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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What are your phone and fax numbers? The Commercial Division's telephone number is (225) 925-4704 and our fax number is (225) 925-4726.
What is your e-mail address? The Commercial Division's e-mail address is commercial@sos.louisiana.gov
How do I get to your office? Click here for a map.
The Commercial Division is located on the first floor at 8549 United Plaza Boulevard, behind the Louisiana State Archives building on Essen Lane.
From Hammond on I-12, take the New Orleans I-10 East exit, and then take the Essen Lane exit from I-10. Turn left on Essen Lane, and then turn right at the Louisiana State Archives building.
From New Orleans on I-10, exit right on Essen Lane, and go approximately one mile and turn right at the the Louisiana State Archives building.
From downtown Baton Rouge, take I-10 East. Go left to Hammond at the I-12 split. Get in the right lane and take the Essen Lane exit. Turn right at the traffic light. Go one-half block and turn left at the Louisiana State Archives building.
Who has to sign an Affidavit to Dissolve if the shareholders / incorporators are deceased? The administrator of the estate or the heirs must sign.
Can the Secretary of State be appointed agent for service of process of a corporation? The Secretary of State cannot be appointed as agent for service of process. This office cannot recommend an agent in this matter.
Are there forms for filing an amendment? No. You must execute an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation in accordance with R. S. 12:32. The fee is $60. Please see "Filings - Other Types" in the Corporations Section.
Are there forms for appointing officers or directors? No. You should submit a letter to this office appointing the new officers or directors. They must have municipal addresses and the letter must be signed by any officer. The fee is $25.
How do I get my name off a corporation? Send a letter of resignation along with the $25 filing fee. If you are resigning as registered agent, you must also notify the corporation in writing.
Do you issue good standing certificates and certificates of existence on banks? No. You should contact the Office of Financial Institutions, Post Office Box 94095, Baton Rouge, LA 70804, telephone (225) 925-4660.
May I be billed for services rendered? No. Effective August 1, 1982 the Legislative Auditor mandated we can no longer bill for services. All fees must be paid in advance.
How do I pay for services provided by your office? You may pay with a check, money order, Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express. If a check is from out of the country, it must be a cashiers check drawn on a U.S. bank.
Are by-laws filed in your office? The Secretary of State does not file by-laws.
How can I change my mailing address? Your mailing address can be changed by sending a letter stating the change signed by anyone affiliated with the corporation.
Where can I obtain my corporate seal? You should contact a stationery store, rubber stamp company or office supply store.
Where can I obtain a federal tax identification number for my corporation? To obtain forms to apply for your federal tax identification number call the Internal Revenue Service at (800) 829-3676. The fax number is (901) 546-3916
Will my articles of incorporation be rejected if I have not obtained a federal tax identification number? No. You can put 'applied for' on application.
How long does it take to process my document? We generally are on a day-to-day basis. However, if you need your document processed immediately, you may pay the $30 expedite fee and receive 24 hour service.
Do you provide phone numbers for corporations or the agent, officers or incorporators? No. Please call directory assistance.
How can I obtain the weekly newsletter? Effective March 15, 2000 the newsletter is available on-line at http://www.sos.louisiana.gov/public/Corp_newsletter/ Newsletters are published on Tuesday's and are listed by date. for example, "20000306.txt" is the March 6, 2000 text file.
Are assumed names and DBA's filed in your office? No. Registration for companies that are not incorporated are filed with the Clerk Court's Office, Recording Department. Filing fees vary between parishes - contact the local Clerk of Court. We do maintain the State Registry for trade name filings. A form is available at the Corporations Section.
Can I register my trademark federally? Yes. Trademarks can be registered federally in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, General Information Services Division, Crystal Plaza III, Suite 2C02, Washington, DC 20231. You may contact that office at (800) 786-9199.
If I file my trade name/trademark/service mark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, should I file on a state level? You should contact an attorney for legal advice. Filings are not cross checked from state to state nor against the federal registrations.
Where are copyrights filed? Copyrights are registered at the federal level with the United States Copyright Office, The Library of Congress, Washington, DC 20559,.telephone (202) 707-3000.
Where can I obtain information on National Banks? National banks are filed with the Comptroller of the Currency, 500 North Akard Street, Dallas, Texas 75201, telephone (214) 720-0656.
Where can I obtain individual or state corporate tax information? At the Department of Revenue and Taxation, Post Office Box 201, Baton Rouge, LA 70821, telephone. (225) 219-0102.
Are insurance company's filed with your office? No. You must contact the Department of Insurance, Post Office Box 94214, Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9214, telephone (225) 342-5900.
How do I become a Sub-chapter S corporation? No special provisions are required in the articles of incorporation to have Sub-chapter S status. You should contact the Internal Revenue Service at (800) 829-1040.
Where are sole proprietorships filed? At the Clerk of Courts office in parish where entity is doing business.
What is a registered agent? A registered agent may be either an individual who is a resident of this state, a partnership or professional law corporation which is authorized to practice law in this state, or a business corporation, or foreign corporation authorized to transact business in this state, which is authorized by its articles or certificate of incorporation to act as the agent of a corporation for service of process, and which has on file with the secretary of state a certificate or amended certificate setting forth the names of at least two individuals at its address in this state, each of whom is authorized to receive any process served on it as such agent.
When is my annual report due? Annual reports for domestic business and foreign corporations, and for domestic and foreign limited liability companies and partnerships, are due on or before the anniversary date of incorporation, organization or registration. Forms are prepared by our office and mailed to each entity's mailing address thirty days prior to the anniversary date. Failure of corporations and limited liability companies to file annual reports can result in revocation by this office. If an annual report has not been received by the anniversary date, the Secretary of State's office should be contacted at (225) 925-4704 so that a form can be dispatched. The fee for filing annual reports is $25.
NOTE: Annual Report Forms and Reinstatement Forms for filing with this office are available online beginning November 8, 2004. You can obtain the form after searching the Corporations Database for the entity that you want to check. If the annual report is due or will be due within thirty (30) days, or if the entity has been revoked, there will be a link to download an Adobe PDF form. A link will not appear on the screen if an annual report is not currently due.
Do non-profit corporations have to file annual reports? Yes. A non-profit corporation must file an annual report on or before the anniversary date of the incorporation. Each corporation, except a church, shall pay a five dollar filing fee at the time of filing such report. No church shall be required to pay said fee.
Where would I find information on cities that are chartered? City charters are filed with the Secretary of State, Elections Department, 8549 United Plaza Boulevard, Baton Rouge, LA 70809, telephone (225) 922-0900.
How do I get a contractors license? You must contact the State Licensing Board for Contractors, Post Office Box 14419, Baton Rouge, LA 70898-4419, telephone (225) 765-2301.
How do I become a licensed engineer? You must contact the Louisiana Professional Engineering and Land Surveying Board in Baton Rouge, telephone (225) 925-6291. If a corporation or limited liability company uses the words "engineer" or "survey" in its name in any form, it must have a waiver from this Board prior to submitting documents for filing with this office. A trade name does not need a waiver.
How do I obtain information on franchising in Louisiana? Louisiana does not have a franchise law. If your question pertains to franchise tax, you should contact the Department of Revenue and Taxation, Post Office Box 201, Baton Rouge, LA 70821, telephone (225) 219-0102.
Does your office have a publication of corporate laws? Yes. The Corporation Law book includes Limited Liability Company, Partnership, Trademark and Trade Name Laws. Our office does not have a mailing list for this publication. The fee is $20.
Does your office answer legal questions? This office is not authorized to answer legal questions referring to corporations. It would be advisable to contact a Louisiana attorney.
Where can I obtain information on licensing and permitting? Our "The First Stop Shop for Business" was designed to answer licensing and permitting questions. They will put you in touch with the proper agencies and resources. You can reach the ''First Stop Shop for Business'' at P.O. Box 44279, Baton Rouge, LA 70804-4279, telephone (225) 342-4479.
Where are liens filed? You should check with the Clerk of Court's office in the parish of domicile.
Where are living wills filed? You should contact the Secretary of State, Publications Department, 8549 United Plaza Boulevard, Baton Rouge, LA 70809, telephone (225) 922-0309.
Where can I obtain information on minority businesses? You should contact the Department of Economic Development, Division of Minority and Women's Business Enterprise, 101 France Street, One Maritime Plaza, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802, telephone (225) 342-5373.
Where are notarial bonds filed? You should contact the Secretary of State, Commissions Department, 8549 United Plaza Boulevard, Baton Rouge, LA 70809, telephone (225) 922-0507.
How do I obtain an occupational license? You should contact the local Clerk of Court's office.
Where can I obtain information on Louisiana's requirements for becoming a real estate broker or salesperson? You should contact the Real Estate Commission, Post Office Box 14785, Baton Rouge, LA 70898, telephone (225) 925-4771 or (800) 821-4529.
Where can I obtain information on becoming a Mortgage Broker? You should contact the Office of Financial Institutions, 8660 United Plaza Boulevard Blvd., 2nd Floor, Baton Rouge, LA 70809 [mailing address is P.O. Box 94095, Baton Rouge, LA 70804], telephone 225-925-4660.
Where can I obtain the Louisiana Roster of Officials? You should contact the Secretary of State, Distribution/Mailroom, Post Office Box 94125, Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9125, telephone (225) 922-0410.
Who do I serve if the entity is not a corporation?
- Governor--Serve the Attorney General
- Secretary of State--Serve through 8549 United Plaza, Baton Rouge, LA 70809
- State Agency--Serve the head of department (R.S. 13:5107)
- Parish--Serve the President of Police Jury
- Police Jury--Serve the President or Vice President
- City or Township--Serve the Mayor
- Water District--Serve the Police Jury
- School Board--Serve the President of School Board
- Elected Officials--Serve through the Attorney General
- Foreign Corporations--(not qualified in Louisiana) Call home state of corporation or thru the Louisiana Secretary of State
- Savings & Loans--Refer to Federal Home Loan Bank (214) 541-8500
- Banks--Serve the President or Vice President of bank
- Federal Offices--Contact the U.S. Attorney Generals' office for service of process information.
- State University--Serve the President of University
- Parochial Schools--Serve the Catholic Diocese
- State of Louisiana--Serve through the Attorney General
- Public Schools--Serve the President of School Board
- Foreign Insurance Company--Serve through the Secretary of State
- Domestic Insurance Company --Call the Commissioner of Insurance at (225) 342-5900
- Regional Transit Authority --This is a Louisiana state board and commission. Service of process is made on the department head.
- A Corporation--When domicile is in one parish and agent is in another, service is through sheriff of agent's parish. If unable to serve the agent, serve through corporation's domicile address, sheriff of that parish. If agent resigned or does not accept service, person serving gets sheriff of domicile parish to try at regular address & stamp (unable to serve at diligent effort). Then can serve through Secretary of State with sheriff's verification (R.S. 13:3471, Sec. C) Civil Code 1261 Procedure.
What is the phone number for state information? (225) 342-6600
Where can I buy or sell stock certificates? Stock certificates may be obtained from the corporation itself. In order to sell a stock certificate to the public you should contact the Commissioner of Securities in New Orleans at (504) 846-6970.
Where are Notary surety bonds filed? You should contact the Secretary of State, Notary Department, 8549 United Plaza Boulevard, Baton Rouge, LA 70809, telephone (225) 922-0507.
If a hospital is not listed with the Secretary of State's office, where do I call for information? You should contact the Department of Health & Hospitals, 1201 Capitol Access Road, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802, telephone (225) 342-9500.
