What changing an agent means on your Arizona farm winery license

If you hold an out-of-state farm winery license in Arizona, the designated agent is the person or entity Arizona's Department of Liquor and Cannabis Regulation (DLCR) contacts about your license and your compliance with state law. Changing that agent means filing paperwork with DLCR to replace the current agent with a new one — either because the person is leaving, you want a different representative, or the original agent is no longer able to serve.

The process is straightforward but requires the right form, the signature of both the current agent (or a statement explaining why they cannot sign) and the new agent, and submission to DLCR. There is no fee for the change itself, though DLCR may take two to four weeks to process the paperwork after they receive it.

Key Takeaways

  • You change an agent by filing the Designation of Agent for Service of Process form with DLCR, signed by both the new agent and the current agent (or with a notarized statement if the current agent will not sign).
  • The agent must be a person or business entity authorized to do business in Arizona and must have a physical address in the state.
  • DLCR processes agent changes in two to four weeks; you can check the status by calling the licensing section or checking your license record online.
  • If your current agent has moved, died, or is unreachable, you can still change the agent by submitting a notarized statement explaining the situation along with the new designation form.

The form you need and where to get it

The document is called the Designation of Agent for Service of Process. You can read it from the DLCR website under the liquor licensing section, or request it by phone at (602) 364-1080. The form is short — it asks for your license number, the current agent's name and address, the new agent's name and address, and signature lines for both agents.

Make sure you are using the current version of the form. DLCR updates forms periodically, and submitting an outdated version can delay processing. If you are unsure whether your copy is current, read it directly from the DLCR website rather than using an old printed copy.

Who can serve as your designated agent

Your agent must be either an individual or a business entity (such as a corporation or LLC) that is authorized to do business in Arizona. If the agent is an individual, they must have a physical street address in Arizona — a post office box does not count. If the agent is a business, the business must be registered with the Arizona Corporation Commission and must have a physical address on file.

The agent does not need to be an employee or owner of your winery. Many out-of-state wineries use a local attorney, a compliance consultant, or a business service company as their agent. What matters is that the person or entity is reachable at an Arizona address and willing to accept legal documents on your behalf.

Getting both signatures on the form

The form must be signed by both the current agent and the new agent. The current agent's signature confirms they are stepping down; the new agent's signature confirms they accept the role. If the current agent will not sign — because they have left the company, are unreachable, or refuse — you will need to submit a notarized statement explaining why the signature is not available.

The notarized statement should be brief: state your name, your license number, explain why the current agent cannot sign (for example, "The previous agent, John Smith, is no longer employed by our company and cannot be reached"), and have the statement notarized by an Arizona notary public. Submit this statement along with the unsigned agent change form. DLCR will process it, though it may take slightly longer than a form with both signatures.

How to submit the form to DLCR

You can submit the completed form by mail, email, or in person. Mail it to the Department of Liquor and Cannabis Regulation, 2818 N. 14th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85007. Email it to drinksresponsibly@azdlcr.gov with the subject line "Agent Change — [Your License Number]". If you are in the Phoenix area, you can deliver it in person to the same address during business hours.

Keep a copy for your records and note the date you submitted it. If you mailed or emailed the form, ask for a confirmation receipt or take a screenshot of the email confirmation. DLCR does not always send an acknowledgment, so having your own proof of submission helps if you need to follow up.

What happens after you submit the form

DLCR will review the form for completeness and accuracy. If everything is in order, they will update your license record and send you a confirmation letter or email. This usually takes two to four weeks. During this time, your current agent is still the official agent of record, so any legal documents or compliance notices will go to them.

If DLCR finds an error — for example, a missing signature, an incomplete address, or a form that is outdated — they will contact you and ask you to resubmit. This can add another week or two to the process. Once the change is processed, the new agent becomes your official agent, and DLCR will send all future correspondence to the new agent's address.

Checking the status of your agent change

You can check whether DLCR has processed your agent change by calling the licensing section at (602) 364-1080 and providing your license number. They can tell you whether the change has been recorded and who is currently listed as your agent. Some information is also available through the DLCR online license lookup tool, though the agent information may take a few days to appear there after processing.

If more than four weeks have passed and you have not heard back, call DLCR to confirm they received your submission. If they did not receive it, you may need to resubmit. If they did receive it but have not processed it, ask when you can expect a response.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my agent if I am not in Arizona?

Yes. You do not need to be in Arizona to change your agent. You can mail or email the form to DLCR from anywhere. The only requirement is that your new agent has a physical address in Arizona.

What if I want to be my own agent?

You can be your own agent if you have a physical address in Arizona. Use your name and Arizona address on the form. If you live out of state, you will need to use a different agent — DLCR requires the agent to have an Arizona address.

Is there a fee to change my agent?

No. Changing your agent does not cost anything. DLCR does not charge a fee for agent changes on farm winery licenses.

How long does the agent change take?

DLCR typically processes agent changes in two to four weeks. If the form is incomplete or if you submit a notarized statement instead of both signatures, it may take longer. You can call DLCR to check the status after two weeks.

What if my new agent moves out of Arizona?

If your agent moves out of state, you will need to file another agent change form with a new Arizona-based agent. DLCR requires your agent to have an Arizona address at all times. If your agent moves and you do not update the form, DLCR may not be able to reach your agent, which could affect your license.