Change Your Florida LLC's Registered Agent

Changing your LLC's registered agent is a common post-formation filing — whether you are switching from serving yourself to a professional service, your current agent moved out of Florida, or you are simply dissatisfied with your current arrangement. The process is handled through Sunbiz.org with a filing fee of $25 (for LLCs; $35 for corporations), and the change takes effect upon filing under §605.0114.

For all post-formation requirements, see our after-formation overview.

When to Change Your Registered Agent

Common reasons:

• Switching to a professional service for privacy — You initially served as your own agent (making your home address public on Sunbiz.org) and now want a commercial address listed instead
• Your agent moved out of Florida — Under §605.0113, the registered agent must be a Florida resident individual or authorized FL business entity. If they move out of state, they no longer qualify.
• Agent is no longer available — The individual serving as your agent retired, resigned from your LLC, or is no longer willing to serve
• Service quality issues — Your current registered agent service does not forward documents promptly, missed important correspondence, or provides poor customer service
• Cost reduction — Switching from a more expensive service to a more affordable option (our service is $99/year)
• Agent resigned — Under §605.0115, a registered agent can resign by filing a statement of resignation with the Division. If this happens, you have 30 days to designate a replacement before the Division may take action.

Requirements for the New Registered Agent

The new registered agent must meet the same requirements as the original under §605.0113:

• Florida resident individual OR authorized business entity registered to do business in Florida
• Physical street address in Florida (no P.O. boxes)
• Available during normal business hours to accept documents
• Must consent to serve before being designated

The LLC itself still cannot be its own registered agent. But a member or manager can serve (if they meet the residency and address requirements).

How to File the Change on Sunbiz.org

This is NOT filed as an amendment. Changing your registered agent uses a separate filing — "Statement of Change of Registered Agent/Registered Office":

1. Navigate to sunbiz.org
2. Log in or access your LLC's record using the document number
3. Select "Change Registered Agent/Office" from the available filings
4. Enter the new registered agent's information:
   • Type (individual or business entity)
   • Full legal name
   • Physical Florida street address
5. Confirm that the new agent has consented to serve
6. Pay $25 by credit or debit card
7. Submit — change takes effect immediately upon filing

The old registered agent is released from duty as soon as the filing is processed. The new agent appears on your LLC's Sunbiz.org record immediately.

Alternatively: If you are filing your annual report ($138.75) and want to change your registered agent at the same time, you can update the agent information as part of the annual report. However, the $25 registered agent change fee is still added to the report fee (total $163.75).

Timeline and Effectiveness

Under §605.0114, the change is effective when filed — there is no waiting period. Once processed by the Division (1-2 business days for online filings), the new agent is immediately responsible for accepting documents on behalf of your LLC.

What happens during the transition:

• The old agent's responsibility ends upon filing
• The new agent's responsibility begins upon filing
• There should be no gap in coverage — the filing is a single event
• Any documents served on the old agent after the change is filed should be refused and redirected

If Your Registered Agent Resigns

Under §605.0115, a registered agent can voluntarily resign by filing a statement of resignation with the Division of Corporations. If this happens:

• The resignation takes effect 30 days after filing (giving you time to designate a replacement)
• The Division sends notice to your LLC's principal address (or mailing address on file)
• You must designate a new agent within 30 days
• If you do not, the Division may take administrative action against your LLC

Important: If you receive notice that your registered agent has resigned, act immediately. Designate a new agent through Sunbiz.org ($25) well within the 30-day window.

FAQ

Does changing my registered agent require an amendment?

No. Changing your registered agent is a separate filing from Articles of Amendment. It uses the "Statement of Change of Registered Agent/Registered Office" form on Sunbiz.org. The $25 fee is the same as an amendment, but it is a different filing type.

Will the change affect my pending annual report?

If you change your registered agent before filing your annual report, the annual report will reflect the new agent information. If you change after filing the report for that year, the change stands independently — it does not retroactively modify the report.

Can my new registered agent be in a different Florida city than my business?

Yes. There is no requirement that your registered agent be in the same city, county, or region as your business. Your LLC can operate in Miami with a registered agent in Tallahassee — or any other combination. What matters is that the agent has a physical Florida street address.

How do I switch to your registered agent service?

Contact us to initiate the switch. We will prepare the Statement of Change filing, obtain your authorization, and submit it through Sunbiz.org on your behalf. The $25 state fee applies. Once filed, we begin serving as your registered agent immediately — accepting and forwarding all documents, providing privacy through our commercial address, and sending annual report reminders.

What happens if documents are served on my old agent after the change?

Once the change is filed, the old agent is no longer authorized to accept documents on behalf of your LLC. If someone attempts service on the old agent, the old agent should refuse and direct the process server to your new agent's address (which is public on Sunbiz.org). However, if the old agent inadvertently accepts documents, they should forward them to you immediately.