Every limited liability company operating in the United States needs to designate a registered agent. Even after you identify your initial registered agent in your formation paperwork, there are several reasons for why you may need to change the registered agent for your LLC in Minnesota.
Your registered agent could be moving out of state, or they could be a former co-owner or employee who no longer works for your organization. Maybe you want to switch from an individual registered agent to a professional service that operates in all 50 states, or perhaps you’re simply unsatisfied with your current registered agent’s service.
Whatever the reason may be, each state allows you to change your registered agent at any time, and in most states the process is both simple and inexpensive. Let’s dive into the specifics of how to change your LLC’s registered agent in Minnesota.
NOTE: If you need help changing registered agents, the same services that are known for offering top rated LLC services — like LegalZoom and Zen Business — can also take over registered agent duties and file the needed paperwork.
Who Can Be a Minnesota Registered Agent?
A Minnesota registered agent is a person or business entity that has a physical address in the state. You or one of your co-owners can serve as your own registered agent, you can designate a friend or family member for this role, you can hire a lawyer or accountant as your agent, or you can hire an online business services company to provide registered agent service.
No matter who you choose to be your registered agent, they need to be physically present at the address provided to the state during all standard business hours. This person or entity does not need to have any prior experience being a registered agent, but it’s wise to choose a registered agent who is familiar with the serious responsibilities that come with this role.
The state of Minnesota does not specify a minimum age limit to serve as a registered agent. Chapter 5, Section 36 of the Minnesota Statutes describes in detail what is required to qualify as a registered agent in this state:
“The registered agent may be a natural person residing in this state, a domestic corporation, or limited liability company, or a foreign corporation or foreign limited liability company authorized to transact business in this state. The registered agent must maintain a business office that is identical with the registered office.”
For more general information regarding the role of a registered agent with a Minnesota LLC, we encourage you to check out our full guide on the topic.
What Is the Procedure for Changing Your LLC Registered Agent in Minnesota?
While the role of the registered agent is vitally important for any American business entity, this role can always be changed, and there are different rules for how to change your agent depending on which state your business operates in.
In Minnesota, a limited liability company can change its registered agent by filing a Notice of Change form, or by amending its articles of organization or certificate of authority.
Option 1) Filing a Notice of Change Form
Both domestic and foreign LLCs in Minnesota can use the Notice of Change of Registered Office/Registered Agent form to change their registered agent. There is a $55 fee for in-person and online filings, and a $35 fee if submitted by mail. This form can be filed online, via mail, or in person.
Option 2) Filing an Amendment to the Articles of Organization
LLCs in Minnesota can also change their registered agent by filing an Amendment to Articles of Organization form for domestic entities, or an Amendment to Certificate of Authority for foreign entities. Each form costs $35 to submit by mail, or $55 for in-person and online filings.
Processing Times
Documents that are filed in person are processed immediately while the person waits in the office. Online filings are processed within two business days. The state does not note how long mailed filings take to be processed, but they do write that “filings received by mail are processed non-expedited (first in/first out) and in most cases mailed back to the submitter.”
Prefer to Have a Registered Agent Service Handle Your Requirements?
A registered agent service is a company that specializes in being a registered agent for a wide variety of businesses across the country, bringing tons of expertise and a healthy dose of reliability to the role.
Most professional registered agent services operate on a national basis, meaning there’s no restrictions on which states you can operate your business in. They also tend to charge affordable rates, as you can find several registered agent services that charge around $10/month or even less for this service. In addition, most of these companies will also offer to handle the process of changing a registered agent for you.
If you’re interested in this option, we highly recommend Northwest Registered Agent.
The Law for Changing Your LLC Registered Agent in Minnesota
It’s always important to be well-informed regarding the specific laws for changing your registered agent. The registered agent laws in Minnesota do not vary by entity or classification, so all entities can refer to the same laws.
According to Chapter 5, Section 36 of the Minnesota Statutes, “a business entity may change its registered office, designate or change its registered agent, or state a change in the name of its registered agent, by filing with the secretary of state a statement containing:
- the name of the business entity;
- if the address of its registered office is to be changed, the new address of its registered office;
- if its registered agent is to be designated or changed, the name of its new registered agent;
- if the name of its registered agent is to be changed, the name of its registered agent as changed;
- a statement that the address of its registered office and the address of the business office of its registered agent, as changed, will be identical; and
- a statement that the change of registered office or registered agent was authorized by resolution approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the governing body of the business entity present.”
Conclusion
If you operate a limited liability company in the state of Minnesota, you need to designate a registered agent to receive important government document deliveries on your behalf. If you decide at any time that you would rather change your registered agent to a different individual or business entity, it’s important to know what that process looks like.
In Minnesota, an LLC can change its registered agent by filing a Notice of Change form, or by amending its articles of organization or certificate of authority. They’re both simple documents with reasonable filing fees, but if you’d rather have a registered agent service handle this task for you, you certainly have that option.
We hope this article helped you improve your understanding of changing a registered agent in Minnesota, and as always we thank you for choosing Registered Agent Ready!