Changing a registered agent in Washington D.C. needs a few paperwork that you need to file with with Washington D.C. Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs.
Well, paperwork is not always scary. This article will help you correctly change your registered agent without any trouble.
A registered agent is a person or entity designated by your business to receive service of process, state correspondence, and receiving or sending important business mails. Depending on the state, a registered agent may also be known as:
For an LLC in Washington D.C., regardless of whether you choose the DIY method or hire a company, you need to file the certificate of change of registered agent. To change your registered agent mentioned in your Article of Organization, you file change of registered agent or registered office form with the secretary of state.
However, before you file your application to change your registered agent in Washington D.C., you must be sure that your registered agent is:
Among hundreds of companies providing registered agent services for your LLC in Washington D.C. across all states, we bring the top 2 registered agent services for you here i.e. ZenBusiness and Northwest Registered Agent, which are far better alternatives of LegalZoom.
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You can change your registered agent or the address of the registered office by filing the Form RA-3 with Washington D.C. Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs. You can file the entity form online or send it to the Washington D.C. Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs through the mail.
You can change the registered agent or registered office online using the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs website. It involves the following the steps:
Important Note: All the information MUST be typed or laser printed on a computer. The hand-written forms will not be accepted.
If filing a change of registered agent entity form by mail is more convenient, you first need to download the form from the Washington D.C. Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs website. Fill it out with your correct information on your computer and send it along with the filing fee to the address given below:
Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs
Corporations Division
P.O. Box 92300
Washington, DC 20090.
The state of Washington D.C. charges you $50 to process your change of registered agent document for all registered entities in Washington D.C. except nonprofit companies. It charges $40 for nonprofits.
You can pay this fee by credit card (if filing online) or through check. Read the payment page of the change form for complete instructions.
If you want the Washington D.C. Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs to expedite the Change of Registered Agent form processing, you need file Expedited Service Action Form EX-1. Include an additional $100 expediting fee for same day service, or $50 for three day services with the change of agent form.
To change your Washington D.C. registered agent, you will need to type in the following information on the change of registered agent or registered office by entity type form:
In business, nothing is permanent, nor does everything hold for forever. With changing situations and circumstances, you update and revise your decisions. The same goes with the registered agent.
For instance, you may have appointed your attorney or CPA as your registered agent. Now you wish to change your attorney or CPA, so you would also want to change the registered agent. Some of the common reasons to change your registered agent could be:
All business owners in Washington D.C. can be their own registered agents. So, whether you are running an LLC or operating your business as a corporation, you can designate yourself to accept service of process and official notices for your business.
You can switch registered agents at any time. When you are ready to make a change, cancel the previous registered agent service and hire a new one. Then file the appropriate paperwork (change of registered agent form) with your state. However, most states require a fee to process your change of registered agent document.
Yes, many reputable LLC services such as ZenBusiness, IncFile, etc provide 1-year free registered agent services after incorporating your business with them. For example, ZenBusiness in its basic package of $39 files your article of organization and provides a free registered agent for one year. Whereas as a standalone service, registered agent service cost you $99.
File a Change of Registered Agent form with the Washington D.C. Secretary of State, and you’ll be able to change your registered agent for ~$50. You just need to fill in the correct information, including the name of the previous registered agent, the name and address of the new registered agent, your business name and I.D. number, etc.
Registered agents are a must for any formal business in Washington D.C.. So whether you have an LLC, LLP, or corporation, you need to designate a registered agent for state correspondence. If you’re not sure what a registered agent’s role is and do you need one, read our article on What is a Registered Agent? Be Your Own or Hire a Service to help your company operate smoothly.
Registered agents ensure that critical legal and other documents, such as subpoenas or regulatory notices, are delivered to you without any delay. They help your business remain compliant and up-to-date by delivering all necessary paperwork. They are responsible for accepting official correspondence on behalf of the company, such as tax forms, legal notices, and business mails.
Aisha Noreen is an owner of a small business with more than 9 years of experience in the marketing industry. With the wisdom of an old soul, she always seeks innovation and mind-blowing ROI techniques. Her unique approach helped many small businesses thrive and she can surprise you in many ways as well. Believe it or not, her energy, passion, and creativity are contagious enough to transform your business and take it to another level.