‹ Massachusetts Filing Guide
How to Change Your Registered Agent in Massachusetts
The form, the fee, and how to file it.
Filing details
- Form name
- Limited Liability Company Statement of Change of Resident Agent/Resident Office
- Filing fee
- Free
- Online filing
- Yes
- Processing time
- Immediate for online; 3-5 business days for mail; same-day for fax
- Secretary of State
- Massachusetts SOS ↗
Note: Massachusetts LLCs use the term "resident agent" rather than "registered agent" - they refer to the same role. Online filing is free; paper or fax filing is $25. The change cannot be made through the annual report or via amendment - the dedicated Statement of Change form is required. To file online, you need a Customer ID Number (CID) and PIN, which the Secretary of the Commonwealth provides. If you do not have these, request them at
[email protected].
Open online filing portal ↗
How to change your registered agent in Massachusetts
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Choose your new registered agent first.
Do not file the change form until you have a new agent lined up. The new agent has to consent to the appointment, and most states will not process the change without that consent in hand. If you let coverage lapse, the Massachusetts SOS can administratively dissolve your LLC.
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Get the Limited Liability Company Statement of Change of Resident Agent/Resident Office. Download the form ↗
You can file this online through the Massachusetts Secretary of State portal. The form requires your LLC name, the new agent name and address, and a signature. The new agent must consent to the appointment.
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Pay the Free filing fee.
Massachusetts does not charge a state filing fee for this change. The only cost is what you pay your new registered agent.
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Notify your old agent.
Once the change is processed, your old agent's responsibility ends. If you are paying them an annual fee, cancel that subscription so it does not auto-renew. Most services prorate or refund the unused portion.
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Verify the change in state records.
Search your LLC name on the Massachusetts SOS business search and confirm the new registered agent is listed. Processing typically takes Immediate for online; 3-5 business days for mail; same-day for fax, so check back after that window.
Important to know about Massachusetts
- Online filing is free; paper or fax filing costs $25. Online is always cheaper.
- Massachusetts uses the term "resident agent" for LLCs, but it means the same as "registered agent" elsewhere.
- You cannot change the agent through your annual report or a Certificate of Amendment - the dedicated Statement of Change form is the only way.
Have a service handle the change for you
Northwest will file the Limited Liability Company Statement of Change of Resident Agent/Resident Office and pay the state filing fee when you sign up. The change is usually filed the same business day.
Get Northwest Registered Agent ↗
$125/year · All 50 states · Privacy included
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Registered Agents Inc
$200/year · Includes annual report filing
This page provides general information based on publicly available Massachusetts Secretary of State requirements. It is not legal advice. Forms, fees, and procedures can change. Verify with the Massachusetts SOS before filing.