How to Change Your Registered Agent in Washington

How to change your registered agent in Washington

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 Washington 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.

2. Get the Statement of Change/Designation of Registered Agent. Download the form ↗ You can file this online through the Washington 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.
3. Pay the Free filing fee. Washington 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 Washington SOS business search and confirm the new registered agent is listed. Processing time: A few days for online filings; up to a month for mail; $50 expedite available. Check back after that window.