Louisiana business entity information, including entity name, type, number, and formation date, is available through the Louisiana Secretary of State business search portal. This free online database provides access to key details you need for onboarding, compliance, or business transactions.

In this concise guide, we'll walk you through exactly how to search the Louisiana database, where to find each piece of information, and what format each data point takes in Louisiana's system.

Summary table: Finding your Louisiana entity information

How to search for Louisiana business entities

Access the Louisiana business entity search to look up any registered business. Louisiana's system supports searches by entity name, charter number, trade registration number, name reservation number, or officer/agent name.

While Louisiana's system supports partial matches (searching 'Pelican' will return 'Pelican Partners LLC'), using your complete legal name as registered ensures you get precise results.

Enter your search criteria and complete the "I am not a robot" verification. Click "Search" to view matching entities in a table format showing business name, entity type, city, status, and a Details button for each result. Click "Details" to access the complete entity profile with charter number, formation date, registered agent information, officer details, and full filing history.

Louisiana's database is updated within 24-48 hours of new filings, ensuring you see current information. If you don't find your expected entity, try alternate spellings, partial names, or search by officer or registered agent name.

What you'll see in search results

• Legal entity name (exact spelling and punctuation)

• Entity type (LLC, Corporation, LP, LLP, Not-for-profit Corporation, etc.)

• Charter Number (7-8 digit format)

• Formation/file date

• Current status (Active, Administratively Dissolved, Forfeited, etc.)

How to find your entity number in Louisiana

Your Louisiana entity number, officially called your "Charter Number," is an 8-character alphanumeric code (7 digits followed by one letter) assigned by the Louisiana Secretary of State when your entity is formed.

Where to locate your Louisiana Charter Number

1. Louisiana business search (fastest method)

• Located: Prominently displayed in the entity details page

• Labeled as: "Charter Number"

• Format: 1234567F or 12345678F

2. Certificate of Formation/Organization/Incorporation

• Usually at the top of the document

• Typically labeled as "Charter Number"

3. Annual reports and state correspondence

• Appears on all official Louisiana Secretary of State documents

• Used as your account identifier

Louisiana entity number format

• Format: 7-8 digits followed by a letter

• Example: 1234567F or 12345678F

• Pattern note: Sequential alphanumeric system assigned chronologically by filing date

How to find your entity type in Louisiana

Louisiana recognizes multiple business entity types, listed exactly as shown in your business search results and formation documents.

Where to find your Louisiana entity type

1. Louisiana business search (most accessible)

• Displayed: In the search results table and prominently on the detail page under "Entity Type"

• Listed as: "Entity Type" or "Business Type"

2. Certificate of Formation/Organization/Incorporation

• At the top of your formation document

• May state "This is a [Entity Type]" or similar

3. Annual reports

• Listed in entity information section

• Cannot be changed without formal amendment

How to find your formation date in Louisiana

Your formation date (when the Louisiana Secretary of State officially filed and approved your business entity) appears in Louisiana business search results and on your Certificate of Formation/Incorporation.

Where your Louisiana formation date appears

1. Louisiana business search (easiest access)

• Listed as: "Formation Date," "File Date," or "Date Filed"

• Location: Displayed on the entity details page in the basic information section

2. Certificate of Formation/Organization/Incorporation

• Top of the document

• May say "Filed on [date]" or "File Date: [date]"

• Sometimes stamped with the Louisiana Secretary of State seal and date

3. Annual report confirmations

• References original filing date

• Used to calculate annual report due dates

Formation date vs. effective date

Louisiana allows business entities to specify a delayed effective date, so the formation date and the effective date can differ. 

The date shown in your search results and on your Certificate represents either the date the paperwork was processed or the date your entity officially began legal existence, depending on what was specified in the filing.

Next steps: Onboard your entity to Discern

You've got what you need from Louisiana's system: business name, entity type, Charter Number, and formation date. Now get those details into Discern and let our platform handle annual reports, deadline tracking, registered agent coordination, and compliance management across all your jurisdictions.

Ready to eliminate the complexity of tracking different filing schedules, fee structures, and compliance requirements across jurisdictions? Book a demo to see how we handle ongoing compliance.

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