary forms and paying the required fee to the Washington Secretary of State.
What are the consequences of not changing the registered agent in Washington?
If you do not change the registered agent in Washington, your business may miss important legal documents or notices, which could lead to penalties or legal issues for your company.
Is there a grace period for changing the registered agent in Washington?
There is no specific grace period for changing the registered agent in Washington, so it is important to complete the process as soon as possible to avoid any interruptions in service.

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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 Washington registered agent can be necessary in various situations.

Changing Registered Agent in Washington 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.

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