Louisiana Registered Agent

Before you can form a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, or other registered business in Louisiana, you need to appoint an official point of contact so that the state and others can get in touch with your business. That person (or company) is called a registered agent. In this article, we’ll tell you what a registered agent is, their duties, and the requirements to be one.

What is a Louisiana registered agent?

A registered agent is an individual or company designated by the business entity to receive important legal documents and state correspondence on behalf of the company and relay them to the business owner. 

What does a Louisiana registered agent do?

Louisiana’s registered agent requirements for limited liability companies are set out in the Louisiana Revised Statutes, Title 12, Section 1308, and the requirements for corporations are set out in Section 12:1-501 of the Louisiana Business Corporation Act. Both laws require every registered business (think LLCs, corporations, and any businesses that file formation paperwork with the state) to appoint and maintain both a registered agent and a registered office in the state.

The primary responsibility of a registered agent is to receive service of process on behalf of the entity. This position is imperative because it helps ensure that the appropriate people within the business are notified during time-sensitive events, such as service of process for lawsuits, garnishment notices against employees, notices about annual reports, or tax notices.

Who can be a registered agent in Louisiana?

Louisiana’s LLC registered agent rule uses wording you won’t find in most other states. Under La. R.S. 12:1308(A)(2), an LLC must appoint at least one registered agent who is one of the following, and we’ve noted below where the corporation rule in La. R.S. 12:1-501 differs:

• For an LLC, a citizen of the state who resides in the state. For a corporation, any individual who resides in the state; there is no citizenship element.
• A partnership or professional law corporation that is authorized to practice law in the state, that is authorized by its articles or certificate of incorporation or organization to act as agent for service of process, and that has a certificate on file with the Secretary of State naming at least two individuals at its Louisiana address.
• A domestic corporation, domestic limited liability company, foreign corporation, or foreign limited liability company authorized to transact business in this state, provided it is also authorized by its articles or certificate to act as agent for service of process and has a certificate on file with the Secretary of State naming at least two individuals at its Louisiana address. If your business is a corporation, an entity acting as your agent must also continuously maintain an office in the state.

That certificate duty falls on the entity acting as your agent rather than on your business, and each of the two individuals it names is authorized to receive process on the agent’s behalf. A newly appointed registered agent must also provide a notarized affidavit of acknowledgment and acceptance. Louisiana law requires only that your business continuously maintain a registered office and a registered agent with a physical address in the state. As a practical matter, though, someone needs to be reachable at that address to accept service of process in person and forward it to you.

Benefits of Using Louisiana Registered Agent Services

While you can serve as your own registered agent or ask a friend or family member to do so, it’s not your only option. Opting for a registered agent service offers several benefits. These services specialize in receiving and relaying official paperwork, helping ensure nothing slips through the cracks. They give you peace of mind to work around town and travel without worrying about your legal mail. If you serve as your own registered agent, you’ll need to be reachable at your registered office during normal business hours to accept service of process in person, which makes meeting up with clients, going on vacation, etc., difficult. Many services also offer extra perks like digital access to your critical documents, compliance reminders, and more.

More importantly, a professional registered agent company can help protect you from potential embarrassment. If you’re acting as your own agent, you’ll have to accept service of process yourself, which means whomever you’re with at the time — maybe a client or business partner — will know you’re facing a lawsuit. But if you use an agent service, the process server will go to the registered agent’s address. Your agent will handle these notifications privately, discreetly, and promptly.

How much does it cost for a registered agent in Louisiana?

The cost of a registered agent in Louisiana varies based on whether you choose an individual or a professional service. If you opt to be your own registered agent or designate someone you know, the costs can be minimal; the expenses mainly come from maintaining a physical street address or office space during regular business hours. For many small business owners, being their own agent requires no out-of-pocket cost but requires time and attention instead. 

On the other hand, professional registered agent services usually come with a fee. These fees can range from $100 to a few hundred dollars annually, depending largely on the level of services they offer. While using a professional service might seem like an added expense, the benefits they provide — like helping ensure compliance, protecting your professional image, and offering added peace of mind — often justify the cost for many businesses.

Cost of Changing Registered Agents

To change your registered agent in Louisiana, you’ll need to file the change of registered office or agent form that matches your business type; the exact form differs for domestic LLCs, Louisiana corporations, and foreign entities. That form costs $30 to submit as of October 2026, and you can file online or by mail (fees are subject to change).

How to Change a Registered Agent in Louisiana

Changing your registered agent in Louisiana requires some administrative effort to ensure the state records are current and your business remains compliant. To begin, it’s vital to first determine who your new registered agent will be. If you’re considering transitioning to a professional service or selecting another individual, ensure you obtain their consent and verify that they meet Louisiana’s requirements for registered agents.

Once you’ve got your new agent lined up, it’s time to file the change paperwork. The easiest way to do this is to log into geauxBIZ and file the amendment for your entity type, entering the requested information for your new agent. A domestic LLC files the “Change of Registered Office or Agent” form (#983), a Louisiana corporation files the “Statement of Change” (#502), and a foreign corporation or LLC files form #346. You can also mail or fax the form to the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Commercial Division in Baton Rouge, but using geauxBIZ is usually recommended because it’s quicker. Louisiana has parishes rather than counties, and the parish Clerk of Court only handles DBA filings, so don’t send a registered agent change there. No matter how you file, you’ll need a credit card or check on hand to pay the $25 filing fee.

Alternatively, if your annual report is coming due, you can make the change while you file your report. If you go this route, the incoming agent still has to consent to the appointment. A corporation’s statement of change must carry the new agent’s signed written consent (La. R.S. 12:1-502(A)(5)), and an LLC’s change must be accompanied by a notarized affidavit of acknowledgment and acceptance signed by the new agent (La. R.S. 12:1308(C)(1)). Changing your registered agent on your annual report won’t cost anything extra beyond the $30 annual report filing fee.

Change of Registered Agent Requirements

When changing a registered agent, the new agent must meet the same requirements. For an LLC, that means a citizen of the state who resides in Louisiana, a partnership or professional law corporation that’s licensed to practice, or a business authorized to conduct business in Louisiana; for a corporation, it can be any individual who resides in the state. The new agent also needs a physical street address in Louisiana.

Louisiana Secretary of State Contact Information

Resignation of Louisiana Registered Agent

If a registered agent needs to resign, they must notify the business they represent and file a Statement of Resignation with the Louisiana Secretary of State. For a corporation, the agency appointment terminates on the 31st day after the date the statement of resignation is filed with the Secretary of State, whether or not a replacement is appointed sooner. For an LLC, the resignation takes effect on written notice and the company then has 30 days to appoint a successor agent.

Steps to Remove a Registered Agent

1. Notify your business: Inform your represented business in writing that you’ll be resigning. Not only is this a requirement, but this notice also helps streamline the resignation process; the sooner the business appoints a replacement, the sooner you’re done serving as their agent.
2. Submit your resignation: Draft a Statement of Resignation (the state doesn’t provide a pre-set form) and deliver a signed original and two copies to the Secretary of State. You’ll need to include the $25 filing fee.
3. Hand off your responsibilities: Help your business transition to a new registered agent to avoid penalties. A valid registered agent is crucial to maintaining the company’s good standing.