StartupOwl
Join Newsletter

StartupOwl is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click links on this page - at no extra cost to you.

How to change your registered agent in New York

File a Certificate of Change with the New York Department of State for $30 to switch your LLC's registered agent, then choose who you want to take over the role.

Eliot Reynolds
Written byEliot Reynolds
Editor, StartupOwl·Updated November 10, 2026
Quick Answer
Form name
Certificate of Change (DOS-1359-f)
State filing fee
$30
Expedite options
$25 (24 hours), $75 (Same-day filing), $150 (2 hours)
How the new agent consents
Consent not required
Foreign LLC form or fee
DOS-1362-f, $30

Every New York LLC has the Secretary of State as its agent for service of process by law, and you may also appoint a private registered agent in addition. To change or add a private agent, file a Certificate of Change (DOS-1359-f) with the state.

Who to move your New York LLC to

StartupOwl may earn a commission when you click some of the links on this page, at no extra cost to you.

Our Top Pick, Best Registered Agent in New York
#1
NR logo

Northwest Registered Agent

Best Privacy
$125/yrSame price in year two$100 per state per year at five or more states
Get Started

Northwest's published price for registered agent service is $125 a year, and it stays the same in year two.

#2
ZB logo

ZenBusiness

Best Platform
$99 first yearRenews at $199/yr after thatThe banner ties the $99 to forming an LLC there. Their FAQ sets no condition.
Get Started

ZenBusiness's registered agent renewal is $199 per year, the figure that matters most when comparing agents for your existing LLC.

#3
HC logo

Harbor Compliance

Best Multi State
$99 first yearRenews at $159/yr after that
Get Started

Harbor Compliance's first year at $99 renews at $159, making it a choice for owners who want a low initial cost.

New York renewal prices

  • Northwest Registered Agent$125
  • Harbor Compliance$159
  • ZenBusiness$199
  • LegalZoom$249
  • Inc Authority$249
  • Rocket Lawyer$374
  • Swyft Filings$596
Renewal price per year
NY Specific

Who receives legal papers for your LLC

New York law designates the Secretary of State as your agent for service of process. You do not need a registered agent, but you may appoint one in addition to the state official.

LLC Law 301

How to use the Certificate of Change in New York

How to use the Certificate of Change in New YorkFile with form Certificate of Change (DOS-1359-f)
State filing fee$30
When you fileFile anytime
Expedite options$25 (24 hours), $75 (Same-day filing), $150 (2 hours)

Use the Certificate of Change form, not the biennial statement, since the biennial cannot update your agent.

How to file the change in New York

  1. 1
    Step 1

    Choose your new agent

  2. 2
    Step 2

    Get the New York change form

    You use form DOS-1359-f, the Certificate of Change. A foreign LLC files a different form, DOS-1362-f.

    Form Certificate of Change (DOS-1359-f)
  3. 3
    Step 3

    Sign the form

    You sign as a member, manager, or authorized person. Tick the right capacity box on the form. New York does not require the new agent's consent.

  4. 4
    Step 4

    File it with the state and pay

    You file the form with a $30 fee to the New York Department of State. For faster processing, you can pay $25 for 24-hour service, $75 for same day, or $150 within two hours.

    State filing fee $30Expedite options $25 (24 hours), $75 (Same-day filing), $150 (2 hours)
  5. 5
    Step 5

    Cancel the old service

    The change appears in the New York Department of State database once the state processes your filing.

What New York's records show

Agent type
Person 10.9%Company agent 16.4%LLCs naming no agent 72.7%
LLCs per square (22,494)
Top commercial agents active
0%10%20%30%40%United States Corporation Agents Inc30.6% / 4.7%Northwest Registered Agent13.1% / 30.8%Registered Agents Inc10.4% / 11.5%
Active LLCsLLCs formed in 2026
Share of LLCs using a commercial agent
Data source from Nov 9, 2026 data.ny.gov/d/n9v6-gdp6, data.ny.gov/d/63wc-4exh

Of New York's 2.2 million active LLCs, 27.3 percent name a registered agent at all, according to StartupOwl analysis of state records from November 2026.

What New York's records show
Active LLCs in New York2,249,414Nov 10, 2026
LLCs naming any registered agent614,860Share of active LLCs (27.3%)Nov 10, 2026
Person as agent246,054Share of active LLCs (10.9%)Nov 10, 2026
Commercial registered agent336,145Share of active LLCs (14.9%)Nov 10, 2026
United States Corporation Agents Inc102,891Nov 10, 2026
Northwest Registered Agent44,005Nov 10, 2026
Registered Agents Inc35,084Nov 10, 2026
LLCs formed in 2026166,252Still activeNov 10, 2026
Agent change statements filed in 202511,901Nov 10, 2026
Agent resignations filed in 2025548Nov 10, 2026

New York law already designates the Secretary of State to receive legal process for your LLC, so a registered agent is optional. Only 27.3 percent of active New York LLCs name one.

Cite as Eliot Reynolds, StartupOwl, How to change your registered agent in New York, checked Nov 10, 2026, https://startupowl.com/start/change-registered-agent-new-york#data

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a registered agent required for my New York LLC?

No, New York does not require you to appoint a registered agent. The law designates the Secretary of State as your agent for service of process for every LLC. You may choose to name a separate registered agent, but it is optional. Only 27.3 percent of active LLCs do so.

How much does it cost to file and can you expedite it?

New York charges $30 to file the change of registered agent form. You can add $25 for 24-hour processing, $75 for same-day service, or $150 for processing within two hours. The expedite fees apply per document and are optional.

What is the $9 biennial statement fee for a New York LLC?

Your New York LLC also needs a biennial statement filed every two years. The fee is $9, due in the month your LLC was originally formed. Filing the biennial statement does not let you change your registered agent. You handle that separately on the Department of State’s form.

Who signs the New York registered agent change form?

The person signing the change form (DOS-1359-f) must be a member, manager or authorized person of the LLC. New York does not require the new agent to consent to the change.

Sources and checked dates