Louisiana Foreign Qualification

Why You Need To Do It – Any LLC or corporation will have to do it in order to operate a business in any capacity within the state. Failure to do so can bring significant penalties.

When Should You Do It? – Starting as soon as you finalize your decision to foreign qualify is important. You should begin as soon as you can to avoid potential delays. Generally, you will need to receive Louisiana foreign qualification if your company falls under any of the following criteria:

• Has a physical presence in Louisiana
• Buying a property there
• Have remote employees
• Accepts orders in Louisiana
• Owns a bank account in Louisiana

Businesses must take several steps to receive Louisiana foreign qualification to begin operating their business. These steps include the following.

1. Obtain Certificates – Louisiana requires that you download and complete an Application of Foreign Corporation for Certificate of Authority (for corporations) or an Application of Foreign Limited Liability Company (for LLCs) in Louisiana from the Secretary of State’s website. Additionally, you will also need to present a Certificate of Existence or Good Standing from the state where you formed your business.

2. Collect And Submit Information – The forms will request all the basic info you provided when you formed your business originally.

LLC

• LLC name
• Name and address of person filing document
• A different name you will use in Louisiana if needed
• The original date of formation
• The duration of the LLC, if applicable
• Principal LLC office address in home state
• Principal business establishment in Louisiana
• The registered business address in Louisiana
• Registered agent name and address
• Nature of the business your LLC will conduct in Louisiana
• The names and addresses of the directors and officers
• An authorized signature

Corporation

• Corporation name registered in the home state
• Name and address of person filing document
• Principal office address in home state
• Federal Tax ID Number
• Principal business office address
• Principal business establishment in Louisiana
• The registered business address in Louisiana
• Registered agent name and address
• Nature of the business your company will conduct in Louisiana
• The names and addresses of the directors and officers
• An authorized signature

3. Appoint Registered Agent – Each business must have a registered agent that serves as the contact point between the business and the state. Most businesses choose to use a third party provider like DoMyLLC to serve as their registered agent so they can reduce the level of stress on their shoulders.

4. File The Application – Upon completion of the forms, you’ll submit them along with the state filing fee of $155 for an LLC and $130 for a corporation.

5. Ongoing Maintenance – Louisiana requires businesses to submit an annual report each year in order to stay compliant. The form is due before the anniversary of your business’ initial registration date, and can be completed online or by mail. The fee is $30.

Business leaders have a lot on their shoulders. We take the burden of dealing with Louisiana foreign qualification off of you and handle it instead. Our team will do the hard work so you don’t have to, and we offer:

•     Dedicated account managers
•     Name availability check
•     Full filing and registration for businesses
•     Unlimited ongoing customer support

If you’re ready to start doing business in Louisiana, we’re ready to help make it happen. Contact us today to get foreign qualified quickly and without stress.

Louisiana Office of Secretary of State
Phone Number:
(225) 925-4704

Address:
Louisiana Secretary of State
PO Box 94125
Baton Rouge, LA 70804