As someone who has gone through the process of starting a company in Louisiana, I understand the importance of finding a trustworthy registered agent.
I have had experience with unreliable registered agents in the past, and it caused unnecessary delays and complications in the formation of my business.
An ideal Louisiana registered agent will offer reliable registered agent services that will help your Louisiana LLC maintain its good standing and keep your sensitive information private.
To help you identify the most premium registered agent services in Louisiana for your company, together with my legal team, I've tested different Louisiana registered agent services and compiled a list of those that make the grade.
Northwest
ZenBusiness
IncfileTop 4 Registered Agent Services in Louisiana (May 2023)
1 - Northwest Registered Agent Service (Editor's Choice)
To satisfy the requirements of the Louisiana Secretary of State, Northwest Registered Agent offers all the services that a registered agent is required to submit.
As our commercial registered agent service, they operated as our communication center with the state and received legal documents on our behalf.
Their experienced staff exhibited proficiency in all facets of LLC formation and maintenance, which we observed during our evaluation.
They also gave us an address in Louisiana, which was accessible to receive mail during normal business hours, and offered mail forwarding.
Northwest Registered Agent has a very transparent pricing policy which we do appreciate. Although they are on the pricier side, they gave us confidentiality and a great customer experience.
Service Features:
- Registered Agent Services ($125): $125/year but if you let Northwest create your LLC, the first year of registered agent service is free.
- LLC Formation Service - Basic Plan ($39 + $105 State Fee): To establish an LLC in Louisiana, you only can acquire the package and get Articles of Organization, an operating agreement, 1-year registered agent service at no cost, and standard and expedited processing speeds available.
- LLC Formation Service - Full Service ($225 + $105 State Fee):Â A full year of registered agent service, same-day filing, an operating agreement, and an online account with access to useful forms and resources.
- Best-in-industry private protection with an online account
- Excellent customer service and service of process
- Decade-long LLC forming experience
- Direct Louisiana registered agent pricing
- The base plan has free registered agent services
- A bit pricey
2 - ZenBusiness
2000+ Reviews
ZenBusiness has become another outstanding Louisiana registered agent service option for your Louisiana LLC.
Compared to other services, ZenBusiness charges a reasonable amount for their services. They also have extensive customer support that you can reach through email or phone.
We were very pleased with their service. Their signup process was easy, and the whole process took us less than 15 minutes. Also, the commands on the webpage are easy to understand and follow.
This Louisiana registered agent service is known for offering good customer service and software access. You also may check and make changes to your company's yearly reports.
Service Features:
- ZenBusiness Registered Agent ($199): The $199 yearly renewal fee is a postponed payment that must be made once the business has been officially created.
- Starter LLC Formation Package ($0 + $105 State Fee): The Starter Package will help you track your spending and deduction, and standard filing speed (2 - 3 weeks).
- Pro LLC Formation Package ($199 + $105 State Fee): A faster filling period (4 to 6 days), a guided operating agreement, and worry-free compliance solutions.
- Premium LLC Formation Package ($299 + $105 State Fee): ZenBusiness will file the LLC for you in less than 48 hours, and everything you need to open a business website.
- Affordable and straightforward bundle deals
- Professional assistance and service
- Exceptional consumer ratings
- Money return policy within 60 days
- Fewer advanced features
3 - Incfile
1000+ Reviews
IncFile provides broad services that cover all the essentials that come with LLC formation. They are a good option if you are looking for something more budget-friendly.
In our experience, this Louisiana registered agent service provided a physical office address to which all our legal papers were mailed during office hours.
IncFile also offered us timely legal alerts to help you avoid unnecessary state penalties.
With an intuitive dashboard, you can conveniently organize, manage and store all your files which we appreciated.
They are one of the cheaper LLC filing services in Louisiana, and they do still offer a decent service. Although, the turnaround times may be a bit slower.
Service Features:
- Registered Agent Service ($119): It costs you $119 to hire IncFile as your registered agent service, but they offer it for free if you start your LLC with them. After the first year, the renewal charge will be $119.
- Silver LLC Formation Service Package ($0 + $105 State Fee): Articles of Organization, unlimited name checks, and one-year registered agent service for free.
- Gold LLC Formation Service Package ($199 + $105 State Fee): This plan includes everything in the Silver Package plus an EIN Business Tax Number, an IRS Form 2553, an operating agreement, banking resolution, lifetime company notifications, and business tax counseling.
- Platinum LLC Formation Service Package ($299 + $105 State Fee): Everything that Gold Package has plus a few extras (business contract templates, free next-day filing, and business email & domain).
- An intuitive client dashboard
- Free registered agent service for the first year
- Time-efficient order processing
- No extra costs
- Restricted support access
4 - LegalZoom
Choosing LegalZoom as your Louisiana registered agent service would also be a good thing to consider.
They have a solid reputation in the business community and they caught our attention pretty quickly.
We tried them out and we were satisfied with the results.
This registered agent service provided us with an actual street address in Louisiana, forwarded our mail, and serviced us during regular business hours.
We also appreciated their step-by-step instructions and the friendly support team.
They will meet all filing deadlines to keep your LLC in compliance with the Secretary of State in Louisiana.
Service Features:
- Registered Agent Services ($299): The initial year of creating an LLC with their company incurs a fee of $249. Subsequently, the cost of renewing the registered agent service is $299. The benefits you'll receive include identity theft protection coverage of up to $1 million, unlimited cloud storage, and alerts for essential emails.
- Basic LLC Formation Package ($0 + $105 State Fee): Here, you'll get a complete name search, a customizable website, a digital welcoming packet, and articles of organization.
- Pro LLC Formation Package ($249 + $105 State Fee): You'll receive the same services as the Basic package and a comprehensive guide on business licensing. Additional features include an operating agreement, EIN, and professional advice on tax exemptions and insurance coverage.
- Premium LLC Formation Package ($299 + $105 State Fee): You'll not only benefit from the Pro package but also receive firsthand assistance from a seasoned business attorney. Furthermore, you'll get an unrestricted 30-minute session with the attorney regarding the latest legal advice during your initial 90-day subscription period, including revisions to your LLC documents.
- Diverse features on packages
- Robust brand awareness
- Huge clientele base
- Way more pricey than rival brands
- The base plan lacks a free registered agent feature
What Are the Benefits of Working with a Registered Agent Service in Louisiana?
The benefits of working with the best registered agent service in Louisiana include the following [1]:
1. Ensures Compliance
Your registered agent will help you make sure everything is taken care of and that your company always complies with Louisiana's state laws.
2. Gives You Peace of Mind
You may devote all of your time, effort, and attention to developing your company while a resident agent manages daily operations. This way, nothing will be overlooked, and you will be informed if any paperwork is delivered.
3. Maintains Privacy
Hiring a registered agent helps maintain your personal and company privacy. Louisiana Registered agents share their office addresses with the state, and all sensitive papers are mailed directly to them.
If you want an extra layer of security and protection, a Louisiana premium registered agent company is ideal. When important company documents are received, the agent will inform you as soon as possible [2].
4. Availability
Some Louisiana entrepreneurs have erratic work schedules and are unable to go to the office every other day.
As such, hiring a registered agent is a step in the right direction because they are available throughout office hours to handle all legal activities.
How Much Does a Professional Statutory Agent Service Cost in Louisiana?
A professional statutory agent service in Louisiana typically costs between $99 and $349.
Some Louisiana registered agent services charge as low as $99 a year. Still, others may charge significantly more depending on their premium services.
As a result, we advise considering this as it's a substantial expense that could increase the price of incorporating an LLC in Louisiana.
What Are the Requirements for a Louisiana Registered Agent?
The requirements for Louisiana registered agent according to Louisiana law (RS 12:1-501) include the following:
- Registered agents in Louisiana are required to have a street address there.
- Competent to receive papers and at least 18 years old.
- To receive papers in person, the individual or company must be reachable during normal office hours.
If you are unhappy with your current agent, keep in mind that you can change a registered agent in Louisiana at any time.
Our Selection Process
When ranking Louisiana registered agent services on our list, we have been using a standardized selection process aimed at prioritizing the companies that afford the highest quality service.
Working with our legal team and licensed attorneys-at-law, we managed to identify several factors essential to customer satisfaction, then used them to rank each of these services.
1. Price
We looked at the base cost of each good Registered Agent Service in Louisiana and any discounts and promotions they might offer for specific services, to help our clients get the most value possible out of their funds.
2. Expertise
We reviewed how long the registered agent services have been in business, scoring them on the quality of their business practice and their track record.
It is our goal to ensure our clients are provided with the best registered agent services possible, regardless of what you are looking for.
3. Customer support
We tested the quality and responsiveness of each Louisiana registered agent service’s customer support to credit the services that provide timely assistance in case of any questions or unexpected issues a client may need to be solved.
4. Turnaround time
The final criterion we used when ranking these basic registered agent services was their turnaround time. We did this by going through the entire ordering process and noting and sharing how long it took each company to provide the service.
Those services that managed to meet our strict criteria have been ranked higher on the list.
FAQs
What is a Louisiana Registered Agent?
A Louisiana registered agent is the person chosen by your business to receive legal paperwork. A sheriff or process server will personally deliver the lawsuit notification or service of process to your registered agent if your company is sued. Registration agents must be physically accessible and must accept signatures.
Does One Need Registered Agent Services in Louisiana?
Yes, one needs registered agent services in Louisiana for all business registrations with the Secretary of State. In the event of administrative or legal action, a person is designated as an agent to receive legal documents served on the company.
Can I Be My Own Statutory Agent for My Louisiana LLC?
Yes, you can be your statutory agent for your Louisiana LLC because any person who satisfies the state's registered agent requirements above may serve as their own registered agent on behalf of a business entity as an owner, member, officer, or director.
What is the Process of Changing Your Own Registered Agent in Louisiana?
The process of changing your own registered agent in Louisiana is simply to complete a change form and send it to the Louisiana Secretary of State with a $25 filing fee paid by check, money order, credit card, or cash. An additional $5 convenience fee is added to credit card transactions.
Do I Collaborate with an Agent Before Or After Incorporating My Louisiana Startup?
You collaborate with an agent before incorporating your Louisiana startup. If you don't hire one, the Louisiana Secretary of State will reject your application for business registration.
BEST Registered Agents in Louisiana is...
Considering all your various responsibilities as a business owner in Louisiana, choosing registered agent services may make your life much easier. That is why we suggest that you choose Northwest Registered Agent.
Northwest Registered Agent is a competent registered agent who helped our business thrive, secured our privacy and personal information, and prevented us from missing an important filing date.
As a well-rounded service, they offer local corporate guides, same-day local file scanning, complimentary document forwarding, and privacy by default.
Overall, it may be the best-registered agent service your Louisiana business needs to stay compliant.
Our #1 Recommendation
Northwest Registered Agent Service
- Best-in-industry private protection with an online account
- Excellent customer service and service of process
- Decade-long LLC forming experience
- Direct Louisiana registered agent pricing
- The base plan has free registered agent services
- Get the BEST PRICE until the end of May
- A bit pricey
