California Registered Agent Change — At a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Filing form | Statement of Information (Form LLC-12) (Form LLC-12) |
| Filing agency | California Secretary of State |
| Filing fee | $20 |
| Processing time | 3–5 business days |
| Expedited processing | Not available |
| Online filing | Available |
| New agent consent required | Yes |
Why Would You Change Your Registered Agent?
Most LLCs switch their registered agent for one of these reasons:
- Moving your business — your current RA must have a physical address in California, so relocating out of state requires a new agent
- Replacing a personal address — many owners initially list themselves as their own RA, then switch to a professional service for privacy
- Service issues — the current RA is unreliable, slow to forward documents, or has raised prices
- The original RA resigned — a registered agent can resign, leaving the LLC without a compliant agent
LLC Attorney provides registered agent service through its ongoing compliance subscription. If you formed your LLC elsewhere and want to switch, LLC Attorney can serve as yourCalifornia registered agent and handle the change filing for you.
How to Change Your Registered Agent in California
Choose Your New Registered Agent
Your new registered agent must meet California's requirements: California requires a registered agent to be an individual who is a California resident or a business entity authorized to transact intrastate business in the state. The agent must maintain a physical street address in California — P.O. boxes are not acceptable.
Get Consent from the New Agent
California requires that your new registered agent consent to the appointment before or at the time of filing. A professional service will typically provide a signed consent form.
Complete Statement of Information (Form LLC-12) (Form LLC-12)
Obtain the form from the California Secretary of State at https://sos.ca.gov and complete all required fields, including your LLC name, current registered agent information, and new registered agent information.
File and Pay the Fee
Submit the form online or by mail with the California Secretary of State. The filing fee is $20. Processing time is 3–5 business days.
Notify the Old Agent
California does not require you to formally notify your former registered agent after filing. As a best practice, send a brief written notice so they can close your account.
What Happens After You Change Your Registered Agent?
Once the California Secretary of State processes the filing, the new registered agent's name and address appear in the public record. Here's what to update afterward:
- Operating agreement — update any provision that lists the registered agent
- Business licenses and permits — many include the RA on file; update as needed
- IRS records — if your EIN correspondence goes to the RA address, update the IRS with Form 8822-B
- Contracts and agreements — review any agreements that reference the old registered agent
Switch to LLC Attorney as Your California Registered Agent
LLC Attorney provides California registered agent service and handles the change filing with the California Secretary of State — so you don't have to track down forms or manage the paperwork yourself.
Changing Your Registered Agent in California — FAQs
The filing fee to change your registered agent in California is $20. There may also be a fee from your new registered agent service.
3–5 business days. Expedited processing is not available — standard processing applies.
Yes. California requires the new registered agent to consent to the appointment, typically by signing a consent statement that is included with or attached to the change filing.
You can change your registered agent yourself by filing the Statement of Information (Form LLC-12) directly with the California Secretary of State. An attorney is not required. Many LLC owners use a registered agent service like LLC Attorney to handle the filing and take over as the new agent simultaneously.
If your LLC is without a registered agent in California — even temporarily — the California Secretary of State can place your LLC in bad standing, which may prevent you from entering contracts, obtaining financing, or registering in other states. Always have a compliant registered agent on file.
Yes. LLC Attorney provides California registered agent service through its ongoing compliance subscription. For existing LLCs that formed elsewhere, LLC Attorney can become your registered agent and handle the change filing with the California Secretary of State.