Transfer registered agent to us

How a registered agent transfer works

The exact procedure is set by each jurisdiction's companies law, but the pattern is similar. The company, usually by a resolution of its directors or members, decides to change agent. The new agent agrees to act after its own due diligence. The change is filed with the registry, and the outgoing agent hands over the records it holds.

Some jurisdictions require the outgoing agent to consent to the filing or to confirm that its fees are paid. If fees are outstanding, the outgoing agent may be entitled to hold the transfer until they are settled. We tell you early if that applies.

Registered agents must hold due diligence on the owners of the companies they act for. That is why the new agent always completes its own KYC, even when your previous agent already had your documents.

In each jurisdiction the registered agent of record must be a firm licensed there. Before you proceed, we tell you which firm will appear on the register for your company and how we work with it.

Timing the move

The best time to transfer is a few months before the annual renewal date. That leaves room for the outgoing agent to respond and avoids paying the old agent for another year.

If the renewal is close or overdue, we may advise paying it through the current agent first, or clearing it as part of the transfer. The choice depends on the jurisdiction and on how quickly the outgoing agent responds.

A typical transfer takes two to three weeks from receipt of complete KYC, depending mainly on the outgoing agent.

Records that should come with the company

Ask for, or let us request, the full statutory records. Gaps are easier to fix during the transfer than later when a bank asks for them.

• Certificate of incorporation and memorandum and articles
• Registers of directors and members, and beneficial ownership records
• Copies of share certificates issued
• Minutes and resolutions since incorporation
• Filing history, including annual returns and economic substance reports

If records are missing or the agent does not reply

Sometimes an outgoing agent is slow, has closed, or has incomplete records. We follow up formally and, where the law allows, use the registry's procedure to complete the change.

Missing registers can often be rebuilt from filed documents, share certificates and board minutes. Where we cannot confirm who owns the shares, we explain the options before going further, because we cannot act for a company whose ownership we cannot verify.

What changes for you after the transfer

Day to day, very little. The company keeps its name, number, bank accounts and contracts. What changes is who holds its records, who receives registry correspondence and who reminds you about deadlines.

After the transfer, the company's documents, filed returns and renewal dates sit in your portal. Annual fees, economic substance reports and financial returns are prepared on the same calendar as any other company we administer, and renewal pricing is shown before it is due.

Send the updated registered office and agent details to your bank, payment providers and anyone who holds your company documents on file. We give you a short pack with the registry confirmation for that purpose.