When Is a Change of Registered Agent Required in Alabama?
An entity that wishes to change its registered agent, its registered office address, or both must file a statement of change with the Alabama Secretary of State. Under the Alabama Business and Nonprofit Entities Code (Ala. Code) § 10A-1-5.32, any entity required to maintain a registered agent may change its registered office, its registered agent, or both by delivering a statement of change to the Secretary of State for filing. This requirement applies to every domestic filing entity, every foreign filing entity registered to transact business in Alabama, and every general partnership that has an effective statement of partnership, statement of not-for-profit partnership, or statement of limited liability partnership on file with the Secretary of State.
Alabama law requires each of these entities to designate and continuously maintain both a registered agent and a registered office in the state. Failure to keep a current registered agent and registered office on file can expose a domestic entity to administrative dissolution and a foreign entity to revocation of its registration. The change-of-agent filing obligation is the same regardless of whether the change is voluntary or involuntary — the entity must file a statement of change with the Secretary of State in either case.
The following circumstances typically trigger the obligation to file:
- The current registered agent resigns
- The current registered agent moves out of Alabama or is no longer a state resident
- The current registered agent’s street address changes due to relocation, postal renaming, or other cause
- The registered agent is no longer available at the registered office during normal business hours
- The entity voluntarily selects a new registered agent
- The current agent no longer consents to serve
Alabama does not distinguish between a voluntary change and an involuntary change for filing purposes. A statement of change must be filed regardless of the reason the entity needs to update its registered agent or registered office information.
Grounds for Changing Your Registered Agent in Alabama
The most common grounds for filing a statement of change of registered agent or registered office are summarized in the table below. Each ground requires the entity to file the same form — the Change of Registered Agent or Registered Office by Entity — and pay the same filing fee.
| Ground | Filing Required |
| Registered agent resigns | Statement of change — new agent must be designated |
| Registered agent relocates out of Alabama | Statement of change — new agent must be designated |
| Registered agent’s street address changes | Statement of change — or agent-initiated address change form if the same agent continues to serve |
| Entity switches to a professional registered agent service | Statement of change — new agent must be designated |
| Registered agent no longer available during business hours | Statement of change — new agent must be designated |
| Registered agent no longer consents to serve | Statement of change — new agent must be designated |
| Entity changes its own registered office address only | Statement of change — address fields updated, agent remains the same |
An entity’s registered agent information is part of the public record maintained by the Secretary of State and is searchable through the Business Entity Records database. Any inaccurate or outdated agent or office information should be corrected promptly by filing the appropriate form.
Alabama Registered Agent Change Requirements
Before filing a statement of change, the entity must ensure that the new registered agent satisfies Alabama’s eligibility, address, and consent requirements.
Eligibility of the New Registered Agent
Under Ala. Code § 10A-1-5.31, a registered agent may be one of two types:
- Option A — Organization: A domestic entity or a foreign entity that is registered to transact business in Alabama. The filing entity itself cannot act as its own registered agent.
- Option B — Individual: An individual who is a resident of the state of Alabama.
Registered Office Address
The registered office must be located at a street address in Alabama where process may be personally served on the entity’s registered agent. A P.O. Box, mailbox-only service, or telephone answering service does not satisfy this requirement. The street address of the registered office and the street address of the registered agent’s business office must be the same. The registered office is not required to be a place of business of the filing entity or foreign filing entity, but it must be a location where the agent can be physically found during normal business hours. As of the 2026 amendments to Ala. Code § 10A-1-5.31, a registered agent “may not perform its duties or functions solely through the use of a virtual office, the retention by the agent of a mail forwarding service, or both.”
Consent of the New Registered Agent
The statement of change must include the new registered agent’s written consent to the appointment, either on the statement itself or attached to it. Ala. Code § 10A-1-5.32 requires that the statement contain the name of the new registered agent and the agent’s written consent. The entity should obtain and retain evidence of this consent before filing.
Execution
The statement of change must be signed by a person authorized to act on behalf of the entity — typically a governing person, officer, or other managerial official. The statement must include “a recitation that the change specified in the statement is authorized by the entity.” Notarization is not required.
Note: The form published by the Secretary of State must be typed. Handwritten forms will be rejected without review.
How to File a Statement of Change of Registered Office/Agent
The entity files a statement of change by completing and submitting the Change of Registered Agent or Registered Office by Entity form. This form is available for download from the Business Downloads page on the Secretary of State’s website.
The form collects the following information, organized into several sections:
- Entity information: The legal name of the entity, its entity identification number assigned by the Secretary of State, the name of the current registered agent, and the current street address and mailing address of the registered office.
- Change fields: Whether the entity is changing the registered agent, the registered office address, or both. If appointing a new agent, the form asks for the new agent’s name, whether the agent is an individual resident of Alabama or an organization authorized to do business in Alabama, and the new agent’s written consent. If changing the registered office address, the form asks for the new street address and mailing address.
- Recitation of authorization: The form includes a statement that the change is authorized by the entity and that the street address of the registered office and the street address of the registered agent’s business are the same.
- Signature block: The form must be signed by a person authorized to execute the statement on behalf of the entity, with the signer’s printed name and title.
On acceptance by the Secretary of State, the statement of change is effective without the necessity of amending the entity’s certificate of formation. For a foreign filing entity (other than a foreign limited liability partnership), the statement operates as an amendment to its application for registration.
Filing Method: Online vs. Mail
Alabama allows entities to file the statement of change by mail, in person, or through the Secretary of State’s online filing portal.
| Method | Details |
| Mail two copies of the completed form and the filing fee, along with a self-addressed stamped envelope, to: Secretary of State, Business Services, P.O. Box 5616, Montgomery, AL 36103-5616 | |
| In Person | Deliver the form and filing fee to the Business Entities Division at 770 Washington Avenue, Suite 580, Montgomery, AL 36104, during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central) |
| Online | File through Alabama Interactive, the Secretary of State’s online filing portal operated by Alabama Interactive, LLC |
For mail filings, the form must be typed; handwritten submissions will be rejected. The entity should include a self-addressed, stamped envelope so that the Secretary of State can return the filed copy as evidence of filing. Payment by check or money order should be made payable to the Alabama Secretary of State.
For online filings through Alabama Interactive, users may need to create an account and may pay by credit or debit card. The Secretary of State’s office can be contacted at (334) 242-5324 for questions about online filing procedures.
Registered Agent Change Filing Fees by Entity Type
The filing fee for a statement of change of registered agent or registered office is established by Ala. Code § 10A-1-4.31. Alabama uses a uniform fee structure for this filing: the change of registered agent or registered office is classified as a filing instrument under Title 10A, and the fee is $100 for all entity types.
| Entity Type | Filing Fee |
| Domestic Business Corporation | $100 |
| Domestic Nonprofit Corporation | $100 |
| Domestic Limited Liability Company (LLC) | $100 |
| Domestic Limited Partnership (LP) | $100 |
| Domestic Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) | $100 |
| Domestic Limited Liability Limited Partnership (LLLP) | $100 |
| Domestic General Partnership (with filed statement) | $100 |
| Domestic Professional Association | $100 |
| Foreign Corporation (Business or Nonprofit) | $100 |
| Foreign LLC | $100 |
| Foreign LP | $100 |
| Foreign LLP | $100 |
| Foreign LLLP | $100 |
| Foreign General Partnership | $100 |
The Secretary of State Fee Schedule confirms the $100 fee for the Change of Registered Agent or Office by Entity, as well as $100 for the Change by Agent of Agent Name and/or Registered Office Address. The fee authority for all of these filings is Ala. Code § 10A-1-4.31.
There is no filing fee for the Registered Agent Resignation Notice — Ala. Code § 10A-1-5.34 expressly provides that “a fee is not required to file the statement of resignation.”
For mail or in-person filings, accepted payment methods include check and money order made payable to the Alabama Secretary of State. Online filings through Alabama Interactive may accept credit and debit cards. Entities that file frequently in person may set up a prepaid account using the Prepaid Account Setup Slip available on the Business Downloads page.
Effective Date of a Registered Agent Change in Alabama
A statement of change of registered agent or registered office takes effect when it is accepted and filed by the Secretary of State. Alabama’s general filing effectiveness rule under Ala. Code § 10A-1-4.11 provides that a filing instrument takes effect upon filing.
Immediate effect: The default rule is that the statement of change becomes effective when it is filed by the Secretary of State. This is the standard option for most entities filing a change of registered agent.
Delayed effective date: Under Ala. Code § 10A-1-4.12, an entity may specify a delayed effective date no later than the 90th day after the instrument is signed. This option allows an entity to file the statement in advance while scheduling the change to take effect on a future date.
Abandonment before effectiveness: If a statement of change specifies a delayed effective date and the entity decides not to proceed, the entity may file a certificate of abandonment before the delayed effective date arrives, and the change will not take effect.
On acceptance by the Secretary of State, the statement of change is effective — in the case of a domestic filing entity — to change the entity’s registered agent or registered office without the necessity of amending the entity’s certificate of formation. In the case of a foreign filing entity (other than a foreign limited liability partnership), the statement is effective as an amendment to the entity’s application for registration.
Changing the Registered Agent Address Without Changing the Agent
When a registered agent changes its own name or street address but continues to serve as agent for one or more entities, the agent may notify the Secretary of State directly by filing the Change by Current Agent to Alter Agent’s Name and/or Change Registered Office Address form. This agent-initiated filing is authorized by Ala. Code § 10A-1-5.33 and is separate from the entity-filed change form. It eliminates the need for each represented entity to file an individual statement of change when the agent — not the entity — initiates the address or name update.
The following table compares the two filing methods:
| Feature | Change of Registered Agent or Registered Office by Entity | Change by Current Agent to Alter Agent’s Name and/or Change Registered Office Address |
| Filed by | The entity | The registered agent |
| Purpose | Change the agent, the registered office address, or both | Update the agent’s own name or street address for represented entities |
| Can appoint a new agent | Yes | No — the same agent must continue to serve |
| Covers multiple entities in one filing | No — one filing per entity | Yes — one filing may list multiple entities |
| Prior written notice to entity required | No | Yes — at least 10 days before filing |
| Signed by | Person authorized to act on behalf of the entity | The registered agent or a person authorized to sign on behalf of the agent |
The agent-initiated form must include the name and entity identification number of each entity represented, the agent’s current name and address, the new name or new address (or both), and a recitation that written notice was given to each entity at least 10 days before the statement was delivered to the Secretary of State for filing. A registered agent may include multiple entities on a single filing, making this form particularly useful for commercial registered agent services that represent large numbers of Alabama entities.
The filing fee for the agent-initiated address change form is $100, the same as for any other filing instrument under Title 10A. This fee applies regardless of how many entities are listed on the form.
Note: The agent-initiated form cannot be used to appoint a different registered agent. If the entity wishes to designate a new agent, the entity itself must file the Change of Registered Agent or Registered Office by Entity form.
What Happens After the Change Is Filed
Once the Secretary of State accepts and files the statement of change, several effects follow:
- The entity’s registered agent and registered office information in the Secretary of State’s records is updated to reflect the new designation.
- The statement of change is effective without the necessity of amending the entity’s certificate of formation (for domestic filing entities) or operates as an amendment to the foreign entity’s application for registration (for foreign filing entities other than foreign limited liability partnerships).
- The Secretary of State returns a filed copy of the statement to the submitter as evidence of filing.
- The new agent’s name and address become part of the entity’s public filing history and are searchable through the Business Entity Records database maintained by the Secretary of State.
- The former agent’s authority to receive service of process on behalf of the entity terminates upon the effectiveness of the change.
The entity should retain the filed copy of the statement for its records. If the entity filed by mail and included a self-addressed stamped envelope, the Secretary of State will return the filed copy by return mail.
Changing a Registered Agent for a Foreign Entity Registered in Alabama
A foreign entity registered to transact business in Alabama is subject to the same registered agent and registered office requirements as a domestic filing entity. Under Ala. Code § 10A-1-5.31, every foreign filing entity with a registration under Article 7 must designate and continuously maintain a registered agent and a registered office in Alabama. The agent must be either an individual resident of Alabama or an entity (domestic or foreign) that is registered to transact business in Alabama, and the registered office must be at a physical street address where service of process can be personally delivered.
A foreign entity changes its registered agent by filing the same Change of Registered Agent or Registered Office by Entity form used by domestic entities. The same eligibility requirements, consent requirements, physical street address requirements, execution requirements, and filing methods apply. The filing fee is $100 for all foreign entity types — foreign corporations (business and nonprofit), foreign LLCs, foreign LPs, foreign LLPs, foreign LLLPs, and foreign general partnerships.
On acceptance by the Secretary of State, the statement of change for a foreign filing entity (other than a foreign limited liability partnership) is effective as an amendment to the entity’s application for registration under Article 7 of the Alabama Business and Nonprofit Entities Code. For a foreign limited liability partnership, the statement is effective to change the agent or office designation without the necessity of amending its statement of foreign limited liability partnership.
Frequently Asked Questions About Changing a Registered Agent in Alabama
How long does it take to change a registered agent in Alabama?
The Alabama Secretary of State does not publish a guaranteed processing time for statements of change. Online filings submitted through Alabama Interactive are generally processed more quickly than mail filings. Mail filings depend on postal delivery times and the current volume of filings received by the Business Entities Division. Entities with questions about current processing times may contact the Business Entities Division at (334) 242-5324 during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central.
Do I need to notify my current registered agent before changing?
Alabama law does not impose an obligation on the entity to notify its outgoing registered agent before filing a statement of change under Ala. Code § 10A-1-5.32. The change becomes effective when the Secretary of State files the statement. Many entities choose to notify the outgoing agent as a professional courtesy. If the outgoing agent wishes to end the relationship independently, the agent may file a Registered Agent Resignation Notice under Ala. Code § 10A-1-5.34.
Can I change my registered office address without changing the registered agent?
Yes. The Change of Registered Agent or Registered Office by Entity form allows the entity to update the registered office address while keeping the same registered agent. The entity simply completes the address-change fields on the form and leaves the agent designation unchanged. Alternatively, if the same agent is updating its own address for one or more represented entities, the agent may file the Change by Current Agent to Alter Agent’s Name and/or Change Registered Office Address form under Ala. Code § 10A-1-5.33.
What is the agent-initiated address change form and when is it used?
The Change by Current Agent to Alter Agent’s Name and/or Change Registered Office Address form is filed by the registered agent — not by the entity — when the agent’s own name or street address changes while the agent continues to serve. This form is authorized by Ala. Code § 10A-1-5.33 and cannot be used to appoint a different registered agent. The agent must give written notice of the change to each represented entity at least 10 days before delivering the statement to the Secretary of State for filing. A single filing may cover multiple represented entities.
Is there a penalty for not filing a change of registered agent?
Alabama requires every filing entity and every registered foreign entity to maintain a current registered agent and registered office continuously. Failure to do so can result in administrative dissolution for domestic corporations under Ala. Code § 10A-2-14.20 and revocation of registration for foreign entities under Ala. Code § 10A-1-7.12. Under Ala. Code § 10A-1-5.35, if an entity fails to designate and maintain a registered agent, the entity may be served with process as provided by the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure, creating a risk of default judgment if the entity fails to respond to a lawsuit it never received through proper agent service.
Can I change my registered agent and the registered office address in the same filing?
Yes. The Change of Registered Agent or Registered Office by Entity form permits changing the agent, the address, or both in a single filing. Only one $100 filing fee applies regardless of whether the entity is updating the agent alone, the address alone, or both at the same time.
What happens if my registered agent resigns?
A registered agent may resign by giving written notice to the entity and delivering a Registered Agent Resignation Notice to the Secretary of State under Ala. Code § 10A-1-5.34. The resignation takes effect on the earlier of the 31st day after the statement is delivered to the Secretary of State for filing, or the date the entity designates a new registered agent. There is no filing fee for the resignation. Upon receipt of the resignation, the Secretary of State notifies the entity. The entity should promptly file a statement of change to appoint a replacement agent — failing to maintain a registered agent exposes the entity to the consequences described above.
Note: The resignation form must be received by the Secretary of State within 11 days of the date the agent delivered written notice to the entity.
Does the new registered agent need to sign the change form?
The change form is signed by the entity’s authorized governing person or officer — not by the new registered agent. However, Ala. Code § 10A-1-5.32 requires that the statement include “the new registered agent’s written consent to the appointment, either on the statement or attached to it.” This means the new agent’s consent must appear on or accompany the form, but the primary signature executing the statement is that of the entity’s authorized representative.
Can I use a P.O. Box for the new registered office address?
No. Under Ala. Code § 10A-1-5.31, the registered office must be located at a street address in Alabama where process may be personally served on the entity’s registered agent. The registered office may not be solely a mailbox service or a telephone answering service. All Secretary of State forms for entities requiring a registered office explicitly state that P.O. Boxes are not acceptable for the registered office street address.
Is the filing fee the same whether I file online or by mail?
Yes. The filing fee for a statement of change of registered agent or registered office is $100 regardless of whether the entity files online, by mail, or in person. This fee is set by the Secretary of State Fee Schedule under Ala. Code § 10A-1-4.31. Online filings through Alabama Interactive may be subject to a convenience fee charged by the third-party portal provider; entities should review the fee disclosure at the time of payment.