Are you running a business in Texas?
Maybe your registered agent bailed.
Or they are just not cutting it.
You are stressed, wondering how to swap them out without screwing up your LLC or corporation.
What is the process?
What forms do you need?
Will it cost you an arm and a leg?
I get it.
I’ve been there, staring at piles of paperwork, wishing someone would just break it down.
This guide is for you.
It is everything you need to change your Texas registered agent, laid out like I’m telling you over a beer.
Why Truehost.com Makes Your Business Life Easier
Before we look at how to change your registered agent in Texas, let’s talk about keeping your business sharp online.
Your registered agent handles legal mail, but your online presence?
That is your business’s face.
A clean, professional domain name ties it all together.
Truehost.com offers the cheapest domain registration out there, starting at prices that won’t make you flinch.
Grab a domain at Truehost.com/domains/ to match your Texas LLC or corporation.
It’s like giving your business a slick storefront while you sort out the backend.
A memorable domain builds trust, just like a reliable registered agent keeps you compliant.
Why Change Your Registered Agent in Texas?
Your registered agent is your business’s legal lifeline.
They receive lawsuits, state notices, and tax documents.
If they are dropping the ball, you are at risk.
Maybe they moved and didn’t tell you.
Or they are charging you way too much.
I knew a guy, Mike, who ran a small Austin taco truck LLC.
His agent was some national service that charged $200 a year and never answered calls.
He switched to a local pro and saved cash while sleeping better.
Common reasons to switch:
- Unreliable service: They miss important mail.
- High costs: Some agents gouge you.
- Privacy concerns: You don’t want your home address public.
- Relocation: Your agent left Texas or closed shop.
Whatever the reason, Texas makes it straightforward to change your registered agent.
What Is a Texas Registered Agent, Anyway?
A registered agent is a person or company you appoint to handle your legal documents.
Think of them as your business’s mailbox for serious stuff.
Texas law says every LLC, corporation, or nonprofit needs one.
They must:
- Be a Texas resident or a business authorized to operate in Texas.
- Have a physical Texas address (no P.O. boxes).
- Be available during business hours to accept legal papers.
You can be your own agent, but that means your address goes public.
Not ideal if you value privacy.
Hiring a pro like a registered agent service keeps your info off public records.
How to Change Your Registered Agent in Texas: Step-by-Step
Switching your registered agent is simple if you know the moves. Here is the exact process, no guesswork.
Step 1: Pick a New Registered Agent
First, find someone reliable. This could be:
- You or an employee: If you are okay with your address being public.
- A trusted friend or family member: Must be a Texas resident.
- A professional service: Companies like Northwest or Texan Registered Agent offer privacy and reliability.
Make sure your new agent agrees to the role. Texas requires written or electronic consent for agents appointed after January 1, 2010.
Pro tip: If you are going pro, check services that bundle extras like mail forwarding or compliance reminders.
Step 2: Get the Right Form
You will need Texas Form 401, “Statement of Change of Registered Agent/Office.”
Download it from the Texas Secretary of State website.
It is a one-page form, nothing scary.
You can also file online through SOSDirect, their online portal.
Paper or online, it is your call.
Step 3: Fill Out Form 401
Here is what you’ll need to include:
- Your business name: Exactly as registered with the state.
- New agent’s name: Individual or company.
- New agent’s address: Must be a physical Texas street address.
- Consent confirmation: Check the box saying the new agent agreed.
- Your signature: Someone authorized, like an owner or officer.
Double-check the details.
A typo could delay things.
Step 4: File the Form
You’ve got two options:
- Online: Use SOSDirect. It is $15 (or $5 for nonprofits). You will need an account, but it’s quick.
- Mail: Send the form to the Texas Secretary of State, P.O. Box 13697, Austin, TX 78711. Include a check or money order.
Online is faster, usually processed in a day or two.
Mail can take a week or more.
I helped a buddy, Sarah, file hers online.
She was done in 10 minutes, sipping coffee, no stress.
Step 5: Notify Your Old Agent
It is not required, but it’s courteous.
Let your old agent know they’re off the hook.
A quick email or call avoids confusion.
If they are a paid service, check your contract for cancellation terms.
Read also: Can I Be My Own Registered Agent in Texas? Really?
Costs to Change Your Registered Agent in Texas
Filing Form 401 costs:
- $15 for most businesses (LLCs, corporations).
- $5 for nonprofits.
If you hire a new registered agent service, their fees vary.
Some charge as low as $35/year (like Texan Registered Agent).
Others, like national firms, might hit $100-$200.
Shop around.
Mike from the taco truck?
He went with a local service for $50/year and got a free business address to boot.
Tips to Make the Switch Smooth
Changing your agent sounds simple, but hiccups happen. Here is how to nail it:
- Verify eligibility: Confirm your new agent meets Texas rules (resident or authorized business, physical address).
- Check consent: Get written or electronic consent to avoid rejection.
- Update other records: If your agent’s address was used elsewhere (like bank accounts), update those too.
- Watch deadlines: Texas requires you to maintain a registered agent at all times. File promptly to avoid penalties.
- Consider privacy: Use a service’s address to keep your personal one private.
Lorrene learned this the hard way.
Her first agent used her home address, and she got weird mail from public record snoops.
Switching to a pro service fixed that.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t trip over these:
- Using a P.O. box: Texas won’t accept it.
- Skipping consent: Your new agent must agree, or the state rejects your filing.
- Wrong business name: Use the exact name on your formation documents.
- Forgetting to file: No agent means your business could face termination or fines.
I saw a guy lose his LLC’s good standing because his agent quit, and he didn’t update the state.
Don’t be that guy.
Why a Professional Registered Agent Might Be Worth It
You can be your own agent, but pros offer perks:
- Privacy: Their address, not yours, goes public.
- Reliability: They are always available during business hours.
- Extras: Many offer mail scanning, compliance alerts, or even domain registration discounts.
Take Texan Registered Agent.
For $35/year, they give you a business address and toss in a free domain for a year.
Pair that with Truehost.com’s cheap domains, and your business looks legit online and off.
Tie It All Together with a Strong Online Presence
Changing your registered agent keeps your business compliant.
But don’t stop there.
A sharp domain name from Truehost.com/domains/ makes your business stand out.
It is dirt cheap and sets you up for a website, email, and more.
Think of it like this:
Your registered agent handles the legal side.
Your domain builds your brand.
Together, they make your business bulletproof.
Mike’s taco truck?
He can grab a domain like “AustinTacoKing.com” and see more customers find him online.
Final Thoughts
Changing your registered agent in Texas isn’t rocket science.
Pick a reliable agent, file Form 401, pay the fee, and you’re done.
Avoid the gotchas, and you’ll be back to running your business in no time.
While you’re at it, lock in a domain with Truehost.com to keep your brand tight.
Got questions?
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