‹ Iowa Filing Guide
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How to Change Your Registered Agent in Iowa
The form, the fee, and how to file it.
Filing details
- Form name
- Statement of Change of Registered Office and/or Registered Agent
- Filing fee
- Free
- Online filing
- Yes
- Processing time
- 1-2 business days for online; longer for mail
- Filing agency
- Iowa SOS ↗
Note: Iowa charges no fee to change the registered agent. File online through Fast Track Filing at filings.sos.iowa.gov - the system was specifically built to make this filing fast (less than 10 minutes start to finish). The new registered agent must consent and electronically sign. If you must file on paper, the form is 635_0119 and it goes to the Business Services Division, Secretary of State, Lucas Building 1st Floor, Des Moines IA 50319, or by fax to (515) 242-5953. Couriers need the street address, 321 E. 12th Street, which the form does not print. Make cheques payable to "Secretary of State". You can also update the registered agent for free during your biennial report filing (LLCs file in odd-numbered years; for-profit corporations file in even-numbered years).
Open online filing portal ↗
How to change your registered agent in Iowa
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Choose your new registered agent first.
Do not file the change form until you have a new agent lined up. The new agent has to consent to the appointment, and most states will not process the change without that consent in hand. If you let coverage lapse, the Iowa SOS can administratively dissolve your LLC.
Two ways to go. Name yourself or someone you know. Nothing to pay beyond the state filing fee above, but your address goes in the public record and somebody has to be there during business hours to accept legal mail.
Or use a service at $125/year. That keeps your address private and prepares the change form for you. If you are here because your current agent resigned, missed a delivery, or raised its price, this is usually the reason. See what Northwest charges, or compare what the major agents cost first.
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Get the Statement of Change of Registered Office and/or Registered Agent. Download the form ↗
You can file this online through the Iowa Secretary of State portal. The form requires your LLC name, the new agent name and address, and a signature. The new agent must consent to the appointment.
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Pay the Free filing fee.
Iowa does not charge a state filing fee for this change. The only cost is what you pay your new registered agent.
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Notify your old agent.
Once the change is processed, your old agent's responsibility ends. If you are paying them an annual fee, cancel that subscription so it does not auto-renew. Most agents do not refund the unused portion, so time the cancellation against your renewal date.
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Verify the change in state records.
Search your LLC name on the Iowa SOS business search and confirm the new registered agent is listed. Processing typically takes 1-2 business days for online; longer for mail, so check back after that window.
Important to know about Iowa
- Iowa LLCs file biennial reports, not annual. The biennial report is $30 online or $45 by mail; you can update the agent during the report at no extra cost.
- Fast Track Filing is required for online submissions. You will need to create a free account first.
- Partnership entities pay $5 to file the Statement of Change. LLCs and corporations file for free.
Have a service handle the change for you
Northwest will prepare and file the Statement of Change of Registered Office and/or Registered Agent for you when you sign up. The state filing fee is yours to pay. The change is usually filed the same business day.
Get Northwest Registered Agent ↗
$125/year · All 50 states · Privacy included
Harbor Compliance
$99 first year, then $149/year · Full-service compliance option
Registered Agents Inc
$200/year · Report filing included, state fees extra
Choosing a replacement agent? Our full Northwest Registered Agent review and Harbor Compliance review compare pricing, renewals, and service before you file.
This page provides general information based on publicly available Iowa Secretary of State requirements. It is not legal advice. Forms, fees, and procedures can change. Verify with the Iowa SOS before filing.