When Is a Change of Registered Agent Required in Maine?
Under the Maine Model Registered Agents Act (5 M.R.S. ch. 6-A), codified within Title 5 of the Maine Revised Statutes (5 M.R.S.) § 108, a represented entity that desires to change its registered agent or the address of its registered agent must file a statement of change with the Secretary of State. Every domestic filing entity and every foreign entity authorized to transact business in Maine is required to continuously maintain a registered agent and a registered office address in the state. Business corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships, nonprofit corporations, professional service corporations, and their foreign counterparts are all subject to this requirement. Failure to maintain current registered agent information can lead to administrative dissolution for domestic entities or revocation of authority for foreign entities.
The following circumstances typically require a filing entity to file a statement of change:
- The current registered agent resigns from the appointment
- The current registered agent moves out of Maine or is no longer available at the registered office
- The registered agent’s name or address changes due to postal renaming, physical relocation, or other cause
- The entity voluntarily selects a new registered agent or switches to a commercial registered agent service
- The registered agent is no longer available at the registered office during normal business hours
- The agent no longer consents to serve
Maine does not distinguish between a voluntary and an involuntary change — the filing requirement under 5 M.R.S. § 108 is the same in either case. Any entity that becomes aware that its registered agent information on file with the Secretary of State is inaccurate or outdated should file the appropriate form promptly to avoid compliance consequences.
Grounds for Changing Your Registered Agent in Maine
A Maine entity may need to change its registered agent or registered office for a variety of reasons. The table below summarizes the most common grounds and the filing required for each.
| Ground | Filing Required |
| Registered agent resigns | Form CLKRA-3 — Statement of Appointment or Change |
| Registered agent relocates out of Maine | Form CLKRA-3 |
| Registered agent’s address changes | Form CLKRA-3 (entity-filed) or agent-initiated address change (noncommercial: § 109; commercial: § 110) |
| Entity switches to a commercial registered agent service | Form CLKRA-3 |
| Registered agent no longer available during business hours | Form CLKRA-3 |
| Registered agent no longer consents to serve | Form CLKRA-3 |
| Entity changes its own registered office address | Form CLKRA-3 |
The entity’s registered agent name and address are part of the public record maintained by the Secretary of State’s Division of Corporations, UCC and Commissions. Outdated or inaccurate information should be corrected promptly by filing Form CLKRA-3 or the appropriate agent-initiated change form. Registered agent information for any Maine entity can be verified through the Secretary of State’s Corporate Search portal.
Maine Registered Agent Change Requirements
Before filing a statement of change, the entity must satisfy several statutory requirements under Maine’s Model Registered Agents Act.
Eligibility of the New Registered Agent
Maine recognizes two categories of registered agent. The entity must designate one or the other on Form CLKRA-3.
- 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 5 M.R.S. § 106. A commercial registered agent is in the business of serving as an agent for service of process. The entity designates the commercial agent by providing its CRA Public number on the form.
- Option B – Noncommercial Registered Agent: An individual or a domestic or foreign entity that serves as the agent for service of process but is not listed as a commercial registered agent. A noncommercial registered agent must have a physical street address in Maine. The filing entity itself cannot serve as its own registered agent.
Registered Office Address
Under 5 M.R.S. § 104, every address stated in a filing under the Model Registered Agents Act must include an actual street address or rural route box number in Maine. A P.O. Box alone does not satisfy this requirement. If the mailing address differs from the physical street address, both must be provided. The registered office must be a location where service of process can be personally delivered during normal business hours.
Consent of the New Registered Agent
Under 5 M.R.S. § 105, subsection 2, “the appointment of a clerk or a registered agent … is an affirmation by the represented entity that the agent has consented to serve as such.” The same affirmation applies when a change is filed under 5 M.R.S. § 108, subsection 3. Form CLKRA-3 includes a recitation referencing 5 M.R.S. § 105(2) or § 108(3) confirming that the newly designated agent has consented to serve.
Note: The consent of the new registered agent is documented on the form itself and retained through the filing. There is no separate consent form filed with the Secretary of State.
Execution
Form CLKRA-3 must be signed by an authorized person. When a new registered agent is being appointed, the form must be signed by a duly authorized officer (for a business corporation), any duly authorized person (for an LLC), at least one partner (for an LLP or limited partnership), or any duly authorized officer (for a nonprofit corporation). When only the existing registered agent’s information is being updated — such as an address or name change — the form must be signed by the existing registered agent. The form need not be notarized.
How to File a Statement of Change of Registered Office/Agent
The change is made by filing Form CLKRA-3 – Statement of Appointment or Change of Commercial or Noncommercial Registered Agent with the Maine Secretary of State. This is a unified form used by all domestic and foreign entity types — business corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships, nonprofit corporations, and professional service corporations.
To complete the form, provide the following information:
- Entity name: Enter the exact legal name of the entity as it appears on the records of the Secretary of State.
- Type of change: Indicate whether this is a new registered agent appointment or a change to the existing registered agent’s information (address change or name change). Check the appropriate box.
- Current registered agent: Provide the name of the current registered agent appearing in the Secretary of State’s records.
- New registered agent information (noncommercial): If appointing a noncommercial registered agent, provide the agent’s name and physical street address in Maine. If the mailing address differs from the street address, provide both.
- New registered agent information (commercial): If appointing a commercial registered agent, provide the agent’s CRA Public number and name. A searchable list of commercial registered agents is available through the Secretary of State’s Commercial Registered Agent (CRA) Search.
- Consent affirmation: The form includes a statement affirming that the designated agent has consented to serve.
- Authorization (domestic business corporations only): If the entity is a domestic business corporation, indicate whether the change was authorized by the board of directors or by the shareholders.
- Foreign entity information: If the entity is a foreign entity, provide the jurisdiction of incorporation or organization and the date the entity was authorized to transact business in Maine.
- Signature: Sign and date the form with the original written signature of the authorized person. Print or type the signer’s name and title.
A statement of change filed under 5 M.R.S. § 108 takes effect on filing. There is no delayed effective date option — the change is effective when accepted by the Secretary of State.
Filing Method: Online vs. Mail
Form CLKRA-3 may be filed by mail or delivered in person. Maine also provides a limited online option for address changes through the Interactive Corporate Services portal. The table below compares the available filing methods.
| Method | Details |
| Mail (U.S. Postal Service) | Secretary of State, Division of Corporations, UCC and Commissions, 101 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0101 |
| Mail (FedEx/UPS) | Secretary of State, Division of Corporations, UCC and Commissions, 6 E. Chestnut Street, 5th Floor, Augusta, ME 04330 |
| In Person | 6 E. Chestnut Street, 5th Floor, Augusta, ME 04330 — Open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Online (address change only) | Change of Address Service — available for noncommercial registered agents changing their registered office address or for foreign entities changing a principal or home office address |
For appointments of a new registered agent — as opposed to a simple address update for an existing agent — the Secretary of State’s office requires the paper Form CLKRA-3 filed by mail or in person. The online Change of Address Service is limited to changes of address for noncommercial clerks and noncommercial registered agents and does not support the appointment of a new agent.
Commercial registered agents who need to update their own listing information — including name, address, or type of organization — should use the Commercial Registered Agent (CRA) Listing Management Service available through Interactive Corporate Services.
Note: Standard processing time for corporate filings with the Division of Corporations is approximately 15 to 55 business days, depending on filing volume. Expedited processing is available for an additional fee: $50 for next-business-day (24-hour) service or $100 for same-business-day (immediate) service.
Registered Agent Change Filing Fees by Entity Type
Filing fees for the statement of appointment or change of registered agent are set by 5 M.R.S. § 103. The fee structure distinguishes between for-profit entities and nonprofit corporations formed under Title 13-B.
| Entity Type | Filing Fee |
| Domestic business corporation (Title 13-C) | $35.00 |
| Foreign business corporation | $35.00 |
| Domestic LLC (Title 31) | $35.00 |
| Foreign LLC | $35.00 |
| Domestic limited partnership (Title 31) | $35.00 |
| Foreign limited partnership | $35.00 |
| Domestic limited liability partnership (Title 31) | $35.00 |
| Foreign limited liability partnership | $35.00 |
| Professional service corporation (Title 13, ch. 22-A) | $35.00 |
| Nonprofit corporation — domestic (Title 13-B) | $15.00 |
| Nonprofit corporation — foreign (Title 13-B) | $15.00 |
The reduced $15.00 fee applies specifically to nonprofit corporations formed or qualified under the Maine Nonprofit Corporation Act (Title 13-B). All other entity types pay the standard $35.00 fee.
Payment may be made by check or money order payable to the Maine Secretary of State, or by credit card using the Credit Card Payment Voucher available on the Secretary of State’s website. There is no published credit-card surcharge.
Resignation of a commercial registered agent carries no filing fee. Resignation of a noncommercial registered agent costs $35.00, or $15.00 if the represented entity is a nonprofit corporation formed under Title 13-B.
Effective Date of a Registered Agent Change in Maine
A statement of change filed under 5 M.R.S. § 108, subsection 4, “takes effect on filing.” Maine does not offer a delayed effective date or future-event condition for registered agent change filings.
Immediate effect: The change to the entity’s registered agent or registered office is effective when the Secretary of State accepts and files the statement of change. From that point forward, any service of process directed to the entity must be delivered to the newly designated agent at the new registered office address.
Because standard processing times can range from 15 to 55 business days, the filing is not effective when mailed — it becomes effective only when the Secretary of State actually processes and accepts the document. Entities that require faster effectiveness should consider filing in person or requesting expedited processing. The entity’s existing registered agent remains the agent of record until the statement of change is filed and accepted.
Changing the Registered Agent Address Without Changing the Agent
When a registered agent’s address changes but the same person or entity continues to serve as agent, Maine provides separate mechanisms for the agent — rather than the entity — to update its address in the Secretary of State’s records. The procedure differs depending on whether the agent is a noncommercial or commercial registered agent.
For a noncommercial registered agent, 5 M.R.S. § 109 requires the agent to file a statement of change with the Secretary of State for each represented entity. The statement must include the entity’s name, the agent’s current name and address, and the new name or address. After filing, the noncommercial agent must “promptly furnish the represented entity with notice in a record of the filing of a statement of change and the changes made by the filing.”
For a commercial registered agent, 5 M.R.S. § 110 requires the agent to file a single statement of change that updates its address (or name, type, or jurisdiction of organization) across all represented entities at once. The filing is effective for every entity the commercial agent represents. The commercial agent must promptly furnish each represented entity with notice of the filing and the changes made.
The following table compares the entity-filed change and the agent-initiated address change.
| Feature | Form CLKRA-3 (Entity-Filed Change) | Agent-Initiated Change (§ 109 / § 110) |
| Filed by | The represented entity | The registered agent |
| Purpose | Appoint a new agent, change address, or both | Update agent’s own name or address only |
| Can appoint a new agent | Yes | No |
| Covers multiple entities in one filing | No — one form per entity | § 109 (noncommercial): one filing per entity; § 110 (commercial): one filing covers all represented entities |
| Notice to entity required | — | Yes — promptly after filing |
| Signed by | Entity’s authorized officer, member, or partner | The registered agent |
The fee for an agent-initiated address change filed under 5 M.R.S. § 109 (noncommercial) is $35.00 per entity, or $15.00 per entity if the represented entity is a nonprofit corporation under Title 13-B. The fee for a commercial registered agent’s statement of change filed under 5 M.R.S. § 110 is $50.00, and a single filing updates the agent’s information for all entities the agent represents.
Note: If a commercial registered agent changes its address without filing the required statement of change, the Secretary of State may cancel the agent’s listing under 5 M.R.S. § 110, subsection 5. Cancellation has the same effect as a termination of the agent’s listing, leaving every represented entity without a registered agent.
What Happens After the Change Is Filed
Once the Secretary of State accepts a statement of change, several consequences follow:
- The entity’s registered agent and registered office information in the Secretary of State’s records is updated immediately upon filing.
- The new agent’s name and address become part of the entity’s public filing history, searchable through the Corporate Search portal.
- The former registered agent’s authority to receive service of process on behalf of the entity terminates.
- The Secretary of State returns an attested copy of the completed filing to the submitter or the person designated on the cover letter.
- Any future service of process for the entity must be directed to the newly designated registered agent at the registered office address now on file.
For domestic business corporations, the interest holders or governors generally need not approve the filing of a statement of change, except that a business corporation formed under Title 13-C must indicate on Form CLKRA-3 whether the change of clerk was authorized by the board of directors or by the shareholders.
Changing a Registered Agent for a Foreign Entity Registered in Maine
A foreign entity authorized to transact business in Maine is subject to the same registered agent and registered office requirements as a domestic filing entity. Under 5 M.R.S. § 105, every qualified foreign entity must maintain a registered agent in Maine, and the entity changes that information by filing the same Form CLKRA-3 used by domestic entities.
The same eligibility requirements, consent affirmation, physical street address requirements, and execution rules apply. When a foreign entity files Form CLKRA-3, it must additionally state the jurisdiction of incorporation or organization and the date the entity was authorized to transact business in Maine (in the form’s “Seventh” section).
The filing fee is $35.00 for all foreign for-profit entity types — foreign business corporations, foreign LLCs, foreign limited partnerships, and foreign limited liability partnerships. Foreign nonprofit corporations formed under Title 13-B pay the reduced $15.00 fee.
Failure by a foreign corporation to maintain a registered agent in Maine is a ground for revocation of its authority to transact business in the state under the Maine Business Corporation Act (13-C M.R.S.) § 1531-A. The Secretary of State may commence a revocation proceeding if the foreign corporation is without a registered agent, fails to notify the Secretary of State of a change in agent or address, or fails to report a resignation. The same consequences apply to foreign nonprofit corporations under the Maine Nonprofit Corporation Act (13-B M.R.S.) § 1112, which governs administrative dissolution of nonprofits.
Frequently Asked Questions About Changing a Registered Agent in Maine
How long does it take to change a registered agent in Maine?
The Secretary of State does not guarantee a specific processing time. Current standard processing time for corporate filings ranges from approximately 15 to 55 business days, depending on the entity type and filing volume. Entities that need faster processing may request expedited service: next-business-day processing for an additional $50.00 or same-business-day processing for an additional $100.00. Current processing times are noted on each entity-type forms page on the Secretary of State’s website, or you can call the Division of Corporations at (207) 624-7752.
Do I need to notify my current registered agent before changing?
Maine law does not require the entity to notify the outgoing registered agent before filing Form CLKRA-3. The change is effective upon filing and acceptance by the Secretary of State. Many entities choose to notify the outgoing agent as a courtesy, particularly if there is a contractual relationship or pending service of process. If the outgoing agent wishes to end the relationship independently — rather than waiting for the entity to file a change — the agent may file a statement of resignation under 5 M.R.S. § 111.
Can I change my registered office address without changing the registered agent?
Yes. Form CLKRA-3 permits changing only the registered office address while keeping the same registered agent. When completing the form, select the box for “change to existing clerk or registered agent information” and indicate “change of address.” The registered agent’s name remains the same, and only the address is updated. Alternatively, the agent itself may file a change under 5 M.R.S. § 109 (noncommercial) or 5 M.R.S. § 110 (commercial) if the agent’s own address has changed.
What is the agent-initiated address change form and when is it used?
When a noncommercial registered agent changes its own address while continuing to serve, the agent files a statement of change under 5 M.R.S. § 109 for each represented entity. This form is filed by the agent — not the entity — and it cannot be used to appoint a different registered agent. The agent must promptly furnish the represented entity with notice of the filing. Commercial registered agents use the CRA Listing Management Service to update their address for all represented entities in a single filing, as provided under 5 M.R.S. § 110.
Is there a penalty for not filing a change of registered agent?
Maine requires every filing entity to continuously maintain a current registered agent and registered office. Failure to keep this information current is a ground for administrative dissolution of a domestic business corporation under 13-C M.R.S. § 1420 and for administrative dissolution of a domestic nonprofit corporation under 13-B M.R.S. § 1112. For foreign entities, it is a ground for revocation of authority. Practical consequences include the loss of standing to transact business in the state and the risk that service of process may be delivered by alternative methods under 5 M.R.S. § 113 — potentially without the entity’s actual knowledge.
Can I change my registered agent and the registered office address in the same filing?
Yes. Form CLKRA-3 permits changing the registered agent, the registered office address, or both in a single filing. A single filing fee applies — $35.00 for most entity types or $15.00 for nonprofit corporations under Title 13-B. Select the box for “a new clerk or registered agent” and provide both the new agent’s name and the new registered office address on the form.
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 5 M.R.S. § 111. The statement must include the name of the entity, the name of the agent, a declaration that the agent resigns, and the name and address of the person to whom the agent will send notice. The resignation takes effect on the earlier of the 31st day after filing or the date the entity appoints a new registered agent. There is no filing fee for a commercial registered agent’s resignation. A noncommercial registered agent’s resignation costs $35.00 (or $15.00 for a nonprofit). After filing, the agent must promptly furnish the entity with notice. The entity should then file Form CLKRA-3 to appoint a replacement agent before the resignation takes effect.
Does the new registered agent need to sign the change form?
No. Form CLKRA-3 is signed by the entity’s authorized officer, member, partner, or other authorized person — not by the new registered agent. By signing the form, the authorized person affirms under 5 M.R.S. § 108, subsection 3, that the designated agent has consented to serve. The consent of the new agent is documented through this affirmation rather than through a separately filed consent form.
Can I use a P.O. Box for the new registered office address?
No. Under 5 M.R.S. § 104, every filing under Maine’s Model Registered Agents Act must include an actual street address or rural route box number in Maine. A P.O. Box does not satisfy this requirement. The form requires a “physical street address, not P.O. Box” for a noncommercial registered agent. If the mailing address differs from the street address, both may be provided, but the physical street address is mandatory.
Is the filing fee the same whether I file online or by mail?
Yes. The filing fee for Form CLKRA-3 is the same regardless of the method used — $35.00 for most entity types and $15.00 for nonprofit corporations under Title 13-B. The online Change of Address Service available through Interactive Corporate Services charges the same statutory fee. There is no additional surcharge for online filing. Payment by mail may be made by check, money order, or credit card voucher.