1. a. A registered agent may resign as registered agent by signing and delivering to the secretary of state for filing a signed original statement of resignation. The statement may include a statement that the registered office is also discontinued.

 b. The registered agent shall send a copy of the statement of resignation by certified mail to the corporation at its principal office and to the registered office, if not discontinued. The registered agent shall certify to the secretary of state that copies have been sent to the corporation, including the date the copies were sent.
 2. A statement of resignation takes effect on the earlier of the following:

 a. 12:01 a.m. on the thirty-first day after the day on which it is filed with the secretary of state.
 b. The designation of a new registered agent for the corporation.