How to Start an LLC in Louisiana (2026)
Forming an LLC in Louisiana costs $100 to file your Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State. The process has a few Louisiana-specific quirks, but you can get through it in an afternoon if you know what to expect.
In This Article
What You'll Learn in This Guide
This guide walks you through every step to legally form a Limited Liability Company (LLC) in Louisiana — from picking a name to staying compliant year after year. We've kept it practical, current, and free of unnecessary fluff.
Note
Louisiana LLC formation costs $100 in state fees. Most founders complete the process in 1-2 business days, either DIY or through a formation service starting at $0.
Louisiana LLC: Quick Facts
Last Verified: Feb 2026- Filing Fee (Online)
- $100
- Processing Time
- 1-2 business days
- Expedited Available
- No
- Annual Report
- $30*
- State Income Tax
- Yes
- Sales Tax Rate
- 5%
- Filed With
- Louisiana Secretary of State
- Last Verified
- February 21, 2026
* Annual Report: $30, due Anniversary month of formation
What Makes Louisiana LLC Formation Different
A Louisiana LLC puts a legal wall between your personal assets and your business debts. If someone sues your company or it can't pay a vendor, your house, car, and savings stay protected. That separation only works if you treat the LLC as its own entity, which means a separate bank account, an operating agreement, and clean records.
Louisiana's filing fee is $100, which covers both the Articles of Organization and an Initial Report. One thing that catches people off guard is the state's geauxBIZ online portal, which requires you to reserve your business name and obtain a federal EIN before you can file online. Paper filings, on the other hand, must be notarized. Neither route is difficult, but knowing the order of operations saves time.
Once you file, expect about 5-7 business days for processing through the mail. After approval, you'll need to stay on top of a $30 Annual Report each year. Louisiana also had a franchise tax, but it's been repealed for tax periods beginning on or after January 1, 2026, which is a real cost savings for new businesses.
Choose a Name for Your Louisiana LLC
Your LLC name must meet Louisiana's naming rules and be distinguishable from every other business registered with the Secretary of State.
Louisiana requires every LLC name to be distinguishable from existing businesses on file with the Secretary of State. You can run a free search through the state's commercial database to see what's already taken. If you're filing online through geauxBIZ, you'll reserve your name as part of that process.
Search available names →Louisiana LLC Naming Requirements
Optional Name Reservation
- You can reserve your LLC name for 120 days
- The reservation fee is $25
- Online filers through geauxBIZ must reserve the name before filing
State Specific
Louisiana's geauxBIZ portal requires you to reserve your name before filing your Articles of Organization online. Plan to do this first.
Pro Tip
Search the Louisiana Secretary of State's business database before you get attached to a name. You can check availability for free at coraweb.sos.la.gov.
Choose a Registered Agent in Louisiana
Every Louisiana LLC needs a registered agent with a physical street address in the state to receive legal and government documents on the company's behalf.
A registered agent is the person or company that accepts legal papers, tax notices, and official government mail for your LLC. Louisiana requires your agent to have a physical street address in the state and be available during normal business hours. You'll list your registered agent on your Articles of Organization, and this information becomes part of the public record.
Your Three Options
- Be your own registered agent (free, but your address becomes public and you must be available during business hours)
- Ask a trusted friend or family member who is a Louisiana resident (free, but puts the obligation on someone else)
- Hire a professional registered agent service (typically $50-$300/year, keeps your personal address off public records)
State Specific
Your registered agent must be a Louisiana resident or a business entity authorized to transact business in Louisiana. A P.O. Box does not qualify.
File Your Articles of Organization with Louisiana
This is the official step that creates your LLC. You'll file Form 365 with the Louisiana Secretary of State, either online through geauxBIZ or by mail.
Your Articles of Organization (Form 365) officially registers your LLC with the state. The filing includes basic information about your business: its name, purpose, registered agent, management structure, and the names of organizers. Louisiana's online portal, geauxBIZ, walks you through the process step by step, but it does require you to have your name reserved and your federal EIN in hand before you start. If you prefer to file by mail, you'll need to download Form 365, fill it out, have it notarized, and send it with your $100 payment.
File Online via geauxBIZ
File by Mail
Mail your completed, notarized form and payment to: Commercial Division, P. O. Box 94125, Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9125. Once approved, you'll receive a certified copy of your filed Articles of Organization.
State Specific
Online filing through geauxBIZ requires you to reserve your name and obtain your EIN first. Paper filings must be notarized, but online filings do not require notarization.
Pro Tip
The $100 filing fee covers both your Articles of Organization and the Initial Report. You won't need to file them separately.
Recommended: ZenBusiness
Beginner-friendly LLC formation with transparent pricing and a free starter option. From $0 + state fees.
Get an EIN from the IRS
An EIN is your LLC's federal tax ID number. You need it to open a business bank account, hire employees, and file taxes.
Apply for your EIN directly on the IRS website at no cost. The online application takes about 10 minutes, and you'll receive your number immediately. Since Louisiana's geauxBIZ portal requires an EIN before you can file your Articles of Organization online, handle this step early in the process.
Apply for your EIN on IRS.gov →State Specific
If you're filing your Louisiana Articles of Organization online through geauxBIZ, you'll need your EIN before you start the filing process.
Create an Operating Agreement for Your Louisiana LLC
An operating agreement defines how your LLC is owned, managed, and run. Louisiana doesn't require one by law, but operating without one is risky.
Louisiana does not require LLCs to have an operating agreement, but skipping one is a mistake. Without it, your LLC defaults to Louisiana's LLC statutes for everything from profit splits to what happens if a member leaves. An operating agreement lets you set your own rules and shows banks, investors, and courts that your LLC operates as a legitimate, structured business.
Key Sections to Include
Pro Tip
Even single-member LLCs benefit from an operating agreement. It strengthens the legal separation between you and your business, which is the whole point of forming an LLC.
Open a Business Bank Account for Your LLC
A dedicated business bank account keeps your personal and business finances separate, which is essential to maintaining your LLC's liability protection.
Opening a separate bank account for your LLC is one of the simplest things you can do to protect yourself. It creates a clear paper trail showing that the business is its own entity. Most Louisiana banks and credit unions offer business checking accounts with low or no monthly fees for small businesses. Shop around, and don't be afraid to ask about fee waivers for new businesses.
What to Bring to the Bank
- Your filed Articles of Organization (certified copy from the Secretary of State)
- Your EIN confirmation letter from the IRS
- A valid government-issued photo ID
- Your operating agreement (some banks require this)
- An initial deposit (amount varies by bank)
Important
Mixing personal and business funds can pierce your LLC's liability protection. If a court decides you treated the LLC as a personal piggy bank, your personal assets could be on the hook for business debts.
Top 3 LLC Formation Services
We've independently reviewed the top LLC formation services in Louisiana. Here's how they compare.
| Feature | ZenBusiness Best Overall Value | Northwest Registered Agent Best Privacy | Tailor Brands Best for Branding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $0 + state fees | $39 + state fees | $0 + state fees |
| Formation Speed | 1-10 business days | Same-day filing | 2-14 business days |
| Support | Phone, Chat, Email | Lifetime Corporate Guides | Phone, Chat, Email |
| States Covered | 50 states | 50 states | 50 states |
| In Business Since | 2015 | 1998 | 2014 |
| Get Started → | Get Started → | Get Started → |
Frequently Asked Questions
What to Do Next
Once your Louisiana LLC is approved, take these steps to set your business up for success.
Get an EIN
Apply for free in about 10 minutes at IRS.gov — required before opening a bank account or hiring anyone.
Open a Business Bank Account
Keep personal and business finances separate from day one. Bring your EIN, Articles of Organization, and a government ID.
Create an Operating Agreement
Even if Louisiana does not require one, an operating agreement protects your liability shield and defines how the LLC is managed.
File Your Annual Report
Set a calendar reminder now. Missing your Annual Report deadline can result in late fees or administrative dissolution.
Ready To File?
Start your Louisiana LLC with ZenBusiness — guided filing and compliance support included.
About the Author
Legal & Compliance Analyst
Daniel grew up in the shadow of Silicon Valley but chose the legal route over engineering, working as a paralegal for a corporate law firm specializing in mergers and acquisitions. He realized that early-stage founders were constantly making catastrophic legal mistakes because they couldn't afford a $500/hour attorney, prompting his move to B2B media.
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