In Michigan, like in almost all the other states, you need a registered agent to receive the various official documents, tax forms, and even summons that may be sent to your corporation. It’s a crucial job, which is why it’s mandatory in most states. You can’t start and run a business in Michigan without a registered agent.

 

Who Can Be a Registered Agent in Michigan?

Before you replace your current agent, you need to think about the replacement so you enjoy a smooth transition. For the agent you need, several requirements must be met. First of all, they can be any of the following:

• An individual adult (at least 18 years old) who is a resident of Michigan
• A business entity (such as a professional registered agent service) based in Michigan.
• A foreign registered agent business entity that’s authorized to do business in Michigan.

Whether it’s an individual or a business entity, the agent must also have a Michigan street address. This means a physical location, in which there will always be someone to receive the official documents for your corporation during business hours. It can’t be just a P.O. box.

 

Steps to Change Registered Agent

To change your registered agent in the State of Michigan, you’ll start the process by filing a Certificate of Change of Registered Office and/or Resident Agent with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. Change of Agent form can be found here or can be accessed through the Corporations Online Filling System.

You’ll be required to make a payment of 5 dollars alongside the documents you’ll submit. If you’ll be sending through the mail, you’ll need to attach a check of 5 dollars made payable to the Michigan “Secretary of State”. You can also choose to pay the 5 dollars fee through your Credit Card (if you submit in person).

Note that you’ll have to file an Annual Statement Form online every 1st of October each year, for which you’ll be required to make a payment of 20 dollars fee.

 

Info to Put In

You will be required to enter the following information:

• The Entity number issued to your LLC by the State of Michigan when you formed your LLC.
• Name of your LLC as it is registered with the Secretary of the State of Michigan in its Articles of Organization.
• The complete street address, city, state, and zip code of your main business office.
• The name and complete business or residential address of the new registered agent for your business, and its entity number if your new agent is an entity.
• The signature of a member of the LLC or the manager that has a record with the State of Michigan. The name of the signer must be the same as one of the names on records with the State of Michigan.

The form has guides and tips to help make sure you put in the exact information asked for. Just read the directions carefully and follow them exactly.

 

Submission Options

You can submit the files online, through the mail, or in person after filling out the form. 

The printed forms and the check for the fee are to be mailed to the address:

Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs

Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau

Corporations Division

P.O. Box 30054

Lansing, Michigan 48909.

You can also choose to submit the documents in person. If you are, you’ll need to submit to the address:

2501 Woodlake Circle

Okemos, Michigan 48864.

Keep in mind that the State of Michigan will take between 3 to 5 working days to process the change of your registered agent. However, you can choose to go for the expedited service if you wish to process the change faster. You’ll have to pay a fee of 50 to 1,000 dollars for expedited services.

 

Should You Hire a Professional?

This will actually be a lot easier if you’re planning on sifting to a professional registered agent service. The best ones offer exemplary service at extremely reasonable rates. Often, you’re able to download the needed forms with pre-filled information about the service to save time and effort. Northwest Registered agent is one of the most popular companies for this job.

With professionals, you know for sure the job gets done right. They usually have online storage for all the official documents. When they receive the documents for the corporation, the service will immediately scan them so they can send you the digital copies right away. The documents will also be conveniently stored in the same online location as your other business documents, like your formation documents.

Professionals may even maintain a compliance calendar, warning you way ahead of time when you should file a report or comply with some requirement with a deadline. That means you virtually eliminate the risk that you’ll fail to comply with any sort of compliance requirement. Such a failure may lead to fines and penalties, and perhaps even to the dissolution of your corporation. Reinstating your LLC can be a huge hassle, and it’s like starting the formation process for your LLC all over again.

So, if you’re going to change your registered agent in Michigan, you may as well do yourself a favor and switch to a good registered agent service. With the benefits you get with the low costs, you’re able to focus more on growing your business instead.