Texas Form 505 is the Statement of Change of Registered Office/Agent by Registered Agent that a registered agent files with the Texas Secretary of State to update or resign the registered office address, the registered agent name, or both, for one or more business entities on file in Texas. The form is governed by Chapter 5 of the Texas Business Organizations Code and is processed by the Texas Secretary of State Business & Public Filings Division.
The form solves a narrow but high-stakes problem. If a registered agent’s address changes, or if the agent resigns, the entity loses its statutory point of service for lawsuits and state notices, and the Secretary of State can forfeit the entity’s right to transact business under Tax Code §171.309. The Texas Secretary of State processes more than 1.1 million business filings each year, and rejection rates for registered agent filings hover near 8% because of avoidable field-level mistakes.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- 📄 What Form 505 does and exactly who must sign and file it
- 🗂️ Every document, file number, and ID you need before you open the form
- ✍️ A field-by-field walkthrough using the exact box labels printed on the official PDF
- 👥 Three full named-filer scenarios with completed sample entries
- 📬 How to file by mail, fax, in person, or through SOSDirect, with fees and processing times
- ⚠️ The ten mistakes that get Form 505 rejected most often, with their exact consequences
What Form 505 Is and Who Must File It
Texas Form 505, officially titled Statement of Change of Registered Office/Agent by Registered Agent, is a one-page filing created by the Texas Secretary of State under the authority of Texas Business Organizations Code §5.202. The current revision date printed on the form is Rev. 05/22, and you should always download the latest copy from the official SOS forms page before filing.
Form 505 is filed by the registered agent, not by the entity itself. That distinction matters because BOC §5.202 lets a registered agent unilaterally update the registered office address for every entity that lists the agent, or resign the appointment, without needing a signature from the represented entities. An entity that wants to change its own agent or office must instead file Form 401 (Statement of Change of Registered Office/Agent by the Entity), which is a different filing with a different fee.
The agent uses Form 505 in three common situations. The first is a simple address change, where the agent stays the same but the office moves to a new street address in Texas. The second is a name change of the agent, such as when a commercial agent rebrands or merges. The third is a resignation, where the agent withdraws as agent for one entity, several entities, or every entity it represents in Texas. Each situation uses the same form but different boxes, and the instructions printed on page 1 of the Form 505 PDF walk through each pathway.
A misconception worth correcting: many small business owners think they can use Form 505 to change their own registered agent. They cannot. Only the agent of record can file Form 505. If the entity wants to swap agents, it must file Form 401, and the new agent’s written consent must be kept in the entity’s records under BOC §5.2011.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Filing Form 505 is fast, but only if you gather everything first. The Secretary of State rejects filings that are missing the entity’s exact legal name or the assigned file number, and a rejected filing means the address change does not take effect until a corrected filing is accepted. Use the SOSDirect entity search or the free SOS Taxable Entity Search to confirm names and numbers before you start typing.
Here is the pre-filing checklist:
- The exact legal name of every entity affected by the change, spelled and punctuated as it appears in SOS records, because a single missing comma triggers rejection.
- The Texas SOS file number for each entity (a 10-digit number), because the SOS cannot match the filing to the entity without it.
- The new registered office street address in Texas, including suite number, because a P.O. Box alone is not allowed under BOC §5.201(b)(2).
- The county in which the new registered office sits, because the SOS uses county data for jurisdictional indexing.
- The agent’s legal name, exactly as listed on the most recent filing, because mismatches stop the change from posting.
- A date of notice showing when the entity or entities were notified of the change, because §5.202(b) requires the agent to give notice on or before the filing date.
- A resignation effective date, if applicable, because resignations under §5.204 take effect 31 days after the SOS files the statement.
- The filing fee payment method: a check, money order, LegalEase debit account, or credit card with the 2.7% convenience fee added.
- A return contact name, phone, and email for the SOS examiner to use if a question arises during review.
- A PDF copy of the completed form saved for your records, because the SOS does not automatically email a stamped copy back to filers who mail in paper.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The official Form 505 lives on the Texas Secretary of State website at the Business Organizations Code forms index. The direct PDF link is the Form 505 (Rev. 05/22) PDF, which is a fillable Adobe form you can complete on screen or print and complete by hand in black ink. Always download a fresh copy each time, because the SOS updates fee schedules and instructions without changing the form number.
Do not use third-party form sites. Many of them host outdated revisions, and an outdated revision can fail the SOS examiner’s intake check. The SOS confirms the current revision on the bottom-left corner of page 1, and the revision date should match the date listed on the forms index page.
You can also file the change electronically through SOSDirect, the SOS’s online filing portal. SOSDirect charges the same statutory fee plus a 2.7% credit card convenience fee, but it returns a date-stamped acknowledgment within minutes. To use SOSDirect, you need a prepaid account or a credit card, and you must be the registered agent of record or an authorized representative of the agent.
If you prefer paper, you can mail or fax the form to the Corporations Section in Austin. Walk-in filings are accepted at the James Earl Rudder Office Building, 1019 Brazos Street, Austin, TX 78701, during normal business hours.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Texas Form 505 Line by Line
The form has five numbered sections plus a signature block. Complete every section that applies. Leave boxes blank only when the form instructions tell you to skip them, because penciled-in slashes or “N/A” entries can confuse the examiner.
Heading: Form Title and Filing Identifier
The very top of the form reads Statement of Change of Registered Office/Agent by Registered Agent. You do not write anything in the heading, but you do confirm the revision date in the bottom-left corner reads Rev. 05/22 or later.
How to handle this: open the official PDF, check the corner, and discard any older copy. A specific example: Maria Lopez downloads the form on May 21, 2026, sees Rev. 05/22 in the corner, and proceeds.
The nuance is that the SOS sometimes posts interim “errata” versions with the same revision date but updated instructions. Always pull from the forms index rather than reusing a saved copy from last quarter.
The common mistake is filing on a 2010-era version that lacks the current §5.202 language; the SOS rejects it as a non-conforming filing. The misconception is that all PDF copies are interchangeable, but they are not.
Section 1: Registered Agent Name
Section 1 asks for the exact name of the registered agent as currently shown on the Secretary of State’s records. The label reads “The undersigned is the registered agent for the entities listed in this statement and hereby files this statement…” and the first field is the agent’s name.
Enter the agent’s name exactly as it appears on the current SOS record. For a commercial registered agent like CT Corporation System, enter the full corporate name, not an abbreviation. For an individual agent like Maria Lopez, enter Maria Lopez, not M. Lopez.
A specific example: Carlos Ramirez writes Carlos Ramirez on the line, matching the name on the entity’s most recent Public Information Report.
The nuance is what to do after a name change. If the agent’s legal name itself has changed (such as a marriage or a corporate name change), the SOS treats that as a separate event and may require a supplemental filing. The common mistake is entering a nickname or DBA; the consequence is that the SOS cannot match the filing to the agent of record, and the form is rejected. The misconception is that “close enough” is fine, but the SOS uses exact string matching.
Section 2: New Registered Office Address
Section 2 asks for the new registered office address in Texas, including street, city, state, and zip code. The label is “The address of the registered office is changed to:”.
Enter the street number, street name, and suite or unit number on the first line. Enter the city, state (always TX), and ZIP+4 on the second line. Use uppercase letters and do not abbreviate “Street” to “St.” unless that is how the lease or deed reads.
A specific example: Maria Lopez writes 4200 N. Lamar Blvd., Suite 200, then Austin, TX 78756-2412.
The nuance is that the address must be a physical street address in Texas where service of process can be hand-delivered. A P.O. Box alone is not acceptable under BOC §5.201(b)(2), but a street address plus a private mailbox suite is acceptable if the suite is staffed during business hours.
The common mistake is listing a UPS Store box without a staffed suite; the SOS rejects it because no one can accept service there. The misconception is that an out-of-state address is fine if the agent is licensed in Texas, but the registered office must be a Texas address.
Section 3: County of New Registered Office
Section 3 is the county field. The label reads “The registered office is located in ____ County, Texas.”
Write the full county name. Do not write the abbreviation. If you do not know the county, search the Texas Association of Counties address lookup or check the property record on the county appraisal district website.
A specific example: Maria Lopez writes Travis on the line.
The nuance applies to addresses that sit on county borders. Use the county printed on the USPS-verified address, not the school district or the postal city. The common mistake is writing Williamson for an Austin address that is actually in Travis County; the consequence is mis-routing of court service notices. The misconception is that the postal city dictates the county; it does not.
Section 4: List of Affected Entities
Section 4 is the heart of the form. It asks for the legal name and SOS file number of each entity the agent represents that is affected by the change. The form provides a multi-row table, and you may attach additional pages if needed.
For each entity, enter the exact legal name in the left column and the 10-digit SOS file number in the right column. Match the spelling, punctuation, and entity designator (LLC, Inc., L.P., etc.) to the SOS record.
A specific example: Carlos Ramirez lists Lone Star Tacos, LLC with file number 0803456789 and Hill Country Holdings, LP with file number 0801234567.
The nuance is volume. A commercial registered agent updating 400 entities at once should attach a clean Exhibit A listing every entity in alphabetical order, with a header row matching the form’s columns. The common mistake is leaving the file number blank because the agent “knows the entity”; the SOS examiner does not, and the change posts to the wrong record or no record at all. The misconception is that the SOS will look up missing file numbers; staff will not.
Section 5: Statement of Notice
Section 5 contains the statutory notice statement required by BOC §5.202(b). It reads, in essence, that the agent has notified each listed entity in writing of the change on or before the date of filing.
You do not retype the statement. You simply leave it as printed and confirm by signing the form. The date you give notice can be the same day you file, but it cannot be after.
A specific example: Maria Lopez emails each affected entity a PDF notice on May 20, 2026, then files Form 505 on May 21, 2026.
The nuance is documentation. Keep proof of the notice (email, certified mail receipt) for at least four years, because an entity that claims it never received notice can challenge the filing under §5.202(e). The common mistake is filing first and notifying later; the consequence is that the change can be voided on petition. The misconception is that a verbal phone call is enough; the statute requires written notice.
Section 6: Effective Date
Section 6 lets you choose between an immediate effective date or a delayed effective date up to 90 days after filing. The form provides two checkboxes plus a date field.
Check the first box if you want the change effective when the SOS files the document. Check the second box and enter a specific date in MM/DD/YYYY format if you want a delayed effective date.
A specific example: Carlos Ramirez checks the delayed box and writes 06/01/2026 to align with a new office lease start.
The nuance is that delayed effective dates beyond 90 days are not allowed; the SOS will reject the filing under BOC §4.052. The common mistake is selecting both checkboxes; the SOS treats that as ambiguous and rejects. The misconception is that you can backdate the effective date; you cannot.
Section 7: Resignation (If Applicable)
Section 7 applies only if the agent is resigning rather than changing the office address. The label reads “The undersigned hereby resigns as registered agent for the entities listed above.”
Check this box only if the agent is withdrawing the appointment. Resignation under BOC §5.204 becomes effective on the 31st day after the SOS files the statement, giving the entity time to appoint a successor.
A specific example: Aisha Brown, a commercial agent rebranding out of Texas, checks the box and lists the 12 entities she is stepping down from.
The nuance is that the agent must also mail a copy of the resignation to each entity at its last known address. The common mistake is resigning without notifying the entity; the consequence is personal liability for missed service of process during the 31-day window. The misconception is that resignation is immediate; it is not.
Signature Block
The signature block requires the printed name, signature, and capacity of the person signing on behalf of the agent. If the agent is an individual, that person signs. If the agent is an entity, an authorized officer signs and writes their title (e.g., Vice President, Authorized Representative).
Sign in blue or black ink if filing by mail. Type the name if filing electronically through SOSDirect.
A specific example: Janet Moreno, Vice President of CT Corporation System, signs the form and writes Vice President under her printed name.
The nuance is that under BOC §4.001, signing the form is a sworn statement subject to perjury penalties. The common mistake is leaving the capacity line blank; the SOS rejects the filing because it cannot verify signing authority. The misconception is that an electronic typed name is invalid; it is valid when submitted through SOSDirect.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Scenario 1: Maria Lopez Moves Her Solo Law Office
Maria Lopez is an individual registered agent for her own single-member LLC, Lopez Law PLLC. She is relocating her office in Austin.
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| Heading revision check | Rev. 05/22 confirmed |
| Section 1: Agent name | Maria Lopez |
| Section 2: New street address | 4200 N. Lamar Blvd., Suite 200 |
| Section 2: City/state/zip | Austin, TX 78756-2412 |
| Section 3: County | Travis |
| Section 4: Entity name | Lopez Law PLLC |
| Section 4: SOS file number | 0803987654 |
| Section 6: Effective date | Immediate, box one checked |
| Signature capacity | Owner |
| Filing fee | $15.00 |
Scenario 2: Carlos Ramirez Updates Two Family Businesses
Carlos Ramirez serves as registered agent for two related entities and is moving the shared registered office.
| Form Section | What Carlos Enters |
|---|---|
| Section 1: Agent name | Carlos Ramirez |
| Section 2: New street address | 1500 S. Congress Ave., Ste. 410 |
| Section 2: City/state/zip | Austin, TX 78704-2210 |
| Section 3: County | Travis |
| Section 4: Entity 1 | Lone Star Tacos, LLC, file 0803456789 |
| Section 4: Entity 2 | Hill Country Holdings, LP, file 0801234567 |
| Section 6: Effective date | Delayed, 06/01/2026 |
| Signature capacity | Individual Registered Agent |
| Filing fee | $15.00 total, not per entity |
Scenario 3: Aisha Brown Resigns for a Commercial Agent
Aisha Brown, Vice President of Brown Agent Services, Inc., is resigning as agent for 12 client entities because her company is closing its Texas desk.
| Form Section | What Aisha Enters |
|---|---|
| Section 1: Agent name | Brown Agent Services, Inc. |
| Section 4 attachment | Exhibit A with 12 entity names and file numbers |
| Section 5: Notice statement | Pre-printed; confirmed by signature |
| Section 7: Resignation box | Checked |
| Section 6: Effective date | Immediate filing; resignation effective day 31 |
| Notice method | Certified mail to each entity’s last known address |
| Signature | Aisha Brown |
| Signature capacity | Vice President |
| Filing fee | $15.00 flat |
| Filing channel | SOSDirect online |
How to File the Completed Form
The Secretary of State accepts Form 505 through four channels. Choose based on your timing and your need for a stamped acknowledgment.
By mail. Send the signed original plus one copy to Secretary of State, P.O. Box 13697, Austin, TX 78711-3697. Include a check or money order for $15.00 payable to Secretary of State. Processing time runs 5 to 7 business days under normal load, per the SOS processing time chart. Keep your certified mail receipt as proof of filing.
By fax. Fax the signed form to (512) 463-5709 along with Form 807 (Payment Form) authorizing a credit card charge of $15.00 plus the 2.7% convenience fee. Processing time runs 3 to 5 business days. The SOS faxes back a confirmation, which is your proof of filing.
In person. Walk in to the James Earl Rudder Office Building, 1019 Brazos Street, Austin, TX 78701 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on business days. Pay by check, money order, or credit card. Same-day filing is available for an extra $25.00 expedite fee under BOC §4.155. You receive a stamped copy on the spot.
Online via SOSDirect. Log into SOSDirect, select Business Organizations, then File a Document, then Statement of Change of Registered Office/Agent by Registered Agent. Pay $15.00 by credit card (2.7% convenience fee) or by prepaid LegalEase account. Acknowledgment arrives in your SOSDirect inbox within minutes. Print or save the acknowledgment as proof of filing.
What Happens After You File
Once the SOS examiner accepts Form 505, the change posts to the entity’s record in the SOS business database within one business day for electronic filings and up to a week for mail filings. The new registered office address becomes the official service-of-process address for every listed entity.
If you filed a resignation under Section 7, the SOS mails a notice of the resignation to each affected entity at its last known address. The resignation becomes effective on the 31st day after the filing date under BOC §5.204(d). During that 31-day window the agent is still legally responsible for accepting service.
If the SOS rejects the filing, you receive a rejection letter listing each defect. You have 30 days to cure and resubmit without losing the original filing date, under BOC §4.054. A second rejection restarts the clock and may push the effective date past your planned move.
The entity itself should also update its records with the Texas Comptroller so that franchise tax notices arrive at the correct address. The Comptroller does not automatically pull address changes from the SOS for franchise tax purposes; that is a separate update through the Webfile system.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Listing a P.O. Box as the registered office. The SOS rejects the filing because §5.201(b)(2) requires a physical street address.
- Misspelling the entity’s legal name. The change posts to the wrong record or none at all, and you pay another $15.00 to refile.
- Omitting the SOS file number. The examiner cannot match the filing, and the form is returned without action.
- Using an out-of-state address. Texas law requires the registered office to be in Texas, so the form is rejected on intake.
- Checking both immediate and delayed effective date boxes. The SOS treats it as ambiguous and rejects under BOC §4.052.
- Filing notice after the form. The statutory notice requirement under §5.202(b) is breached, and an entity can void the change.
- Filing Form 505 to change someone else’s agent. Only the agent may use Form 505; the entity must use Form 401.
- Leaving the signing capacity blank. The SOS cannot verify authority and rejects the filing.
- Forgetting the filing fee or the 2.7% convenience fee. Filings without payment are not processed.
- Mailing without a return address. Rejection letters cannot be returned, and you lose your 30-day cure window.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do download the form fresh from the SOS forms index each time, because revisions change without notice.
Do confirm every entity’s legal name through SOSDirect before typing the form.
Do send written notice to every affected entity before or on the same day you file.
Do keep a date-stamped copy of the filed form for at least four years.
Do use SOSDirect when you need same-day acknowledgment.
Do attach a clean Exhibit A when listing more than five entities.
Don’t use a P.O. Box as the registered office, because §5.201(b)(2) prohibits it.
Don’t sign on behalf of the entity if you are not the agent of record, because that is a perjury risk under BOC §4.001.
Don’t assume the SOS will fix typos, because examiners reject rather than correct.
Don’t use Form 505 for entity-initiated changes; use Form 401 instead.
Don’t wait until after a lawsuit lands to update the address, because service to the old address is still legally effective until the change posts.
Don’t rely on email-only notice if the entity has not consented to electronic notice in writing.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Pros of filing yourself: You save the $50 to $200 a commercial filing service charges, because Form 505 is short. You control timing and can file the same day through SOSDirect. You learn the SOS process for future filings. You avoid sharing entity data with a third party. You can correct typos on the spot if you file in person.
Cons of filing yourself: You bear the full risk of rejection and the delay it causes. You must track the 31-day resignation clock without reminders. You may miss county designations or formatting quirks that a service catches. You must handle the notice requirements personally. You are personally liable under BOC §4.001 for any false statement on the form.
Pros of using a commercial filer or attorney: They catch entity-name mismatches before you pay. They handle the notice mailing and keep certified mail receipts. They track effective dates and franchise tax updates. They file in bulk through SOSDirect for commercial agents. They carry errors-and-omissions insurance.
Cons of using help: You pay an extra fee per entity. You add a day or two to turnaround. You share confidential client data. You depend on someone else’s filing calendar. You may still need to sign personally if you are the named agent.
Form 505 vs. Form 401 at a Glance
| Feature | Form 505 |
|---|---|
| Who signs | Registered agent |
| Statute | BOC §5.202 |
| Use case | Agent changes office, name, or resigns |
| Filing fee | $15.00 flat regardless of entity count |
| Effective date for resignation | 31st day after filing |
| Notice requirement | Agent must notify each entity in writing |
| Feature | Form 401 |
|---|---|
| Who signs | Entity officer or authorized person |
| Statute | BOC §5.201 |
| Use case | Entity changes its agent or office |
| Filing fee | $15.00 per entity |
| Effective date | Immediate or up to 90 days delayed |
| Notice requirement | New agent must consent in writing |
FAQs
Can an entity use Form 505 to change its own registered agent?
No. Form 505 is for the agent only. Entities must file Form 401 instead, which requires the new agent’s written consent.
Is the $15 fee charged per entity or per filing?
No, not per entity. The Secretary of State charges a flat $15.00 per Form 505 regardless of how many entities are listed, which is why commercial agents file bulk updates this way.
Can I list a P.O. Box in Section 2 if my street address is a home?
No. Texas BOC §5.201(b)(2) requires a physical Texas street address where service of process can be delivered, even if the agent also receives mail at a P.O. Box.
Do I write the county name or the FIPS code in Section 3?
No FIPS code. Write the full county name in plain English, such as Travis or Harris, without abbreviation.
Should I write the entity designator like LLC or Inc. in Section 4?
Yes. Match the entity designator exactly as it appears on SOS records, because Acme LLC and Acme, L.L.C. are different strings to the examiner.
Can I sign Section 7 if only one of my entity clients is firing me?
Yes, but list only the resigning entity in Section 4. Do not check Section 7 for entities you still represent.
Does a resignation under Section 7 take effect immediately?
No. Under BOC §5.204(d), the resignation becomes effective on the 31st day after the SOS files the statement.
Can I file Form 505 by email?
No. The SOS does not accept email filings of Form 505. Use mail, fax, in person, or SOSDirect.
Do I need to notify the Texas Comptroller separately?
Yes. The Comptroller does not auto-sync registered office changes for franchise tax. Update your address through Webfile.
Can I backdate the effective date to match a lease that started last month?
No. Effective dates must be on or after the filing date, up to 90 days forward under BOC §4.052.
Does the SOS send a stamped copy back if I mail my filing?
No, not automatically. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and a duplicate copy if you want a stamped acknowledgment by mail.
Can I expedite Form 505 for same-day processing?
Yes. Pay an extra $25.00 expedite fee under BOC §4.155 and mark the envelope or SOSDirect submission as expedited.
What happens if I forget to notify an entity before filing?
No filing is automatically voided, but the affected entity can challenge it under §5.202(e), and the agent risks personal liability for any service of process missed during the gap.
Can a paralegal sign Form 505 on behalf of the agent?
No, unless the paralegal is the named individual agent or an authorized officer of the agent entity. Otherwise the signature fails BOC §4.001 authentication.
Related reading
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