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Change Registered Agent in California

When Is a Change of Registered Agent Required in California?

A business entity registered with the California Secretary of State must file an updated document with the Secretary of State whenever it needs to designate a new agent for service of process or update the address where that agent can be found. Under the California Corporations Code (Corp. Code) § 1502(e), a corporation that desires to change its agent for service of process or the address of the agent “must file a current statement containing all the information required” by the statute, and that new filing “supersedes any previously filed statement.” The same principle applies to limited liability companies under Corp. Code § 17702.09(d), which provides that when changing its agent or the agent’s address, the LLC “shall file a current statement containing all the information required” by that section.

Every domestic and foreign corporation, LLC, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, general partnership, and other registered entity in California must continuously maintain a designated agent for service of process and a valid California address for that agent. An entity that fails to keep this information current risks suspension or forfeiture of its powers by the Franchise Tax Board, loss of its right to use its entity name in California, and the inability to defend or prosecute lawsuits in California courts.

The following circumstances require the entity to file an updated document reflecting the change:

  • The current agent for service of process resigns by filing Form RA-100 with the Secretary of State
  • The current agent moves out of California or is no longer a resident of the state
  • The agent’s street address changes due to physical relocation, postal renaming, or other cause
  • The entity voluntarily selects a new agent for service of process
  • The current agent is no longer willing to accept service on behalf of the entity
  • The agent is no longer available at the designated address during normal business hours
  • The entity’s designated address needs updating even though the same agent continues to serve

California does not distinguish between a voluntary and an involuntary change — the filing obligation is the same in every case.

Grounds for Changing Your Registered Agent in California

Business owners file an updated Statement of Information or amendment for a range of reasons, all of which result in the Secretary of State’s records being updated with the new agent designation. Because California uses different filing instruments depending on the entity type, the table below identifies the most common grounds for a change and the type of filing each one requires.

Ground Filing Required
Agent resigns by filing Form RA-100 Statement of Information or applicable amendment form for the entity type
Agent relocates outside California Statement of Information or applicable amendment form for the entity type
Agent’s street address changes Statement of Information or applicable amendment form for the entity type
Entity switches to a professional registered agent service Statement of Information or applicable amendment form for the entity type
Agent no longer available during business hours at the designated address Statement of Information or applicable amendment form for the entity type
Agent no longer consents to serve Statement of Information or applicable amendment form for the entity type
Entity changes its own principal office and registered address Statement of Information or applicable amendment form for the entity type

An entity’s agent-for-service-of-process information is part of the public record maintained by the Secretary of State and is searchable through the bizfile Online Business Search portal. Any inaccurate or outdated agent information should be corrected promptly by filing the appropriate document for the entity type.

California Registered Agent Change Requirements

Before filing to designate a new agent for service of process, the entity must confirm that the new agent and address satisfy California’s statutory requirements.

Eligibility of the new agent for service of process:

  • Option A – Individual: A natural person who resides in California. The individual’s complete business or residence street address in California must be provided in the filing. The individual must be available at that address during normal business hours to accept personal delivery of service of process.
  • Option B – Corporation: A domestic or foreign corporation that has filed a Certificate Pursuant to Corp. Code § 1505 with the Secretary of State and whose capacity to act as agent has not terminated. The corporation must be currently authorized to engage in business in California and in good standing on the records of the Secretary of State. When a corporate agent is designated, no address for the agent is set forth in the filing — the address on file with the Secretary of State through the Section 1505 certificate controls.

A business entity cannot act as its own agent for service of process. The agent must be a separate individual or a separate qualifying corporation.

Registered address:

The address designated for the agent must be a physical street address in California where service of process can be personally delivered during normal business hours. A P.O. Box, commercial mail receiving agency, or telephone answering service does not satisfy this requirement. When the agent is an individual, Corp. Code § 1502(b) requires the filing to “set forth that person’s complete business or residence street address.” When the agent is a corporation that has filed a Section 1505 certificate, the address is maintained through that certificate rather than through the entity’s own filing.

Consent of the new agent:

The person or corporation designated as agent for service of process must have agreed to accept the appointment before the filing is submitted. As stated in the Secretary of State’s FAQ, “advanced approval must be obtained from a Registered Corporate Agent prior to designating that corporation as your agent for service of process.” No separate consent form is filed with the Secretary of State — consent is documented internally by the entity. By signing the filing, the authorized signer affirms that the designated agent has consented to serve.

Execution:

The filing must be signed by an authorized person. For corporations, the statement is typically signed by an officer or director. For LLCs, a manager or member signs. For limited partnerships, a general partner signs. For general partnerships and LLPs, a partner authorized to execute documents on behalf of the partnership signs. A notarized signature is not required. Electronic signatures are accepted only through the Secretary of State’s online filing process.

How to File a Statement of Change of Registered Office/Agent

California does not offer a standalone “statement of change of registered agent” form. Instead, the entity files the appropriate Statement of Information or amendment form for its entity type. The specific filing instrument depends on whether the entity is a corporation, LLC, limited partnership, general partnership, or limited liability partnership.

The following filings are used to change the agent for service of process:

  1. Corporations (domestic stock, foreign stock, and nonprofit): File the Statement of Information online through bizfile Online. Statements of Information for corporations are online-only filings.
  2. LLCs (domestic and foreign): File the Statement of Information online through bizfile Online. Statements of Information for LLCs are also online-only filings.
  3. Domestic limited partnerships: File an Amendment to Certificate of Limited Partnership (Form LP-2) online through bizfile Online or by paper.
  4. Foreign limited partnerships: File an Amendment to Application for Registration (Form LP-6) by paper.
  5. General partnerships: File a Statement of Amendment/Cancellation (Form GP-7) by paper or online.
  6. Limited liability partnerships: File an Amendment to Registration (Form LLP-2) by paper or online.

When completing the filing — whether a Statement of Information or an amendment form — the entity provides the following information:

  1. Entity identification: The entity’s exact legal name as it appears on file with the Secretary of State and its California Secretary of State file number.
  2. Agent for service of process designation: The name of the new agent — either a California resident individual or a corporation that has filed a Section 1505 certificate. If the agent is an individual, the entity provides the individual’s complete California business or residence street address. If the agent is a corporation, no address is set forth.
  3. Principal office address and other required information: For corporations, the Statement of Information also requires current officer and director names and addresses, the principal executive office address, the type of business, and the labor judgment disclosure. For LLCs, it requires manager or member names and addresses, the principal office address, the designated California office address, and similar disclosures.
  4. Signature: The authorized signer executes the filing and affirms the accuracy of the information, including that the designated agent has consented to serve.

Note: When filing a Statement of Information solely to change the agent for service of process between regular filing periods, no filing fee is charged for corporations and LLCs — the Secretary of State treats this as an amended statement submitted between applicable filing periods.

Filing Method: Online vs. Mail

California offers multiple filing methods, though the Secretary of State strongly encourages online filing through bizfile Online for the fastest processing.

Method Details
Online File through bizfile Online — available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Statements of Information for corporations and LLCs are online-only. Amendments for domestic LPs, GPs, and LLPs may also be filed online.
Mail Mail completed paper forms (where accepted) to: Secretary of State, Business Entities, P.O. Box 944260, Sacramento, CA 94244-2600
In person (drop-off) Deliver filings to: 1500 11th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (excluding state holidays). In-person filings incur a $15 special handling fee per filing request. The special handling fee does not apply to Statements of Information.

The Secretary of State publishes current processing dates for each filing type. Online filings submitted through bizfile Online are given priority over mail submissions. Expedited processing is available at additional cost: $350 for 24-hour processing (online or drop-off), $750 for same-day processing (online or drop-off, must be submitted by 9:30 a.m.), and $500 for 4-hour processing (drop-off only, requires prior preclearance approval at a cost of $500).

Note: When filing online, the bizfile Online portal collects the required information directly through the online form. Paper PDF forms should only be used when submitting by mail or in person for entity types that accept paper filings.

Registered Agent Change Filing Fees by Entity Type

The filing fee for changing an agent for service of process depends on the entity type and whether the filing is submitted during or between the entity’s regular filing period. Filing fees are set by the Business Entities Fee Schedule.

For corporations and LLCs, a Statement of Information filed between regular filing periods solely to report a change of information — including a change of agent — carries no filing fee. If the agent change is made as part of the entity’s regularly scheduled annual or biennial Statement of Information, the standard fee applies.

Entity Type Regularly Scheduled Statement of Information Amended Statement (Between Filing Periods) Amendment Form Fee
Domestic stock corporation $25 ($20 filing + $5 disclosure) No fee —
Foreign stock corporation $25 ($20 filing + $5 disclosure) No fee —
Domestic nonprofit corporation $20 No fee —
Foreign nonprofit corporation $20 No fee —
Domestic LLC $20 No fee —
Foreign LLC $20 No fee —
Domestic limited partnership — — $30 (Form LP-2)
Foreign limited partnership — — $30 (Form LP-6)
General partnership — — $30 (Form GP-7)
Limited liability partnership — — $30 (Form LLP-2)

The $15 special handling fee applies to in-person drop-off submissions but does not apply to Statements of Information. The resignation of an agent for service of process using Form RA-100 carries no filing fee. The Secretary of State accepts checks, money orders, credit cards, and debit cards for all filing methods. All checks and money orders must be made payable to the Secretary of State.

Effective Date of a Registered Agent Change in California

A change of agent for service of process becomes effective when the Secretary of State accepts the filing.

Immediate effect: Under Corp. Code § 1502(e), whenever a Statement of Information is filed, “it supersedes any previously filed statement and the statement in the articles as to the agent for service of process and the address of the agent.” The same rule applies to LLCs under Corp. Code § 17702.09(d) and to foreign corporations under Corp. Code § 2117(e). There is no option to delay the effective date or condition effectiveness on a future event — the change takes effect upon filing and acceptance.

Practical timing: Although the change is legally effective upon acceptance, the actual processing time depends on the filing method. Online filings submitted through bizfile Online receive priority processing and are generally reflected in the Secretary of State’s records faster than paper submissions. Paper filings submitted by mail are reviewed in the date order of receipt and may take several weeks during peak filing periods. Entities that need immediate confirmation should file online or use one of the expedited service options.

For limited partnerships, the agent change operates through an amendment to the certificate of limited partnership (or, for foreign LPs, an amendment to the application for registration). Under Corp. Code § 15901.16(b), no change in the address of the agent or appointment of a new agent is effective for a limited partnership “until an amendment to the certificate of limited partnership is filed” — reinforcing that the change takes effect upon filing.

Changing the Registered Agent Address Without Changing the Agent

When a registered agent changes its own address but the same individual or corporation continues to serve, the entity must file an updated Statement of Information or amendment reflecting the new address. California does not provide a separate agent-initiated address-change form that allows a registered agent to notify the Secretary of State and update its address across multiple represented entities in a single filing.

This means that each entity represented by the agent must individually file its own updated document to reflect the new agent address. The table below illustrates this distinction.

Feature Statement of Information / Amendment (Entity-Filed) Agent-Initiated Address Change
Filed by The entity itself Not available in California
Purpose Updates agent name, agent address, or both, along with other entity information —
Can appoint a new agent Yes —
Covers multiple entities in one filing No — each entity files separately —
Prior notice to entity required Not applicable —
Signed by Authorized officer, manager, general partner, or partner of the entity —

Because California does not offer an agent-initiated bulk address-change mechanism, commercial registered agent services that represent large numbers of California entities must coordinate individual filings for each entity when the agent’s office address changes. For corporations and LLCs, the amended Statement of Information filed between regular periods carries no fee, which reduces the cost burden. For limited partnerships, general partnerships, and LLPs, the applicable amendment form carries a $30 fee per entity.

An agent that can no longer serve — whether due to a move, business closure, or other reason — may file Form RA-100 to resign, triggering each represented entity’s obligation to designate a replacement agent.

What Happens After the Change Is Filed

Once the Secretary of State accepts the updated Statement of Information or amendment, several effects follow:

  • The entity’s agent-for-service-of-process designation and address are updated in the Secretary of State’s records and become the current information of record.
  • The newly filed statement or amendment supersedes any previously filed statement as to the agent for service of process and the agent’s address.
  • The updated agent information becomes publicly searchable through the bizfile Online Business Search portal for corporations, LLCs, and limited partnerships.
  • The former agent’s authority to accept service of process on behalf of the entity terminates as of the date the new filing is accepted.
  • The Secretary of State returns evidence of filing to the submitter, either electronically for online filings or by mail for paper filings.
  • For corporations, the Statement of Information also updates officer, director, and principal address information, so all reported data should be current at the time of filing. For LLCs, manager or member information and office addresses are similarly updated.

Entities should retain a copy of the filed document in their permanent records and confirm that the updated agent information appears correctly in the Secretary of State’s online database.

Changing a Registered Agent for a Foreign Entity Registered in California

A foreign corporation, LLC, limited partnership, or other entity registered to transact business in California is subject to the same agent-for-service-of-process requirements as a domestic entity. Under Corp. Code § 2117, a foreign corporation must continuously maintain an agent for service of process in California, and the agent must be either a California resident individual or a corporation that has filed a Section 1505 certificate.

A foreign entity changes its agent by filing the same type of document used by the corresponding domestic entity. For foreign stock and nonprofit corporations, the change is made through the Statement of Information filed online through bizfile Online. For foreign LLCs, the Statement of Information is also filed online. For foreign limited partnerships, the change is made by filing an Amendment to Application for Registration (Form LP-6) on paper. The same eligibility requirements, consent requirements, physical street address rules, execution standards, and filing methods apply as for domestic entities.

When a foreign corporation or LLC files an amended Statement of Information between regular filing periods solely to report a change of agent, no filing fee is charged — the same no-fee treatment that applies to domestic entities. Foreign limited partnerships pay the standard $30 amendment fee.

A foreign entity that fails to maintain a valid agent for service of process risks having its right to transact business in California suspended or forfeited. Under Corp. Code § 2117(e), the filing of a current statement supersedes any previously filed statement, including the original statement and designation filed when the entity qualified to do business in California. If an entity’s agent information is outdated and process cannot be served, a court may authorize substituted service on the Secretary of State under Corp. Code § 1702, with service deemed complete on the 10th day after delivery of the process to the Secretary of State — significantly increasing the risk of default judgment.

Frequently Asked Questions About Changing a Registered Agent in California

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

The Secretary of State does not guarantee a specific processing time for Statements of Information or amendment filings. Online filings submitted through bizfile Online receive priority over mail submissions and are generally processed faster. Current processing times for each filing type are published on the Secretary of State’s processing dates page. Entities that need faster turnaround can select 24-hour expedited service ($350), same-day service ($750), or 4-hour service ($500, drop-off only with required preclearance). Standard paper filings submitted by mail may take several weeks during busy periods.

Do I need to notify my current registered agent before changing?

California law does not require an entity to notify its outgoing agent for service of process before filing an updated Statement of Information or amendment designating a new agent. The change becomes effective upon filing and acceptance by the Secretary of State. As a practical matter, most entities notify the outgoing agent as a courtesy, particularly to ensure that any pending service of process is properly forwarded. If the outgoing agent wishes to end the relationship independently, the agent may file Form RA-100 – Resignation of Agent for Service of Process at no cost.

Can I change my registered office address without changing the registered agent?

Yes. An entity can file an updated Statement of Information or amendment to change only the agent’s address while keeping the same individual or corporation designated as agent. When filing online through bizfile Online, the entity enters the new address for the existing agent. For corporations and LLCs, an amended Statement of Information filed between regular filing periods to report this change carries no fee. For limited partnerships, general partnerships, and LLPs, the standard amendment fee of $30 applies.

What is the agent-initiated address change form and when is it used?

California does not provide a separate agent-initiated address-change form that allows a registered agent to update its own address across multiple represented entities in a single filing. Unlike some states that offer a dedicated bulk-change mechanism, California requires each entity to individually file its own updated Statement of Information or amendment form to reflect a new agent address. When a registered agent’s office relocates, every entity the agent represents must file separately. For entities using a corporate agent that has filed a Section 1505 certificate, the corporate agent can update its own certificate by filing a supplemental certificate, but each represented entity must still file its own Statement of Information or amendment to reflect the current agent information on its own record.

Is there a penalty for not filing a change of registered agent?

California requires every registered entity to continuously maintain a current agent for service of process and a valid California address. Failure to file required Statements of Information can result in penalties assessed by the Franchise Tax Board and, ultimately, suspension or forfeiture of the entity’s powers, rights, and privileges — including the right to use its entity name in California. A suspended entity cannot prosecute or defend lawsuits, enter into contracts, or transact business. If an entity’s agent information is outdated and process cannot be served through the designated agent, a court may authorize substituted service on the Secretary of State under Corp. Code § 1702, increasing the risk of default judgment.

Can I change my registered agent and the registered office address in the same filing?

Yes. The Statement of Information or amendment form permits an entity to update the agent designation, the agent’s address, or both in a single filing. For corporations and LLCs, a single amended Statement of Information filed between regular periods carries no fee regardless of how many fields are updated. For limited partnerships, general partnerships, and LLPs, a single amendment fee of $30 covers all changes included in the filing. The newly filed document supersedes the previously filed record in its entirety.

What happens if my registered agent resigns?

A registered agent may resign by filing Form RA-100 with the Secretary of State. There is no filing fee for the resignation. Upon filing, the authority of the agent to act in that capacity ceases, and the Secretary of State gives written notice of the resignation to the entity at its address on file. The entity must then promptly file an updated Statement of Information or amendment to designate a replacement agent. An entity that fails to appoint a replacement agent risks suspension and may become subject to substituted service of process through the Secretary of State. For limited partnerships specifically, Corp. Code § 15901.16(d) provides that the Secretary of State “shall mail or otherwise provide written notice of the filing of the statement of resignation to the limited partnership or foreign limited partnership at its designated office.”

Does the new registered agent need to sign the change form?

No. The Statement of Information or amendment form is signed by an authorized officer, director, manager, member, general partner, or other authorized person of the entity — not by the new agent. By signing the filing, the authorized signer affirms that the person or corporation named as agent for service of process has consented to the designation. The Secretary of State’s FAQ confirms that advance approval must be obtained from a corporate agent before designating that corporation as the entity’s agent. The consent documentation is retained by the entity and is not filed with the Secretary of State.

Can I use a P.O. Box for the new registered office address?

No. The address designated for the agent for service of process must be a physical street address in California where process can be personally delivered during normal business hours. A P.O. Box, commercial mail receiving agency, virtual office without a staffed physical location, or telephone answering service does not satisfy the requirement. Corp. Code § 1502(b) requires that when a natural person is designated as agent, the filing must set forth “that person’s complete business or residence street address.” When a corporation is designated as agent through a Section 1505 certificate, the corporate agent must maintain a physical office in California and list its complete street address on the certificate.

Is the filing fee the same whether I file online or by mail?

Yes. The base filing fee for a Statement of Information or amendment is the same regardless of whether the entity files online or by mail. For corporations and LLCs filing an amended Statement of Information between regular filing periods to change the agent, there is no fee by either method. For limited partnerships, general partnerships, and LLPs, the $30 amendment fee applies whether filed online or by paper. In-person drop-off filings incur a $15 special handling fee per filing request, though this fee does not apply to Statements of Information. Expedited processing fees — $350, $500, or $750 depending on the service level — are separate from the base filing fee. The Secretary of State accepts checks, money orders, credit cards, and debit cards for all filing methods.