Change Your Texas Registered Agent: Form 401
By Texas State Registered Agent Editorial Team
Published 2026-10-10 · Modified 2026-10-10 · Last verified 2026-10-10
The short answer
An existing Texas or foreign filing entity can use Form 401 when the only change is its registered agent, registered office, or both. The normal state filing fee is $15; the Form 806 schedule lists $5 for nonprofit corporations and cooperative associations. These government charges are separate from our annual service fee.
Gather the right information
Check the entity's exact legal name, SOS file number, current agent and current registered office. Then obtain the replacement agent's legal name and the authorized office address. Do not assume the website's brand is the legal agent name. Use the name and address in the consent and service documents supplied for your entity.
The filing entity cannot appoint itself as its own agent. An eligible Texas-resident individual or an eligible organization can serve. The office must be a Texas street address where the agent can be personally served during normal business hours; a mailbox-only or telephone-answering service is insufficient.
Consent comes before appointment
The Form 401 instructions require written or electronic consent. The consent copy need not be submitted with the statement of change, but retain it in your records. The person signing Form 401 affirms that the agent consented. Website checkout acceptance and the agent's consent to appointment are separate records.
Complete and submit the change
Complete Items 1–3 using the current state records. In Item 4, select either the individual or organization agent option, not both. Complete the office-address section if the address changes. Confirm the entity has properly authorized the change and select the correct effective-date option.
The state's instructions describe online entry through SOSPortal or submission by mail or in person. They also say the statement need not be notarized. Follow the current official instructions for payment and delivery, and preserve the emailed or mailed filing evidence.
Keep service continuous
Do not cancel the old appointment before the replacement is properly effective. Buying our service does not automatically update the SOS record. Keep the consent, accepted filing and service contact details together, then confirm that the state record shows the intended agent and office.
Compare our unchanged annual plans, review registered-agent service terms, and use the fee calculator to separate government costs from service costs. If the entity has a special governing statute, a disputed appointment or a forfeiture, consult an attorney rather than treating this general checklist as a legal determination.
Sources and verification
General information only, not legal or tax advice. Confirm current official requirements and consult an attorney or CPA for advice about your situation.