When Is a Change of Registered Agent Required in Washington?
A domestic or foreign entity registered with the Washington Secretary of State must file a statement of change whenever it needs to replace its registered agent, update its registered office address, or both. Under the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) § 23.95.430, a represented entity may change its registered agent or other registered-agent information on file by delivering a statement of change to the Secretary of State. This filing obligation extends to every entity type that Washington requires to maintain a registered agent. Domestic profit corporations and nonprofit corporations must each continuously maintain a registered agent under their respective organic statutes, as must limited liability companies and professional limited liability companies, limited partnerships and limited liability limited partnerships, and limited liability partnerships. Professional service corporations organized under RCW Chapter 18.100 and social purpose corporations organized under RCW Chapter 23B.25 inherit the same obligation through the Washington Business Corporation Act. Every foreign entity registered to transact business in Washington is subject to the identical requirement. Regardless of entity type, the registered agent rules are governed centrally by Article 4 of the Uniform Business Organizations Code (Chapter 23.95 RCW), meaning the same statement of change form, the same $0 filing fee, and the same eligibility and consent standards apply across the board.
Washington law mandates continuous compliance with this requirement. Under RCW § 23.95.405, every domestic entity and every registered foreign entity must designate and maintain a registered agent in the state at all times. The registered agent serves as the entity’s designated point of contact for receiving service of process, government notices, and other legal demands. When the current agent can no longer fill that role — whether because of resignation, relocation, unavailability, or any other cause — the entity must promptly file a statement of change to designate a qualified replacement.
The following circumstances each require the entity to file a statement of change:
- The current registered agent resigns from the appointment
- The current registered agent is no longer qualified to serve in Washington
- The registered agent’s physical 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 or switches to a commercial registered agent service
- The agent no longer consents to serve
Washington does not distinguish between a voluntary and an involuntary change — the same form, the same filing process, and the same $0 filing fee apply regardless of the reason for the change.
Grounds for Changing Your Registered Agent in Washington
The most common situations that trigger a registered agent change fall into several recognizable categories. The table below summarizes each ground and the filing it requires.
| Ground | Filing Required |
| Registered agent resigns | Entity files a Statement of Change/Designation of Registered Agent to appoint a replacement |
| Registered agent relocates out of Washington | Entity files a Statement of Change to designate a new qualified agent |
| Registered agent’s street address changes | Entity files a Statement of Change — or the agent files its own address-change notice under RCW § 23.95.435 or § 23.95.440 |
| Entity switches to a commercial registered agent service | Entity files a Statement of Change designating the new commercial agent |
| Registered agent no longer available during business hours | Entity files a Statement of Change to appoint a new agent |
| Registered agent no longer consents to serve | Entity files a Statement of Change to appoint a replacement |
| Entity changes its registered office address only | Entity files a Statement of Change reflecting the new address |
An entity’s registered agent information is part of the public record maintained by the Secretary of State and searchable through the Corporations and Charities Filing System (CCFS). Any outdated or inaccurate agent or office information should be corrected promptly by filing the appropriate statement of change.
Washington Registered Agent Change Requirements
Before filing a statement of change, the entity must confirm that the proposed new registered agent satisfies Washington’s eligibility requirements and that the registered office address meets the statutory standard.
Eligibility of the new registered agent:
Washington recognizes two categories of registered agent:
- Option A — Commercial Registered Agent: A commercial registered agent is an individual or entity listed with the Secretary of State under RCW § 23.95.420 as being in the business of serving as a registered agent for multiple entities. Commercial agents maintain their own registered office addresses on file with the state, and when an entity designates a commercial agent, the agent’s listed address automatically serves as the entity’s registered office — no separate address is needed on the statement of change.
- Option B — Noncommercial Registered Agent: An individual with a physical street address in Washington, or a domestic or foreign entity that is registered to transact business in the state and maintains a street address here. The filing entity itself may not act as its own registered agent.
Registered office address:
Under RCW § 23.95.410, a registered agent filing must state a street address in Washington and, if different, a mailing address in Washington. The street address must be a physical location where service of process can be personally delivered during normal business hours. A P.O. Box, mailbox-only service, or virtual office does not satisfy this requirement for the street address, though a separate mailing address may differ from the street address if one is provided.
Consent of the new registered agent:
A person may not be appointed as a registered agent without having given prior consent. Under RCW § 23.95.415, “a registered agent shall not be appointed without having given prior consent in a record to the appointment.” For a statement of change, RCW § 23.95.430(3) requires that the new registered agent’s consent be delivered to the Secretary of State “in a record, either on the statement or attached to it.” Washington takes this requirement seriously — if an individual or entity has been named as a registered agent without consent, that person “may deliver to the secretary of state a notarized statement attesting to that fact, and the name shall immediately be removed from the records.”
Note: Unlike many states where consent is merely retained by the entity, Washington requires the new registered agent’s consent to accompany the statement of change filing itself, either on the form or attached to it.
Execution:
The statement of change must be executed by the represented entity. The interest holders or governors of a domestic entity need not separately approve the filing of a statement of change — the authorized person signing on the entity’s behalf is sufficient. Notarization is not required.
How to File a Statement of Change of Registered Office/Agent
The official form for this filing is the Statement of Change/Designation of Registered Agent, published by the Washington Secretary of State. The form collects the following information:
- Business name and UBI number: Provide the entity’s legal name as recorded with the Secretary of State and the entity’s Unified Business Identifier (UBI) number, which can be located through the CCFS business search.
- Type of agent designation: Indicate whether the new registered agent is a commercial registered agent or a noncommercial registered agent.
- Commercial registered agent information: If designating a commercial agent, provide the agent’s name as listed with the Secretary of State. No separate address is needed because the commercial agent’s address is already on file.
- Noncommercial registered agent information: If designating a noncommercial agent, provide the agent’s name and the registered office street address in Washington. A mailing address may also be provided if it differs from the street address.
- Consent: The new agent’s consent must accompany the filing — either by the agent signing the form directly or by attaching a separate written consent record.
Effectiveness Option A — Immediate: The default rule is that the statement of change takes effect on the date it is filed and accepted by the Secretary of State, as provided by RCW § 23.95.210.
Effectiveness Option B — Delayed effective date: The filer may specify a delayed effective date, which may not be more than ninety days after the date of filing. If a delayed date is specified without a time, the filing becomes effective at 12:01 a.m. on the specified date.
Note: When filing online through CCFS, the portal collects the required information directly. The PDF form is designed for paper filings and should not be uploaded as an attachment to an online submission.
Filing Method: Online vs. Mail
The statement of change may be filed online through the Secretary of State’s online portal or delivered by mail. The table below compares the two methods.
| Method | Details |
| Online | File through the Corporations and Charities Filing System (CCFS). The portal collects the required fields directly. |
| Send the completed PDF form to: Corporations & Charities Division, Office of the Secretary of State, P.O. Box 40234, Olympia, WA 98504-0234 |
Online filing through CCFS is the Secretary of State’s preferred method and is generally processed more quickly than paper submissions. Expedited and same-day services are also available for time-sensitive filings. Expedited service costs $100 per business entity and is generally processed within three working days. Same-day service costs $150 per business entity and is available at the front counter during posted business hours. To expedite a mail filing, include the additional $100 fee and label the outside of the envelope “EXPEDITE.”
The Secretary of State accepts cash, checks, money orders, Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. All payments must be in U.S. dollars. Payments are nonrefundable.
Registered Agent Change Filing Fees by Entity Type
Washington charges no filing fee for a statement of change of registered agent. The fee is $0 regardless of entity type or whether the entity is domestic or foreign. The table below confirms this across all entity types the state recognizes.
| Entity Type | Filing Fee |
| Profit Corporation (domestic) | $0 |
| Profit Corporation (foreign) | $0 |
| Nonprofit Corporation (domestic) | $0 |
| Nonprofit Corporation (foreign) | $0 |
| Limited Liability Company (domestic) | $0 |
| Limited Liability Company (foreign) | $0 |
| Professional Limited Liability Company (domestic) | $0 |
| Professional Limited Liability Company (foreign) | $0 |
| Limited Partnership (domestic) | $0 |
| Limited Partnership (foreign) | $0 |
| Limited Liability Limited Partnership (domestic) | $0 |
| Limited Liability Limited Partnership (foreign) | $0 |
| Limited Liability Partnership (domestic) | $0 |
| Limited Liability Partnership (foreign) | $0 |
| Professional Service Corporation (domestic) | $0 |
| Professional Service Corporation (foreign) | $0 |
| Social Purpose Corporation (domestic) | $0 |
Filing fees for all entity types are published on the Secretary of State’s Fee Schedule / Expedited Service page. There is no filing fee for a registered agent resignation form either — resignations under RCW § 23.95.445 are filed at no cost. The only additional charges an entity may incur are the optional expedited service fee ($100) or same-day service fee ($150), which apply to any filing type and are not specific to registered agent changes.
Effective Date of a Registered Agent Change in Washington
A statement of change filed with the Washington Secretary of State takes effect according to the rules established in RCW § 23.95.210, which governs the effectiveness of all entity filings under the Uniform Business Organizations Code.
Immediate effect: The default rule is that the filing becomes effective on the date of filing and at the time specified in the filing as its effective time. If no specific time is stated, the filing is effective when accepted by the Secretary of State. Most entities choose this option.
Delayed effective date: The filer may specify a delayed effective date, which may not be more than ninety days after the date of filing. If a delayed date is specified but no time is indicated, the filing takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the specified date. This option is useful for entities coordinating the transition between an outgoing and incoming registered agent.
Upon acceptance, the statement of change updates the entity’s registered agent and registered office information in the Secretary of State’s records. The change is reflected in the entity’s public record searchable through CCFS.
Changing the Registered Agent Address Without Changing the Agent
When a registered agent’s physical address changes but the same individual or organization continues to serve, the agent itself — rather than each represented entity — may file the update with the Secretary of State. Washington provides two separate mechanisms for this, depending on whether the agent is a commercial or noncommercial agent.
Noncommercial registered agent: Under RCW § 23.95.435, a noncommercial registered agent that changes its name or address must deliver a statement of change to the Secretary of State for each entity the agent represents. The agent must promptly furnish the represented entity with notice of the change.
Commercial registered agent: Under RCW § 23.95.440, a commercial registered agent that changes its name, address, type of entity, or jurisdiction of formation must deliver a single statement of change to the Secretary of State. That single filing is effective to update the agent’s information with respect to every entity the commercial agent represents — a far more efficient process for professional agent services that represent hundreds or thousands of entities.
The table below compares the entity-filed statement of change with the two types of agent-initiated changes.
| Feature | Entity-Filed Statement of Change (RCW § 23.95.430) | Noncommercial Agent Change (RCW § 23.95.435) | Commercial Agent Change (RCW § 23.95.440) |
| Filed by | The entity | The noncommercial registered agent | The commercial registered agent |
| Purpose | Appoint a new agent, change the registered office, or both | Update the agent’s own name or address while continuing to serve | Update the agent’s name, address, entity type, or jurisdiction for all represented entities |
| Can appoint a new agent? | Yes | No | No |
| Covers multiple entities in one filing? | No — one filing per entity | No — one filing per represented entity | Yes — a single filing covers all represented entities |
| Notice to entity required? | — | Yes — prompt notice in a record | Yes — prompt notice in a record |
| Signed by | Authorized representative of the entity | The registered agent | The commercial registered agent |
A commercial registered agent that changes its address without filing the required statement of change risks having the Secretary of State cancel the agent’s listing — an action that carries the same effect as a voluntary termination and leaves every represented entity without a registered agent.
What Happens After the Change Is Filed
Once the Secretary of State accepts the statement of change, the following effects occur:
- The entity’s registered agent and registered office information in the Secretary of State’s records is updated as of the effective date.
- The updated agent and office information becomes part of the entity’s public filing record, searchable through CCFS.
- The former registered agent’s authority to receive service of process on behalf of the entity terminates as of the effective date.
- The new registered agent assumes immediate responsibility for accepting service of process and forwarding all legal documents to the entity.
- If the entity filed by mail, the Secretary of State returns evidence of filing to the submitter.
The entity should confirm the update by searching its record in CCFS after the filing has been processed to verify that all information is accurately reflected.
Changing a Registered Agent for a Foreign Entity Registered in Washington
A foreign entity registered to transact business in Washington is subject to the same registered agent and registered office requirements as a domestic filing entity. Under RCW § 23.95.405, every registered foreign entity must designate and maintain a registered agent in the state, and the eligibility requirements, consent requirement, physical street address requirement, and execution rules are identical to those governing domestic entities.
A foreign entity changes its registered agent by filing the same Statement of Change/Designation of Registered Agent form used by domestic entities. The filing fee is $0, the same as for domestic filings. The same online and mail filing methods apply, and the same expedited service options are available.
A foreign entity that fails to maintain a registered agent is subject to termination of its registration. Under RCW § 23.95.550, the Secretary of State may terminate a foreign entity’s registration if the entity does not have a registered agent as required by law, or if the entity fails to file a statement of change when its registered agent’s name or address changes. Before termination, the Secretary of State must deliver notice to the entity’s registered agent or principal office, and the entity has sixty days to cure the deficiency. If the entity fails to cure, the Secretary of State files a statement of termination and the entity’s authority to do business in Washington ceases on the effective date of that termination.
Frequently Asked Questions About Changing a Registered Agent in Washington
How long does it take to change a registered agent in Washington?
The Secretary of State does not publish a guaranteed processing time for standard filings. Online filings submitted through CCFS are generally processed more quickly than paper submissions. For time-sensitive filings, expedited service is available for $100 per entity (generally processed within three working days), and same-day service is available for $150 per entity. Current processing times and front-counter hours can be checked by contacting the Corporations & Charities Division at 360-725-0377 or by visiting the Secretary of State’s Contact Us page.
Do I need to notify my current registered agent before changing?
Washington law does not impose a statutory obligation on the entity to notify its outgoing registered agent before filing a statement of change. Under RCW § 23.95.430, the entity simply files the statement designating a new agent, and the change becomes effective upon acceptance (or on the delayed effective date, if one was specified). Many entities choose to notify the outgoing agent as a professional courtesy, but this is not a legal prerequisite. If the outgoing agent wishes to end the relationship independently, the agent may file a separate statement of resignation under RCW § 23.95.445.
Can I change my registered office address without changing the registered agent?
Yes. The statement of change permits the entity to update only its registered office address while keeping the same registered agent. When filing, the entity indicates the new address and leaves the agent designation unchanged. Alternatively, if the same agent has moved to a new physical address and continues to serve, the agent may file its own address-change notice under RCW § 23.95.435 (for noncommercial agents) or RCW § 23.95.440 (for commercial agents), rather than requiring the entity to file.
What is the agent-initiated address change form and when is it used?
The agent-initiated address change is a filing made by the registered agent itself — not by the entity — when the agent changes its own name or address while continuing to serve. For noncommercial agents, the authority is RCW § 23.95.435, and a separate filing must be made for each represented entity. For commercial registered agents, the authority is RCW § 23.95.440, and a single filing updates the information for all represented entities at once. Neither form can be used to appoint a different agent. The agent must promptly furnish notice of the change to each represented entity.
Is there a penalty for not filing a change of registered agent?
Washington requires every filing entity to continuously maintain a current registered agent and registered office. A domestic entity that does not have a registered agent for thirty consecutive days is subject to administrative dissolution proceedings under RCW § 23.95.605. For foreign entities, the Secretary of State may terminate the entity’s registration under RCW § 23.95.550. In either case, the entity receives notice and has sixty days to cure the deficiency. Failure to cure results in dissolution or termination. An entity without a registered agent also faces the risk that service of process may be made through alternative means — including service on the Secretary of State as a substitute agent under RCW § 23.95.450 — which may lead to default judgments.
Can I change my registered agent and the registered office address in the same filing?
Yes. The Statement of Change/Designation of Registered Agent permits an entity to replace its registered agent, update its registered office address, or do both in a single filing. The filing fee remains $0 regardless of whether the entity changes the agent, the address, or both.
What happens if my registered agent resigns?
A registered agent may resign by delivering a statement of resignation to the Secretary of State under RCW § 23.95.445. The statement must identify the entity, the agent, and the address to which the agent will send notice of the resignation. The resignation takes effect on the earlier of the thirty-first day after filing or the date the entity designates a new registered agent. The resigning agent must promptly furnish the entity with notice of the date the resignation was filed. There is no filing fee for a resignation. Once the resignation becomes effective, the entity must promptly file a statement of change to appoint a replacement — failure to maintain a registered agent for thirty consecutive days exposes the entity to administrative dissolution proceedings.
Does the new registered agent need to sign the change form?
Washington requires the new agent’s consent to accompany the filing. Under RCW § 23.95.430(3), the statement of change “must be accompanied by the new registered agent’s consent in a record, either on the statement or attached to it.” This means the new agent must either sign the statement of change directly or provide a separate written consent record that is attached to the filing. The statement of change itself is executed by an authorized representative of the entity, but the agent’s consent record must also be included.
Can I use a P.O. Box for the new registered office address?
No. Under RCW § 23.95.410, a registered agent filing must state a street address in Washington. The street address must be a physical location where service of process can be personally delivered during normal business hours. A P.O. Box, mailbox-only service, or virtual office does not satisfy the street address requirement. A separate mailing address may be provided in addition to the street address if the two differ, but the physical street address is mandatory. When a commercial registered agent is designated, the agent’s address on file with the Secretary of State serves as the registered office automatically.
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 is $0 regardless of whether the filing is submitted online through CCFS or mailed to the Corporations & Charities Division. There is no credit-card surcharge for online submissions. The only additional cost an entity may incur is the optional expedited service fee ($100 for three-working-day processing) or same-day fee ($150), as described on the Fee Schedule / Expedited Service page.