What are the options and different ways you can change your Massachusetts registered agent?
Massachusetts statutes use the term “resident agent” to refer to the person or entity designated to receive service of process for a Massachusetts LLC. It means the same thing as the term “registered agent,” which Massachusetts uses in reference to corporations.
You can’t change your registered/resident agent on the Massachusetts annual report or by filing an amendment with the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations Division. You have to file the change of agent form or make the change online.
FORM:
If you want to change your Massachusetts registered agent, file a Statement of Change of Registered Agent/Registered Office with the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth (SOC). Forms for each type of business entity are available on the SOC website, but use of those forms is not mandatory. The Massachusetts SOC requires that you type on the statement of change form. The Massachusetts SOC will not accept forms filled out by hand. You can submit the form to the Massachusetts SOC by mail, walk in, or fax.
Mailed or walked-in change of agent forms must have original signatures. The new registered agent is not required to sign the form. Only the registered agents name and address are required. If you mail the statement of change, specify on the envelope what type of document is enclosed. If you mail your documents, you can pay with a personal check, cashier’s check or money order. If you submit documents in person, you can also pay in cash. Checks, etc. should be payable to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
If you want to fax the form to the SOC, you will have to visit the Massachusetts SOC website to get a Fax Voucher Coversheet. From the SOC Corporations Division homepage, click on “fax filing” then click “Create Fax Voucher Coversheet.” Fill out the form and click “submit.” You will need to provide your MasterCard, Visa, debit card, or checking account information. Print the confirmation/fax coversheet page. Place the coversheet on top of the completed change of agent form and fax the documents to the SOC.
ONLINE:
Starting from the Massachusetts SOC Corporations Division homepage (see link below), click on the “File Corporations Online” link. You will need your Massachusetts SOC customer ID and PIN to logon and change your registered agent online. Contact the SOC if you do not know your login information. Choose the change of registered agent option from the list of available filings. Enter your information and click “submit.” Confirm your information by clicking on “accept.” You will have to enter your MasterCard, Visa, debit card, or checking account information for payment. You will be charged the filing fee plus a fax expedite fee.
How much does it cost to change your registered agent in Massachusetts?
There is a $25 filing fee to change your registered agent in Massachusetts by mail or in person.
If you fax the change of agent form, you have to pay the $25 fee plus an additional $5 fee for expedited processing.
There is no fee to change your registered agent online.
Don’t want to pay the change of agent fee? Switch your registered agent to Northwest, and we’ll pay the change of agent fee to switch to us! Just sign up for registered agent service. You’ll see the pre-populated change of agent form in your online account. Fill it out with your company info, sign it, and email or mail it to us, and we’ll get it filed with the state. It’s that simple!
How long does it take the state to process and complete the change of registered agent in Massachusetts?
If you mail the statement of change, it will be processed in 3-5 business days. If you drop it off, processing only takes 1-2 business days.
Faxed documents are usually processed the same business day but may take up to 48 hours if you submit on a weekend or after hours.
Filing the change of agent online is fastest. Online filings are processed by the SOC almost immediately.
Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth contact information:
Secretary of the Commonwealth
One Ashburton Place, 17th Floor
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: (617) 727-9640
Fax filings: (617) 624-3891
M-F, 8:45-4:00
What form do you file to change your registered agent in Massachusetts?
The Massachusetts SOC has different change of agent forms for corporations and LLCs.
Domestic and foreign corporations should file a Statement of Change of Registered Agent/Registered Office
Domestic and foreign LLCs should file a Limited Liability Company Statement of Change of Resident agent/Resident Office
The pre-populated change of agent forms are in your online account immediately, when you sign up for Massachusetts registered agent service with Northwest. All you have to do to change your registered/resident agent is complete the form and send it to the Massachusetts SOC.
Massachusetts SOC - Forms:
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