When Is a Change of Registered Agent Required in Connecticut?
A Connecticut entity must file a Change of Agent form with the Secretary of the State whenever it needs to designate a new registered agent, update the existing agent’s information, or replace an agent who has resigned. The statutory authority for this filing depends on the entity type. For domestic and foreign business (stock) corporations, C.G.S. § 33-661 authorizes a corporation to change its registered office or registered agent by delivering a statement of change to the Secretary of the State that identifies the new agent or new office address. For nonstock corporations, the equivalent authority is C.G.S. § 33-1051, which prescribes an identical filing mechanism under the Connecticut Revised Nonstock Corporation Act. For limited liability companies (domestic and registered foreign), C.G.S. § 34-243o governs entity-initiated changes, while C.G.S. § 34-243q separately authorizes a registered agent to update its own name or address on file. Other filing entities — including limited partnerships, statutory trusts, and registered limited liability partnerships — are governed by the registered agent provisions within their respective organic statutes.
Every domestic filing entity and every foreign entity authorized to transact business in Connecticut must continuously maintain both a registered office and a registered agent in the state. For business corporations, this obligation is established by C.G.S. § 33-660; for nonstock corporations, by C.G.S. § 33-1050; and for LLCs, by C.G.S. § 34-243n. Each statute requires the entity to maintain a registered office — which may be the same as any of its places of business — and a registered agent at that office. A failure to maintain current agent information can lead to administrative dissolution for domestic entities or revocation of authority for foreign entities — consequences that affect the entity’s ability to conduct business and defend itself in court.
The specific circumstances that typically prompt a change filing include:
- The current registered agent resigns — a process separately governed by C.G.S. § 33-662 for stock corporations, C.G.S. § 33-1052 for nonstock corporations, and C.G.S. § 34-243p for LLCs
- The current registered agent moves out of Connecticut or closes the office that serves as the registered office
- The registered agent’s address changes due to relocation or postal renaming
- The registered agent is no longer available at the registered office during business hours
- The entity voluntarily selects a new registered agent or professional agent service
- The agent no longer consents to serve
Connecticut does not distinguish between a voluntary and an involuntary change — the same Change of Agent form and the same filing fee apply regardless of the reason.
Grounds for Changing Your Registered Agent in Connecticut
The most common grounds for filing a change of registered agent in Connecticut are summarized in the table below along with the form that must be filed in each case.
| Ground | Filing Required |
| Registered agent resigns | Change of Agent (filed by the entity to appoint a replacement); Resignation of Agent (filed by the departing agent) |
| Registered agent moves out of Connecticut | Change of Agent |
| Registered agent’s street address changes | Change of Agent’s Address (if the same agent continues to serve); Change of Agent (if a new agent is being appointed) |
| Entity switches to a professional registered agent service | Change of Agent |
| Registered agent no longer available during business hours | Change of Agent |
| Registered agent no longer consents to serve | Change of Agent |
| Entity relocates its registered office | Change of Agent (if the new address involves a different agent) or Change of Agent’s Address (if the same agent is moving) |
The entity’s registered agent name and address are part of the public record maintained by the Secretary of the State and are searchable through the Business Records Search portal. Any outdated or inaccurate agent information should be corrected promptly to ensure the entity can receive service of process and official correspondence.
Connecticut Registered Agent Change Requirements
Several eligibility and procedural requirements must be met before an entity files a change of registered agent in Connecticut.
Eligibility of the new registered agent:
- Option A – Individual: A natural person whose business address is in Connecticut. If a natural person is appointed, that individual must be a resident of the state of Connecticut. The appointment must be in writing and signed by the appointed agent.
- Option B – Entity: A domestic or foreign entity authorized to transact business in Connecticut that maintains a business office in the state. The filing entity itself generally does not serve as its own registered agent — the agent must be a separate individual or entity capable of receiving service of process at the registered office.
Registered office address:
The registered office must be an actual street address in Connecticut where the registered agent can be found during normal business hours and where service of process can be personally delivered. Under C.G.S. § 33-660, the registered office “may be the same as any of its places of business.” A P.O. Box alone does not satisfy this requirement, although a separate mailing address may be provided in addition to the physical street address.
Consent of the new registered agent:
The appointment of a registered agent must be in writing and signed by the person appointed, as required by C.G.S. § 33-660. The Change of Agent form requires the signature of the new agent, confirming consent to the appointment. This signed consent is part of the filing itself, not a separate document retained by the entity.
Note: Any person who signs a document delivered to the Secretary of the State knowing that the document is false in any material respect is subject to penalties under C.G.S. § 33-616.
Execution:
The Change of Agent form must be signed by an authorized person — typically an officer or director of a corporation, a manager or member of an LLC, or a general partner of a limited partnership. The new registered agent must also sign to confirm acceptance of the appointment. Notarization is not required.
How to File a Statement of Change of Registered Office/Agent
The change is made by filing a Change of Agent form with the Connecticut Secretary of the State, Business Services Division. The form is available for online filing through Business.CT.gov and is also available as a downloadable PDF for paper submission. Instructions are provided within the online filing system under the “help” features, and downloadable PDF forms are accessible through the paper filings page.
Connecticut uses separate Change of Agent form versions for domestic and foreign entities, though the online filing system at Business.CT.gov handles routing automatically based on the entity record. The form collects the following information:
- Search for the entity record on Business.CT.gov using the entity name or business ID number, and confirm the correct record.
- Enter the name of the new registered agent. If the agent is an individual, provide the full legal name. If the agent is an entity, provide the entity name as registered in Connecticut.
- Provide the registered agent’s Connecticut business address — a physical street address, including city, state, and ZIP code. If the agent’s mailing address differs from the street address, enter the mailing address separately.
- The new agent must sign the form (or, in the online system, consent to the appointment is captured as part of the filing process). The form includes a statement that the named agent has consented to the appointment.
- An authorized representative of the entity (such as an officer, director, manager, or member) must also sign, confirming that the filing is made on behalf of the entity and that the signer is authorized to act.
- Submit the filing and proceed to payment.
The online system processes most filings within a few business days. Filings submitted with errors may be rejected, requiring correction and resubmission.
Note: Connecticut also provides a separate Change of Agent’s Name by Registered Agent form for situations where the current agent’s name changes (for example, due to a corporate name change of the agent entity) but the same agent continues to serve. This form is distinct from the standard Change of Agent and does not appoint a new agent.
Filing Method: Online vs. Mail
The Change of Agent form may be filed online, by mail, or by hand delivery. The Secretary of the State strongly encourages online filing through Business.CT.gov for faster processing and fewer rejections.
| Method | Details |
| Online | Filed through Business.CT.gov. Requires creating a free Business.CT.gov account. Payment by Mastercard, Visa, Discover, or Amex. Expedited service is available only for online filings. |
| Send the completed PDF form with a check or money order payable to “Secretary of the State” to: Secretary of the State, Business Services Division, P.O. Box 150470, Hartford, CT 06115-0470. Credit cards are not accepted for mailed filings. Expedited service is not available. | |
| Hand Delivery | Deliver the completed PDF form to: Secretary of the State, Business Services Division, 165 Capitol Avenue, Suite 1000, Hartford, CT 06106. Payment by check or money order only. Expedited service is not available. |
Mail and hand delivery result in significantly longer processing times. Paper filings can also be submitted digitally through the “submit paper filing” feature on Business.CT.gov, which provides secure online payment and faster delivery to the office than traditional mail.
Registered Agent Change Filing Fees by Entity Type
Connecticut charges different filing fees for the Change of Agent form depending on the entity type. The fees below are drawn from the Secretary of the State’s official forms and fees pages.
| Entity Type | Change of Agent Fee |
| Domestic Stock Corporation | $50 |
| Domestic Non-stock (Nonprofit) Corporation | $20 |
| Domestic Limited Liability Company (LLC) | $50 |
| Domestic Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) | $50 |
| Domestic Limited Partnership (LP) | $20 |
| Domestic Statutory Trust | $50 |
| Foreign Stock Corporation | $50 |
| Foreign Non-stock (Nonprofit) Corporation | $20 |
| Foreign Limited Liability Company (LLC) | $50 |
| Foreign Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) | $50 |
| Foreign Statutory Trust | $50 |
The reduced $20 fee applies to domestic and foreign non-stock (nonprofit) corporations and domestic limited partnerships. All other entity types pay $50.
The resignation of agent fee mirrors the change of agent fee for each entity type — $50 for most entities and $20 for non-stock corporations and limited partnerships.
Payment for online filings is accepted by Mastercard, Visa, Discover, or American Express. For mail and hand-delivered filings, payment must be by check or money order payable to “Secretary of the State.” The Secretary of the State does not accept credit cards for paper filings delivered by mail or in person.
Effective Date of a Registered Agent Change in Connecticut
A Change of Agent filing becomes effective upon acceptance by the Secretary of the State, unless a delayed effective date is specified. C.G.S. § 33-610 governs the effective time and date of documents filed with the Secretary of the State.
Immediate effect: The default. The document is effective “at the time of filing on the date it is filed,” as provided by C.G.S. § 33-610. For online filings processed in real time, effectiveness follows acceptance and payment. For paper filings, effectiveness follows the date the Secretary of the State’s office processes and accepts the document.
Delayed effective date: A filed document may state a delayed effective date and time. If a delayed date is specified but no time is given, the document becomes effective at the close of business on that date. The delayed date may not be later than the ninetieth day after the date the document is filed.
Connecticut does not provide a “future event or condition” effectiveness option for the Change of Agent form — the delayed effective date must be a specific calendar date within the 90-day window.
Changing the Registered Agent Address Without Changing the Agent
When the same registered agent continues to serve but the agent’s address changes, the entity — or the agent itself — may file a Change of Agent’s Address form rather than a full Change of Agent form. Under C.G.S. § 33-661(b), if a registered agent changes the street address of the agent’s business office, the agent may change the street address of the registered office of any corporation for which the agent serves by notifying the corporation and filing a statement of change with the Secretary of the State.
The following table compares the two filings.
| Feature | Change of Agent | Change of Agent’s Address |
| Filed by | The entity (through an authorized officer, director, manager, or member) | The registered agent or the entity |
| Purpose | Appoint a new registered agent, or change both the agent and address | Update the agent’s street address while the same agent continues to serve |
| Can appoint a new agent | Yes | No — the same agent must continue to serve |
| Covers multiple entities | No — one filing per entity | When filed by the agent, may cover each entity the agent serves (one filing per entity) |
| Notice to entity required | No specific statutory notice obligation on the entity | The agent must notify the entity in writing before or at the time of filing |
| Signed by | Authorized representative of the entity and the new agent | The registered agent (and, for the entity-filed version, an authorized representative of the entity) |
The filing fee for a Change of Agent’s Address is the same as the Change of Agent fee for each entity type — $50 for most entities and $20 for non-stock corporations and limited partnerships. This form is filed online through Business.CT.gov or by paper submission.
For commercial registered agent services that represent many entities in Connecticut, the address-change form must be filed separately for each represented entity. There is no single mass-change mechanism or fee cap for multiple filings.
What Happens After the Change Is Filed
Once the Change of Agent form is accepted by the Secretary of the State, several effects follow:
- The entity’s registered agent and registered office information in the Secretary of the State’s records is updated to reflect the new agent and address.
- The new agent’s name and address become part of the entity’s public record and are searchable through the Business Records Search portal.
- The former registered agent’s authority to receive service of process on behalf of the entity terminates as of the effective date of the filing.
- The filed document is available for viewing and downloading from the entity’s filing history on Business.CT.gov.
- The Secretary of the State’s office does not mail paper confirmation copies for online filings — the confirmation and filing record are accessible through the filer’s Business.CT.gov dashboard.
The entity should confirm that the filing appears in its records by checking the Business Records Search or the entity’s filing history on Business.CT.gov.
Changing a Registered Agent for a Foreign Entity Registered in Connecticut
A foreign corporation, LLC, LLP, limited partnership, or statutory trust authorized to transact business in Connecticut is subject to the same registered agent and registered office requirements as a domestic filing entity. C.G.S. § 33-926 requires every foreign corporation authorized to transact business in Connecticut to maintain a registered office and registered agent in the state, and C.G.S. § 33-927 provides the procedure for changing that agent — mirroring the domestic change provisions.
A foreign entity changes its registered agent by filing the same Change of Agent form used by domestic entities, through the same online portal or by paper submission. The eligibility requirements for the new agent, the consent and signature requirements, and the filing methods are identical. The filing fee for most foreign entity types is $50, with foreign non-stock corporations paying $20.
Failure by a foreign entity to maintain a registered agent in Connecticut may result in revocation of the entity’s authority to transact business. Under C.G.S. § 33-935, the Secretary of the State may commence a proceeding to revoke a foreign corporation’s certificate of authority if the corporation fails to maintain a registered agent or registered office in the state, fails to file its annual report, or has its registered agent notify the Secretary of the State that the agency has been revoked.
Frequently Asked Questions About Changing a Registered Agent in Connecticut
How long does it take to change a registered agent in Connecticut?
Online filings submitted through Business.CT.gov are generally processed within a few business days. Expedited service is available only for online filings, at an additional fee, and is presented as an option before the payment screen. Paper filings submitted by mail or hand delivery take significantly longer — the Secretary of the State does not guarantee a specific turnaround time for mailed documents. For questions about processing status, filers may contact the Business Services Division at bsd@ct.gov or by phone at 860-509-6003 during business hours (8:30 AM to 4:00 PM).
Do I need to notify my current registered agent before changing?
Connecticut law does not impose a statutory obligation on the entity to notify the outgoing registered agent before filing a Change of Agent form. The change becomes effective upon acceptance by the Secretary of the State. Many entities notify the outgoing agent as a professional courtesy, particularly if the prior agent holds records or has pending service matters. If the outgoing agent wishes to end the relationship independently, the agent may file a resignation pursuant to C.G.S. § 33-662.
Can I change my registered office address without changing the registered agent?
Yes. If the same agent continues to serve but the agent’s address has changed, the entity or the agent may file a Change of Agent’s Address form rather than a full Change of Agent. This updates only the address on file while leaving the agent designation unchanged. The filing fee matches the Change of Agent fee for the entity type — $50 for most entities and $20 for non-stock corporations and limited partnerships.
What is the agent-initiated address change form and when is it used?
The Change of Agent’s Address form may be filed by the registered agent when the agent’s own business address changes but the agent continues to serve. Under C.G.S. § 33-661(b), the agent must notify each corporation it serves in writing before or at the time of filing the statement of change with the Secretary of the State. The form cannot be used to appoint a different agent — it updates only the existing agent’s address. The form is available online through Business.CT.gov and by paper submission.
Is there a penalty for not filing a change of registered agent?
Connecticut requires every filing entity to continuously maintain a registered agent and registered office. Under C.G.S. § 33-890, the Secretary of the State may administratively dissolve a domestic corporation that fails to maintain a registered agent or registered office in the state, fails to file its annual report for more than two years, or fails to notify the Secretary of the State within thirty days that its registered agent has changed. An administratively dissolved entity cannot transact business and risks default judgment if served through alternative means. Foreign entities face revocation of authority under C.G.S. § 33-935.
Can I change my registered agent and the registered office address in the same filing?
Yes. The Change of Agent form permits the entity to designate a new agent and provide the new agent’s address in a single filing. A single filing fee applies — $50 for most entity types or $20 for non-stock corporations and limited partnerships. The entity does not need to file separate forms for the agent change and the address change when both are being updated simultaneously through a new agent appointment.
What happens if my registered agent resigns?
A registered agent may resign by signing and delivering to the Secretary of the State a statement of resignation, as provided by C.G.S. § 33-662. The agent must give “written notice to the corporation of the resignation, which notice shall include the date on which the resignation is to be effective.” The resignation becomes effective on the thirty-first day after the date the Secretary of the State files the statement, unless a later date is specified in the resignation or the entity appoints a successor agent before the thirty-first day. The resignation filing fee is $50 for most entity types and $20 for non-stock corporations. After the resignation takes effect, the entity must promptly file a Change of Agent to appoint a replacement or risk administrative dissolution proceedings.
Does the new registered agent need to sign the change form?
Yes. Unlike some states where only the entity’s authorized representative signs, Connecticut requires the new registered agent to sign the Change of Agent form. Under C.G.S. § 33-660, “the appointment of such registered agent shall be in writing and shall be signed by the registered agent therein appointed.” Both the entity’s authorized representative and the new agent must sign the filing. In the online system, the consent and signature steps are integrated into the filing workflow.
Can I use a P.O. Box for the new registered office address?
No. The registered office must be a physical street address in Connecticut where the agent can personally receive service of process and other legal documents during normal business hours. A P.O. Box does not satisfy this requirement. However, if the agent’s mailing address differs from the physical street address, a separate mailing address — which may be a P.O. Box — can be provided on the filing in addition to the required street address, as noted in the Change of Agent form instructions.
Is the filing fee the same whether I file online or by mail?
Yes. The filing fee for a Change of Agent is the same regardless of the filing method — $50 for most entity types and $20 for non-stock corporations and limited partnerships, as listed on the Secretary of the State’s forms and fees pages. There is no surcharge for online payment. Expedited processing, which carries an additional fee, is available only through the online filing system at Business.CT.gov.