You’ve switched registered agents.
You need to verify it works.
You need an audit process.
You need verification.
Post-migration audit. Verification process. Test mail. Your audit.
This guide shows you how.
Audit process. Verification steps. Testing procedures. Your confirmation.
Read this. Conduct audit. Verify service.
Key Takeaways
- Verify state records—confirm new registered agent is listed on state records and change is effective
- Test mail delivery—send test mail to new registered agent address to verify receipt
- Test forwarding—verify new agent forwards documents to you promptly and accurately
- Check notification systems—test that new agent notifies you of document receipt
- Document verification—keep records of all verification steps and test results
Table of Contents
Why Audit Matters
Audit confirms service works.
What happens without audit:
- Problems go undetected
- Service failures occur
- Documents are missed
- Compliance fails
What happens with audit:
- Problems are detected early
- Service is verified
- Documents are received
- Compliance is maintained
The reality: Audit enables confidence.
State Verification
Verify state records:
Check State Records
What to check:
- New registered agent on file
- Change effective date
- Address updated correctly
- Status confirmed
Why it matters: State records determine routing.
Verify Online
What to verify:
- Secretary of State website
- Business entity search
- Registered agent listing
- Current status
Why it matters: Online verification confirms records.
Request Confirmation
What to request:
- Written confirmation from state
- Certificate of good standing
- Entity status report
- Registered agent confirmation
Why it matters: Confirmation provides proof.
Pro tip: Verify state records. Check state records, verify online, request confirmation. See our RA change guide for verification.
Mail Testing
Test mail delivery:
Send Test Mail
What to send:
- Test letter to new agent address
- Certified mail for tracking
- Regular mail for normal flow
- Multiple test items
Why it matters: Testing confirms delivery.
Track Delivery
What to track:
- Delivery confirmation
- Receipt date
- Processing time
- Any issues
Why it matters: Tracking confirms receipt.
Verify Receipt
What to verify:
- New agent received mail
- Mail was processed
- Notification was sent
- Forwarding occurred
Why it matters: Verification confirms service.
Pro tip: Test mail delivery. Send test mail, track delivery, verify receipt. See our no-gap transition guide for testing procedures.
Forwarding Verification
Verify forwarding works:
Test Forwarding
What to test:
- Document forwarding speed
- Forwarding accuracy
- Notification timing
- Delivery to you
Why it matters: Testing confirms forwarding.
Check Methods
What methods to check:
- Email forwarding
- Physical mail forwarding
- Digital scanning
- Priority handling
Why it matters: Methods affect delivery.
Verify Quality
What quality to verify:
- Documents are complete
- Information is accurate
- Timing is appropriate
- Service is reliable
Why it matters: Quality affects usability.
Pro tip: Verify forwarding. Test forwarding, check methods, verify quality. See our document routing guide for forwarding procedures.
Notification Testing
Test notification systems:
Test Notifications
What to test:
- Email notifications
- SMS notifications
- Portal notifications
- Alert systems
Why it matters: Notifications enable response.
Check Timing
What timing to check:
- Notification speed
- Delivery time
- Response time
- Urgency handling
Why it matters: Timing affects response.
Verify Content
What content to verify:
- Information is complete
- Details are accurate
- Actions are clear
- Links work properly
Why it matters: Content affects action.
Pro tip: Test notifications. Test notifications, check timing, verify content. See our RA change guide for notification testing.
Documentation
Document verification process:
Audit Records
What to document:
- Verification steps taken
- Test results
- Issues found
- Resolutions applied
Why it matters: Records provide proof.
Test Results
What to document:
- Mail delivery results
- Forwarding test results
- Notification test results
- Overall service assessment
Why it matters: Results confirm service.
Follow-Up Actions
What to document:
- Issues identified
- Actions taken
- Resolutions applied
- Ongoing monitoring
Why it matters: Follow-up ensures completion.
Pro tip: Document verification. Audit records, test results, follow-up actions. See our RA change guide for documentation.
Your Next Steps
Conduct audit. Verify service. Document results.
This Week:
- Review this guide
- Plan audit process
- Prepare test materials
- Schedule verification
This Month:
- Verify state records
- Test mail delivery
- Verify forwarding
- Test notifications
Going Forward:
- Document results
- Monitor service quality
- Review periodically
- Address issues promptly
Need help? Check out our RA change guide for switch procedures, our no-gap transition guide for transition planning, and our registered agent guide for registered agent services.
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FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions About Audit After the Switch: Verifying That Your New Registered Agent Is Receiving an
Why is it important to audit your new registered agent after switching services?
Without an audit, problems go undetected—service failures, missed documents, and compliance issues can occur without you knowing until it's too late.
Learn More...
After switching registered agents, there's a critical transition period where problems can arise: the new agent might not be properly listed in state records, mail routing might fail, or forwarding systems might not work correctly.
An audit catches these issues early before they cause real damage, such as missed legal notices, failed compliance deadlines, or undelivered court documents that could result in default judgments.
What should you check on state records after changing your registered agent?
Verify that the new registered agent is listed on your state's Secretary of State website, confirm the change effective date, and ensure the address is updated correctly.
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Check the Secretary of State website's business entity search to confirm your new agent appears as the current registered agent of record.
Verify the effective date of the change, ensure the address is recorded correctly, and confirm your entity status is current. Request written confirmation from the state, a certificate of good standing, and an entity status report as documented proof of the successful switch.
How do you test mail delivery to verify your new registered agent is working?
Send test letters to the new agent's address using both certified and regular mail, track delivery confirmation, and verify the agent notifies you of receipt.
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Send multiple test items: a certified letter (for tracking confirmation) and regular mail (to test normal delivery flow). Track delivery dates and processing times.
Then verify that the new agent received the mail, processed it properly, sent you a notification, and forwarded the documents to you. This end-to-end test confirms the entire mail handling pipeline works before real legal documents are at stake.
What specific forwarding methods should be tested during the post-switch audit?
Test email forwarding, physical mail forwarding, digital scanning capabilities, and priority handling for urgent documents.
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Verify document forwarding speed—how quickly documents reach you after the agent receives them. Check forwarding accuracy to ensure documents are complete and information is correct.
Test each forwarding method the agent offers: email notifications, physical mail forwarding, digital document scanning, and priority handling for time-sensitive legal notices. Confirm timing is appropriate for each method and that the service is reliable.
What notification systems should be tested after switching registered agents?
Test email notifications, SMS notifications, online portal notifications, and alert systems to ensure you're promptly informed when documents arrive.
Learn More...
Check notification speed—how quickly you receive alerts after the agent receives mail. Verify delivery timing for different notification types.
Test that notification content is complete and accurate: does it tell you what was received, when, and what action is needed? Confirm that any links in notifications work properly. Timely notifications are critical because legal documents often have response deadlines.
How should you document the results of your registered agent audit?
Record every verification step taken, all test results (mail delivery, forwarding, notifications), any issues found, and resolutions applied.
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Create audit records documenting each step: state record verification results, mail delivery test outcomes, forwarding test results, and notification test results.
Include an overall service assessment. If any issues are identified, document the actions taken to resolve them and plan for ongoing monitoring. These records serve as proof that you conducted due diligence and provide a baseline for future periodic audits of your registered agent's performance.
Sources & Additional Information
This guide provides general information about auditing registered agent service after a switch. Your specific situation may require different considerations.
For RA change procedures, see our RA Change Guide.
For no-gap transitions, see our No-Gap Transition Guide.
For registered agent services, see our Registered Agent Guide.
Consult with professionals for advice specific to your situation.
