Change Registered Agent in Arkansas

When Is a Change of Registered Agent Required in Arkansas?

Arkansas law requires a represented entity to file a statement of change with the Secretary of State whenever it needs to change its registered agent, its registered office address, or both. Under the Model Registered Agents Act (Ark. Code Ann.) § 4-20-108, a represented entity may change the information currently on file by filing a statement of change signed on behalf of the entity. This obligation applies to every domestic filing entity — including for-profit corporations, nonprofit corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships, and limited liability limited partnerships — as well as every foreign entity that has qualified to transact business in Arkansas.

Every entity on file with the Arkansas Secretary of State’s Business and Commercial Services (BCS) Division must continuously maintain a registered agent and a registered office address in the state. Failure to do so can result in administrative dissolution for domestic entities or revocation of certificate of authority for foreign entities. The requirement to file a change applies regardless of whether the change is voluntary or involuntary. Common circumstances that trigger a required filing include:

• The current registered agent resigns
• The current registered agent moves out of Arkansas or is no longer a resident of the state
• The registered agent’s street address changes due to physical 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 a commercial registered agent service
• The current agent no longer consents to serve

Arkansas does not distinguish between a voluntary and an involuntary change of registered agent — the filing requirement and the form used are the same in every case.

Grounds for Changing Your Registered Agent in Arkansas

The most common grounds for filing a change of registered agent or registered office in Arkansas are summarized in the table below. In each case, the entity files the same form — Notice of Change of Registered Agent (Form DO-03) — with the Secretary of State.

Ground	Filing Required
Registered agent resigns	Form DO-03 — Notice of Change of Registered Agent
Registered agent moves out of Arkansas	Form DO-03 — Notice of Change of Registered Agent
Registered agent’s street address changes	Form DO-03 — Notice of Change of Registered Agent (or agent-initiated Form CRA-CF for commercial registered agents)
Entity switches to a commercial registered agent service	Form DO-03 — Notice of Change of Registered Agent
Registered agent is no longer available during business hours	Form DO-03 — Notice of Change of Registered Agent
Registered agent no longer consents to serve	Form DO-03 — Notice of Change of Registered Agent
Entity relocates its registered office to a new address	Form DO-03 — Notice of Change of Registered Agent

The entity’s registered agent name and registered office address are part of the public record maintained by the BCS Division. Any inaccurate or outdated information must be corrected promptly by filing Form DO-03. Registered agent information is searchable through the Secretary of State’s Business Entity Search, and any member of the public or litigant who needs to serve process on the entity will rely on the address shown in those records.

Arkansas Registered Agent Change Requirements

Several requirements must be satisfied before filing a change of registered agent in Arkansas. The entity must select a new registered agent who meets the eligibility standards of the Model Registered Agents Act, ensure the registered office address is a qualifying physical address, and confirm that the new agent has consented to serve.

Eligibility of the new registered agent:

• Option A – Commercial Registered Agent: An individual or a domestic or foreign entity that has filed a commercial registered agent listing statement with the Secretary of State under Ark. Code Ann. § 4-20-106. A commercial registered agent is in the business of serving as agent for multiple entities.
• Option B – Noncommercial Registered Agent: An individual resident of Arkansas or a domestic or foreign entity authorized to transact business in the state that will serve as agent for the specific entity. The entity itself cannot serve as its own registered agent.

Registered office address:

The registered office must be a physical street address in Arkansas where service of process can be personally delivered during normal business hours. A P.O. Box, mail-drop, or telephone answering service does not satisfy this requirement. As confirmed in the BCS Division’s Business Services FAQ, “a post office box or ‘mail drop’ may not be used as the registered agent address.” When the entity designates a noncommercial registered agent, the registered office address and the agent’s business address must be the same location.

Consent of the new registered agent:

Under Ark. Code Ann. § 4-20-105(b), the appointment of a registered agent in any filing instrument is “an affirmation by the represented entity that the agent has consented to serve as such.” The same affirmation applies to a statement of change filed under Ark. Code Ann. § 4-20-108(с). Arkansas does not require a separate consent form to be filed with the Secretary of State — the entity must obtain the agent’s consent before filing and retain evidence of that consent in its records. The penalty for knowingly signing a false document filed with the Arkansas Secretary of State is a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $100.00 and imprisonment of up to 30 days.

Execution:

The statement of change must be signed by an authorized officer or other person authorized to act on behalf of the entity. The form need not be notarized. Under Ark. Code Ann. § 4-20-108(b), the interest holders or governors of a domestic entity need not approve the filing of a statement of change — the authority to file rests with the entity’s officers or managers.

How to File a Statement of Change of Registered Office/Agent

The change is made by filing Form DO-03 — Notice of Change of Registered Agent with the Arkansas Secretary of State. This is a single-page form that covers all entity types — for-profit corporations, nonprofit corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, LLPs, LLLPs, general partnerships, series LLCs, and nonfiling or nonqualifying entities. The same form is used for both domestic and foreign entities.

To complete the form, supply the following information:

1. Entity type: Mark the checkbox corresponding to the entity’s type (Corporation–Profit, Corporation–Nonprofit, Limited Liability Company, General Partnership, Limited Partnership, Limited Liability Partnership, Limited Liability Limited Partnership, Series LLC/Protected Series, or Other).
2. Domestic or foreign status: Mark whether the entity is domestic or foreign.
3. Entity name: Enter the full legal name of the entity as it appears in the Secretary of State’s records.
4. Current registered agent address: Enter the street address currently on file for the registered agent.
5. New registered agent address: Enter the new street address to which the registered office is changing. This must be a physical street address in Arkansas.
6. Current and new registered agent name: Enter the name of the current registered agent in the “changing from” field, and the new registered agent’s name in the “To” field. If only the address is changing and the same agent continues to serve, the name fields can reflect the same person.
7. Filing date: Enter the requested date for the change.
8. Signature: The form must be signed by an authorized officer of the entity. By signing, the officer affirms that the information is accurate and that the named registered agent has consented to serve.

Note: For Series LLCs, per the note on Form DO-03, all Protected Series associated with the named Series LLC will also have their registered agent information updated when the form is filed.

Filing Method: Online vs. Mail

Form DO-03 may be filed online, by mail, or by in-person delivery to the BCS Division office. The table below compares each method.

Method	Details
Online	File through the Corporations Online Filing System. The system collects the required information directly on screen. Payable by credit card.
Mail	Mail the completed PDF form to the Arkansas Secretary of State, Business and Commercial Services, 500 Woodlane Street, Suite 256, Little Rock, AR 72201.
In Person	Deliver the completed form to the BCS Division office at 500 Woodlane Street, Suite 256, Little Rock, AR 72201. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Central Time.

The BCS Division completes most filings within two business days of receipt. In-person filings may be processed while the filer waits, though heavy filing volumes can result in a 48-hour turnaround for walk-in submissions. Because there is no filing fee for Form DO-03, no payment is required regardless of method.

Registered Agent Change Filing Fees by Entity Type

There is no filing fee to change a registered agent in Arkansas. The Corporation Filing Fee Schedule, the LLC Filing Fee Schedule, and the Nonprofit Corporation Filing Fee Schedule each confirm that the statement of change of registered agent carries no fee. The table below lists every entity type and the corresponding filing fee for Form DO-03.

Entity Type	Filing Fee
Domestic for-profit corporation	No fee
Foreign for-profit corporation	No fee
Domestic nonprofit corporation	No fee
Foreign nonprofit corporation	No fee
Domestic limited liability company	No fee
Foreign limited liability company	No fee
Domestic limited partnership	No fee
Foreign limited partnership	No fee
Domestic limited liability partnership	No fee
Foreign limited liability partnership	No fee
Domestic limited liability limited partnership	No fee
Foreign limited liability limited partnership	No fee
General partnership	No fee
Series LLC / Protected Series	No fee
Benefit corporation (domestic or foreign)	No fee
Cooperative association	No fee
Nonfiling / nonqualifying entity	No fee

There is also no filing fee for the registered agent’s statement of resignation or for the commercial registered agent’s notice of change of information (Form CRA-CF). When filing online by credit card, no surcharge applies to a no-fee filing.

Effective Date of a Registered Agent Change in Arkansas

A statement of change filed under Ark. Code Ann. § 4-20-108(d) takes effect on filing. Unlike some states, Arkansas does not provide a delayed effective date or future-event effectiveness option for statements of change of registered agent.

Immediate effect: The change becomes effective on the date the BCS Division files the document. The effective date of a filing is the date the document is received by the BCS Division, even if processing occurs on a subsequent business day.

On acceptance, the filed statement of change updates the entity’s registered agent and registered office information in the Secretary of State’s records. The entity does not need to file any additional amendment to its articles of incorporation, certificate of organization, certificate of limited partnership, or foreign qualification document — the statement of change automatically updates the registered agent information associated with the entity’s filing.

Changing the Registered Agent Address Without Changing the Agent

When a registered agent’s address changes but the same individual or entity continues to serve, the method used to update the Secretary of State’s records depends on whether the agent is a commercial registered agent or a noncommercial registered agent.

A commercial registered agent that changes its name, address, or type of organization files Form CRA-CF — Notice of Change of Commercial Registered Agent Information with the Secretary of State. Under Ark. Code Ann. § 4-20-110, the filing of this form is effective to change the information with respect to every entity represented by that commercial agent, without requiring each entity to file individually. The commercial agent must list (or attach a list of) all entities affected by the change, and must promptly furnish each represented entity with notice of the filing.

A noncommercial registered agent that changes its name or address files a statement of change under Ark. Code Ann. § 4-20-109 for each represented entity. The noncommercial agent must promptly furnish the represented entity with notice of the filing and the changes made.

The table below compares the entity-filed change form with the commercial registered agent’s address change form.

Feature	Form DO-03 (Entity-Filed)	Form CRA-CF (Commercial Agent-Filed)
Filed by	The represented entity	The commercial registered agent
Purpose	Change agent, address, or both	Update agent’s name, address, or type of organization
Can appoint a new agent	Yes	No
Covers multiple entities	No — one filing per entity	Yes — one filing covers all represented entities
Prior notice to entity required	Not required by statute	Agent must promptly furnish notice after filing
Signed by	Authorized officer of the entity	Authorized individual of the commercial agent
Fee	No fee	No fee

Note: If a commercial registered agent changes its address without filing Form CRA-CF as required, the Secretary of State may cancel the agent’s listing under Ark. Code Ann. § 4-20-110(e). Cancellation has the same effect as a termination of the commercial registered agent listing — the agent ceases to serve for all represented entities, and the Secretary of State notifies each affected entity.

What Happens After the Change Is Filed

Once the BCS Division accepts a statement of change, several things occur:

• The entity’s registered agent name and registered office address in the Secretary of State’s records are updated immediately upon filing.
• The updated information becomes part of the entity’s public filing history, searchable through the Secretary of State’s Business Entity Search.
• The former registered agent’s authority to receive service of process on behalf of the entity terminates.
• The new registered agent becomes the entity’s authorized agent for receipt of service of process, notices, and demands under Ark. Code Ann. § 4-20-113(a).
• The Secretary of State returns evidence of filing to the submitter (a filed-stamped copy or electronic confirmation, depending on the filing method).
• For online filings, the Secretary of State’s records are updated nightly.

Changing a Registered Agent for a Foreign Entity Registered in Arkansas

A foreign entity that holds a certificate of authority to transact business in Arkansas is subject to the same registered agent and registered office requirements as a domestic filing entity. Whether the foreign entity is a corporation, nonprofit corporation, LLC, limited partnership, LLP, or LLLP, it must continuously maintain a registered agent and a registered office in Arkansas.

A foreign entity changes its registered agent by filing the same Form DO-03 — Notice of Change of Registered Agent used by domestic entities. The entity marks the “Foreign” checkbox on the form. The same eligibility requirements, consent requirements, physical street address requirements, execution requirements, and filing methods apply. There is no filing fee for a foreign entity’s statement of change — the fee is the same (no fee) for all entity types.

A foreign corporation that fails to maintain a registered agent in Arkansas may have its certificate of authority revoked by the Secretary of State under Ark. Code Ann. § 4-27-1530. Similarly, a foreign LLC that fails to maintain a registered agent may face revocation under the Arkansas Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The entity may lose its ability to maintain lawsuits in Arkansas courts until it cures the deficiency and restores its good standing.

Frequently Asked Questions About Changing a Registered Agent in Arkansas

How long does it take to change a registered agent in Arkansas?

The BCS Division completes most filings within two business days of receipt. In-person filings may sometimes be processed while the filer waits, though heavy volumes can push walk-in turnaround to 48 hours. Online filings submitted through the Corporations Online Filing System are typically processed more quickly. The effective date of the change, however, is the date the document is received — not the date it finishes processing. For questions about current processing times, contact the BCS Division at (501) 682-3409 or toll-free at (888) 233-0325.

Do I need to notify my current registered agent before changing?

Arkansas law does not impose an obligation on the entity to notify the outgoing registered agent before filing Form DO-03. The change takes effect upon filing under Ark. Code Ann. § 4-20-108(d), regardless of whether the former agent has been informed. Many entities choose to notify the outgoing agent as a professional courtesy, particularly to arrange transfer of any pending service-of-process documents. If the outgoing agent wishes to end the relationship independently, the agent may file a separate statement of resignation under Ark. Code Ann. § 4-20-111.

Can I change my registered office address without changing the registered agent?

Yes. Form DO-03 permits changing only the registered office address while keeping the same registered agent. To do so, enter the same agent name in both the “changing from” and “To” fields, and enter the new physical street address in the new address section. Alternatively, if the same agent continues to serve and the agent itself is initiating the address change, a commercial registered agent may file Form CRA-CF, and a noncommercial registered agent may file its own statement of change under Ark. Code Ann. § 4-20-109.

What is the agent-initiated address change form and when is it used?

A commercial registered agent that changes its own name, address, or organizational type files Form CRA-CF — Notice of Change of Commercial Registered Agent Information with the Secretary of State. This form is filed by the agent — not the entity — and covers all entities represented by that agent in a single filing. The agent must promptly notify each represented entity after the filing is made. Form CRA-CF cannot appoint a different registered agent; it can only update information about the existing commercial agent. There is no filing fee.

Is there a penalty for not filing a change of registered agent?

Arkansas requires every represented entity to continuously maintain a current registered agent and registered office. Failure to maintain accurate registered agent information may lead to administrative dissolution for domestic corporations under Ark. Code Ann. § 4-27-1420, or revocation of certificate of authority for foreign corporations under Ark. Code Ann. § 4-27-1530. The practical consequences are significant: a dissolved or revoked entity may lose standing to maintain lawsuits in Arkansas courts, and a litigant may serve process on the Secretary of State as a substitute agent if the entity’s registered agent cannot be found.

Can I change my registered agent and the registered office address in the same filing?

Yes. Form DO-03 permits changing the registered agent name, the registered office address, or both in a single filing. There is no additional fee for changing both pieces of information at the same time — the filing remains at no fee regardless of whether one or both fields are updated.

What happens if my registered agent resigns?

A registered agent may resign at any time by filing a statement of resignation with the Secretary of State under Ark. Code Ann. § 4-20-111. The resignation takes effect on the earlier of the 31st day after the day the statement is filed or the appointment of a new registered agent for the entity. There is no filing fee for the statement of resignation. The resigning agent must promptly furnish the entity with notice of the filing date. Once the resignation takes effect, the agent ceases to have responsibility for any matter tendered to it. The entity must act quickly to file Form DO-03 appointing a replacement agent — until it does so, service of process may be made on the entity through alternative means described in Ark. Code Ann. § 4-20-113.

Does the new registered agent need to sign the change form?

No. Form DO-03 is signed only by an authorized officer or representative of the entity — not by the new registered agent. By signing the form, the authorized officer affirms that the person named as registered agent has consented to serve in that capacity, consistent with Ark. Code Ann. § 4-20-108(с). Arkansas does not require a separate consent form to be filed with the Secretary of State. The entity should obtain and retain evidence of the agent’s consent in its own records.

Can I use a P.O. Box for the new registered office address?

No. The registered office address must be a physical street address in Arkansas where service of process can be personally delivered during normal business hours. As confirmed by the Business Services FAQ, a P.O. Box or mail-drop may not be used as the registered agent address. Ark. Code Ann. § 4-20-104 requires that any address filed under the Model Registered Agents Act state an actual street address or rural route box number in Arkansas.

Is the filing fee the same whether I file online or by mail?

Yes. There is no filing fee for Form DO-03 regardless of filing method — online, by mail, or in person. Because the filing carries no fee, no credit-card surcharge or payment of any kind is required when filing through the Corporations Online Filing System. The only difference between methods is processing speed: online filings are generally processed more quickly, and in-person filings may be handled the same day depending on office volume.