Louisiana Foreign Qualification

Aug 22, 2025

Foreign qualification with the Secretary of State in Louisiana is the process by which a business that was originally formed in another state seeks permission to operate in Louisiana. This involves submitting an application and paying a fee to ensure compliance with state regulations and to legally conduct business in the state.

There are 3 different ways to foreign qualify in Louisiana depending on your legal entity type and tax classification. Follow the guide below to help you register with the Secretary of State in Louisiana or use Mosey to do it.

Use Mosey to register with the Secretary of State in Louisiana.

Louisiana Foreign Qualification for LLP

You must obtain a certificate of authority from the Louisiana Secretary of State in order to "transact business” in Louisiana. In lieu of defining what constitutes "doing business," the Secretary of State provides a list of activities that are exceptions to the registration requirement.

  1. Establish a Registered Agent

    You will need to appoint a registered agent in order for your application to be approved. Your resident agent must have a physical address in Louisiana and can be any Louisiana resident, an individual attorney or a partnership authorized to practice law in Louisiana, or a corporation authorized to act as registered agent for other organizations.

  2. Create Louisiana geauxBIZ Account

    If you have not already done so, create a Louisiana geauxBIZ account to manage your business filings with the Secretary of State online.

  3. Submit Application of a Registered Limited Liability Partnership

    Log in to your Louisiana geauxBIZ account to submit an Application of a Registered Limited Liability Partnership (Form SS975) and the filing fees with the Secretary of State.

Louisiana Foreign Qualification for LLC

You must obtain a certificate of authority from the Louisiana Secretary of State in order to "transact business” in Louisiana. In lieu of defining what constitutes "doing business," the Secretary of State provides a list of activities that are exceptions to the registration requirement.

  1. Obtain a Certificate of Good Standing

    Louisiana requires a Certificate of Good Standing or Existence from your home state issued within 90 days to be submitted with your Application.

  2. Establish a Registered Agent

    You will need to appoint a registered agent in order for your Application to be approved. Your resident agent must have a physical address in Louisiana. It can be any Louisiana resident, an individual attorney or a partnership authorized to practice law in Louisiana, or a corporation authorized to act as registered agent for other organizations.

  3. Submit Application for Authority to Transact Business in Louisiana

    Your Application for Authority to Transact Business In Louisiana can be submitted with the Secretary of State using the geauxBIZ online portal.

Louisiana Foreign Qualification for Corporation

You must obtain a certificate of authority from the Louisiana Secretary of State in order to "transact business” in Louisiana. In lieu of defining what constitutes "doing business," the Secretary of State provides a list of activities that are exceptions to the registration requirement.

  1. Obtain a Certificate of Good Standing

    Louisiana requires a Certificate of Good Standing or Existence from your home state issued within 90 days to be submitted with your Application.

  2. Establish a Registered Agent

    You will need to appoint a registered agent in order for your Application to be approved. Your resident agent must have a physical address in Louisiana. It can be any Louisiana resident, an individual attorney or a partnership authorized to practice law in Louisiana, or a corporation authorized to act as registered agent for other organizations.

  3. Submit Application for Authority to Transact Business in Louisiana

    Your Application for Authority to Transact Business In Louisiana can be submitted with the Secretary of State using the geauxBIZ online portal.

What else do I need to know?

Once you are registered with the Secretary of State, you may have additional requirements to maintain your "good standing" in the state. Failing to do so can result in fines, back taxes, and forfeiting certain priveleges within the state.

Maintaining a Registered Agent

Most states require that you have a registered agent that can receive important mail from the Secretary of State should they need to contact you. There are many commercial options available or you can use Mosey to be your registered agent and keep your information private in Louisiana.

Annual Reports and Taxes

In addition to maintaining a registered agent, most states require you to file a report annually. Registration can also trigger state taxes such as a franchise tax or income tax. You can use Mosey to identify these additional requirements to maintain good standing in Louisiana.

Louisiana's Foreign Qualification Agencies

Review your compliance risks, free.

More from the blog

Learn how to keep your business compliant in all 50 states across payroll, HR, Secretary of State, and tax.

Remote Work Laws: Employer Obligations for Remote Employees

There’s no question that the way we work has changed considerably in recent years. Remote work used to be a niche concept, but now it’s as commonplace as they come. Businesses of all sizes now take advantage of the benefits and opportunities of remote work. However, the legal terrain of remote employment is complex, especially for businesses with employees scattered across different states. Trying to make sense of federal and state laws can be tough.

Gabrielle Sinacola | Aug 4, 2024

What Is a 1099 Contractor vs. a W2 Employee?

In today’s modern workforce, knowing the distinction between 1099 contractors and W2 employees is useful for employers and workers alike. These classifications not only affect tax obligations but also benefits, job security, and legal responsibilities. What’s more, misclassifying workers can lead to legal and financial repercussions. In this article, we’re highlighting the differences between 1099 contractors and W2 employees, their respective tax implications, and how Mosey can help with compliance management.

Kaitlin Edwards | Jan 28, 2025

California IWC Wage Orders: What Is My Wage Order and Requirements?

Every state has different compliance requirements for business owners. These requirements can impact wages, breaks, benefits, sick time, and workplace accommodations. Keeping track of them all can be highly involved, particularly for multi-state employers. The California Industrial Welfare Commission (IWC) Wage Orders are a set of rules that regulate wages, hours, and working conditions across various industries and occupations in the state of California.

Kaitlin Edwards | Dec 1, 2024

Ready to get started?

Schedule a free consultation to see how Mosey transforms business compliance.