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Avoiding Rejections: Common RA Change Mistakes by State and How to Avoid Them



By: Jack Nicholaisen author image
article image

You’re filing registered agent changes.

You want to avoid rejections.

You need to know common mistakes.

You need prevention guidance.

Rejection prevention. Common mistakes. State-specific pitfalls. Your prevention.

This guide shows you how.

Mistake prevention. Error avoidance. Rejection prevention. Your success.

Read this. Avoid mistakes. Prevent rejections.

article summaryKey Takeaways

  • Incorrect forms cause rejections—using wrong forms or outdated forms leads to immediate rejection
  • Missing signatures cause rejections—unsigned forms or unauthorized signatures result in filing rejections
  • Incorrect fees cause rejections—wrong fee amounts or payment methods lead to filing rejections
  • Incomplete information causes rejections—missing required information or incomplete forms result in rejections
  • State-specific errors cause rejections—not following state-specific requirements leads to rejections
registered agent change rejections common mistakes state-specific errors prevention

Why Prevention Matters

Prevention saves time and money.

What happens without prevention:

  • Filings are rejected
  • Time is wasted
  • Fees are lost
  • Deadlines are missed

What happens with prevention:

  • Filings are accepted
  • Time is saved
  • Fees are used effectively
  • Deadlines are met

The reality: Prevention enables success.

Form Mistakes

Avoid form mistakes:

Wrong Forms

What wrong forms cause:

  • Using LLC forms for corporations
  • Using outdated forms
  • Using wrong state forms
  • Using incorrect form versions

Why it matters: Wrong forms cause immediate rejection.

Incomplete Forms

What incomplete forms cause:

  • Missing required sections
  • Incomplete information
  • Missing attachments
  • Incomplete signatures

Why it matters: Incomplete forms cause rejection.

Form Errors

What form errors cause:

  • Typographical errors
  • Incorrect entity information
  • Wrong agent information
  • Date errors

Why it matters: Form errors cause rejection.

Pro tip: Avoid form mistakes. Wrong forms, incomplete forms, form errors. See our state-by-state guide for correct forms.

registered agent change form mistakes wrong forms incomplete errors

Signature Mistakes

Avoid signature mistakes:

Missing Signatures

What missing signatures cause:

  • Unsigned forms
  • Missing authorized signer
  • Incomplete signature sections
  • Missing notarization

Why it matters: Missing signatures cause rejection.

Unauthorized Signatures

What unauthorized signatures cause:

  • Wrong person signing
  • Insufficient authority
  • Missing authorization
  • Invalid signatures

Why it matters: Unauthorized signatures cause rejection.

Signature Format Errors

What format errors cause:

  • Illegible signatures
  • Digital signature issues
  • Notarization problems
  • Format inconsistencies

Why it matters: Format errors cause rejection.

Pro tip: Avoid signature mistakes. Missing signatures, unauthorized signatures, format errors. See our RA change guide for signature requirements.

Fee Mistakes

Avoid fee mistakes:

Incorrect Fee Amounts

What incorrect amounts cause:

  • Underpayment
  • Overpayment
  • Wrong fee schedules
  • Calculation errors

Why it matters: Incorrect amounts cause rejection.

Wrong Payment Methods

What wrong methods cause:

  • Unaccepted payment types
  • Payment processing errors
  • Method restrictions
  • Processing failures

Why it matters: Wrong methods cause rejection.

Fee Timing Errors

What timing errors cause:

  • Payment too early
  • Payment too late
  • Processing delays
  • Timing mismatches

Why it matters: Timing errors cause rejection.

Pro tip: Avoid fee mistakes. Incorrect amounts, wrong methods, timing errors. See our state-by-state guide for fee information.

registered agent change fee mistakes incorrect amounts payment methods timing

Information Mistakes

Avoid information mistakes:

Missing Information

What missing information causes:

  • Incomplete entity information
  • Missing agent information
  • Incomplete addresses
  • Missing contact information

Why it matters: Missing information causes rejection.

Incorrect Information

What incorrect information causes:

  • Wrong entity name
  • Wrong agent name
  • Incorrect addresses
  • Wrong contact information

Why it matters: Incorrect information causes rejection.

Outdated Information

What outdated information causes:

  • Old entity information
  • Previous agent information
  • Outdated addresses
  • Old contact information

Why it matters: Outdated information causes rejection.

Pro tip: Avoid information mistakes. Missing information, incorrect information, outdated information. See our RA switch checklist for information requirements.

State-Specific Mistakes

Avoid state-specific mistakes:

California Mistakes

What California mistakes include:

  • Missing Statement of Information updates
  • Incorrect form versions
  • Missing compliance documents
  • Incorrect fee calculations

Why it matters: California has unique requirements.

New York Mistakes

What New York mistakes include:

  • Missing Biennial Statement updates
  • Incorrect form procedures
  • Missing documentation
  • Processing timing errors

Why it matters: New York has unique requirements.

Delaware Mistakes

What Delaware mistakes include:

  • Missing Annual Report considerations
  • Incorrect franchise tax handling
  • Missing entity-specific requirements
  • Processing procedure errors

Why it matters: Delaware has unique requirements.

Pro tip: Avoid state-specific mistakes. California, New York, Delaware. See our complex states guide for state-specific requirements.

Your Next Steps

Avoid mistakes. Prevent rejections. Ensure success.

This Week:

  1. Review this guide
  2. Identify potential mistakes
  3. Review state requirements
  4. Prepare forms carefully

This Month:

  1. Double-check all forms
  2. Verify all information
  3. Confirm fee amounts
  4. Submit filings

Going Forward:

  1. Learn from rejections
  2. Update procedures
  3. Maintain checklists
  4. Prevent future mistakes

Need help? Check out our state-by-state guide for state requirements, our complex states guide for state-specific requirements, and our registered agent guide for registered agent services.


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Sources & Additional Information

This guide provides general information about avoiding registered agent change rejections. Your specific situation may require different considerations.

For state-by-state requirements, see our State-by-State Guide.

For complex states, see our Complex States Guide.

For registered agent services, see our Registered Agent Guide.

Consult with professionals for advice specific to your situation.

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About the Author

jack nicholaisen
Jack Nicholaisen

Jack Nicholaisen is the founder of Businessinitiative.org. After acheiving the rank of Eagle Scout and studying Civil Engineering at Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE), he has spent the last 5 years dissecting the mess of informaiton online about LLCs in order to help aspiring entrepreneurs and established business owners better understand everything there is to know about starting, running, and growing Limited Liability Companies and other business entities.