Changing your registered agent in the state of Illinois is a straightforward process that requires you to file a “State of Change of Registered Office and/or Registered Agent” with the Illinois Secretary of State.
You can use several methods to make the change, including online, in-person, by fax, and by mail.
Information You Will Need to Change Your Registered Agent
The precise information you need to provide to change your registered agent in Illinois will differ based on whether you’re a Limited Liability Company (LLC) or a corporation. If your business is a corporation (for-profit or non-profit), you will need to provide the following information:
- Name of your corporation
- State or country of your entity’s incorporation
- Name and address of your current registered agent
- Name and address of your new registered agent
- How the corporation authorized the registered agent change
- A sworn statement from the applicable individual that the information provided is true
The information needed for an LLC registered agent change is similar to that of a corporate registered agent change, but there are two main differences. The first difference is that you’ll provide the name of your LLC and not your corporation. The second difference is that you don’t need to provide the state or country where you created your LLC.
How Can I Change My Registered Agent in Illinois Online?
One of the fastest ways to change your registered agent is to do it online on the Office of the Illinois Secretary of State website using either the LLC or corporation online portals. However, the fees you pay depend on the type of entity you have and how quickly you want the registered agent change processed. If you pay extra for expedited service, the Secretary of State should complete the registered agent change within 24 hours of your request.
But you need to understand that this doesn’t count holidays or weekends. So if you go online and change your registered agent on Friday, even with expedited service, the registered agent change won’t be complete until the following Monday.
The following table outlines the registered agent change fees. One thing to remember is that you need to use a credit card to pay your fees online. The Illinois Office of the Secretary of State accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express credit cards.
Also, there will be a processing fee added to the underlying filing fee charge.
| Business Type | Processing Speed | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Business Corporation | Routine Processing | $25.00 |
| Business Corporation | Expedited Processing | $75.00 |
| Not-For-Profit Corporation | Routine Processing | $5.00 |
| Not-For-Profit Corporation | Expedited Processing | $30.00 |
| Limited Liability Company | Routine Processing | $25.00 |
| Limited Liability Company | Expedited Processing | $75.00 |
How Can I Change My Registered Agent in Illinois Via Mail?
Changing your Illinois registered agent by mail will require you to complete the application form and mail it to the correct address along with payment.
| Business Type | Fee | Mail Address |
|---|---|---|
| Business Corporation | $25.00 | Secretary of State Department of Business Services501 S. Second St., Rm. 350Springfield, IL 62756 |
| Not-For-Profit Corporation | $5.00 | Secretary of State Department of Business Services501 S. Second St., Rm. 350Springfield, IL 62756 |
| Limited Liability Company | $25.00 | Secretary of State Department of Business ServicesLimited Liability Division501 S. Second St., Rm. 351Springfield, IL 62756 |
Pitfalls You Should Avoid While Changing Your Registered Agent
Before you change your registered agent, you’ll want to make sure you take certain steps to ensure the process goes smoothly. If you ignore or forget to do certain things, it could lead to a legal or administrative headache.
Inform Your Old Registered Agent
After you submit your request to the Illinois Secretary of State to change your registered agent, you’ll want to contact your old one and let them know you no longer need their services. This is especially important if you’re paying for a registered agent service and don’t want to pay for something you will no longer use or need.
Check Regulations in Illinois
You’ll want to follow the Illinois legal requirements for completing a registered agent change. For example, you want to ensure you have the authority to change your Illinois registered agent. If your business is a corporation, your board of directors must approve the change. If your business is an LLC, it must be a member or manager with proper authority who can change the registered agent.
The Illinois Secretary of State’s website should have all the necessary information to complete this process. If you have any questions about your legal obligations, you can always contact the Office of the Illinois Secretary of State or read the Illinois statutes regarding registered agents for corporations and LLCs.
Conclusion
Changing your registered agent in Illinois is a relatively simple process. You have to fill out a form, either on paper or online, and pay a filing fee. All of this gets handled by the Illinois Office of the Secretary of State. And the most important information you’ll have to provide is the name and address of your old registered agent and the name and address of your new registered agent.