Louisiana raised its business filing fees on October 1, 2026, and changing an LLC’s registered agent now costs $30 with Form 983, the Change of Registered Office or Agent, according to the Secretary of State’s current fee schedule. Every Louisiana LLC must keep a registered office in the state and at least one registered agent: a Louisiana resident, a law firm authorized to practice in Louisiana, or a qualifying corporation or LLC. A new agent must sign a notarized affidavit accepting the appointment.
That notary step makes Louisiana slightly more involved than most states. Our recommendation for most owners is Mainstay Filing at $149 a year, and the full rules and steps are below.
Updated October 2026.
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Best Registered Agents in Louisiana (2026)
Our ranked picks for registered agent service in Louisiana are below, starting with Mainstay Filing. Each entry lists the yearly price and what the service covers.
| Rank | Provider | Best for | Price | What’s included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mainstay Filing | Registered agent service with a flat renewal price | $149/year (renews at $149) | Registered agent service in all 50 states; switching from another agent included (state change fee at cost) |
| 2 | LA Registered Agent.org | Louisiana registered agent service only | $99/year | $99 per year, flat; in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online |
| 3 | Louisiana Registered Agent.co | Louisiana registered agent service only | $99/year | in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online |
1. Mainstay Filing
Mainstay Filing is our top pick in Louisiana. It costs $149/year (renews at $149) and covers registered agent service in all 50 states; switching from another agent included (state change fee at cost). The price stays the same every year, with no add-on menu.
2. LA Registered Agent.org
LA Registered Agent.org is a Louisiana registered agent service at $99/year. It provides $99 per year, flat; in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online. It’s a fit if you only need a registered agent rather than full formation help.
3. Louisiana Registered Agent.co
Louisiana Registered Agent.co is a Louisiana registered agent service at $99/year. It provides in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online. It’s a fit if you only need a registered agent rather than full formation help.
Louisiana registered agent at a glance
| Item | Louisiana (October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Who can serve | A Louisiana citizen who lives in the state; a law partnership or professional law corporation authorized in Louisiana; a domestic corporation or LLC; or an authorized foreign corporation or LLC |
| Acceptance | Notarized affidavit of acknowledgment and acceptance signed by the new agent |
| Registered office | Required in Louisiana; it is the LLC’s domicile for all purposes; no P.O. box or virtual office |
| Change of Registered Office or Agent (Form 983) | $30 since October 1, 2026 (SOS fee schedule) |
| Articles of Organization (Form 365) | $125 since October 1, 2026, filed with the initial report |
| Name reservation | $25 |
| Annual report | Due on or before the anniversary date of organization |
| Online filing | geauxBIZ |
What a Louisiana registered agent does
The registered agent accepts service of process and official notices for your LLC at the registered office. In Louisiana that office carries extra weight: under La. R.S. 12:1308 it is treated as the LLC’s domicile for all purposes, so it is the address courts and the state rely on.
Your agent and registered office are listed in the Secretary of State’s commercial search. Keeping them current is how you make sure a lawsuit or state notice actually reaches you. Louisiana law also allows an LLC to name more than one registered agent, which can give the company a backup if one agent is unavailable when papers arrive.
Louisiana’s registered agent requirements
La. R.S. 12:1308 requires each LLC to continuously maintain a registered office in Louisiana and one or more registered agents. Each agent must be one of these:
- A citizen of Louisiana who resides in the state.
- A partnership or professional law corporation authorized to practice law in Louisiana.
- A domestic corporation or domestic LLC.
- A foreign corporation or foreign LLC authorized to transact business in Louisiana.
Individual agents should be at least 18. The registered office cannot be a P.O. box or a virtual office, and the agent should be physically present during normal business hours. Business entities acting as agent must also file a statement naming at least two individuals authorized to receive service of process on their behalf.
The notarized acceptance
When you change agents, Louisiana requires a notarized affidavit of acknowledgment and acceptance signed by the new agent. Plan for this step: an unsigned or un-notarized acceptance is a common reason a change is sent back.
How much does it cost to change a registered agent in Louisiana?
As of October 1, 2026, the Louisiana Secretary of State charges $30 to file Form 983, Change of Registered Office or Agent for a Louisiana LLC, under the fee increases in Act 921 of the 2026 Regular Session. The fee change schedule and the forms and fee schedule page list the new amounts.
| Louisiana LLC filing | Fee before Oct. 1, 2026 | Fee from Oct. 1, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Form 983: Change of Registered Office or Agent | $25 | $30 |
| Form 365: Articles of Organization | $100 | $125 |
The downloadable Form 983 PDF still prints the old $25 fee, so go by the fee schedule rather than the form when you pay. A name reservation (Form 398) now costs $25.
The same form also handles a change of the registered office address alone, for example when your agent moves within Louisiana. If both the agent and the address change, list both on one Form 983 rather than filing twice.
Steps to change your Louisiana registered agent
- Choose a qualifying agent, such as a Louisiana resident, a Louisiana law firm or a qualifying company.
- Complete Form 983, available on the forms and fee schedule page, or file online through geauxBIZ.
- Have the new agent sign the affidavit of acknowledgment and acceptance in front of a notary.
- Sign as a member or manager of the LLC.
- Pay the $30 fee and submit to the Commercial Division in Baton Rouge, or online.
- Confirm the change in the commercial search and notify the former agent.
Is it a good idea to be your own registered agent in Louisiana?
A Louisiana resident who owns the LLC can serve as its agent. That is common for small, single-location businesses. The trade-offs look like this:
- Cost: no service fee, but you still need a notary for any later change.
- Privacy: your address becomes the LLC’s public registered office and domicile.
- Presence: you need to be at that address during normal business hours.
- Eligibility: owners who live in Texas, Mississippi or elsewhere cannot serve as individual agents.
- Disruptions: hurricane evacuations and long absences can leave nobody at the address when papers arrive.
If any of those are a concern, a commercial agent or your Louisiana attorney is the more dependable choice.
Louisiana annual reports and next steps
Louisiana LLCs file an annual report on or before the anniversary date of organization. Online filing through geauxBIZ opens within 30 days before that date. The Secretary of State can revoke an LLC’s articles after about three consecutive years without a report, so check your status on the annual report page if you are unsure.
For more Louisiana guidance, read how to start an LLC in Louisiana and how to start a business in Louisiana, and check your name in our Louisiana business name search guide before filing.
FAQs
How much does it cost to change a registered agent in Louisiana?
Since October 1, 2026, the Louisiana Secretary of State charges $30 for Form 983, Change of Registered Office or Agent for an LLC, under Act 921 of the 2026 Regular Session. The fee was $25 before then, and the PDF form still shows the older amount.
Who can be a registered agent in Louisiana?
Under La. R.S. 12:1308, an LLC’s agent can be a Louisiana citizen who lives in the state, a law partnership or professional law corporation authorized in Louisiana, a domestic corporation or LLC, or a foreign corporation or LLC authorized to do business in Louisiana.
Does a Louisiana registered agent change need a notary?
Yes. A change of agent must include a notarized affidavit of acknowledgment and acceptance signed by the new agent. Commercial agents usually supply this as part of onboarding; if a friend or relative is taking on the role, arrange the notary before you file.
Can I be my own registered agent in Louisiana?
Yes, if you are a Louisiana resident. Your address then becomes the LLC’s registered office, which Louisiana treats as its domicile, and it is public. You need to be present there during business hours. Owners who live outside Louisiana must appoint someone else.
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Louisiana in 2026?
Since October 1, 2026, the Articles of Organization (Form 365) cost $125, up from $100, and must be filed together with an initial report. A name reservation costs $25. Filing can be done online through geauxBIZ, and the Articles must identify your registered office and registered agent.
When is the Louisiana LLC annual report due?
The annual report is due on or before the anniversary date of the LLC’s organization. Online filing through geauxBIZ is available within 30 days before that date. Several years of missed reports can lead to revocation of the LLC’s articles.
What is the best registered agent in Louisiana?
Our recommendation is Mainstay Filing at $149 per year, renewing at the same price, with the agent change handled for you. LA Registered Agent.org is an alternative at a flat $99 per year with an in-state street address and online access to scanned documents.
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