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How to Change Your Registered Agent in Virginia

The form, the fee, and how to file it.

Filing details

Form name
Statement of Change of Registered Office and/or Registered Agent (Form LLC1016 / SCC635)
Filing fee
Free
Online filing
Yes
Processing time
Immediate to a few hours for online filings; 1-2 weeks for mail; expedited paper service available for $50 next-day or $200 same-day
Filing agency
Virginia SCC ↗
Note: Virginia charges no fee to change the registered agent. File online through the Clerk's Information System (CIS) at cis.scc.virginia.gov, by mail, or in person. Note that Virginia is regulated by the State Corporation Commission (SCC), not the Secretary of State. The registered agent must be a Virginia resident, a Virginia State Bar member, or a business entity authorized to transact business in Virginia. Online filings process near-immediately; mail filings can take 1-2 weeks. If your registered agent address changes, you have 30 days to file an update. Post filings to the Clerk of the State Corporation Commission, P.O. Box 1197, Richmond VA 23218. Couriers must use the Tyler Building, 1300 East Main Street, Richmond VA 23219, which is a different ZIP. There is no fee for this filing; where a fee is due the cheque goes to the State Corporation Commission or the Treasurer of Virginia.
Open online filing portal ↗

How to change your registered agent in Virginia

  1. 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 Virginia SCC 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.

  2. Get the Statement of Change of Registered Office and/or Registered Agent (Form LLC1016 / SCC635). Download the form ↗ You can file this online through the Virginia State Corporation Commission portal. The form requires your LLC name, the new agent name and address, and a signature. The new agent must consent to the appointment.
  3. Pay the Free filing fee. Virginia does not charge a state filing fee for this change. The only cost is what you pay your new registered agent.
  4. 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.
  5. Verify the change in state records. Search your LLC name on the Virginia SCC business search and confirm the new registered agent is listed. Processing time: Immediate to a few hours for online filings; 1-2 weeks for mail; expedited paper service available for $50 next-day or $200 same-day. Check back after that window.

Important to know about Virginia

  • Virginia's business filings are handled by the State Corporation Commission (SCC), not the Secretary of State - this catches some out-of-state filers off guard.
  • You have 31 days to appoint a new registered agent if the previous one resigns. Failure can result in your business being marked pending inactive, then ultimately terminated.
  • Mail filings require you to first request a paper form from the SCC; you cannot just download and submit. Online filing through CIS is significantly faster.

Have a service handle the change for you

Northwest will prepare and file the Statement of Change of Registered Office and/or Registered Agent (Form LLC1016 / SCC635) for you when you sign up. The state filing fee is yours to pay. The change is usually filed the same business day.

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Choosing a replacement agent? Our full Northwest Registered Agent review and Harbor Compliance review compare pricing, renewals, and service before you file.

Related guides

This page provides general information based on publicly available Virginia State Corporation Commission requirements. It is not legal advice. Forms, fees, and procedures can change. Verify with the Virginia SCC before filing.