‹ Michigan Filing Guide
How to Change Your Registered Agent in Michigan
The form, the fee, and how to file it.
Filing details
- Form name
- Certificate of Change of Registered Office and/or Resident Agent (Form CSCL/CD-520)
- Filing fee
- $5
- Online filing
- Yes
- Processing time
- 3-5 business days standard; aggressive expedite tiers ($100 for 24-hour, $200 same-day, $500 for 2-hour, $1,000 for 1-hour)
- Secretary of State
- Michigan SOS ↗
Note: Michigan uses the term "resident agent" rather than "registered agent" - they refer to the same role. File Form CSCL/CD-520 with the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) online through the Corporations Online Filing System (COFS), by mail, or in person. Online filing requires your entity's CID and PIN. The new resident agent does not need to sign separately; the form is signed by an authorized officer or member/manager of the LLC. Mail filings go to PO Box 30054, Lansing, MI 48909.
Open online filing portal ↗
How to change your registered agent in Michigan
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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 Michigan SOS can administratively dissolve your LLC.
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Get the Certificate of Change of Registered Office and/or Resident Agent (Form CSCL/CD-520). Download the form ↗
You can file this online through the Michigan 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 $5 filing fee.
Pay by credit card during the online filing. A small processing surcharge usually applies. Mail filings accept check or money order made out to the Michigan Secretary of State.
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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 services prorate or refund the unused portion.
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Verify the change in state records.
Search your LLC name on the Michigan SOS business search and confirm the new registered agent is listed. Processing typically takes 3-5 business days standard; aggressive expedite tiers ($100 for 24-hour, $200 same-day, $500 for 2-hour, $1,000 for 1-hour), so check back after that window.
Important to know about Michigan
- Michigan uses "resident agent" instead of "registered agent" - same role, different name.
- Online filing through COFS requires both your entity's CID (Customer ID) and PIN. If you don't have these, you'll need to request them from LARA before you can file online.
- The form must be signed by an authorized officer or member/manager. Just changing the registered office address (not the agent) can be signed by the resident agent themselves.
Have a service handle the change for you
Northwest will file the Certificate of Change of Registered Office and/or Resident Agent (Form CSCL/CD-520) and pay the state filing fee when you sign up. The change is usually filed the same business day.
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This page provides general information based on publicly available Michigan Secretary of State requirements. It is not legal advice. Forms, fees, and procedures can change. Verify with the Michigan SOS before filing.