Louisiana Foreign Registration / Louisiana agent
Who can be the Louisiana registered agent of a foreign LLC
A foreign LLC with Louisiana authority must keep at least one registered agent of 3 kinds the statute names and a registered office, and changing either costs $30 on Form 346. The agent signs a notarized acceptance, and the agent's address is the office.
The three kinds of agent
| Kind | Requirement |
|---|---|
| An individual | Lives in Louisiana, and the registered office is also the person's place of business |
| An attorney or law partnership | Authorized to practice law in Louisiana, with an office there |
| A company | Domestic or foreign, authorized in Louisiana, with its own office at the registered address and a filed certificate naming two people who can accept process |
Where the office sits
The registered office may be, but need not be, the LLC's business office in Louisiana. When the agent is an individual or a company, the registered office address and the agent's business office address must be identical. The Form 346 instructions note one exception: an agent that is a law partnership or an individual attorney.
The sworn acceptance
The statute requires a notarized affidavit of acknowledgment and acceptance signed by each registered agent, and the form prints it as the agent's acceptance block. Failing to attach it is not a defense to proper service of process on the LLC, so it protects the state's ability to reach you more than it protects you.
Changing the agent or office
File Form 346, the statement of change, in duplicate, at $30. If only the registered office address changes, the registered agent alone signs it. If the agent changes, a manager or member signs before a notary and the new agent signs an acceptance. A change takes effect when the state files the statement.
If the agent leaves
A departing agent files a written notice, in duplicate, with the Secretary of State, who mails a copy to the LLC at its principal business office. The agent's appointment ends thirty days after the state receives the notice, and the LLC then has thirty days to appoint a successor. Without an agent, the state has a ground for revocation.
If the registered office is vacated
When the registered office is vacated, a new one must be designated within thirty days. If it is not, the Secretary of State's office may be treated as the registered office by anyone except the LLC itself. Notices then go to the state rather than to you.
A company agent that changes its name
A company acting as agent that changes its own name files a similar statement within thirty days. If you use a commercial agent, tell us and we handle it.
Records the LLC keeps
Separately from the agent, the LLC must keep written accounts of its Louisiana property and transactions at its principal place of business, in or outside the state.
Using our agent or yours
We can serve as your Louisiana registered agent, and the acceptance is part of your package. You can also name your own, and we check that it qualifies. Whoever it is, the address you give them goes on Form 972 as the registered office.
Checklist for changing the agent
| Step | Detail |
|---|---|
| Choose the new agent | It must be one of the three kinds |
| Match the addresses | The registered office is the new agent's business office |
| Complete Form 346 in duplicate | $30 to the state |
| Sworn signatures | The signer for the LLC and the new agent each sign before a notary |
| File | The change takes effect when the state files the statement |
Choosing between the kinds
An individual resident is simple and cheap but depends on one person staying put. An attorney or law partnership is the one kind allowed an office that differs from the registered office. A company is built to continue after any one employee leaves, which is why the statute asks it to name at least two people at its office who can accept process. Pick the one you can still reach in three years.
Agent questions
Can the agent be a friend who lives in Louisiana?
Yes, if that person has a business office at the registered office.
Does the agent sign anything?
Yes, a notarized acceptance.
How much is a change of agent?
$30 on Form 346.
Our fee and Louisiana's
Begin my Louisiana application
$199
+ $185 Louisiana fee
- Form 972 completed in duplicate for the member or manager to sign
- A review of your home-state certificate against the 90-day limit
- A Louisiana registered agent and office that meet the statute, ours or yours, with the agent's notarized acceptance
- The package filed in Baton Rouge, then your grant of authority sent back
- Renewal: after the first year, the agent service renews at $149 a year
Louisiana's $185 is shown as its own line at checkout. $199 plus the state fee, including your first year of registered agent service; after that the agent service renews at $149 a year.
Sources
- Louisiana Secretary of State, forms and fee schedule
- Louisiana Secretary of State fee schedule effective 10/1/26
- La. R.S. 12:1345, application for certificate of authority
- Louisiana Form 972, application of a foreign limited liability company
- La. R.S. 12:1350.1, annual report
- Louisiana Form 346, statement of change for a foreign corporation or limited liability company
- La. R.S. 12:1350, registered agent and registered office
- Louisiana Form 326, application of a foreign corporation for certificate of authority
Louisiana paperwork, assembled for you
Give us the details and we prepare the form, the acceptance and the cover sheet.