How to Change the Registered Agent for Your Louisiana Business

If you are making a change to your registered agent in Louisiana, you’ll need to inform the Louisiana Secretary of state. It costs $25 to do it yourself. Read this guide to learn how.

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Step By Step Guide to Change Your Louisiana Registered Agent

Step 1: Understand the role of a registered agent

In Louisiana, a registered agent is a person or company designated to receive legal notices, such as lawsuit notifications and tax forms, on behalf of a business entity. It’s a legal requirement to have a registered agent in Louisiana.

Step 2: Choose a new registered agent

Before you can change your registered agent in Louisiana, you need to choose a new one. You can select an individual or a company to serve as your registered agent. The registered agent must have a physical address in Louisiana and be available during normal business hours.

Step 3: Notify your current registered agent

After you’ve selected a new registered agent, you need to notify your current registered agent that you’re changing to a new one. This can typically be done through a written notice or a form provided by the Louisiana Secretary of State.

Step 4: File a Change of Registered Office/Agent form with the Louisiana Secretary of State

To officially change your registered agent in Louisiana, you’ll need to file a Change of Registered Office/Agent form with the Louisiana Secretary of State. This form can be filed online or by mail, and it requires information about your business, your new registered agent, and your old registered agent.

Step 5: Wait for confirmation

Once you’ve submitted your Change of Registered Office/Agent form, you’ll need to wait for confirmation from the Louisiana Secretary of State. This confirmation will be sent to the new registered agent, and it may take a few days to process.

What Do Registered Agents Actually Do?

The minimum requirements of a registered agent are to receive your official state mail and service of process, but a good registered agent can become an essential part of your business’ compliance needs.

An excellent registered agent will:

  • Help keep your address off public documents.
  • Send you same day digital scans of all legal documents and state notifications.
  • Offer services in all 50 states.
  • Provide compliance management like annual report reminders and filing services.

Businesses Structures That Are Required to Have a Registered Agent in Louisiana

All businesses, domestic and foreign, that register with the Louisiana Secretary of State must maintain a registered agent. This includes all:

  • LLCs
  • Corporations
  • Limited partnerships
  • Limited Liability Partnerships

It does not include:

  • Sole proprietors
  • General partnerships

Frequently Asked Questions

You can change your registered agent in Louisiana yourself without needing to hire a lawyer. However, if you have any questions or concerns about the process, it may be helpful to consult with an attorney.

In Louisiana, it’s a legal requirement to have a registered agent. If you don’t have a registered agent or are unable to contact your current one, you’ll need to select a new registered agent and file a Change of Registered Office/Agent form with the Louisiana Secretary of State.

The processing time for changing your registered agent in Louisiana varies, but it typically takes a few days to receive confirmation from the Louisiana Secretary of State. If you’re in a hurry, you may want to consider filing the form online instead of by mail.

You can change your registered agent in Louisiana at any time. However, it’s important to note that if you’re in the middle of a lawsuit or other legal proceedings, you may need to obtain permission from the court before changing registered agents.