Registered AgentMI

Michigan Resident Agent Requirements 2026: $5 to Change

Last updated:
7 min read1,800 words
DR
Daniel Reyes, CPA
CPA · Small Business Compliance Specialist

Quick Answer

Michigan requires every LLC to continuously maintain a resident agent (Michigan's term for registered agent) and a registered office. The agent can be a Michigan resident individual, or a corporation or LLC authorized to do business in Michigan. The registered office must be a physical Michigan street address. You can be your own resident agent. To change your agent, file form CSCL/CD-520 for $5 (free if done on the annual statement).

Key Takeaways

  • Michigan calls registered agents 'resident agents'
  • Agent must be a MI resident individual or an authorized corporation/LLC
  • Registered office must be a physical Michigan street address
  • You can be your own resident agent in Michigan
  • Change of agent: form CSCL/CD-520 costs $5 (free on the annual statement)
  • Failing to maintain an agent/statement for 2 years loses good standing
ItemCost/DetailsNotes
Designating Agent (Formation)$0Included in Articles
Annual Statement$25Confirms agent info
Change of Resident Agent (CSCL/CD-520)$5Free if done on the annual statement
Professional Agent Service~$50-$200/yearMarket estimate, not a state fee

What Is a Resident Agent?

A resident agent (Michigan's term for registered agent) is the designated person or entity responsible for receiving important legal and state documents on behalf of your Michigan LLC:

  • Service of process: Official notification if your LLC is being sued
  • Legal documents: Lawsuits, subpoenas, and court papers
  • State notices: Communications from LARA
  • Tax correspondence: Notices from Michigan Department of Treasury

Terminology Note: Michigan uses "resident agent" instead of "registered agent." The terms mean the same thing and serve the same purpose.

Who Can Serve as Resident Agent

Under Michigan's Limited Liability Company Act (MCL 450.4207-4208), your resident agent must be one of the following.

Individual Agents

  • Michigan resident: An individual residing in Michigan whose residence or business office is the same as the registered office
  • Yourself: You can be your own resident agent if you meet that residency condition — see Can I be my own registered agent in Michigan?

Business Entities

  • Michigan corporation: A corporation formed in Michigan
  • Foreign corporation: Authorized to transact business in Michigan
  • Michigan or authorized foreign LLC: A domestic LLC, or a foreign LLC authorized in Michigan
  • Professional agent company: A registered-agent service that meets the above

Who Cannot Serve

  • An individual who is not a Michigan resident
  • The LLC itself (an entity cannot be its own resident agent)
  • An out-of-state entity not authorized to do business in Michigan

Address and Availability Requirements

Address Requirements

  • Must be physical street address in Michigan
  • No PO Boxes
  • Commercial or residential addresses acceptable
  • Address becomes public record

Availability in Practice

Michigan's statute does not spell out fixed office hours, but the resident agent exists to receive service of process and state mail. As a practical matter the agent should be reachable at the registered office during normal weekday business hours so lawsuits, subpoenas, and LARA notices actually reach your LLC. If no one is reliably available at that address, a registered-agent service is worth considering.

How to Designate Your Agent

During LLC Formation

  1. Provide the resident agent's name on Articles of Organization
  2. Include the Michigan physical street address
  3. Submit through LARA with $50 formation fee

On the Annual Statement

  • Due February 15 each year
  • Verify or update agent information
  • $25 filing fee

How to Change Your Agent

Option 1: Annual Statement

  1. Update agent info on your annual statement
  2. Pay the $25 annual statement fee
  3. Change takes effect when processed

Option 2: Separate Filing

  1. File a Certificate of Change of Registered Office/Resident Agent (form CSCL/CD-520) with LARA
  2. Pay the $5 filing fee
  3. File online at michigan.gov/corpfileonline or by mail

Note: The separate change fee is $5, but there is no extra fee to update your agent on the $25 annual statement. For the full picture of Michigan's yearly costs and deadlines, see our Michigan LLC compliance hub and Michigan LLC taxes & fees guide.

Professional Resident Agent Services

Benefits

  • Privacy: Their address is public, not yours
  • Reliability: Always available during business hours
  • Same-day alerts: Notify you immediately
  • Compliance reminders: February 15 deadline alerts

Typical Costs

The figures below are market estimates from commercial registered-agent providers, not a state fee. Michigan itself charges nothing to name an agent at formation and only $5 to change one.

Service LevelAnnual Cost
Basic$50-$99
Standard$100-$150
Premium$150-$200

Bottom line: Being your own resident agent costs $0, but it puts your street address on the public record and ties service of process to your availability. A paid service trades that for privacy and reliability. For related filings, see our Michigan foreign LLC registration and Michigan LLC compliance guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between registered agent and resident agent?

They're the same thing. Michigan uses the term 'resident agent' while most other states use 'registered agent.' Both refer to the designated person or entity responsible for receiving legal documents on behalf of your LLC.

Can I use a PO Box as my resident agent address in Michigan?

No, Michigan requires a physical street address for your resident agent. PO Boxes and virtual mailboxes are not acceptable.

Can I be my own resident agent in Michigan?

Yes. You can be your own resident agent if you are a Michigan resident and your residence or business office is the same as the registered office address you list. That street address becomes public record, so weigh privacy before naming yourself.

What happens if my LLC doesn't have a resident agent?

Michigan law requires every LLC to continuously maintain a resident agent and registered office. If you lose your agent you may miss service of process and state notices. More broadly, if annual statements (which confirm the agent) go unfiled for two years, the LLC is no longer in good standing by operation of law and its name is released. Restoring good standing requires a Certificate of Restoration ($50) plus the overdue $25 statements.

How do I change my resident agent in Michigan?

File a Certificate of Change of Registered Office/Resident Agent (form CSCL/CD-520) with LARA. The fee is $5. There is no additional fee if you make the change on your annual statement instead. You can file online at michigan.gov/corpfileonline or by mail.

Do foreign LLCs need a Michigan resident agent?

Yes, foreign LLCs registered to do business in Michigan must maintain a Michigan resident agent.

Official Source

For the most up-to-date information, always verify requirements with the official Michigan Secretary of State website:

https://www.michigan.gov/lara

Important Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. LLC requirements, fees, and deadlines change frequently. Always verify current requirements with your state's Secretary of State office before making business decisions.

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