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Northwest Registered Agent |
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For entrepreneurs who are ready to set up a business in Louisiana, you’ll need to file paperwork with the state and select a registered agent. A registered agent is a person or company that accepts important documents on behalf of the company. These documents might be tax notifications or service of process papers that are served during a lawsuit.
Selecting a registered agent is part of establishing a business in the state of Louisiana. Since the two actions are linked together, we’ve created a guide to help entrepreneurs set up an LLC and select the best registered agent for the job.
To start, we’ll explore how to set up an LLC in the state, but we’ll also explore the role of a registered agent and who can fill this role.
What is a Louisiana registered agent?
A Louisiana registered agent is a person or company that’s willing to accept official documents for the company. These documents could be tax notifications or service of process papers, which are served during a lawsuit.
The registered agent can be the owner, an employee, a neighboring company, or an owner can hire a company, known as a registered agent service, to fill this role.
Read more: What is a registered agent?
How does an owner select a registered agent in Louisiana?
The registered agent is listed on the LLC formation paperwork that’s filed with the secretary of state’s office.
Who can be a registered agent in Louisiana?
In Louisiana, a registered agent can be a resident, a lawyer, or another company. The person or company must be at least 18 years old, have a physical street address, not a P.O. box, and must be available during normal business hours to accept documents on an as-needed basis.
In other words, a registered agent can be the owner, an employee, the company lawyer, a nearby company, or a registered agent service.
Can I be my own registered agent in Louisiana?
Yes. The owner or LLC organizer can serve as their own registered agent. It’s fairly common for the owner to fill this role, but there are other options. Another person or company can be nominated, but there are a few rules.
Why would a company choose to work with a registered agent service?
A registered agent service is a company that agrees to be your company’s registered agent for a fee. There are dozens of registered agent services in the state, all of which offer varying levels of service. However, you may wonder why some entrepreneurs opt for a service as opposed to doing it themselves. Here’s a look at some benefits of using a registered agent service:
- Convenience. Some entrepreneurs don’t want to be tied to their company on the off chance documents are delivered on that day. For convenience, some owners opt for a service.
- Peace of mind. A service gives some owners peace of mind. If documents are delivered to a registered agent service, the owner is notified immediately. The owner knows that nothing gets missed this way.
- Privacy. If your company is sued, a service of process agent can show up, hand you the papers, and say, “You’re served.” This can happen anywhere, at your office, while you’re out to lunch, or in the middle of a client meeting. For privacy sake, some owners select a service to keep this situation from happening.
Read more: Best Registered Agent Services
How much does a registered agent service cost in Louisiana?
Cost is always a concern, especially for a start-up. The cost of a registered agent service might surprise you. For as little as $50 a year, your company can use a service to accept official business documents. This cost will likely cover basic services, where an owner is notified electronically when documents are received.
More sophisticated services are available too. Some services offer online accounts, notify multiple contacts, and help file annual reports. These companies charge a higher annual fee. Expect to pay between $100-200 for this level of service.
List of Louisiana registered agent services
There are quite a few registered agent services in the state. Usually, the secretary of state’s office has a list of these companies available on its website or can be provided by calling the office.
To give entrepreneurs an idea of what’s out there for choices, here’s a look at a few options:
- ZenBusiness is fairly new to the market, but it’s grown a strong following. Business owners love the affordable rates for a registered agent service, which are as low as $99 per year. The company also offers worry-free compliance to help business owners file the necessary reports on time.
- Northwest Registered Agent is one of the most recognized names in the registered agent business. The company has decades of experience and local offices scattered across the U.S. to serve small businesses like yours. The cost for a registered agent service is comparable to others. Business owners can also take advantage of additional services like report filing.
- Harbor Compliance is a great fit for organizations that register in multiple states and for those who don’t want to pay excessive service fees. With their network and electronic document delivery, they help ensure your business never misses a legal notification.
Louisiana registered agent FAQs
Do I really need a registered agent in Louisiana?
Yes. The state requires all Louisiana LLCs to list a registered agent with the secretary of state. The registered agent’s name and address are required on the Articles of Organization.
Can a company change its registered agent?
Yes. A company can change its registered agent at any time. Maybe the employee who held this role is leaving or maybe the owner would like to hand the responsibility over to a registered agent service. No matter the reason, to change the registered agent on file, owners should fill out the Statement of Change form on the Secretary of State’s website.
There is a $25 fee to file this document with the state.
The term statutory agent is used in place of registered agent in some states. In Louisiana, however, the common title is registered agent.
What’s a commercial registered agent?
As the owner, you might be asked if you have a commercial or a non-commercial registered agent. If you pay a service to fill this role, you have a commercial registered agent. If you or another person fills this role, you have a non-commercial agent.