Foreign qualification with the Secretary of State in Louisiana refers to the process by which a business entity formed in another state or country seeks permission to conduct business activities within Louisiana. This legal requirement ensures compliance with state regulations and allows the business to operate and transact within the state's jurisdiction.
There are 2 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.
Avoid the hassle of doing it yourself and use Mosey to automate foreign qualification, annual reports, and registered agent service.
Louisiana Foreign Qualification for C 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
