Louisiana Corporation Foreign Qualification

What is a Louisiana Foreign Corporation?

A foreign Louisiana Corporation is an INC originally formed in another state that registers to do business in Louisiana. The process of registering a foreign Corporation in Louisiana is called foreign qualification. Foreign qualification is used to register a foreign company so that it may transact business in the state of Louisiana. There are a few requirements when filing an application for registration in Louisiana.

 

How to Register A Foreign Corporation in Louisiana

Foreign Corporation Requirements

  1. Corporation Name
  2. Principal Office in Home State
  3. Tax
  4. Louisiana Addresses
  5. Registered Agent
  6. Nature of Business
  7. Directors/Officers
  8. Notarization

Corporation Name

The name on record must match the name on the Certificate of Good Standing attached to the application. The certificate must be within 90 days of issuance to be acceptable.

Principal Office in Home State

The Principal Office of the Corporation in it’s home state or country is to be listed on the application to do business in Louisiana with a Corporation.

Tax

You will need to include your Federal Tax ID Number with your application.

Louisiana Addresses

Principal business establishment in Louisiana will be recorded on the application.

Registered Agent

A Louisiana Registered Agent’s name and registered office address is a requirement on the Application for Authority to Transact Business in Louisiana.

Nature of Business

The nature of business to be transacted in Louisiana by the Foreign Corporation will be described in a brief one to two sentence explanation.

Directors/Officers

Names and addresses of the Directors and Officers is required information to file the application.

Notarization

A Notary Public will be required to finalize the application.

 

How to File a Louisiana Foreign Corporation Qualification Document

Steps to Louisiana Corporation Foreign Qualification:

  1. Choose a Name. Your corporation already has a name in its home state, but you will need to ensure that your corporation’s name is not already in use in Louisiana. You cannot register a name that is already on file with the Commercial Division. You can do a business entity search on the Secretary of State website to check availability for your Louisiana Corporation foreign qualification.
  2. File an Application for Authority. To register a foreign corporation, you must file an Application for Authority to Transact Business in Louisiana with the Commercial Division. There is a $125 filing fee. You must include a current Certificate of Existence or Good Standing with this filing.When filling out the Application, you must designate a Louisiana registered agent to accept service of process and official business mail on behalf of your corporation.
  3. Wait for Processing. Processing time in Louisiana is typically one week. This can be expedited by selecting Expedite service and paying the $30 additional fee. You can also file online. Online filings are automatically expedited.

 

Louisiana Foreign Corporation Registration Quick Facts

 

How Current Doe My Certificate of Existence Need to Be?

When submitting a Certificate of Existence or Good Standing to the Commercial Division, the certificate can be no older than 90 days. Certificates older than 90 days will be rejected, and your Application will not be processed.

 

Do I Have to Include a Federal Employer Identification Number on the Application?

No. There is a space for your Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN), but it is not required. You can leave this space blank, and the application will still be accepted.

 

Who Can Serve as a Louisiana Registered Agent?

A Louisiana registered agent must be one of the following:

  • A Louisiana resident
  • An individual attorney
  • A Partnership authorized to practice law in LA
  • A domestic or foreign corporation authorized to act as a registered agent

All registered agents must have a physical street location within the state, called a registered office. This cannot be a PO box.

 

Annual Report

After a foreign corporation qualification, you must file an Annual Report each year. The deadline is the exact date of your registration in Louisiana. There is a $30 filing fee.

 

Why Hire Corporate Filing Solutions to Form Your Louisiana Foreign Corporation?

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