What is a Louisiana registered agent?

Every Louisiana business is required to have a registered agent. Whether you're forming your first LLC or managing an established corporation, this requirement stays the same. Your agent must maintain a physical Louisiana street address and serve as your business's official point of contact for lawsuits, tax notices, and all state correspondence. 

The Louisiana Secretary of State will only accept service of process through your designated agent. Miss this requirement, and your business could potentially face dissolution. 

Louisiana registered agent requirements 

Louisiana doesn't mess around with registered agent rules. Every business entity must maintain a compliant agent to receive lawsuits and state notices, and the state has specific requirements you must follow exactly.

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The choice between serving as your own agent versus hiring a commercial service comes down to privacy and reliability. Self-service means your home address becomes public record in every legal filing, while commercial agents keep your address private and handle documents professionally for an annual fee.

Why do you need a registered agent in Louisiana?

Your agent serves as the official contact point for receiving service of process, tax correspondence, annual report reminders, and other critical legal documents. Beyond basic compliance, professional registered agent services provide privacy protection by keeping your personal address off public records and ensure reliable document handling during business hours.

Failing to maintain a proper registered agent triggers serious consequences, including:

• Administrative dissolution: The Secretary of State can dissolve your entity, restricting your ability to conduct business, open bank accounts, or enter into contracts
• Default judgments: Lawsuits you never receive can result in court rulings against you
• Loss of good standing: Missing annual reports or franchise tax notices immediately damages your status with lenders and investors
• Missed tax obligations: Failure to receive Louisiana franchise tax notices can trigger penalties and compound compliance problems

Professional registered agent services eliminate these risks, offering services like document scanning, compliance reminders, and privacy protection while ensuring you never miss critical communications. 

How to appoint or change a registered agent in Louisiana

Louisiana requires specific procedures for both appointing initial registered agents and making changes to existing appointments. Before the Secretary of State approves your new entity, you must designate a registered agent who meets all requirements:

1. Select an eligible agent: Choose someone with a physical Louisiana street address, business hours availability, and willingness to provide written consent.
2. Collect agent details and consent: For mail filings, the agent must sign the formation paperwork. For online filings through geauxBIZ, have the correct email address ready, as the state emails the agent for confirmation and won't finalize your filing until they click "I agree."
3. Complete formation documents: LLCs file Articles of Organization, including the agent's name and street address. Corporations file Articles of Incorporation plus a separate Initial Report with agent information.
4. Pay filing fees: $100 for LLCs, $75 for corporations, payable by credit card online or check by mail.
5. Double-check accuracy: Verify the agent's address isn't a P.O. Box or virtual office, and ensure the legal name matches state records exactly.
6. Submit and verify: Online filings are acknowledged within 24 hours; mailed documents take several business days. Check your entity record on the state's business search page after approval.
7. Notify your agent: Inform them once the filing is approved so they know to expect documents on your behalf.

Switching agents costs $25 but requires following formal procedures exactly. The fastest route is the online Statement of Change in geauxBIZ: 

• Locate your entity by Charter Number
• Select Statement of Change
• Enter the new agent's name, physical address in Louisiana, and email
• Pay the fee 

The new agent receives an email to consent, and if everything is accepted, the update will be posted promptly. After filing, verify the update through an entity search on geauxBIZ and notify both incoming and outgoing agents. 

FAQs about Louisiana registered agents

Can I be my own agent in Louisiana?

Yes, you can serve as your own agent if you're at least 18 and maintain a Louisiana street address. Just remember that your home address becomes public record, and you'll need to be available during business hours to accept legal documents.

What happens if my agent resigns?

Your agent files a resignation with the Secretary of State, and you must promptly appoint a new one, ideally within 30 days.

How do I confirm my current agent on file?

Search your business on the Louisiana Secretary of State's database using your charter number or company name. The listing shows your current agent's name and address.

Do nonprofits and foreign LLCs need an agent?

Absolutely. Every domestic or foreign corporation, LLC, LP, or nonprofit operating in Louisiana must maintain an in-state agent to stay in good standing and receive legal notices.

Can I change agents mid-year?

Yes, you can change at any time by filing a Statement of Change online or on paper, paying the $25 state fee, and obtaining your new agent's consent. The change is effective once the state accepts it.

What if I move my principal office location?

Moving your office doesn't automatically update your agent information. If your office address changes, file a Statement of Change or update it in your next annual report to keep state records accurate.

What information does my agent need from me?

Provide your legal entity name, charter number, primary contact details, and forwarding preferences. Accurate information ensures your agent can relay legal documents, tax notices, and annual report reminders without delays.

Louisiana compliance made easy with Discern

Managing registered agents and compliance across multiple states creates operational overhead that diverts focus from growth. Discern automates this complexity with real-time document scanning, dashboard visibility across every jurisdiction, and bulk agent changes that can be executed in just a few clicks.

Our platform automates the handling of annual reports, change filings, and deadline tracking. Ready to ease the administrative burden of compliance? Discover what Discern can do for your multi-state operations.