Foreign registration · Form 326

West Virginia Corporation Foreign Registration in Louisiana

A corporation formed in West Virginia that wants to do business in Louisiana files Form 326, with $160 in state fees. Louisiana may ask for West Virginia's Certificate of Existence ($10). We file it with the Secretary of State, Commercial Division from your West Virginia records, then serve as your registered agent there for year one.

West Virginia vs Louisiana: the paperwork

	West Virginia formed here	Louisiana registering here
Document	West Virginia Certificate of Existence	Form 326, Application of Foreign Corporation for Certificate of Authority
State fee	$10	$160 at order
How it is handled	West Virginia: in about 5 to 10 business days, with 24-hour, 2-hour and 1-hour expedite options	Filed with Louisiana
Paid expedite		24-hour $35, 2 to 4 hour $60
Office	West Virginia Secretary of State, Business & Licensing Division	Louisiana Secretary of State, Commercial Division
Official page	sos.wv.gov	sos.la.gov
Yearly filing	Annual Report, $25, every two years	Annual Report, $30, every year
Due	July 1 each year	On or before the anniversary of the date authority to do business was issued
Agent	Your West Virginia agent for service of process	Our Louisiana registered agent

How West Virginia companies register with Louisiana

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

Will your West Virginia name work for Louisiana?

We search Louisiana's records for West Virginia's name on file before anything is filed.

Agents: Louisiana and West Virginia

Louisiana calls it a registered agent; West Virginia says agent for service of process. Your current agent for service of process stays for West Virginia; ours takes Louisiana's papers and notices.

Yearly filings: Louisiana and West Virginia

West Virginia wants the Annual Report every two years ($25); Louisiana wants the Annual Report every year ($30). The new registration does not replace any home-state filing.

LLC or corporation, West Virginia to Louisiana

An LLC formed in West Virginia files Form 972 with Louisiana ($190 in state fees, plus the Certificate of Existence ($10)). After that come West Virginia's Annual Report ($26) and Louisiana's Annual Report ($35). See the LLC filing.

Registering a Louisiana company in West Virginia

A corporation formed in Louisiana that registers with West Virginia files Form CF-1 with $101 in state fees. See that filing.

Common questions: West Virginia to Louisiana

Does my West Virginia company need to register in Louisiana?

Yes, once a West Virginia 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 West Virginia corporations once the form is approved.

How much does it cost to register a West Virginia corporation in Louisiana?

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

What are the yearly costs for West Virginia and Louisiana?

Our registered agent renewal ($149 a year), West Virginia's report ($25, every two years) and Louisiana's report ($30).

What if I don't register with Louisiana?

A West Virginia company cannot sue in court there until it registers.

Does Louisiana require a registered agent?

Yes: the West Virginia agent for service of process stays, and ours covers Louisiana for year one.

Can I form a new Louisiana corporation instead?

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

What does a Louisiana company file to register in West Virginia?

It files Form CF-1 with $101 in state fees.

Official sources

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