When Is a Change of Registered Agent Required in Alaska?
An entity that needs to change its registered agent, its registered office address, or both must file a Statement of Change with the Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing. Under the Alaska Corporations Code (AS) § 10.06.165, a corporation may change its registered office, agent, or both by filing a signed statement with the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development. Parallel provisions apply to every other entity type required to maintain a registered agent in Alaska, including limited liability companies under AS § 10.50.060, limited partnerships under AS § 32.11.830, limited liability partnerships under AS § 32.06.911, nonprofit corporations under AS § 10.20.036, cooperative corporations under AS § 10.15.025, professional corporations under AS § 10.45.240, and electric and telephone cooperatives under AS § 10.25.460.
Alaska law requires every domestic and foreign filing entity to continuously maintain a registered agent and a registered office — consisting of both a physical address and a mailing address in Alaska — without interruption. Failure to maintain a current and valid registered agent may result in involuntary dissolution for domestic entities or revocation of the authority to transact business for foreign entities. The Corporations Section treats any lapse in registered agent compliance as a non-compliance event that can trigger enforcement proceedings.
The following circumstances commonly require an entity to file a Statement of Change:
- The current registered agent resigns
- The current registered agent moves out of Alaska or is no longer a state resident
- The current registered agent’s physical or mailing address changes
- The registered agent is no longer available at the registered office to accept service of process
- The entity voluntarily selects a new registered agent
- The current agent no longer consents to serve
Alaska does not differentiate between voluntary and involuntary changes for filing purposes — the same Statement of Change form and the same $25 filing fee apply regardless of the reason.
Grounds for Changing Your Registered Agent in Alaska
The most common grounds for filing a Statement of Change with the Corporations Section are summarized below. Each ground requires the entity to complete the appropriate Statement of Change form for its entity type and submit it with the $25 nonrefundable filing fee.
| Ground | Filing Required |
| Registered agent resigns | Statement of Change — new agent must be designated |
| Registered agent relocates out of Alaska | Statement of Change — new agent must be designated |
| Registered agent’s physical or mailing address changes | Statement of Change — or agent-initiated address change if the same agent continues to serve |
| Entity switches to a professional registered agent service | Statement of Change — new agent must be designated |
| Registered agent no longer available during business hours | Statement of Change — new agent must be designated |
| Registered agent no longer consents to serve | Statement of Change — new agent must be designated |
| Entity changes its own registered office address only | Statement of Change — address fields updated, agent remains the same |
An entity’s registered agent information is part of the public record maintained by the Corporations Section and is searchable online through the Alaska entity search database. Inaccurate or outdated agent information should be corrected promptly — the Corporations Section has stated that failure to maintain a current and valid physical and mailing address “will result in non-compliance status for the entity and may lead to involuntary dissolution or revocation of the entity’s authority to transact business in the State of Alaska.”
Alaska Registered Agent Change Requirements
Before filing a Statement of Change, the entity must confirm that the new registered agent meets Alaska’s eligibility, residency, and address requirements. These requirements vary slightly by entity type.
Eligibility of the New Registered Agent
Alaska’s registered agent eligibility rules are stricter than those in many states. Who may serve depends on the entity type, as outlined on the Registered Agents FAQs page:
- Option A — Individual: An individual who is a resident of Alaska. Residency is defined under AS § 01.10.055(a) as being physically present in the state with the intent to remain indefinitely and to make a home in Alaska. A person who claims residency in another state, territory, or country does not qualify.
- Option B — Corporation: A domestic or foreign corporation authorized to transact business in Alaska. Only corporations — business corporations, professional corporations, or nonprofit corporations — may serve as registered agents. An entity cannot be its own registered agent, and non-corporation entities such as LLCs, LLPs, and LPs cannot serve as registered agents in Alaska.
For electric and telephone cooperatives and religious corporations, the registered agent must be an individual resident of Alaska — a corporation may not serve.
Registered Office Address
The registered office must include both a physical address and a mailing address within Alaska. Both addresses are required because Alaska statutes mandate service of process in person at a physical address and by certified mail to a mailing address. A registered agent may not have mail held or forwarded — the agent must be physically present in Alaska and able to perform statutory duties on time.
Execution and Authorization
The Statement of Change form must be signed by an authorized official of the entity. The required signer varies by entity type: for corporations (business, nonprofit, professional, and cooperative), the form must be signed by a president or vice president on record and must recite that the change was authorized by a resolution of the board of directors; for LLCs, the form must be signed by a member or manager on record; for limited partnerships, a general partner must sign; for LLPs, a partner must sign.
Note: Persons who sign documents filed with the commissioner that are known to the signer to be false in material respects are guilty of a class A misdemeanor under Alaska law.
How to File a Statement of Change of Registered Office/Agent
The entity files the change by completing the appropriate Statement of Change form for its entity type and submitting it with the $25 filing fee to the Corporations Section. Alaska uses different Statement of Change forms for different entity types. The primary form is Form 08-409 – Change of Registered Agent (Statement of Change) – All Entity Types (Except Religious Corporation), which covers business corporations, nonprofit corporations, professional corporations, cooperative corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships, and electric and telephone cooperatives. Domestic LLCs also have a standalone form, Form 08-492 – Statement of Change – Domestic Limited Liability Company, and foreign LLCs use Form 08-504 – Statement of Change – Foreign Limited Liability Company.
The form collects the following information:
- Entity information: The legal name of the entity and its Alaska entity number as assigned by the Corporations Section.
- New registered agent information: The name of the new (or continuing) registered agent, the agent’s physical address in Alaska, and the agent’s mailing address in Alaska. The form specifies that the registered agent cannot be the entity itself and cannot be an LLC.
- Signature block: The form must be signed by the authorized official for the entity type, with printed name, title, and date. The form includes a recitation that the change was authorized by the appropriate governing body.
The form explicitly requires that the entity’s biennial report be current before the Statement of Change will be processed. If the biennial report is not current, the Corporations Section will not file the Statement of Change.
Note: The form must be typed. The entity should verify its entity type, authorized signer requirements, and biennial report status by searching the Alaska entity search database before submitting the filing.
Filing Method: Online vs. Mail
The Statement of Change for a registered agent must be filed by mail. Alaska does not currently offer online filing for registered agent changes through the Corporations Section.
| Method | Details |
| Mail the completed form, the $25 nonrefundable filing fee, and the Contact Information sheet to: Corporations Section, P.O. Box 110806, Juneau, AK 99811 | |
| In Person | Deliver the form and filing fee in person to: 333 Willoughby Avenue, 9th Floor, State Office Building, Juneau, AK 99801, or 550 W. 7th Avenue, Suite 1500, Anchorage, AK 99501 |
| Fax | The Registered Agents FAQs page indicates that a Statement of Change may be submitted by fax to (907) 465-2974; include a credit card payment form with the filing |
Payment may be made by check or money order payable to the State of Alaska, or by credit card using the Credit Card Payment Form included with each form packet. Do not email forms or payments — the Corporations Section does not accept filings by email. Standard processing time for complete and correctly submitted filings is approximately 10 to 15 business days, with all filings reviewed in the order received.
Registered Agent Change Filing Fees by Entity Type
The filing fee for a Statement of Change of registered agent is $25 for all entity types. This uniform fee is established by regulation under 3 AAC 16.010(b) for corporations and 3 AAC 16.065(b) for limited liability companies.
| Entity Type | Filing Fee |
| Domestic Business Corporation | $25 |
| Domestic Nonprofit Corporation | $25 |
| Domestic Professional Corporation | $25 |
| Domestic Cooperative Corporation | $25 |
| Domestic Electric/Telephone Cooperative | $25 |
| Domestic Limited Liability Company (LLC) | $25 |
| Domestic Limited Partnership (LP) | $25 |
| Domestic Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) | $25 |
| Foreign Business Corporation | $25 |
| Foreign Nonprofit Corporation | $25 |
| Foreign LLC | $25 |
| Foreign LP | $25 |
| Foreign LLP | $25 |
| Religious Corporation | $25 |
The filing fee is nonrefundable regardless of whether the filing is accepted or rejected. The resignation form also carries a $25 nonrefundable filing fee — unlike many states, Alaska charges a fee for registered agent resignations.
Accepted payment methods include check, money order (payable to the State of Alaska), and all major credit cards (submitted via the Credit Card Payment Form included with each form).
Effective Date of a Registered Agent Change in Alaska
A registered agent change becomes effective when the statement is filed by the commissioner. Under AS § 10.06.165(b), if the commissioner finds that the statement complies with the Alaska Corporations Code, the commissioner files it, and the change becomes effective at that point. Alaska does not offer a delayed effective date or future-event condition for a Statement of Change — the change takes effect upon filing.
Immediate effect: The change of registered agent or registered office becomes effective when the commissioner files the statement. This is the only effectiveness option available for a registered agent change in Alaska.
Because the standard processing time is approximately 10 to 15 business days from receipt, the entity should plan accordingly. The effective date is the date the statement is filed by the commissioner — not the date the form is mailed or received.
Changing the Registered Agent Address Without Changing the Agent
When a registered agent changes its own office address but continues to serve as agent for one or more entities, the agent may file a statement directly with the commissioner under AS § 10.06.170(a). This agent-initiated filing spares each represented entity from having to file its own individual Statement of Change.
The following table compares the entity-filed Statement of Change and the agent-initiated address change:
| Feature | Statement of Change (Entity-Filed) | Agent-Initiated Address Change |
| Filed by | The entity | The registered agent |
| Purpose | Change the agent, the registered office address, or both | Update the agent’s own office address for all represented entities |
| Can appoint a new agent | Yes | No — the same agent must continue to serve |
| Covers multiple entities in one filing | No — one filing per entity | Yes — one filing may list all entities for which the agent serves |
| Signed by | Authorized entity official (president, VP, member, manager, or general partner) | The registered agent individually, or the agent corporation’s president or VP |
Under AS § 10.06.170(a), the agent-initiated statement must include the agent’s name, the address of the office before the change, the new address, and a list of corporations for which the agent serves. The change becomes effective when the commissioner files the statement. The filing fee for the agent-initiated address change form is $25.
This mechanism is particularly valuable for commercial registered agent services that represent dozens or hundreds of Alaska entities — a single filing updates the address for every entity on the list.
What Happens After the Change Is Filed
Once the Corporations Section reviews and files the Statement of Change, several effects follow:
- The entity’s registered agent and registered office information in the Division’s records is updated and becomes publicly available through the online entity search database.
- The change becomes effective on the date the commissioner files the statement.
- The Division returns the filed documents to the contact address provided with the filing.
- The former agent’s authority to receive service of process on behalf of the entity terminates upon the effective date of the change.
- The entity’s information is posted on the state’s website as a public record.
The entity should retain the filed copy of the statement returned by the Division for its records. If the entity’s biennial report was not current at the time of filing, the statement will not be processed — the entity should bring its biennial report into compliance before resubmitting.
Changing a Registered Agent for a Foreign Entity Registered in Alaska
A foreign entity registered to transact business in Alaska must designate and continuously maintain a registered agent and registered office in Alaska, just as a domestic entity must. Under AS § 10.06.758, a foreign corporation authorized to transact business in the state may change its registered office or agent by filing a statement with the Department of Commerce containing the same information required of domestic corporations. The same eligibility rules, residency requirements, address requirements, authorized-signer requirements, and filing fee apply.
The filing fee for a foreign entity’s Statement of Change is $25 — the same uniform rate that applies to domestic entities. Foreign LLCs use Form 08-504 – Statement of Change – Foreign Limited Liability Company; foreign corporations, foreign LPs, and foreign LLPs use Form 08-409 – Change of Registered Agent (Statement of Change) – All Entity Types.
A critical distinction for foreign entities: failure to maintain a registered agent may result in revocation of the foreign entity’s authority to transact business in Alaska rather than involuntary dissolution. The practical consequence is the same — the entity loses its legal standing to operate in the state and its good standing status is impaired.
Frequently Asked Questions About Changing a Registered Agent in Alaska
How long does it take to change a registered agent in Alaska?
Standard processing time for a complete and correct Statement of Change is approximately 10 to 15 business days, according to the instructions on Form 08-409. All filings are reviewed in the order received. The Division does not offer expedited processing for registered agent changes. Entities with questions about current processing times or the status of a pending filing may contact the Corporations Section at (907) 465-2550 or by email at corporations@alaska.gov.
Do I need to notify my current registered agent before changing?
Alaska law does not require the entity to notify its outgoing registered agent before filing a Statement of Change. The change becomes effective when the commissioner files the statement. Many entities choose to inform the outgoing agent as a courtesy, particularly if the agent is currently receiving and forwarding legal correspondence on the entity’s behalf. If the outgoing agent wishes to end the relationship independently, the agent may file the Registered Agent Resignation – All Entity Types form under AS § 10.06.170(b).
Can I change my registered office address without changing the registered agent?
Yes. The Statement of Change form allows the entity to update only the registered office address — both the physical address and the mailing address — while keeping the same registered agent. The entity completes the current agent’s name in the agent information section and provides the new address details. The filing fee remains $25. Alternatively, if the agent itself is changing its office address for multiple entities, the agent may file an agent-initiated address change under AS § 10.06.170(a).
What is the agent-initiated address change form and when is it used?
The agent-initiated address change is authorized by AS § 10.06.170(a) and allows a registered agent to change the location of the agent’s office address for all entities the agent represents in a single filing. The agent must include a list of every entity for which it serves as agent. This mechanism cannot be used to appoint a different agent — the same agent must continue to serve. The change takes effect when the commissioner files the statement.
Is there a penalty for not filing a change of registered agent?
Alaska requires every filing entity to continuously maintain a registered agent and registered office. A corporation that fails to appoint and maintain a registered agent for 30 days may be dissolved involuntarily by the commissioner under AS § 10.06.633. For limited liability companies, the same consequence applies under AS § 10.50.408. Foreign entities face revocation of their authority to transact business. Additionally, under AS § 10.06.175, if an entity fails to maintain a registered agent, the commissioner becomes the entity’s agent for service of process — creating a risk that legal proceedings will advance without the entity’s knowledge.
Can I change my registered agent and the registered office address in the same filing?
Yes. The Statement of Change form permits changing the agent, the address, or both in a single filing. A single $25 filing fee applies regardless of whether the entity is updating the agent alone, the address alone, or both simultaneously.
What happens if my registered agent resigns?
A registered agent may resign by filing written notice with the commissioner under AS § 10.06.170(b). The resignation form is Form 08-4981 – Registered Agent Resignation – All Entity Types, and it carries a $25 nonrefundable filing fee. The commissioner immediately mails a copy of the resignation notice to the entity at its principal office. The resignation becomes effective 30 days after filing unless the entity appoints a successor agent sooner. The entity should promptly file a Statement of Change to designate a new agent — without one, the entity will become non-compliant within 30 days.
Does the new registered agent need to sign the change form?
No. The Statement of Change is signed by the entity’s authorized official — for corporations, the president or vice president on record; for LLCs, a member or manager on record; for limited partnerships, a general partner. The new registered agent does not sign the form. However, the entity should ensure that the new agent has consented to serve before filing, as the registered agent assumes statutory responsibility for receiving service of process upon the effective date of the change.
Can I use a P.O. Box for the new registered office address?
Not for the physical address. Alaska requires each registered agent to maintain both a physical address and a mailing address in Alaska. The physical address must be a location where process can be served in person, and a P.O. Box does not satisfy this requirement. However, a P.O. Box is acceptable as the mailing address component of the registered office. Both fields — physical address and mailing address — must be completed on the Statement of Change form, and both must be located in Alaska.
Is the filing fee the same whether I file online or by mail?
Alaska does not currently offer online filing for registered agent changes. The Statement of Change must be submitted by mail, fax, or in person. The filing fee is $25 regardless of the submission method, payable by check, money order, or credit card using the Credit Card Payment Form included with each form packet.