Are you unsatisfied with your Maryland registered agent? Or perhaps you’re currently serving as your own registered agent, but would rather hire a professional registered agent service instead?
The state of Maryland makes it rather easy to change your registered agent, but there are some details involved in the process that are worth reviewing.
In this guide, we’ll discuss all the relevant details of changing a registered agent in Maryland.
Rocket Tip: If you would prefer to have a professional service deal with the paperwork and take over registered agent duties, hire a Maryland registered agent service. It’s just a small annual fee.
What Is a Maryland Registered Agent?
Why is a registered agent required for every limited liability company (LLC) or corporation? It all comes down to the fact that the state needs to be able to contact an official representative of your business if they need to deliver important documents to you, especially service of process.
Without a registered agent, you could remain unaware of a lawsuit against your business progressing through the court system.
Who Can Be a Maryland Registered Agent?
If you’re looking to change your company’s registered agent, it’s a good idea to know who is eligible to serve as one.
As stated by the Maryland Secretary of State, a registered agent may be either an individual resident of Maryland or a business entity that is registered and authorized to perform business transactions in the state. In either case, the registered agent is required to have a physical street address in Maryland rather than merely a P.O. box or other similar mail service.
In many cases, those needing registered agents in Maryland will choose to hire the services of a commercial agent, which means they pay an annual fee and in exchange a pre-existing registered agent consents to serve on their behalf. For more information on who can be a registered agent, visit our full guide to Maryland registered agents.
How to Change Your Registered Agent in Maryland
If you would like to change your registered agent for any reason, the process is simple.
The only form you need to submit is the Resolution to Change Principal Office or Resident Agent document. This document can be used for LLCs and corporations alike, and can be either completed as a PDF file here and then mailed to the State Department of Assessment and Taxation or completed online using Maryland’s Business Express Website. The document will require the following details:
- The name of the business entity
- The name and address of the previous registered agent
- The name and address of the new registered agent
- Your signature or the signature of an authorized individual
- The signature of the new agent
Change of Registered Agent Fee: $25
Should You Hire a Professional Maryland Registered Agent Service?
Hiring a registered agent service like Northwest Registered Agent has some distinct advantages. First and foremost, compared to serving as your own agent, professional registered agent services allow you to keep your personal address private. They’re also much less expensive than hiring a lawyer or accountant to provide registered agent service.
An often-overlooked benefit is how easy it is to expand your Maryland business into other states if you choose a professional registered agent. They typically have offices in all 50 states, so if you begin transacting business in an additional state, your same registered agent service can handle that for you.
If you’re interested in hiring a professional registered agent service, take a look at our guide to the top service providers.
Conclusion
The process for changing a registered agent in Maryland isn’t a complicated one, but it’s certainly advisable to know exactly what you want to do ahead of time. If you know what you want going in, you’ll find that the process is really quite painless.
We hope this article answered your questions about changing your Maryland registered agent!