By Jake Lawson, LLC Formation Strategist
So you need to make changes to your New York LLC—maybe you’ve moved, switched registered agents, or finished that Albany publication requirement and want to update your business address.
Here’s what you need to know: New York’s Certificate of Change (Form DOS-1359-f) is your Swiss Army knife for LLC updates.
At $30, it’s one of the more affordable ways to make changes to your LLC compared to the more expensive Certificate of Amendment ($60). I’ve helped dozens of New York entrepreneurs navigate this form over the years, and while it looks intimidating at first glance, it’s actually pretty straightforward once you understand the logic.
The key is knowing exactly what you’re trying to accomplish and which boxes to check. Make a mistake, and you’ll either not achieve what you wanted or create unintended consequences for your LLC’s records.
Let me walk you through the complete process, including the strategic considerations most people miss.
Understanding New York’s Certificate of Change
What it does: Updates key information about your LLC without requiring a full amendment to your Articles of Organization.
What it costs: $30 (compared to $60 for a Certificate of Amendment)
Processing time: 30-45 days for standard mail processing
Common uses:
- Changing your business address or county location
- Adding, changing, or removing a registered agent
- Updating your service of process address
- Modifying email contact information
What it can’t do: Change your LLC name (that requires a Certificate of Amendment)
When You’ll Need a Certificate of Change
The Albany Publication Strategy
Most common scenario: You formed your LLC using an Albany address to save on publication costs, completed your newspaper publication requirement, and now want to change your address back to where you actually operate.
Why people do this: Publication in Albany newspapers costs hundreds instead of thousands compared to NYC area publications.
The process: Form LLC with Albany address → Complete publication → File Certificate of Change to update to actual business location.
Other Common Situations
- Moving your business: Relocating to a different county within New York
- Registered agent changes: Switching providers or removing registered agent services
- Privacy updates: Changing from a personal address to a registered agent address
- Contact information updates: Adding or changing email addresses for state notifications
Strategic Considerations Before Filing
Timing Your Certificate of Change
After publication: If you used the Albany strategy, wait until you’ve completed your Certificate of Publication filing before submitting your Certificate of Change.
Business transitions: Consider timing address changes with lease renewals, business license updates, or other administrative changes.
Tax implications: Coordinate address changes with your accountant—moving counties can affect local tax obligations.
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Certificate of Change ($30) vs. Certificate of Amendment ($60):
- Use Certificate of Change for address, registered agent, and contact updates
- Use Certificate of Amendment for name changes or major structural modifications
- Certificate of Change is faster and cheaper for routine updates
Step-by-Step Filing Process
Required Information Before You Start
LLC details you’ll need:
- Exact legal name of your LLC
- Current information on file with the state
- Date your Articles of Organization were originally filed
- New information you want to update
How to find your current information: Search New York’s Corporation and Business Entity Database to see exactly what’s currently on file.
Completing the Cover Sheet
Contact Information Section:
- Enter your name and mailing address (for filing correspondence)
- Include email and phone number for state questions
Request for Filing Section:
- LLC name on first line
- “Certificate of Change” on second line
Copies and Certificates Section:
- Standard filing: State sends only a filing receipt (recommended for most people)
- Plain copy: Add $5 if you want a copy of the filed document (usually unnecessary)
Navigating the Certificate of Change Form
Header Information:
- LLC name in the “CERTIFICATE OF CHANGE OF:” field
- LLC name again in the “FIRST:” section
- Original name only if you’ve previously changed your LLC name (leave blank otherwise)
- Original Articles of Organization filing date in “SECOND:” section
The “THIRD” Section: Where It Gets Complex
This is where most people get confused. Here’s how to think about each option:
County Location Changes
When to use: Moving your LLC’s official location to a different county
Example: Filed in Albany for publication, now moving back to Nassau County
What to enter: The new county name
Service of Process Address Changes
What this means: Where the state should mail copies of any legal documents served on your LLC
When to update: When you want legal documents sent to a different address
Strategic note: This can be different from your business address
Email Address Updates
Three scenarios:
- Adding email: Check the “add email” box if none is currently on file
- Changing email: Check the “change email” box to update existing email
- Removing email: Check the “delete email” box to remove email from records
Jake’s recommendation: Keep an email on file—it’s helpful for state notifications.
Registered Agent Changes
Four scenarios for registered agent updates:
- Adding a registered agent: Check this if you currently don’t have one and want to add one
- Changing to different registered agent: New company/person entirely
- Updating registered agent address: Same agent, new address
- Removing registered agent entirely: Revoking their designation
Important note: New York doesn’t require registered agents (the Secretary of State serves this function automatically), so many LLCs simply revoke registered agent services after completing publication requirements.
Common Filing Scenarios
Scenario 1: Post-Publication Address Change
Situation: Completed Albany publication, want to update to actual business location
Boxes to check:
- County location change (to your actual county)
- Service of process address change (to your actual address)
- Revoke registered agent authority (if you used one just for publication)
Scenario 2: Moving to New County
Situation: Relocating your business to a different New York county
Boxes to check:
- County location change
- Service of process address change
- Registered agent address change (if keeping the same agent)
Scenario 3: Switching Registered Agents
Situation: Changing from one registered agent service to another
Boxes to check:
- Change designation of registered agent
- Update registered agent address
Filing and Processing
Submission Requirements
Payment method: Check or money order payable to “Department of State”
Mailing address: Department of State Division of Corporations
One Commerce Plaza 99 Washington Avenue Albany, NY 12231
Processing timeline: 30-45 days (sometimes longer during busy periods)
What You’ll Receive
Standard processing: Filing receipt confirming the change was processed
With plain copy: Filing receipt plus copy of your filed Certificate of Change
Verification: Changes typically appear in the state’s online database within 3-4 weeks, even before you receive mail confirmation.
Integration with Other Business Updates
Banking and Financial Accounts
When address changes affect banking:
- Business bank accounts may need address updates
- Credit cards and loans require notification of address changes
- Payment processors (PayPal, Stripe) need current business addresses
Timeline: Update financial accounts after your Certificate of Change is processed to avoid documentation issues.
Business Licenses and Permits
State licenses: May need updates if you change counties
Local permits: Definitely need updates if you move to different municipality
Professional licenses: Usually require notification of address changes
Tax Obligations
State taxes: Address changes may affect which local jurisdictions apply
Sales tax: Update with Department of Taxation and Finance
Federal taxes: IRS should be notified of address changes
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Filing Too Soon
Mistake: Filing Certificate of Change before completing publication requirements
Problem: Creates confusion in state records and may require additional filings
Solution: Wait until Certificate of Publication is fully processed
Wrong Information Updates
Mistake: Updating wrong addresses or using outdated information
Problem: Creates inconsistencies in state records
Solution: Check current information on state database before filing
Misunderstanding Registered Agent Requirements
Mistake: Thinking you must always have a registered agent
Reality: New York registered agents are optional—the state serves this function automatically
Strategy: Many LLCs revoke registered agent services after publication to save ongoing costs
Incomplete Address Updates
Mistake: Changing county but not updating service of process address
Problem: Legal documents might be sent to wrong location
Solution: Update both county location AND service of process address when moving
Strategic Timing Considerations
Business Operational Timing
Best practices:
- File during slower business periods when you can handle any complications
- Coordinate with lease renewals or office relocations
- Plan around tax filing deadlines to avoid confusion
Cost Management
Bundling changes: Make multiple updates in single Certificate of Change rather than filing separately
Professional services: Consider whether ongoing registered agent services are worth the cost after publication
Administrative Coordination
Master update list: Create checklist of all places that need address updates
Documentation: Keep copies of filed Certificate of Change for banking and licensing updates
Follow-up: Monitor state database to confirm changes were processed correctly
Advanced Considerations
Multi-State Operations
Foreign LLC registrations: Address changes in New York may require updates in other states where you’re registered
Compliance calendars: Coordinate New York updates with other states’ requirements
Privacy and Security
Public records: Remember that Certificate of Change becomes public record
Address selection: Consider whether to use business address, registered agent address, or other options
Contact information: Balance accessibility with privacy concerns
Future Planning
Business growth: Consider whether current address changes support long-term business plans
Professional image: Evaluate whether address changes enhance or complicate business credibility
Professional Help vs. DIY
When DIY Makes Sense
- Straightforward address or registered agent changes
- Comfortable navigating government forms
- Have time to research and complete properly
- Simple business structure
When to Consider Professional Help
- Complex multi-state compliance issues
- Multiple simultaneous changes needed
- Time constraints with business operations
- Unfamiliar with New York business requirements
Professional services cost: $150-400 for Certificate of Change assistance
The Bottom Line on New York Certificate of Change
New York’s Certificate of Change is a useful and affordable tool for keeping your LLC information current. At $30, it’s much cheaper than the Certificate of Amendment for routine updates.
Key success factors:
- Understand exactly what you want to change before starting the form
- Check current information in the state database first
- Time your filing appropriately with other business changes
- Plan for follow-up updates with banks, licenses, and other agencies
- Keep documentation for future reference and verification
Most important point: This isn’t just about updating state records—address and contact changes affect every aspect of your business operations. Plan comprehensively.
Your Certificate of Change Action Plan
Pre-Filing Preparation
- [ ] Research current LLC information in state database
- [ ] Determine exactly what information needs updating
- [ ] Verify new information is accurate and complete
- [ ] Consider timing with other business changes
Filing Process
- [ ] Complete Certificate of Change form carefully
- [ ] Double-check all information before mailing
- [ ] Include correct $30 payment
- [ ] Mail to correct Department of State address
- [ ] Keep copies for your records
Post-Filing Follow-up
- [ ] Monitor state database for processing confirmation
- [ ] Update banking and financial account information
- [ ] Notify relevant licensing agencies of changes
- [ ] Update business marketing materials and contracts
- [ ] Coordinate with accountant for tax implications
Ongoing Management
- [ ] Set reminders for any future address changes
- [ ] Maintain current information across all business accounts
- [ ] Plan any additional changes for efficiency
- [ ] Keep Certificate of Change documentation with LLC records
Need Help with Your New York Certificate of Change?
New York’s Certificate of Change form is manageable once you understand the logic, but getting the details right is crucial for maintaining proper LLC records and avoiding complications with banks, licenses, and other business relationships.
At llciyo.com, we’ve helped dozens of New York entrepreneurs navigate Certificate of Change filings, from post-publication address updates to complex multi-county relocations.
Questions about your specific Certificate of Change situation? Every business scenario is different, and sometimes you need personalized guidance to ensure you’re making the right changes without creating unintended consequences.
Managing multiple New York LLC compliance requirements? We can help you coordinate Certificate of Change filings with other New York requirements and create a comprehensive compliance strategy.
Remember: This guide provides general information about New York Certificate of Change filings but doesn’t constitute legal advice. New York’s business requirements can be complex and change over time. For specific situations involving complex business structures or multi-state operations, consider consulting with a qualified business attorney familiar with New York law.