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Swyft Filings is committed to providing accurate, reliable information to help you make informed decisions for your business. That's why our content is written and edited by professional editors, writers, and subject matter experts. Learn more about how Swyft Filings works, our editorial team and standards, what our customers think of us, and more on our trust page.
Electing a Louisiana registered agent can be easy for first-time business owners if they understand the role. However, there’s much to know about what a Louisiana registered agent does, who qualifies as one, and why it can benefit an LLC or corporation.
This guide will dive into all the details you need to know about registered agents for a Louisiana business.
Key Takeaways
A Louisiana registered agent can be an individual or business in the state.
Registered agents must maintain physical registered offices before accepting and handling legal correspondence for clients.
Most businesses are better off hiring a professional registered agent service.
Protect your privacy, avoid compliance issues, and choose a service trusted by over 300,000 businesses.
What Is a Registered Agent?
A registered agent, also known as a statutory agent, is a legally empowered point of contact for a Louisiana LLC, corporation, nonprofit organization, and other business structures. The agent is an intermediary between your company and the Secretary of State.
Due to their many responsibilities and legal competencies, Louisiana registered agents are vital for streamlining business operations, handling essential documents, and maintaining compliance with the state.
The role is state-mandated and can be an individual or business entity legally operating in Louisiana.
Registered Agent Responsibilities
Louisiana law dictates that every Louisiana LLC, corporation, and other business structure must appoint a registered agent in good standing with the state.[1] In doing so, the agent must meet specific responsibilities. These include:
Maintaining a physical street address in Louisiana as the registered office
Being available during regular business hours to accept service of process notices and other important legal documents [2]
Ensuring clients meet corporate filing deadlines for the annual report, biennial report, and other compliance requirements
Listing the office address on the public record with the Louisiana Secretary of State
Registered agents not in good standing with the state may lose their ability to operate in Louisiana and other states. Failing to meet these responsibilities can put businesses at risk of dissolution and losing their authorization to transact in the state.
Choosing Your Louisiana Registered Agent
Every entrepreneur or business owner is responsible for selecting their Louisiana registered agent. But making the right choice is crucial to safeguard normal business operations. After all, the first registered agent must be named in the formation documents when creating your LLC or corporation.
Louisiana Registered Agent Requirements
Not everyone qualifies as a potential Louisiana registered agent. You need to keep some requirements in mind when choosing your agent.
The good news is that both individuals and business entities can be elected as Louisiana registered agents. Individuals must be adult residents and be at least 18 years old. Domestic and foreign entities can serve as LLC registered agents as long as they have valid authorization to transact in the state.[3]
Both individuals and business entities must disclose and maintain a public business address known as a registered office. This address can not be a P.O. box or mail forwarding service. Likewise, those with private addresses can’t fulfill their responsibilities unless they disclose the address or set up a new physical business location.
Can I Be My Own Registered Agent in Louisiana?
You can elect yourself or another company officer as your registered agent in Louisiana. You can also use your home or office address as a registered office.
Unfortunately, this isn’t a great move for most companies. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons to understand why.
Advantages of being your own registered agent include the following:
Avoid going through intermediaries to receive important legal documents
Satisfy your need for confidentiality
Have all your document filing operations under one roof
Avoid another yearly expense
That said, not all of these benefits are as appealing as meets the eye. Once you peel away a few layers, you notice that the cons can outweigh the pros. These are just some of those reasons:
Being forced to list the registered office in the public domain with the Louisiana Secretary of State
Risking your office and home privacy, as well as discretion and confidentiality with lawsuits
Receiving a high influx of junk mail, which makes sorting through mail overwhelming
Missing vital compliance deadlines and reports
Losing the ability to implement a flexible work schedule
Spending more money to establish an office that qualifies as a registered office
Overall, saving a few bucks in the first couple of months or years isn’t worth the long-term stress and risks of not having a professional Louisiana registered agent for your LLC, corporation, or organization.
Benefits of a Third-Party Registered Agent
With the many downsides of handling a registered agent’s responsibilities, many small business owners turn to other companies that supply this essential service. Here are some of the benefits you can reap by naming a third-party registered agent in your formation documents:
Gain a veil of privacy by not disclosing your home or office address
Keep up with state regulations and corporate filing deadlines with experts handling your legal correspondence
Sort out junk mail and business marketing materials from your essential documents
Avoid being served during client meetings and tarnishing your company’s reputation
Take advantage of a flexible schedule or a remote workplace environment
Travel freely without worrying about needing a physical presence at the office
Meet annual report and other corporate filing deadlines with timely reminders
Benefit from mail correspondence automation, same-day mail forwarding, record-keeping, and advisory services
Relocate offices quickly by maintaining the same registered office
How to Set Up Your Louisiana Registered Agent
Louisiana business owners will elect a registered agent when filing their Louisiana LLC or corporation formation documents. If an entrepreneur wants to change their registered agent, it requires sending change forms to the Secretary of State. Let’s break down both processes.
Electing a Louisiana Registered Agent
You can elect a Louisiana registered agent by filing your Articles of Organization or Articles of Incorporation paperwork.[4] You must include the registered agent’s name, address, and other requested registered agent information when forming a Louisiana LLC or business.
The easiest and fastest way to send in your paperwork is through a third-party registered agent service that completes the LLC formation process on your behalf. We’ll handle all the paperwork to incorporate your LLC, including your Articles of Organization, and fulfill your registered agent requirements.
If you prefer to complete the process yourself, you can file your documents through the geauxBIZ online portal of the Louisiana Secretary of State. Alternatively, you can physically hand in the papers using the Secretary of State’s walk-in service at the following address.
8585 Archives Ave,
Baton Rouge, LA 70809
For mailing services, you can use this mailing address:
P.O. Box 94125
Baton Rouge, LA 70809-9125
You can pay $50 in state fees to expedite your paperwork or an additional $30 for next-day processing.
Changing a Louisiana Registered Agent
There are many reasons business owners choose to change their registered agent. According to Louisiana Law, you will need one of the following forms to complete the change:[5]
Statement of Change of Registered Office, Principal Office, or Change of Registered Agent for corporations.
Notice of Change of Registered Office or Change of Registered Agent for LLCs
The state fees are $25 for both Louisiana corporations and LLCs, with an additional $2 charge on credit card payments.
We can file the paperwork needed to make the change and cover any associate state filing fees. Alternatively, you can upload the documents online or use the following mailing address:
P.O. Box 94125
Baton Rouge, LA 70809-9125
Avoid Penalties: Every business is legally required to have a registered agent in any state where it operates.
Prioritize Your Privacy: We go on record with the government so you don’t have to, meaning any legal actions come to us, not your home or office.
Stay Flexible: We are always available at a physical address during business hours, so you’ll never miss an official notice.
FAQs
Who can be a Louisiana registered agent?
Louisiana registered agents can be adult residents or foreign and domestic business entities with a registered office in good standing with the state and authorization to conduct business.
How much does a registered agent in Louisiana cost?
Louisiana registered agent fees vary based on provider and other factors, but typically range from $99 to $349 per year.
How can I change my registered agent in Louisiana?
You can change a Louisiana registered agent by filing a Statement of Change of Registered Office, Principal Office, or Change of Registered Agent for corporations or a Notice of Change of Registered Office or Change of Registered Agent for LLCs. Alternatively, a third-party registered agent service can file the necessary papers with the Secretary of State on your behalf to make the change.
How can I find a registered agent in Louisiana?
You can find a Louisiana registered agent by performing a business search using the Louisiana Secretary of State registered business index, looking up reputable companies online, or asking business owners for recommendations.
What is a Louisiana registered office?
A registered office is a physical address where a Louisiana registered agent accepts and processes legal correspondence for clients. The registered office must be a physical street address and maintain regular business hours from Monday to Friday.
What’s the difference between a registered agent and a resident agent or statutory agent?
Registered, resident, and statutory agents are interchangeable terms that fulfill the same duties and are subject to the same state requirements. A registered agent is more common in official documents and speech.
What is a registered agent service?
A registered agent service is a third party that fulfills the registered agent requirements on behalf of the business. Swyft Filings offers a reliable registered agent service that maintains your privacy, provides immediate access to vital documents, and gives you more time to focus on your business.
Bibliography
Louisiana State Legislature. “RS 12:1-501 - Part 5. Office and Agent.” Accessed December 29, 2022.
Louisiana Department of Revenue. “FAQ - Registered Agent.” Accessed December 29, 2022.
Louisiana State Legislature. “Registered Office and Registered Agent - RS 12.1-501.” Accessed December 29, 2022.
Louisiana Secretary of State. “Get Forms & Fee Schedule.” Accessed December 29, 2022.
Louisiana Secretary of State. “GeauxBiz.” Accessed December 29, 2022.
Justia Law. “2011 Louisiana Laws Revised Statutes: TITLE 12 — Corporations and Associations: RS 12:1308 — Registered office and Registered Agent.” Accessed December 29, 2022.
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