When Is a Change of Registered Agent Required in Louisiana?
A domestic or foreign business entity must file a notice or statement of change with the Louisiana Secretary of State whenever it needs to replace its registered agent, update the registered agent’s address, or change its registered office location. Under the Louisiana Business Corporation Act (La. R.S. 12:1-502), a business corporation may change its registered office, the identity of its registered agent, or the agent’s address by delivering a statement of change to the Secretary of State. Parallel provisions govern LLCs under La. R.S. 12:1308, nonprofit corporations under La. R.S. 12:236, foreign business corporations under La. R.S. 12:308, and foreign LLCs under La. R.S. 12:1350. Because Louisiana law requires every domestic and foreign entity to continuously maintain a registered office and at least one registered agent in the state, any lapse in that requirement can trigger administrative termination for domestic business corporations or revocation of articles for nonprofits.
Louisiana’s registered agent landscape is more complex than in many states. Different entity types file different forms, and the underlying statutes vary depending on whether the entity is a business corporation organized under the Business Corporation Act, a nonprofit organized under the older Nonprofit Corporation Law, or an LLC organized under the Louisiana Limited Liability Company Law. Despite these differences, the filing fee, the core requirements, and the general process are substantially the same across entity types. A change filing is triggered by any of the following circumstances:
- The current registered agent resigns by delivering written notice to both the entity and the Secretary of State.
- The current registered agent moves out of Louisiana or ceases to reside in the state.
- The registered agent’s physical street address changes because of an office relocation.
- The registered agent is no longer available at the registered office to accept service of process.
- The entity voluntarily decides to appoint a different individual or organization as its registered agent.
- The agent notifies the entity that it no longer consents to serve.
Whether the change is voluntary or prompted by the agent’s departure, the same filing obligations apply.
Grounds for Changing Your Registered Agent in Louisiana
The most frequent reasons for filing a change of registered agent or registered office in Louisiana fall into well-defined categories. The table below matches each ground with the filing it triggers, referencing the appropriate form by entity type.
| Ground | Filing Required |
| Registered agent resigns | Entity files the applicable change form — Form #502 (business corporation), Form #354 (nonprofit), Form #983 (LLC), or Form #346 (foreign corporation/LLC) — to appoint a replacement |
| Registered agent relocates outside Louisiana | Entity files the applicable change form to designate a new agent |
| Registered agent’s physical address changes | Agent may file a statement of change under the applicable statute, or entity files the change form |
| Entity voluntarily selects a new registered agent or commercial service | Entity files the applicable change form |
| Registered agent unavailable at registered office during business hours | Entity files the applicable change form to appoint a new agent |
| Agent no longer consents to serve | Entity files the applicable change form to designate a replacement |
| Entity relocates its registered office to a different address | Entity files the applicable change form to update the registered office |
The entity’s registered agent name and registered office address are part of the permanent public record maintained by the Secretary of State. Outdated or inaccurate agent data must be corrected promptly. For nonprofit corporations under the older law, the notice of change should be filed within 30 days after the change occurs.
Louisiana Registered Agent Change Requirements
Before filing a change of registered agent, the entity must confirm that the proposed new agent satisfies Louisiana’s eligibility, address, and consent standards.
Eligibility of the new registered agent:
- Option A – Individual: An individual who is a citizen and resident of Louisiana. For business corporations under La. R.S. 12:1-501, the individual must reside in the state. For LLCs under La. R.S. 12:1308, the agent must be a citizen of the state who resides in Louisiana.
- Option B – Organization: A domestic or foreign corporation or LLC authorized to transact business in Louisiana, which is authorized by its organizational documents to act as an agent for service of process, and which has on file with the Secretary of State a certificate listing at least two individuals at its Louisiana address authorized to receive process. A partnership authorized to practice law in Louisiana also qualifies.
The filing entity itself does not serve as its own registered agent in Louisiana.
Registered office address:
The registered office must be a physical street address in Louisiana — not a post office box. The Secretary of State’s document compliance instructions require “municipal street addresses, not post office box numbers.” For individual agents and corporate agents alike, the agent’s business address must be identical to the entity’s registered office address, unless the agent is an attorney or law partnership.
Consent of the new registered agent:
Louisiana imposes a distinctive consent requirement: the new registered agent must sign a notarized affidavit of acknowledgment and acceptance. This requirement applies across all entity types. Under La. R.S. 12:1-502(A)(5), the new agent’s “signed written consent to the appointment, either on the statement or attached to it” must accompany the filing for business corporations. For LLCs, La. R.S. 12:1308(C)(1) requires “a notarized affidavit of acknowledgment and acceptance signed by the new registered agent.” Each of the Secretary of State’s change forms includes a dedicated section for this notarized acceptance.
Note: Louisiana is one of the few states that requires notarization of the registered agent’s acceptance. The notary must print or type their name and notary or bar roll number on the document.
Execution:
The statement of change must be signed by a person authorized to act on behalf of the entity. For business corporations, that is the chairman of the board, the president, or another officer. For LLCs, a manager signs if management is vested in managers, or a member signs if management is reserved to the members. For nonprofit corporations, the president, vice president, or secretary signs.
How to File a Statement of Change of Registered Office/Agent
Louisiana uses different forms depending on the entity type. Each form covers both a change of registered office and a change of registered agent, and each carries a $25 filing fee. The table below identifies the correct form for each entity type.
| Entity Type | Form | Governing Statute |
| Domestic business corporation | Form #502 – Statement of Change of Registered Office, Principal Office, and/or Change of Registered Agent | La. R.S. 12:1-502(A) |
| Domestic nonprofit corporation | Form #354 – Notice of Change of Registered Office and/or Change of Registered Agent | La. R.S. 12:236 |
| Domestic LLC (including L3C) | Form #983 – Notice of Change of Registered Office and/or Change of Registered Agent | La. R.S. 12:1308(C) |
| Foreign corporation | Form #346 – Statement of Change of Registered Office, Registered Agent and/or Principal Business Establishment | La. R.S. 12:308(B) |
| Foreign LLC | Form #346 – Statement of Change of Registered Office, Registered Agent and/or Principal Business Establishment | La. R.S. 12:1350(B) |
Regardless of the form, the required information follows the same pattern:
- Entity name — the exact legal name on record with the Secretary of State.
- Current registered office address — the address currently on file.
- New registered office address — if the office location is changing.
- Current registered agent name and address — the agent currently on record.
- New registered agent name and address — if the agent is changing.
- Notarized agent acceptance — the new registered agent’s signature, sworn before a Louisiana notary public, acknowledging and accepting the appointment.
- Authorized signature — the entity representative’s signature (and, for nonprofit corporations and foreign entities, execution before a notary public).
The forms accommodate changing only the agent, only the registered office address, only the principal office address, or any combination in a single filing.
Note: For domestic nonprofit corporations, a duplicate original or certified copy should also be filed with the clerk of court (or the recorder of mortgages in Orleans Parish) of the parish where the registered office is located. If the registered office moves from one parish to another, the filing should be made in both parishes.
Filing Method: Online vs. Mail
The statement of change may be filed online through the geauxBIZ portal, by mail, by fax, or in person at the Secretary of State’s Commercial Division office in Baton Rouge.
| Method | Details |
| Online | File through the geauxBIZ portal. The portal supports amendments and annual report filings for all entity types. Entities in certain designated parishes are required to file online. |
| Send the completed form with the filing fee to Louisiana Secretary of State, Commercial Division, P.O. Box 94125, Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9125. Make checks payable to the Secretary of State. Do not send cash. | |
| Fax | Fax the original document (including notarized signatures) to (225) 932-5314 with a cover sheet containing the contact person’s name, phone number, and mailing address. |
| In person | Deliver to 8585 Archives Avenue, Baton Rouge, LA 70809. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Walk-in filings may be processed while the customer waits for a $50 priority expedite fee, or within 24 hours for a $30 expedite fee. |
The Secretary of State accepts payment by check (personal or business), money order, cash (in person only), or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express). Credit card payments are subject to an additional statutory convenience fee of $5. For questions about filing, contact the Commercial Division at (225) 925-4704.
Registered Agent Change Filing Fees by Entity Type
The filing fee for a change of registered agent, registered office, or both is $25 for every entity type recognized by the Secretary of State, as set by the Louisiana Secretary of State fee schedule.
| Entity Type | Form | Filing Fee |
| Domestic business corporation | #502 | $25 |
| Domestic nonprofit corporation | #354 | $25 |
| Domestic LLC (including L3C) | #983 | $25 |
| Domestic partnership (registered LLP) | — | $25 |
| Foreign corporation | #346 | $25 |
| Foreign LLC | #346 | $25 |
| Foreign partnership | — | $25 |
The fee applies regardless of whether the filing changes the agent, the address, or both. Expedited processing adds $30 for 24-hour service or $50 for priority processing (2–4 hours). These expedite fees are in addition to the standard $25 filing fee. Credit card transactions incur a $5 statutory convenience fee. There is no filing fee for a registered agent resignation filing, which is submitted as a written notice.
Effective Date of a Registered Agent Change in Louisiana
A statement of change filed with the Louisiana Secretary of State generally takes effect when the Secretary of State accepts the document for filing.
Immediate effect: For business corporations, La. R.S. 12:1-502 does not specify a delayed effective date mechanism — the change becomes effective upon filing. For LLCs, La. R.S. 12:1308(C)(3) provides explicitly that “a change of a registered office or registered agent or address of the registered agent for a limited liability company under this Subsection shall be effective when the secretary of state accepts the statement for record.” For foreign corporations and foreign LLCs, the change similarly becomes effective upon filing with the Secretary of State.
Louisiana does not provide a delayed effective date option for statements of change of registered agent in the same way some states allow documents to specify a future effective date up to 90 days out. The change takes effect upon acceptance by the Secretary of State, and the entity’s public record is updated accordingly.
Changing the Registered Agent Address Without Changing the Agent
When a registered agent changes its own street address but continues to serve as agent, Louisiana law permits the agent to file the update directly with the Secretary of State rather than requiring each represented entity to submit a separate change form. For business corporations, La. R.S. 12:1-502(B) and (C) authorize the agent to deliver a single statement of change covering multiple corporations. For domestic LLCs, La. R.S. 12:1308(D) provides a parallel mechanism allowing the agent to file a statement of change of address.
The table below compares the entity-initiated change filing with the agent-initiated address update.
| Feature | Entity-Initiated Change Form | Agent-Initiated Address Statement |
| Filed by | The entity’s authorized officer, manager, or member | The registered agent |
| Purpose | Change the registered agent, the registered office, or both | Update the agent’s street address on the Secretary of State’s records |
| Can appoint a new agent | Yes | No — the same agent must continue to serve |
| Covers multiple entities | One entity per filing | Yes — La. R.S. 12:1-502(C) permits a single statement covering all represented corporations |
| Prior written notice to entity required | No | Yes — the agent must certify that it has notified all affected entities of the address change |
| Signed by | Entity’s authorized representative | The registered agent |
For the agent-initiated filing covering business corporations, the statement must include the agent’s name, the name of each corporation affected, the current and new street addresses, and a certification that the agent has notified all listed corporations. La. R.S. 12:1-502(C) expressly allows the agent to “satisfy the requirements of Subsection B of this Section for multiple corporations through the delivery of a single statement of change.” For LLCs, La. R.S. 12:1308(D) allows the agent to include a change of the registered office address in the same statement, provided the agent has notified the LLC in writing, and the statement recites that fact. The filing fee for agent-initiated filings is $25.
What Happens After the Change Is Filed
Once the Secretary of State accepts the statement or notice of change, several consequences follow:
- The entity’s registered agent name, registered office address, and (where applicable) principal office address are updated in the Secretary of State’s commercial database.
- Evidence of filing is mailed to the person identified on the transmittal information sheet at the address provided.
- The new agent’s name and address become part of the entity’s public filing history and are searchable through the Secretary of State’s commercial records search.
- The former agent’s authority to accept service of process on behalf of the entity terminates.
- The new agent assumes the obligation to forward all service of process, notices, and demands to the entity.
- For nonprofit corporations governed by La. R.S. 12:236, the entity should also file a duplicate original or certified copy with the clerk of court of the parish where the registered office is located.
Changing a Registered Agent for a Foreign Entity Registered in Louisiana
A foreign corporation or foreign LLC authorized to transact business in Louisiana is subject to the same registered agent and registered office requirements as a domestic entity. Foreign corporations must comply with La. R.S. 12:308, and foreign LLCs must comply with La. R.S. 12:1350. Both statutes require the entity to continuously maintain at least one registered agent and a registered office in the state.
A foreign entity changes its registered agent by filing Form #346 – Statement of Change with the Secretary of State. The filing fee is $25. The same eligibility requirements, notarized consent provisions, and physical street address rules apply. The form must be executed before a notary public by the president or a vice president (for corporations) or by a manager or member (for LLCs). The new registered agent must execute a separate notarized Agent’s Acceptance and Acknowledgment of Appointment on the form.
If a foreign corporation or LLC fails to maintain a registered agent and the registered office is vacated for more than 30 days without a new designation, the office of the Secretary of State may be treated as the entity’s registered office by any person other than the entity itself. Resignation of a foreign entity’s registered agent is effective 30 days after receipt of the notice by the Secretary of State, and the entity must appoint a successor within that 30-day window.
Frequently Asked Questions About Changing a Registered Agent in Louisiana
How long does it take to change a registered agent in Louisiana?
The Secretary of State does not publish a guaranteed standard processing time. Routine filings are processed in the order received. Expedited processing is available for an additional $30 (24-hour turnaround) or $50 (priority, 2–4 hour processing). Online filings through geauxBIZ are generally processed more quickly than paper submissions. For questions about current turnaround times, contact the Commercial Division at (225) 925-4704.
Do I need to notify my current registered agent before changing?
Louisiana law does not require the entity to notify the outgoing registered agent before filing the change form. The change takes effect when the Secretary of State accepts the document. Many entities choose to notify the outgoing agent as a courtesy, particularly when legal documents or service of process may be in transit. If the outgoing agent wishes to end the relationship independently, the agent may file a written resignation notice with the Secretary of State.
Can I change my registered office address without changing the registered agent?
Yes. Each of the change forms permits the entity to update only the registered office address while keeping the same registered agent. For business corporations, Form #502 allows updating the registered office, the principal office, or the agent — individually or in any combination. When the same agent continues to serve, the agent may also file the address update directly under La. R.S. 12:1-502(B). The same $25 filing fee applies regardless of which changes are made.
What is the agent-initiated address change form and when is it used?
When a registered agent changes its own street address but continues to serve, the agent may file a statement of change directly with the Secretary of State under La. R.S. 12:1-502(B) for business corporations, or under La. R.S. 12:1308(D) for LLCs. The agent must certify that it has notified all affected entities of the new address. For business corporations, a single statement may cover all represented corporations under La. R.S. 12:1-502(C). This mechanism cannot appoint a different agent — it only updates the current agent’s address.
Is there a penalty for not filing a change of registered agent?
Louisiana requires continuous maintenance of a registered agent and registered office. For domestic business corporations, La. R.S. 12:1-1442 authorizes the Secretary of State to terminate the corporation’s existence if it fails to maintain a registered office and agent for 90 consecutive days. The Secretary of State must give at least 30 days’ written notice before termination, during which the corporation may cure the deficiency. For domestic nonprofit corporations, La. R.S. 12:262.1 provides that the Secretary of State shall revoke the articles of incorporation if the corporation fails to maintain a registered office and agent for 180 consecutive days. For LLCs, if no new office is designated within 30 days after the registered office is vacated, the Secretary of State’s office may be treated as the entity’s registered office. Practical consequences across all entity types include loss of good standing, inability to contract with the state, and risk of service of process being made through substitute methods.
Can I change my registered agent and the registered office address in the same filing?
Yes. Every change form issued by the Secretary of State accommodates changes to the registered agent, the registered office, the principal office, or any combination in a single filing. Only one $25 filing fee applies regardless of how many fields are updated.
What happens if my registered agent resigns?
A registered agent may resign by delivering written notice to both the entity and the Secretary of State. For business corporations, La. R.S. 12:1-503 provides that the agency appointment terminates on the 31st day after the statement of resignation is filed. After filing, the Secretary of State mails one copy to the registered office and another to the corporation at its principal office. For LLCs, La. R.S. 12:1308(E) provides that the resignation is effective upon written notice to the LLC and the Secretary of State. In both cases, the entity must appoint a successor agent within 30 days. There is no filing fee for a registered agent resignation.
Does the new registered agent need to sign the change form?
Yes — and in Louisiana, the new agent’s signature must be notarized. Each change form includes a dedicated section titled “Agent Affidavit and Acknowledgment of Acceptance” (or similar language depending on the form). The new registered agent must sign this section before a Louisiana notary public, who must print or type their name and notary or bar roll number on the document. This notarized acceptance is a distinctive requirement of Louisiana law that does not exist in most other states.
Can I use a P.O. Box for the new registered office address?
No. The registered office must be a physical street address in Louisiana. The Secretary of State’s filing compliance instructions require “municipal street addresses, not post office box numbers.” The agent’s business address must also be identical to the entity’s registered office address, unless the agent is an individual attorney or a law partnership authorized to practice in Louisiana.
Is the filing fee the same whether I file online or by mail?
Yes. The filing fee for a change of registered agent is $25 regardless of whether the form is submitted online through geauxBIZ, by mail, by fax, or in person. Credit card payments are subject to an additional statutory convenience fee of $5, as noted on the fee schedule. Expedited processing adds $30 for 24-hour service or $50 for priority processing, but these are optional surcharges — not mandatory additions to the base filing fee.