LARA Business Entity Search – The Ultimate Guide for Louisiana Companies

If you’re planning to start a business in Louisiana or want to verify the status of an existing company, the LARA Business Entity Search is your essential tool. Administered through the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Commercial Division, this search system allows users to access detailed information about all registered business entities in the state. Whether you’re conducting due diligence, verifying compliance, or checking availability of a business name, this complete guide will walk you through everything you need to know.

What is LARA?

LARA stands for the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Commercial Database, more commonly referred to as the Louisiana Business Filings Search. It’s not a separate platform, but a central part of the Louisiana Secretary of State’s website, designed to support transparency and ensure easy access to business records.

Why Use the Louisiana Business Entity Search Tool?

The LARA Business Entity Search is crucial for individuals and organizations who want to:

• Verify the legitimacy of a Louisiana-based company

• Check business registration status or entity type

• Access public business documents, such as Articles of Incorporation

• Check for business name availability before forming a new LLC or corporation

• View officers, directors, and registered agents associated with a business

• Obtain filing history and certification documents

This resource is indispensable for lawyers, entrepreneurs, investors, and researchers alike.

How to Use the LARA Business Entity Search Tool

To search a business entity in Louisiana using the LARA system, follow these simple steps:

1. Visit the official website: Go to the Louisiana Secretary of State’s business search page.

2. Enter your search term: This can be the business name, charter number, or officer/agent name.

3. Filter your results: Use filters to narrow down active vs. inactive businesses, or by entity type such as LLC, Corporation, or Partnership.

4. Review entity details: Click on any result to view complete business information including status, formation date, principal address, registered agent, and filing history.

5. Download documents: If needed, you can purchase and download certified copies of filings directly from the website.

Understanding Business Entity Types in Louisiana

The LARA system categorizes businesses based on their legal structure. Here’s a breakdown of common entity types in Louisiana:

• LLC (Limited Liability Company) – Offers limited liability and flexible tax options. Most popular entity for small to medium-sized businesses.

• Corporation (Inc.) – More structured, suitable for larger businesses with shareholders and boards.

• Nonprofit Corporation – Registered for charitable, religious, or educational purposes and enjoys certain tax exemptions.

• Partnerships – Includes general partnerships (GP), limited partnerships (LP), and limited liability partnerships (LLP).

• Foreign Entities – Out-of-state businesses operating in Louisiana, registered as “foreign” entities.

Each type comes with specific filing requirements and operational regulations that are visible through the LARA interface.

Checking Business Name Availability

Before forming your business, it’s essential to check name availability to ensure your desired business name isn’t already in use or too similar to an existing one. The LARA tool lets you:

• Conduct preliminary business name searches

• View names that are already reserved or registered

• Ensure your name meets Louisiana’s naming standards (e.g., includes “LLC,” “Inc.,” etc.)

You can even reserve a business name for 120 days by filing online through the same portal.

Filing New Business Entities Through LARA

Once your desired name is available, the next step is to register your business online via the Louisiana geauxBIZ portal, which integrates with the LARA system. You’ll need to:

• Choose your business structure

• Provide principal office and mailing address

• Assign a registered agent

• Pay the applicable state filing fee (varies by entity type)

• Submit formation documents electronically

After submission, you can track the progress of your application and retrieve your official certificate once approved.

How to Access Business Documents and Certificates

Each business record on LARA includes a filing history section with documents such as:

• Articles of Incorporation/Organization

• Annual Reports

• Amendments

• Dissolution Filings

If you need certified copies, you can purchase them directly on the site for a small fee. These are often required for opening bank accounts, applying for permits, or expanding operations out of state.

Annual Report Filing with LARA

All active businesses in Louisiana are required to file annual reports to keep their registration in good standing. These reports include updates on:

• Business address

• Officers, directors, or members

• Registered agent information

The LARA system sends reminders and allows online filing, making compliance simple and efficient.

Failing to file an annual report can result in administrative dissolution or revocation of your business entity status.

Finding a Registered Agent Through LARA

Every Louisiana business must have a registered agent – a person or company designated to receive legal documents. LARA allows you to:

• View current registered agents

• Check if an agent is associated with multiple businesses

• Identify agent address and filing date

This transparency ensures you’re always able to verify who’s authorized to receive service of process on behalf of the business.

Conducting Officer/Director Searches

LARA also supports individual name searches, allowing you to find all businesses connected to a specific officer, member, director, or agent. This is helpful for:

• Legal investigations

• Credit and risk assessments

• Professional background checks

Just enter the individual’s name in the “Officer/Agent Name” field and browse associated businesses.

Searching for Dissolved or Inactive Entities

The database includes not only active businesses, but also those that are:

• Dissolved

• Revoked

• Withdrawn

This information helps in historical research, competitor analysis, and understanding business lifecycle trends in Louisiana.

Benefits of Using the LARA Business Search Tool

• Free and Instant Access

• User-friendly Interface

• Comprehensive Coverage of All Louisiana Entities

• Supports Name Availability Checks and Filings

• Real-time Data and Filing Status Updates

With LARA, everything you need to form, manage, or verify a Louisiana business is just a few clicks away.

Conclusion: Empower Your Business Journey with LARA

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, attorney, or researcher, the LARA Business Entity Search is your all-in-one portal to understand the legal and operational standing of businesses in Louisiana. From formation to dissolution, name reservation to annual compliance, this powerful tool delivers real-time, reliable data to support informed decisions.

Make sure to use it frequently to ensure your company stays compliant, competitive, and credible in the marketplace.