Ohio

Foreign registration · Form 972

Ohio LLC Foreign Registration in Louisiana

An LLC formed in Ohio that wants to do business in Louisiana files Form 972, with $190 in state fees. Louisiana also asks for Ohio's Certificate of Good Standing ($5), no older than 90 days. We file it with the Secretary of State, Commercial Division from your Ohio records, then serve as your registered agent there for year one.

Ohio vs Louisiana: the paperwork

	Ohio formed here	Louisiana registering here
Document	Ohio Certificate of Good Standing	Form 972, Application of Foreign Limited Liability Company
State fee	$5	$190 at order (filing fee $185 plus charges collected at filing)
How it is handled	Ohio: online or by mail	Filed with Louisiana
Paid expedite		24-hour $35, 2 to 4 hour $60
Office	Ohio Secretary of State, Business Services	Louisiana Secretary of State, Commercial Division
Official page	cogs.ohiosos.gov	sos.la.gov
Age rule	Dated when issued	Accepted if dated within 90 days
Yearly filing	No annual report	Annual Report, $35, every year
Due		On or before the anniversary date of registration in Louisiana
Agent	Your Ohio statutory agent	Our Louisiana registered agent

How Ohio companies register with Louisiana

Order the Ohio certificate
The Certificate of Good Standing ($5) is ordered from Ohio separately; it is not part of our Louisiana order. Louisiana accepts it within 90 days of Ohio's issue date, so it is ordered shortly before filing.
We prepare and file Form 972
It lists us as your Louisiana registered agent, next to your Ohio name and formation date, with the certificate attached. Once Ohio's certificate is in hand, Louisiana's filing goes in. After approval, your Ohio LLC is registered with Louisiana.

Louisiana costs for Ohio companies

Item	Amount
State fees, paid at order	$190
Certificate of Good Standing, paid to Ohio	$5
Our service, with a year of Louisiana registered agent service	$199
First-year total, Ohio certificate included	$394

Louisiana's paid expedite is optional and not in the total.

Will your Ohio name work for Louisiana?

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

Your Louisiana agent and the Ohio one

Louisiana calls it a registered agent; Ohio says statutory agent. Your current statutory agent stays for Ohio; ours takes Louisiana's papers and notices.

Staying in good standing in Ohio and Louisiana

Ohio has no annual report for LLCs; Louisiana wants the Annual Report every year ($35). Both states' filings stay current side by side.

LLC or corporation, Ohio to Louisiana

A corporation formed in Ohio files Form 326 with Louisiana ($160 in state fees). See the corporation filing.

Registering a Louisiana company in Ohio

An LLC formed in Louisiana that registers with Ohio files Form 617 with $99 in state fees; no Louisiana certificate is needed. See that filing.

Common questions: Ohio to Louisiana

Does my Ohio company need to register in Louisiana?

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

How much does it cost to register an Ohio LLC in Louisiana?

$389 at checkout plus $5 to Ohio for the Certificate of Good Standing, $394 in all (checkout is $190 in state fees plus our $199).

Do I need Ohio's certificate of good standing?

Yes: Louisiana wants it ($5), no more than 90 days old at filing.

What are the yearly costs for Ohio and Louisiana?

Our registered agent renewal ($149 a year), no Ohio yearly report and Louisiana's report ($35).

What if I don't register with Louisiana?

An Ohio company cannot sue in court there until it registers, and Louisiana can add a civil penalty of up to $1,000.

Does Louisiana require a registered agent?

Yes: the Ohio statutory agent stays, and ours covers Louisiana for year one.

Can I form a new Louisiana LLC instead?

Yes, but Ohio keeps the original, so you run two companies: the new one files Louisiana's Annual Report ($40), and Ohio has no yearly report for the original.

What does a Louisiana company file to register in Ohio?

It files Form 617 with $99 in state fees.

Official sources

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