How to File a Louisiana LLC or Corporation Amendment

Do you have a Louisiana limited liability company (LLC) or corporation and think it’s time to switch things up? You’re free to make changes to your company, but you have to notify the state about certain changes to remain legally compliant. Read on to learn how to keep the state up to date about your business by filing an amendment to your Louisiana LLC’s Articles of Organization or your corporation’s Articles of Incorporation and our services that can help.

Amending a Louisiana LLC Articles of Organization

If you need to make changes to a Louisiana LLC, we’ll show you how in this section. If you need to make changes to a Louisiana corporation, keep scrolling to the section titled “Amending a Louisiana Corporation Articles of Incorporation.”

Step 1: Determine if you need to amend your Articles of Organization

In Louisiana, you need to file the Louisiana LLC with the state to formally create your LLC. Technically, until you file this form, your LLC doesn’t actually exist. In your Articles of Organization, you must include:

• Your LLC’s name
• Your LLC’s purpose (you can just say that the LLC’s purpose is to engage in lawful activity)
• A statement about whether your LLC is a low-profit LLC 

While not required, you can include additional information, such as LLC management and membership information and a dissolution date. You’ll fill in some other information, such as your registered agent, on your Initial Report instead of the Articles of Organization.

The process/form you’ll need to make changes you’re making to your LLC formation documents differ greatly. Unlike most states, the only changes you can make with an Amendment to the Articles of Organization is the NAICS code or the management structure of your LLC. This must be done online by logging into your account on the Louisiana Secretary of State website.

Here are the processes for making other changes to the information in your Articles of Organization:

• If you’re changing the name of your LLC, you can do so online with a Name Change Amendment. The filing fee as of this writing is $105.
• If you need to update your LLC’s physical address (must be a Louisiana address — no P.O. boxes) or mailing address or you need to add or remove members, you’ll need to file a Notice/Statement of Change online. The filing fee is currently $30.
• If you need to change your registered agent and/or registered office, you can do so by filing a Notice of Change of Registered Office and/or Registered Agent. The filing fee is currently $25.

Step 2: Identify and gather the information you need to amend

Louisiana LLCs use the Articles of Amendment to make changes to their formation documents. But before you start the filing process, it’s helpful to narrow down what you’re going to change and ensure you have all that information on hand. Let’s say you’re going to be changing your NAICS Code. Before you file, you’ll need to confirm what your old code was and confirm your have the correct new code.

Gathering this information and supporting documentation before you file can help streamline the paperwork process.

Why should I update my Articles of Organization?

Keeping your business compliant with state business regulations helps it maintain its entitlement to all of its legal benefits. When you file your entity as a legal LLC in Louisiana, all information included in your filing becomes public knowledge. If your information changes but you don’t update it, the public may not have accurate contact information. Any changes in your registered agent should be reported as well since they are responsible for receiving service of process and other important communications on behalf of your business.

Are there penalties if I don’t?

Keeping the information in your Articles of Organization current keeps your business legal so you can enjoy the protections and benefits of your LLC. Keeping the information in your Initial Report updated serves the same purpose. 

Without filing a Louisiana LLC amendment, you run the risk of your company becoming invisible to potential patrons and investors by falling out of good standing with the state.

In your Initial Report, you provide information about your registered agent, registered office, and location. These pieces of information help ensure that you receive important legal notices and business documents in a timely manner. If you don’t report changes to this information, you risk missing important legal and business deadlines or notices. If you need help finding a registered agent who works for your business’s needs, you can use our Louisiana registered agent service to help you find one. 

Step 3: File your Articles of Amendment with the Louisiana Secretary of State

Now it’s time to file the paperwork. Louisiana allows you to file this form online through GeauxBIZ. You’ll need to log in to your account there and follow the prompts. Be sure to have the information you gathered in Step 2 on hand. Once your paperwork is processed, your amendment will go into effect.

Amending a Louisiana Corporation Articles of Incorporation

Need to make changes to a Louisiana corporation? We’ll show you how in this section.

Step 1: Determine if you need to amend your Articles of Incorporation

In Louisiana, a corporation first comes into existence when it files the Articles of Incorporation. Technically, until this form is filed, the corporation won’t exist. This form asks for a variety of information about your business, including:

• Business name
• Purpose of business
• Duration of business
• Number of shares the corporation may issue
• Name and address of each incorporator
• Address of initial registered office and initial principal office
• Name and address of initial registered agent
• Names and address of initial directors
• Agreement to liability protection

The process/form you’ll need to make changes you’re making to your corporation’s formation documents differ greatly. Unlike most states, the only changes you can make with an Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation is the NAICS code or stock information. This must be done online by logging into your account on the Louisiana Secretary of State website.

Here are the processes for making other changes to the information in your Articles of Organization:

If you’re changing the name of your corporation, you can do so online with a Name Change Amendment. The filing fee as of this writing is $105.

If you need to update your corporation’s physical address (must be a Louisiana address — no P.O. boxes) or mailing address or you need to change directors or officers, you’ll need to file a Notice/Statement of Change online. The filing fee is currently $30.

If you need to change your registered agent and/or registered office, you can do so by filing a Change of Registered Office and/or Registered Agent. The filing fee is currently $25.

Step 2: Identify and gather the information you need to amend

Before you log in to Louisiana’s GeauxBIZ site, you’ll need to gather some information. You’ll need to include some basic information, including your company name, the amendments you’re making, the date each amendment was approved, and how each amendment was approved.

For example, if you’re going to be updating the number of shares your corporation is allowed to issue, then you’ll need to confirm the number you originally had as well as the number of shares and classes that you’re adding. That way, you can provide the right wording for the amendment.

Gathering all the information before you start the filing process will help streamline your paperwork.

Step 3: File your amendment with the Louisiana Secretary of State

Now it’s time to file your paperwork. Louisiana allows you to file online through GeauxBIZ. You’ll need to log in to your account there and follow the prompts. Be sure to have the information you gathered in Step 2 on hand. Once the form is processed, your amendment will go into effect.

Louisiana Articles of Amendment vs. Certificate of Correction

While Louisiana law requires you to file Articles of Amendment to correct any false or inaccurate information in your Articles of Organization or your Articles of Incorporation, you can correct signing or record errors in any of your business documents by filing a Certificate of Correction. You file your Certificate of Correction with the Secretary of State and you need to include:

• The title of the document you’re correcting
• Names of all parties to the corrected document
• The date your LLC or corporation filed the document you’re correcting
• The original and corrected provisions in the document
• A statement regarding how the signing of the document was defective (if applicable)

Depending on who manages your LLC, your Certificate of Correction needs to be signed by a member or a manager. Your corporation will need to have its Certificate of Correction executed by an officer of the company. You can file your Certificate of Correction by mail or in person, and the current filing fee amount is available on the Secretary of State’s website. 

Louisiana Articles of Amendment vs. Change of Registered Office or Agent

If you’re simply changing your registered agent, you’re not going to file the full Articles of Amendment. Instead, you’ll need to file the Change of Registered Office or Agent form. This particular filing is cheaper than a full amendment, but it only addresses the agent changes.

If you need to make changes to other information, you’ll need to file the full Articles of Amendment.

Rely on us to keep your Louisiana business current

Using all resources available to you is one of the best ways to run a successful and stress-free business. We offer several services to help you keep your business running smoothly. These services include our Worry-Free Compliance service and our amendment filing service. Our Worry-Free Compliance service handles up to two amendments for you per year, and our amendment filing service prepares and submits certain changes to your business information on your behalf.