Foreign registration · Form 326

Iowa Corporation Foreign Registration in Louisiana

A corporation formed in Iowa that wants to do business in Louisiana files Form 326, with $160 in state fees. Louisiana may ask for Iowa's Certificate of Existence ($5). We file it with the Secretary of State, Commercial Division from your Iowa records, then serve as your registered agent there for year one.

Iowa and Louisiana side by side

	Iowa formed here	Louisiana registering here
Document	Iowa Certificate of Existence	Form 326, Application of Foreign Corporation for Certificate of Authority
State fee	$5	$160 at order
How it is handled	Iowa: online as a printable PDF right after payment	Filed with Louisiana
Paid expedite		24-hour $35, 2 to 4 hour $60
Office	Iowa Secretary of State, Business Services	Louisiana Secretary of State, Commercial Division
Official page	sos.iowa.gov	sos.la.gov
Yearly filing	Biennial Report, $60, every two years	Annual Report, $30, every year
Due	April 1 of even-numbered years	On or before the anniversary of the date authority to do business was issued
Agent	Your Iowa registered agent	Our Louisiana registered agent

How Iowa companies register with Louisiana

We prepare and file Form 326
It names us as your Louisiana registered agent, with your Iowa name and formation date. If Louisiana wants the Iowa certificate, it is ordered first. Once Louisiana approves it, the Iowa company can do business there.

Will your Iowa name work for Louisiana?

We check your exact Iowa name against Louisiana's records before filing.

Your Louisiana agent and the Iowa one

Iowa and Louisiana both call it a registered agent. Your current registered agent stays for Iowa; ours takes Louisiana's papers and notices.

Yearly filings: Louisiana and Iowa

Iowa wants the Biennial Report every two years ($60); Louisiana wants the Annual Report every year ($30). The new registration does not replace any home-state filing.

LLC or corporation, Iowa to Louisiana

An LLC formed in Iowa files Form 972 with Louisiana ($190 in state fees, plus the Certificate of Existence ($5)). After that come Iowa's Biennial Report ($30) and Louisiana's Annual Report ($35). See the LLC filing.

Registering a Louisiana company in Iowa

A corporation formed in Louisiana that registers with Iowa files Form 635_0110A with $100 in state fees. See that filing.

Common questions: Iowa to Louisiana

Does my Iowa company need to register in Louisiana?

Yes, once an Iowa business operates there; Louisiana law lists 10 activities that do not count on their own.

Is this a certificate of authority?

Yes: Louisiana issues one to Iowa corporations once the form is approved.

How much does it cost to register an Iowa corporation in Louisiana?

$359 at checkout; Louisiana may also want Iowa's Certificate of Existence, at extra cost.

What are the yearly costs for Iowa and Louisiana?

Our registered agent renewal ($149 a year), Iowa's report ($60, every two years) and Louisiana's report ($30).

What if I don't register with Louisiana?

An Iowa company cannot sue in court there until it registers.

Does Louisiana require a registered agent?

Yes: the Iowa registered agent stays, and ours covers Louisiana for year one.

Can I form a new Louisiana corporation instead?

Yes, but Iowa keeps the original, so you run two companies: the new one files Louisiana's Annual Report ($30), and the original keeps Iowa's Biennial Report.

What does a Louisiana company file to register in Iowa?

It files Form 635_0110A with $100 in state fees.

Official sources

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