How To Search Louisiana Business Entities
- How To Search Louisiana Business Entities
- How To Find the Owner of a Business Entity in Louisiana?
- Why Conduct a Louisiana Entity Search?
- Who Holds Data for Louisiana Business Entity Search?
- What Entities Can You Register in Louisiana?
- How Do I Check If a Business Entity Name is Taken in Louisiana?
- How Do I Set Up a Business Entity in Louisiana?
- How Much Does It Cost To Start a Business In Louisiana?
- Additional Information Available on the Louisiana Secretary of the Commonwealth's Website
- FAQs About Business Entity Searches in Louisiana
Roughly 12,000 new business entities, large and small, are registered in Louisiana each year. These include corporations, LLCs, non-profits, and more. The primary source for the most correct information about Louisiana business entities is typically the Louisiana Secretary of State’s website.
Whether you are investigating the legitimacy of a Louisiana business or looking for detailed information before entering into a contract with a company, finding detailed information about a Louisiana business is reasonably straightforward.
Choose Your Search Criteria
The page usually allows you to search by entity name, charter number, trade registration number, name reservation number, officer name, or agent name.
Entity NameSearch using the full or partial name of the business.
Charter NumberEnter the unique charter number assigned to the business.
- Trade Registration Number
Search using the trade name registration number, if applicable.
Name Reservation NumberUsed to look up reserved business names prior to registration.
Officer NameSearch using the name of a listed officer of the business.
Agent NameSearch using the name of the business’s registered agent.
Review Search Results
After entering your search criteria, click the “Search” button to view a list of matching business entities. In addition to the name, the search results will display the entity type (LLC, LP, nonprofit, or other type of business), city, and status (active or inactive). When you click “Details,” more detailed information about the entity should appear.
Further Assistance
Contact the Louisiana Secretary of State's office if you need assistance when performing a business entity search.
How To Find the Owner of a Business Entity in Louisiana?
Although a quick search using a major search engine may help you glean general information about a company, its officers, and its executives, it is usually insufficient to uncover the business’s ownership structure. You'll probably have to search government records or other public databases to find detailed information about who owns a business entity in Louisiana.
Begin by accessing the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Business Filings search page. Typically, the results will reveal useful details about a registered Louisiana business and will often list the names of officers, directors, and owners. Following the outlined steps might help you find the information you seek.
Some of the other local resources that may help you identify local business owners include:
Additional Resources for Business Ownership Info
Chambers of CommerceLocal chambers of commerce often maintain public directories of members, which sometimes include ownership details.
Better Business Bureau (BBB)The BBB of Louisiana sometimes publishes business profiles, which may include information about the company’s ownership, along with customer reviews and complaints.
Other Public RecordsBusiness licenses, real estate records, and court documents involving the business entity may reveal ownership.
Why Conduct a Louisiana Entity Search?
Anyone who wants to verify a business's credibility before entering into a professional relationship will usually turn to entity searches in Louisiana.
It is not uncommon for investors to perform Louisiana business entity searches to gather additional information about a company, including its ownership structure, before making important investment decisions.
During contract negotiations and procurement processes, Louisiana entity searches may be used to help confirm a supplier’s legitimacy.
Entity searches have the potential to help identify fraudulent business practices or possible scams by verifying important registration and ownership details.
Who Holds Data for Louisiana Business Entity Search?
What Entities Can You Register in Louisiana?
Many business entity types can be registered in Louisiana, and the necessary filing documents may vary depending on the type of business.
A sole proprietorship is a business owned by one person; all income is considered personal income for tax purposes.
LLCs protect business owners' liability while allowing profits and losses to be reported on personal tax returns.
In a corporation, the business entity is separate from its owners, offering limited liability protection, and is taxed independently at the corporate level.
An S corporation is a recognized business entity that provides limited liability protection. For taxation purposes, profits and losses pass through directly to shareholders.
LPs have general partners who manage the business and non-managing limited partners with liability protection. LLPs offer liability protection to all partners, regardless of management role.
A nonprofit organization is created for public, charitable, educational, or religious purposes. Under federal and state law, nonprofits may qualify for tax-exempt status.
How Do I Check If a Business Entity Name is Taken in Louisiana?
When choosing a business entity name in Louisiana, careful consideration is recommended. You want your business name to comply with any laws and not currently be used.
It is also important to avoid any trademark or copyright infringement.
Although there is no individual list of registered business names in Louisiana, you might use multiple database searches to confirm availability, including:
How Do I Set up a Business Entity in Louisiana?
Next, you’ll usually follow these steps:
- Confirm that the business name you choose is available.
- File the appropriate documents with the Secretary of State.
- Report your company’s beneficial ownership information (BOI).
- Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS.
- Register with the Louisiana Department of Revenue.
- Register with the Louisiana Workforce Commission.
How Much Does It Cost to Start a Business in Louisiana?
To start a business in Louisiana, you usually file paperwork with the Secretary of State. The filing fees for most business structures range from $75 to $100, and for foreign entities (businesses from out of state), they range from $125 to $150.
All business entities typically file an annual report with the Secretary of State for $30 per filing. The annual report is due each year on the anniversary date of business formation.
Additional Information Available on the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Website
FAQs About Business Entity Searches in Louisiana
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions and answers regarding business entity searches in Louisiana.
- Why would I need to search for a business entity in Louisiana?
You might need to search for a business entity in Louisiana to validate its legal status as a business in the state or to confirm ownership for personal or business reasons.
- What types of entities can I search for in Louisiana?
You can search for most registered business entities in Louisiana, including sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, nonprofits, LLCs, and more.
- Where can I perform a business entity search in Louisiana?
You may perform a business entity search in Louisiana using the Secretary of State’s Business Filings search page or directly contacting the Secretary of State’s office.
- What information do I need to conduct an entity search in Louisiana?
To conduct an entity search in Louisiana, you typically need the entity’s full or partial name, the full or partial name of a company officer or agent, or the entity’s full charter number, trade registration number, or name reservation number.
- How do I find the official name of a Louisiana business?
You might find the official name of a Louisiana business using the Secretary of State’s Business Filings search page. You may search by business name, resident agent name, company officer name, charter number, trade registration number, or name reservation number.
- Can I search for foreign entities in Louisiana?
Yes. You may search for businesses registered as foreign entities, which are companies formed in another state but authorized by the Secretary of State’s office to operate in Louisiana.
- What information can I find in the Louisiana entity search?
You can usually find details such as the entity type (LLC, LP, nonprofit, or other type of business), status (active, inactive, or dissolved), registered agents and offices, filing history, annual reports, and more.
- How do I verify if a Louisiana business is in good standing?
The Louisiana Secretary of State’s Business Filings search page usually lets you check a business entity’s registration status and verify its compliance with all state requirements.
- Can I search for an entity in Louisiana by its owner’s name?
The Louisiana Secretary of State’s business search page does not generally allow searches by an owner’s name. However, you can search by agent or officer name.
- How often is the Louisiana business entity database updated?
The Louisiana Secretary of State's database is regularly updated as businesses update their information or file a new report, including its annual report, which is usually filed once a year on the anniversary date of the business formation.
- Can I obtain copies of business filings in Louisiana?
Yes, you may request and download copies of business filings, such as articles of incorporation and biennial information reports from the Louisiana Secretary of State. However, there may be fees associated with these requests.
- How do I find out who the registered agent of a Louisiana business is?
The registered agent's name and address are typically included in the business’s public filings, which can be accessed through the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Business Filings search page.
- How can I search for Louisiana businesses by their tax ID number?
The Louisiana Secretary of State’s business search page does not allow you to find a business by entering their tax ID numbers. However, other public databases may.
- What should I do if I can’t find a business entity in the Louisiana search?
Verify the spelling of the business name or search by the entity’s resident agent name, company officer’s name, charter number, trade registration number, or name reservation number if you have it. You may also need to check foreign entity filings to see if the business is registered in a different state or under a different name.
- How To Search Louisiana Business Entities
- How To Find the Owner of a Business Entity in Louisiana?
- Why Conduct a Louisiana Entity Search?
- Who Holds Data for Louisiana Business Entity Search?
- What Entities Can You Register in Louisiana?
- How Do I Check If a Business Entity Name is Taken in Louisiana?
- How Do I Set Up a Business Entity in Louisiana?
- How Much Does It Cost To Start a Business In Louisiana?
- Additional Information Available on the Louisiana Secretary of the Commonwealth's Website
- FAQs About Business Entity Searches in Louisiana