To change your registered agent in Florida, file a registered agent change on Sunbiz.org. It costs $25, takes about 10 minutes online, and the new agent shows on your public record right away. If your annual report is due soon, you can make the change on the report instead and skip the separate fee.
Why do people change their registered agent?
Usually because something about the current arrangement stopped working. The agent is moving out of Florida, or a business partner who was serving as agent is leaving. A paid service got too expensive or stopped responding. Or you want more privacy and are switching to a professional service, or you want to save money by becoming your own agent. Some owners also change it when the business address moves and the records need to catch up.
What do you need before you start?
- Your LLC’s name, exactly as registered
- Your Florida document number (shown on your Sunbiz.org record)
- The new registered agent’s full legal name
- The new agent’s Florida street address (no P.O. boxes)
- An email address
- A credit card for the $25 filing fee
If the new agent is a professional service, sign up with them first and confirm they’ve accepted the appointment. Most services won’t act as your agent until you’ve created an account and given them your LLC’s details, and filing without the agent’s consent could leave you without valid representation.
How do you change your registered agent in Florida online?
- Go to Sunbiz.org, Florida’s Division of Corporations website.
- Click “Search Records” in the menu at the top, then “Search by Name.” Enter your LLC name and find your business in the results.
- On your LLC’s detail page, click “File Annual Report/Change Registered Agent,” or go to the E-Filing section.
- In the Registered Agent section of the form, enter the new agent’s name (an individual or a company) and a physical Florida street address.
- Pay the $25 fee by credit card.
- Save or print the confirmation.
You don’t need to wait for your annual report. A registered agent change can be filed at any time.
Online filings are processed immediately, and the new agent appears on your public Sunbiz record within minutes. If you file by mail, which we wouldn’t recommend, expect 5-7 business days.
How much does it cost?
| Filing type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Registered Agent Change Only | $25 |
| Annual Report (includes agent change) | $138.75 |
A standalone change always costs $25. The only way around it is timing. If your annual report is due within a few weeks, wait and make the change on the report. You’ll pay only the $138.75 annual report fee, not an extra $25.
Becoming your own agent doesn’t avoid the state fee, but it does end the professional service fees going forward.
What should you do around the switch?
Tell your old agent. This matters most if they’re a paid service (cancel, or the billing continues after the change), if they’re holding documents for you (ask them to forward them), or if there are pending legal matters.
Watch the timing if you’re in a lawsuit. If your LLC has pending lawsuits or legal matters, coordinate the switch carefully so important documents don’t go to the old agent after you’ve changed.
Update your operating agreement. It isn’t legally required, but it’s good practice to reflect the new agent there.
What mistakes cause problems?
The most common ones are an address that doesn’t qualify and a subscription nobody cancelled. Florida requires a physical street address, so P.O. boxes, UPS Store mailboxes and virtual addresses are rejected. The address also has to be in Florida, so if you’re hiring a service, check that it has a physical Florida location.
Forgetting to cancel the old paid service means you keep getting billed after the change. And filing before the new agent has agreed to serve can leave you without valid representation.
Can you become your own registered agent?
Yes, if you’re a Florida resident, have a physical Florida street address, and are available during business hours to accept documents. To switch, enter your own name and address as the agent when you file the change.
Think about the trade-off first: your home address becomes public record on Sunbiz.org.
How do you switch to a professional registered agent?
- Choose a service. Compare annual cost, what’s included (mail forwarding, compliance alerts), reputation and reviews, and whether they have a physical Florida location.
- Sign up. Most services need an account and your LLC information before they’ll accept the appointment.
- File the change on Sunbiz.org with the service’s name and Florida address.
- Cancel your old service if it was a paid one.
| Service | Annual cost | Features |
|---|---|---|
| IncCraft | $49/year | Same-day scanning, compliance alerts |
| Northwest | $125/year | Privacy, mail forwarding |
| ZenBusiness | $199/year | Compliance tracking |
| LegalZoom | $159/year | Dedicated support |
What happens to documents sent to your old agent?
After the change, the Division of Corporations sends future notices to your new agent, and process servers should serve the agent on record, which is now the new one. Professional services typically forward anything they receive after the change, but policies vary. To be safe, ask your old agent to forward any documents that arrive after the effective date.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a registered agent change take?
Online changes are effective immediately. The new agent appears on public records within minutes.
Do I need my old registered agent’s permission?
No. You can change your registered agent at any time without the current agent’s permission.
Can I change my registered agent during the year?
Yes. You don’t have to wait for the annual report. A change can be filed anytime for $25.
What if my registered agent resigns?
You’ll get a notice from the state giving you time to appoint a new one. File the change promptly to avoid compliance issues.
Can my LLC be listed as its own registered agent?
No. You need either an individual Florida resident or a separate business entity authorized to act as a registered agent.
Ready to switch?
Sign up with the new agent first, then file. Doing it in that order means there’s never a gap where nobody is accepting your legal papers.
Looking for a reliable registered agent? IncCraft offers registered agent service for just $49/year, including same-day document scanning and compliance reminders.