How to Change Registered Agent in Vermont

What the State of Vermont Says about changing a Registered Agent

The state of Vermont has certain requirements for changing your LLC’s registered agent. Any change to a business entity’s registered agent, address, or contact information, must be made using either an online or mailed “Change of Registered Agent or Agent Address” form. The Secretary of State’s office prefers that all filings are done online, although they allow paper submissions as well.

The Secretary of State website has a whole page dedicated to registered agent changes and resignations. Take a look here.

Who can be a Vermont Registered Agent

You can’t pick just anyone to be a registered agent for your LLC. The state of Vermont puts certain restrictions on who can serve as one. If you’re choosing or changing your registered agent, keep these requirements in mind. The registered agent in Vermont must:

• Be an individual Vermont resident or a business entity located in Vermont
• Have a Vermont street address (P.O. boxes are not allowed)

* If your registered agent is a foreign business entity, it must be authorized to transact business in Vermont

How to Change Your Vermont Registered Agent

There are two ways to change your registered agent in Vermont: online and by mail. As mentioned above, the Secretary of State’s office prefers online filing because it’s quicker and easier for all parties involved. So, we’ll start with how to file online.

Go to the S.O.S. online filing system. You’ll need to create an account if you don’t already have one. Once you’re logged in, enter your new registered agent information to make the change, then pay the $25 fee with a credit or debit card.

While online submission is the preferred method, if you prefer doing business on paper, you can request a hard copy. However, you can’t download it directly from the Secretary of State website; instead, you need to submit a formal request here and wait for them to send you your form. Then, fill it out and mail it, with a $25 check, to:

Vermont Secretary of State

128 State Street

Montpelier, Vermont 05633-1101

Some states allow business entities to change their registered agents by updating Annual Reports or Articles of Organization. Vermont does not. You must use one of the filing methods outlined above.

If you’re too busy, or if you’d feel more comfortable letting someone else take the reins, you have the option of hiring a company or individual to file your paperwork for you. It’s a great way to save time and stress.

Submit your form? Pay your fee? Your change will take effect soon! Online filings are typically processed right away, and mailed forms are processed within 7-10 business days.

Consider a Registered Agent Service

Think of your registered agent as a mediator between you and the state of Vermont, the person or business entity that handles some of your most important paperwork.

In case you thought the registered agent was just a formality, look at the documents they handle:

• service of process notices
• tax information
• lawsuits
• and other Secretary of State correspondence.

A lot of important stuff. Which is why a reliable registered agent is essential to every Vermont business owner.

By handling high-priority and sensitive documents on your behalf, your registered agent takes care of your communications with the state, so you can spend more time building your business.

Plus, if you operate a Vermont small business from out of state, a trustworthy registered agent is especially important, as the state requires a local contact for your LLC. Having this contact ensures your company will receive and respond to time-sensitive documents, so you won’t miss filings and get hit with penalties.

If you’re unsure where to find a good Vermont registered agent, consider using a registered agent service. These companies provide you a reliable, professional registered agent so you can have peace of mind knowing you won’t ever miss a filing, tax deadline, or state correspondence.

Sure, you can jump online, search “registered agent service,” and get a ton of results. But the truth is that not all of these services are trustworthy. So, we’ve done some research for you. If you want to know you’re getting a top-quality registered agent, take a look at our comparison guide on the best rated registered agent services. Many of these providers can also form an LLC for you if you’re needing a fresh start. ZenBusiness and IncFile are two very well known options.