Start an LLC in Louisiana
Start a Louisiana LLC by filing the Articles of Organization with the Louisiana Secretary of State for $100 ($105 online).
You can use our free tool to fill out the paperwork right here yourself. Or hire Northwest to do it for you and we’ll provide one year of registered agent service and a free Business Identity—all for $39.
How to Start an LLC in Louisiana
A Limited Liability Company (LLC) is a permanent public record. Starting one requires sharing personal information with the government, banks, landlords, vendors, and of course, customers. We provide a Free Business Identity to anyone who needs it—that’s a domain name, website, phone line, email address, and Brand Protection on day one. This helps protect your privacy and keep you in control of your intellectual property.
1. Name Your LLC
Choosing a name for your Louisiana LLC is more than a legal requirement—it’s how people will recognize your business. A good company name should be easy to read, memorable, and flexible enough to grow with you over time. It’s also smart to check that your preferred name is available as a domain so you can secure a matching website and build a consistent online presence from the start.
Before deciding on a final name, make sure it meets Louisiana guidelines and is available. You can check name availability using the Louisiana Secretary of State’s business entity search. Your LLC name should:
- Contain an indicator such as limited liability company, L.LC. or LLC
- Not include words that could spell confusion around your entity type, like incorporated or limited partnership
- Be unique among business names in Louisiana
Yes, you can absolutely register a DBA for a $75 fee—though the official term in Louisiana is “Trade Name”. To register a trade name, do the following:
- Choose your trade name (DBA): It doesn’t need to include LLC or other entity designators.
- Check name availability: Make sure your trade name is unique from other registrations by using the state’s online business search.
- Complete the form: File an Application to Register Trade Name by mail or online by creating an account with the state’s geauxBIZ portal and selecting File a Trade Name, Trademark, or Service Mark (be sure to select “trade name”).
- Submit your application: Follow the instructions attached to the paper application, or simply file your registration online for faster processing.
Already have a business name in mind? Search business names in Louisiana to see if it’s available. If it is, you can reserve it for 120 days by filing the Reservation of Limited Liability Company Name application and paying the $25 fee, or you can file online by following the instructions below:
- Create a geauxBIZ account: Louisiana requires a login for all online business filings.
- Select “Name Reservation”: Once logged in, access the filing by selecting “LLC Filings” under the Business Filings section, then you may access the name reservation form from there.
- Enter your desired LLC name: Make sure you include “LLC” or other appropriate version of the designation you’d like to use.
- Submit the reservation request: The fee is $25, and the name reservation is valid for 120 days—giving you plenty of time to prepare for forming your LLC.
2. Register Your Domain Name
After choosing your LLC’s name, a good next step is locking down a domain name for your business website. A professional domain should be easy to remember—and ideally, match or complement your business name. When you register your domain name early, you’re more likely to get a name that meets those standards.
You’ll need to claim a business domain name through a registrar. When you hire Northwest to form your LLC, domain registry is one of many in-house services we provide, so you also get an instant domain, plus your own customizable business website secured with SSL protection, and an email business address connected to that domain.
3. Appoint a Registered Agent
All LLCs in the state are required to appoint a Louisiana registered agent. A registered agent is an individual or a company (like Northwest) designated to receive legal and state mail on behalf of your business. This role is an important part of your business identity—the way you present your company to the world, including customers and clients.
When you hire Northwest as your registered agent, you get more than just a legal requirement covered—you gain access to a range of business services designed to help you create and maintain your professional presence, both online and off, from the moment you form your LLC. If you ever need to switch agents, you can change your registered agent in Louisiana at any time for $25 by filing the Notice of Change of Registered Office and/or Change of Registered Agent form with the Louisiana Secretary of State.
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4. File Articles of Organization
To register your Louisiana LLC, you’ll need to file your Louisiana Articles of Organization (LLC) and Initial Report with the Secretary of State and pay the $100 filing fee (plus $5 if you file online). The Articles of Organization may need amending from time to time, but never needs to be re-submitted. However the Initial Report functions as your first ever annual report, so this information will need to be re-submitted annually.
You cannot form your LLC without filing both these forms. All of the information on these forms will become part of the public record.
Because Louisiana requires both your Articles of Organization and the Initial Report to be submitted together, be sure to check out the last question of the section below for specifics on the information needed for both filings.
It costs $100 to file your formation paperwork (or $105 if filing online). If you file via paper form, you’ll also need to account for notary fees, which vary.
Generally speaking, it takes between 4-6 weeks for the Louisiana Secretary of State to process your formation paperwork. However, you can get 24 hour expedited processing for an additional $30.
Filing your formation paperwork can be tricky in Louisiana. First, you need to decide if you’re filing via paper or online.
Filing by paper requires an additional form—the Transmittal Information—and must also be notarized. Even more complicated, not every county allows for paper filing. Because of this, it’s often easier to file online via GeauxBIZ. The Secretary of State lets you use the same portal for your tax registration, Workforce Commission registration, and business registration.
If you file by paper instead, here’s where it goes:
Mail:
Louisiana Secretary of State
Commercial Division
P. O. Box 94125
Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9125
In-person:
Louisiana Secretary of State
8585 Archives Ave.
Baton Rouge, LA 70809
It’s pretty likely. Which Louisiana business licenses you need depends on the type of business and entity you choose, but most businesses in Louisiana will need to get a business license on the state, city, or county level. You can check to see what licenses you need in Louisiana’s online business portal after making an account. License cost varies a ton, so make sure to do this prior to filing your articles and initial report.
Any information put on your Louisiana articles/initial report become part of the public record. There’s no getting around that. But you can be picky about who you put on those records.
For example, when you hire Northwest as your registered agent, you can put our information on your formation documents as applicable. Likewise, if we form your company our information will go on the organizer line.
Below is a list of the information you’ll need to provide when you file both your Articles of Organization and Initial Report filings.
- Transmittal information: (Paper filing only )Indicate if payment is enclosed and whether the documents should receive standard or expedited processing. You’ll also need to provide contact information.
- Tax information: (Online filing only) You have the option to register with the state tax and employment departments.
- LLC ownership type: (Online filing only) How your business is classified for taxation by the IRS. A multi-member LLC is classified as a partnership and a single-member LLC as a sole proprietorship.
- Company name: This is your legal business name, not a DBA.
- Purpose: Most people check the box engaging in any lawful activity.
- Duration: Unless you have an end date for your LLC, you can leave this blank.
- Registered office: This is the physical address where you will receive legal documents.
- Registered agent: Name your registered agent here.
- Registered agent affidavit: A notarized affidavit is required to confirm your agent knows their duties and responsibilities. This is a part of your Articles of Organization document.
- LLC management: If your LLC is managed by its members, include their names and addresses. If your LLC is managed by managers, include their names and addresses.
- Louisiana organizer: Your organizer is the person who is actually filing your formation paperwork with the state.
- Notarization: (Paper filing only) You will need to have a notary sign your articles and initial report.
5. Create an Operating Agreement
An operating agreement is basically a user’s manual for your business. It should offer clear definitions of ownership percentage, voting rights, distribution of profits and losses, as well as rules for buying out a member.
Operating agreements are not legally required in Louisiana, but without your own, you’re subject to the default rules set by the state. Plus, you’ll likely need an operating agreement to open a business bank account.
Contact a lawyer or use our free Louisiana LLC operating agreement template.
Yes. Even when you’re the only boss, an operating agreement still comes in handy and can serve as a reference guide in an emergency. Plus, operating agreements are often needed to open a business bank account, which is key to your liability protection.
6. Get an EIN
If you’re going to make money, you’ve got to let Uncle Sam know. You can get an Employer Identification Number (EIN) by filing an application with the IRS.
From there, you can open a business bank account (crucial for your limited liability protection) and fund the business. Generally speaking, each member should make an initial contribution to pay for their membership interest.
It depends. If you have more than one member or plan to hire employees, you’re legally obligated to have an EIN. You also need one if you want to change your default tax status. But more than needing an EIN, you probably want one. An EIN is the only way to not use your own Social Security number when conducting business.
7. File your Annual Report
Though it might feel like a big hurdle, Louisiana taxes and reports are nothing to be afraid of. Here’s the breakdown:
- Taxes: LLCs in the state are taxed as pass-through entities which means the members report the profits on their personal tax filings. Instead of paying corporate taxes on the earnings, the members pay the federal self-employment tax rate of 15.3%.
- Annual reports: Once a year, you must file and submit an annual report for your LLC in Louisiana. This needs to be submitted by the LLC’s anniversary date. It costs $30 to file by mail and $35 to file online. For more, learn how to file an annual report in Louisiana.
It depends. All Louisiana LLCs are taxed by the state in the same way they are taxed by the IRS. This means if the LLC has elected to be taxed as a C-corp, it will have to pay the franchise tax. However, the default pass-through status means most LLCs do not need to pay the Louisiana Franchise Tax.
LLCs in Louisiana must file an annual report and pay a $30 annual fee every year on the anniversary of their formation. (Credit cards are charged an additional $5 convenience fee.) If you file online via GeauxBIZ, you must pay with credit card. If you file via paper form, you can pay with a check or money order.
*This is informational commentary, not advice. This information is intended strictly for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice or a substitute for legal counsel. This information is not intended to create, nor does your receipt, viewing, or use of it constitute, an attorney-client relationship. More information is available in our Terms of Service.
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