How to Choose a Registered Agent Service

At a Glance

Changing your registered agent in Arizona is a straightforward process that requires filing a Statement of Change form with the Arizona Corporation Commission. The filing is free for nonprofit corporations and costs $5 for nonprofit LLCs, with typical processing taking 14-16 days.

Whether you’ve lost contact with your current registered agent or they’re no longer meeting your nonprofit’s needs, managing an Arizona change of registered agent doesn’t have to be complicated!

Running a nonprofit comes with enough challenges—your registered agent shouldn’t be one of them. However, many nonprofit leaders feel stuck with underperforming registered agents, unsure about the steps needed to make a switch.

Fortunately, changing your registered agent in Arizona is a straightforward process when you know the right steps. As a nonprofit leader, you can ensure continuous compliance while working with a registered agent who truly understands your organization’s unique needs.

Understanding Registered Agents in Arizona

A registered agent plays a vital role in maintaining your nonprofit’s legal standing in Arizona. As your organization’s official point of contact, this position ensures communication between your nonprofit and state authorities.

What does a registered agent do?

In Arizona, a registered agent (officially called a “statutory agent”) serves as the designated recipient of legal documents and government correspondence for your nonprofit. Their primary responsibilities include:

• Accepting service of process if your nonprofit faces litigation
• Receiving time-sensitive legal notices and official state mail
• Maintaining availability during standard business hours
• Forwarding important documents promptly to appropriate personnel

Beyond these basic duties, your registered agent safeguards your nonprofit’s compliance status by helping ensure no critical communications slip through the cracks. It’s important to note that while your registered agent receives legal notices, most other government mail and nearly all tax notices go elsewhere—wage-garnishment notices being the main tax-related exception that comes through your registered agent.

Legal requirements for nonprofits

Arizona law sets specific requirements for statutory agents. Your agent must:

• Maintain a physical street address in Arizona (P.O. boxes are not acceptable)
• Be available at the registered location during regular business hours
• If an individual, be at least 18 years old and reside in Arizona
• If a business, be authorized to transact business in Arizona and maintain an Arizona address
• Formally accept the appointment by signing a Statutory Agent Acceptance that is submitted with the document that appoints the agent (for example, with formation papers or a Statement of Change)

Additionally, your nonprofit must keep the registered agent information current with the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC). Failing to maintain a valid statutory agent can result in administrative dissolution of your corporation.

When Should You Change Your Registered Agent?

Recognizing the right moment to switch your registered agent ensures your nonprofit maintains seamless operations and compliance. Several circumstances might signal the need for an Arizona change of registered agent.

Common reasons for change

Nonprofits often consider changing their registered agent under specific circumstances:

• Current agent resignation or relocation outside Arizona
• Ineffective handling of important documents
• Rising service costs that strain your budget
• Need for more comprehensive support services
• Transition from individual representation to commercial service
• Desire to consolidate multiple state services with one vendor

Signs it’s time to switch

Watch for these indicators suggesting the need for a new registered agent:

1. Missed Communications: Your organization fails to receive time-sensitive documents promptly
2. Compliance Issues: Your current agent struggles to maintain proper documentation
3. Limited Availability: The agent frequently misses regular business hours
4. Service Gaps: Basic needs remain unmet despite ongoing fees
5. Growth Challenges: Your expanding nonprofit requires multi-state representation

Failing to maintain an effective registered agent puts your nonprofit at risk. Without proper representation, your organization faces potential administrative dissolution, missed legal notices, and default judgments in court cases.

Timing considerations

Strategic timing helps ensure a smooth transition between registered agents. Consider these factors:

• Immediate Coverage: Ensure zero gaps in representation
• Annual Report Schedule: Coordinate changes with reporting deadlines
• Processing Timeline: Regular processing typically takes about 14-16 days
• Expedited Options: Expedited review is available for an additional $35; next-day, same-day, and 2-hour services are also available for additional fees

Important clarification: There is generally no deadline to file a change unless your old agent continues billing or your old agent resigns and leaves your entity without representation. The timing is typically immaterial from a legal standpoint.

Before initiating the change, verify your new agent meets all state requirements. Arizona requires that registered agents:

• Maintain a physical Arizona address (not a P.O. Box)
• Be at least 18 years old if an individual
• If a company, be authorized to transact business in Arizona
• Accept the appointment formally through the required acceptance form

Step-by-Step Process to Change Your Agent

Changing your registered agent requires careful attention to documentation and proper filing procedures. Following the correct steps helps your nonprofit maintain continuous representation without compliance gaps.

Prepare required documents

Start by gathering the necessary paperwork for your Arizona change of registered agent. The primary document needed is the Statement of Change form, which varies based on your organization’s structure. For nonprofits organized as corporations, you’ll need:

• Corporation Statement of Change of Known Place of Business Address, Principal Office Address, or Statutory Agent (Form C016)
• Statutory Agent Acceptance (Form M002)
• Cover Sheet (for paper submissions)

Nonprofit corporations file the form with the ACC. Nonprofits organized as LLCs instead use:

• LLC Statement of Change of Principal Address or Statutory Agent (Form L020)
• Statutory Agent Acceptance (Form M002)
• Cover Sheet (for paper submissions)

The Statement of Change form typically includes:

• Your nonprofit’s name and current information
• New statutory agent’s name
• Physical street address in Arizona (P.O. boxes not permitted)
• Mailing address of the new agent (if different)
• Required signatures

File with Arizona Corporation Commission

Once your documents are ready, submit them to the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) through one of these methods:

1. Online filing via the ACC eCorp system: ecorp.azcc.gov
2. Mail submission (include the cover sheet)
3. Fax submission (payment generally requires a Money-on-Deposit account)
4. In-person delivery

Fees and processing times:

• Nonprofit corporations: No state filing fee for a Statement of Change. Expedited review is available for $35.
• LLCs: $5 state filing fee for a Statement of Change. Expedited review is available for $35.
• Processing timelines: Regular filings are typically reviewed in about 14–16 days; expedited filings are typically reviewed in 3–5 days. Same-day, next-day, and 2-hour services are available for additional fees. Current estimates are posted at azcc.gov/docs/default-source/corps-files/document-processing-times.pdf

After filing, monitor your submission status through the ACC website. Upon approval, your new registered agent becomes official. Keep copies of all filed documents for your records.

Key points:

• The new agent must formally accept the appointment
• Maintain copies of all filed documents
• Consider notifying your former agent in writing so they are aware of the change

Completing the Change Process

After filing your change of registered agent paperwork, a few final steps will help ensure a smooth transition and maintain your nonprofit’s compliance status.

Update internal records

Once the Arizona Corporation Commission approves your change request, update your organization’s documentation. Your internal records should reflect:

• New registered agent’s contact details
• Effective date of the change
• Physical and mailing addresses
• Service agreements and contracts

Notify relevant parties

Proper communication about your registered agent change is helpful. Notify these stakeholders as appropriate:

1. Board members and organizational leadership
2. Prior registered agent
3. Legal counsel and financial advisors

In your notification, include:

• The effective date of the change
• New registered agent’s complete contact information
• Updated procedures for document handling

Keep in mind that documents filed with the Arizona Corporation Commission become public record. Ensure accuracy in all submitted information.

What About Charitable Registration?

If your nonprofit is registered for charitable solicitation in Arizona or other states, it’s important to understand that changing your secretary-of-state registered agent does not automatically update your charitable registration agent. Up to 18 states require nonprofits to name a registered agent on charitable registration filings, and this requires a separate charitable filing to update.

We recommend reviewing your charitable registration status in all states where you solicit donations to ensure consistency across all filings.

Benefits of Working with Labyrinth, Inc.

When selecting a new registered agent, consider the advantages of working with a commercial registered agent service like Labyrinth, Inc. We offer:

• Nationwide coverage: Our network of offices across all states means you’re always covered during business hours, ensuring you never miss urgent documents
• Nonprofit expertise: We understand the unique regulatory requirements and privacy needs of nonprofit organizations
• Document management: Reliable handling and prompt forwarding of all legal notices and official correspondence
• Consolidation benefits: One vendor, one invoice, one portal leads to fewer missed notices and faster responses
• Bulk-change program: We often discount or waive our fees for volume switches and may cover state fees. We also extend first-year service up to 12 months so you avoid double-paying overlapping contracts

Maintaining Compliance After the Change

Successful completion of your Arizona change of registered agent marks just the beginning of maintaining proper compliance for your nonprofit organization.

Annual report requirements

Arizona nonprofit corporations must file an annual report with the Arizona Corporation Commission each year on the organization’s anniversary date. The filing fee is $10. You may request a 6-month extension to file; if granted, the fee is still due at the time of the extension request. Nonprofit corporations are not assessed late penalties, but timely filing is essential to maintain good standing. File online through eCorp: ecorp.azcc.gov

Keeping records current

Beyond annual reporting, maintain accurate records and promptly update your information with the ACC when changes occur (such as address or statutory agent changes). Your statutory agent’s primary responsibilities include:

• Accepting and forwarding official correspondence
• Handling service of process

Failing to maintain an active statutory agent can result in loss of good standing and may lead to administrative dissolution.

By carefully managing these procedures, your nonprofit maintains a strong foundation for ongoing compliance and effective representation.

Frequently Asked Questions