How to Change Your Arizona Statutory Agent

The process to change your Arizona statutory agent (also known as a registered agent) is fairly straightforward. However, there are a few things you should know. This guide will walk you through the change of agent process for both LLCs and corporations.

Don’t want to deal with this process at all? No problem! When you hire us as your Arizona Statutory Agent, we’ll file the paperwork for you. Sign up for a year of our Statutory Agent service for $49, and we’ll file the change of agent paperwork for $25 plus state fee.

Steps to Change Your Arizona Statutory Agent

There are six steps to change your Arizona statutory agent on state record:

1. Choose a new AZ statutory agent
2. Complete required forms
3. Submit forms to Arizona Corporation Commission
4. Pay the filing fee (if any)
5. Wait for confirmation
6. Cancel services with your previous agent

1. Choose a New Arizona Statutory Agent

When choosing a new Arizona statutory agent, keep the following in mind:

• If your new agent is an individual, they must be a state resident over the age of 18.
• If your new agent is another entity, they must be an active registered business allowed to operate in Arizona.
• Both types of statutory agents must have a physical Arizona address where they will be present to receive your state and legal mail.

According to Arizona Revised Statutes § 29-3115, every active business in Arizona must designate and maintain a statutory agent on state record. The full name and address of the agent becomes public record. If you’re thinking of appointing yourself as the agent, you must meet the above requirements and accept the loss of your information privacy.

2. Complete Required Forms

To change your statutory agent on state record, you must complete the required form for your entity type:

For LLCs

You can change your statutory agent information in a few ways: by mail, fax, or online:

• By mail or fax – You must complete the “LLC Statement of Change of Principal Address or Statutory Agent” (Form L020.005). To do this, you will need your currrent statutory agent’s name and address as well as your new agent’s information. You can find your current statutory agent’s information by searching for your business using the ACC Business Search tool.
  • You will also need to submit the “Statutory Agent Acceptance Form” (form M002) which needs to be completed by your new statutory agent.
• Online – You will need to sign into your Arizona Corporation Commission account, or create one if you don’t have one already. Once logged into your account, click on the “Online Services” tab, then choose “Change Addresses or Statutory Agent.”
  • You will need the email address of your new statutory agent. The state will email your new agent to confirm acceptance of this appointment.

For corporations

Corporations have a few options for changing the statutory agent information. This change can be made on the Annual Report, with an Amendment filing, or with the “Statement of Change to Known Place of Business, Principal Address or Statutory Agent” (Form C016.005):

• By mail or fax- Visit the ACC forms website to download the appropriate form and complete it with the appropriate information. Use the ACC Business Search tool to find your company’s state listing and current statutory agent information.
  • You will also need to submit the “Statutory Agent Acceptance Form” completed and signed by your new statutory agent. This form must also be submitted if you are using the Annual Report or Amendment forms to change agent information.
• Online – Sign into your Arizona Corporation Commission account, or create an account using the “Register” button. Click on the “Online Services” tab and choose the filing you want to use to update your statutory agent information.
  • You will need to report your new agent’s email address on any form you use. The state will contact your new agent directly to gain the statutory agent acceptance.

If you have questions about any part of your filing, we’re here to support you! Give us a call or send us an email here.

3. Submit your forms to the Arizona Corporation Commission

If you want to mail in your forms, mail them to:

Arizona Corporation Commission
Corporations Division – Corporate Filings Section
1300 W. Washington St.,
Phoenix, Arizona 85007-2929

If you want to fax in your forms:

Fax Number: 602-542-4100 (Don’t forget to include a Cover Sheet with every filing order).

To submit your forms online, sign into the ACC website and choose “Online Services”, then select the filing you need.

4. Pay the filing fee (if any)

For LLCs, the fee for filing the Statement of Change of Statutory Agent is $5. The standard processing time is 20 business days.

For corporations, filing the Statement of Change of Statutory Agent is free! The standard processing time is also 20 business days.

There is an expedited filing option available for an additional $35. This option brings the processing time down to 3-5 business days.

5. Wait for confirmation from the state

The state will send confirmation that your filing has been processed according to how it was submitted. Mailed-in and faxed filings will see confirmation mailed to the registered agent address provided on the filing. Online filings will see confirmation sent as a .pdf document to the registered agent email address you provided.

Most businesses choose to pay the expedited fee rather than wait 20 business days for the state to process the filing. A quicker processing time is especially beneficial if you are switching your statutory agent service away from an entity that requires proof before your service can be canceled.

6. Cancel services with your previous statutory agent

If you are switching your services away from a professional statutory agency, don’t forget to cancel your service or close your account with them. Use the confirmation you received from the state as proof you are no longer using their statutory agent services. They will also be able to search for your business on state record and see when your agent information was changed, but they won’t do this unless you inform them. Follow their cancellation policies and procedures, and everything should transition smoothly.

Arizona Change of Statutory Agent FAQs

Can I be my own statutory agent in Arizona?

You can absolutely name yourself as your own statutory agent in Arizona… as long as you meet all the state requirements. The restrictive requirements, as well as the loss of information privacy, are the most common reasons why most business owners choose to hire out for this service.

What are the requirements for being an Arizona statutory agent?

The state requires individual agents to be residents of Arizona, have a physical street address in the state, be at least 18 years old, and be available during all business hours to receive state and legal mail.

Entities that want to offer statutory agent service must also have a physical address in Arizona, be registered to do business in Arizona, and be open during all normal business hours to receive state and legal mail.

Can I use a P.O. Box address as my statutory agent address?

The state requires a physical Arizona address for all statutory agent addresses. PO Box address will be rejected.

What happens if I don’t maintain a statutory agent on state record?

If you do not maintain a statutory agent for your business on state record, the state will file for administrative dissolution of your business.

To bring your business back to good standing, you will need to appoint an acceptable statutory agent and file for reinstatement.