4 Best Registered Agent Services in Louisiana to Try in 2023
When selecting the best registered agent service in Louisiana, it's important to consider a provider that combines reliability, compliance expertise, and value-added services tailored to the unique business environment of the state.
Working with our certified legal team with over a decade of experience in the sector, we have tested and vetted various services based on service features, customer service, ease of use, and turnaround, to bring you the best options.
Here are the top four services that you can consider for your Louisiana LLC.
Northwest
ZenBusiness
IncfileTop 4 Registered Agent Services in Louisiana (November 2023)
1 - Northwest Registered Agent (Best Overall)
When I was setting up my business, Northwest Registered Agent ensured all requirements of the Louisiana Secretary of State were met, making the process seamless for me.
Northwest offers same-day scanning of all documents received. This ensures that you receive any without delay, which is crucial for maintaining compliance and responding to legal matters promptly.
Clients have access to an online dashboard where they can view scanned documents, track compliance deadlines, and manage their account details.
Northwest also provides registered agent services in all 50 states, which is ideal for businesses that operate in multiple states or plan to expand.
The company also assists with forming corporations, providing expert guidance throughout the process, and access to a variety of legal forms to support compliance.
Northwest Registered Agent offers transparent pricing. While slightly pricier, they ensure confidentiality and an excellent 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): 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 (Best Essentials)
When I was on a tight budget, ZenBusiness proved to be a cost-effective choice for my Louisiana LLC.
The customer support, which I reached out to a couple of times, was always prompt and helpful.
Their signup process was easy, and the whole process took me less than 15 minutes.
ZenBusiness also provides a step-by-step operating agreement to assist you in understanding how things work, while the EIN lets you keep tabs on and handle your business's tax-related tasks.
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.
For businesses looking to establish an online presence, ZenBusiness offers a website builder tool.
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): This package offers the usual filing speed, typically taking around 2 to 3 weeks to get everything prepared. For no-errors this package offers %100 guarantee and optional worry-free compliance. Afte a year you can renew it at a yearly cost of $199. Standard Package offers free month of banking and bank account, after which their price will be $5 each. All in all, this package offers great security for minimum investment.
- Pro LLC Formation Package ($199 + $105 State Fee): The upgraded option offers a speedier filing process, usually taking just 1 to 2 business days, which is great if you want to get your business up and running quickly.
- Premium LLC Formation Package ($349 + $105 State Fee): The top-tier choice takes what the Pro option offers and goes even further by including ready-to-use business document templates. This helps make tasks smoother and reduces the need for time-consuming administrative work. On top of that, you'll get a bunch of online advantages, like your own domain name, email address, and a customizable company website.
- Affordable and straightforward bundle deals
- Professional assistance and service
- Exceptional consumer ratings
- Money return policy within 60 days
- Fewer advanced features
3 - Incfile (Most Affordable)
I remember when I was starting out, IncFile was a lifesaver. They covered all the essentials for my LLC formation without breaking the bank.
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 appreciate.
This service offers additional features like an operating agreement, banking resolution, lifetime company notifications, and business tax counseling.
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, and an IRS Form 2553.
- 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 (Best Premium)
I once considered LegalZoom for my business needs. Their reputation in the business community is solid, and my interactions with them were quite positive.
Some of the benefits you'll receive from this service include identity theft protection coverage of up to $1 million, unlimited cloud storage, and alerts for essential emails.
This registered agent service provided me with an actual street address in Louisiana, forwarded my mail, and serviced me during regular business hours.
I also appreciated their step-by-step instructions and the friendly support team.
LegalZoom also offers additional features including an operating agreement, EIN, and professional advice on tax exemptions and insurance coverage.
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.
- 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.
- 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 Should I Consider When Choosing a Registered Agent in Louisiana?
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 at an affordable price.
Working with our legal team and licensed attorneys-at-law, we managed to identify several factors essential to customer satisfaction and then used them to rank each of these services.
1. Price
For any business, especially small businesses or startups, managing expenses is crucial. Choosing a registered agent service that fits within your budget helps in maintaining overall financial health.
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.
Based on our review, IncFile received a 5/5 for its affordable pricing; they offer free registered agent service if you purchase any of their formation plus and the service renews for $119/yr afterward.
However, LegalZoom received a 2/5 for its expensive pricing; they charge $299/yr for their registered agent service.
2. Customer support
A good customer support team can help you navigate complex state regulations and compliance requirements. This is especially important for businesses that are new or expanding into new jurisdictions.
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.
Following our testing, ZenBusiness had the most responsive and professional customer service. They picked up our phone calls within minutes and all our issues were addressed exhaustively.
3. Turnaround time
A registered agent with a quick turnaround time ensures that you receive these documents promptly, allowing you to respond within legal timeframes and maintain compliance.
We reviewed the turnaround for different services 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 swift turnaround of 1-3 business days like Northwest were rated 5/5.
However, we feel like LegalZoom could improve its response time and extend its service hours.
4. Service Features
It's important to assess whether the benefits provided by the service features justify the cost and if they align with your business's budget and value expectations.
We analyzed the service features of different registered agents and selected the ones that offer the right mix of tools, support, and capabilities to help your business operate efficiently, stay compliant, and grow effectively.
Northwest Registered Agent and ZenBusiness have comprehensive business formation assistance, foreign qualification services, and specialized document handling.
5. Confidentiality
Registered agents handle sensitive documents, including legal notices, government correspondence, and potentially confidential business information.
Ensuring that this information is kept confidential is vital to protect your business from potential security breaches and information leaks.
Based on this criterion, we recommend Northwest because of their Privacy by Default® features that automatically minimize the exposure of any third-party access to your personal data
6. Ease of Use
An easy-to-use registered agent service saves time and effort, allowing business owners and managers to focus on core business activities rather than spending excessive time on administrative tasks.
ZenBusiness and Northwest stood out with their easy-to-use platforms that ensure important documents, such as legal notices, compliance documents, and government correspondence, are easily accessible.
This is crucial for timely responses and maintaining compliance with state regulations.
7. Third-party Reviews
Reviews allow for comparative analysis between different registered agent services. They can help in understanding how a service stacks up against its competitors in terms of price, features, and customer satisfaction.
Northwest Registered Agent has received positive reviews across credible platforms like Trustpilot. Most customer reviews confirm their exceptional customer support and fast document processing.
8. Transition Process
The transition process to a new registered agent service is a critical phase that requires careful planning and execution. A well-managed transition minimizes risks and sets the foundation for a successful partnership with your new registered agent.
Based on our testing, Northwest and ZenBusiness excelled in this category ensuring continuity of service, maintaining compliance, understanding new systems, and managing overall costs.
How Much Do Registered Agent Service Providers Cost in Louisiana?
Registered agent service providers in Louisiana typically cost between $119 and $299. If the cost is too high, you can act as your own registered agent service for free if you're of legal age and are available to receive legal documents from the state.
Related Articles:
- How to Look Up an LLC in Louisiana
- How to End an LLC in Louisiana
- How Long Does It Take To Start an LLC in Louisiana
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.
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.
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.
Our Verdict on the Best registered Agent Services in Louisiana
Drawing from our personal experiences navigating the business landscape in Louisiana, we've realized the importance of a reliable registered agent.
That's why we personally vouch for Northwest Registered Agent.
They've been a game-changer for our business, ensuring our privacy, and never letting us miss a crucial deadline.
Their offerings, from local corporate guides to prompt document forwarding, have been invaluable.
If you're looking for a partner to keep your Louisiana business on track, Northwest might just be the perfect fit.
Our #1 Recommendation
Northwest Registered Agent (Best Overall)
- 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 November
- A bit pricey
