- Filing fee
- $130
- Annual Report
- $35
- First-year gov. cost
- $130
- Publication
- Not required
The steps, in order
Pick a name Louisiana will accept
Must include a designator like LLC.
Appoint a registered agent
Physical Louisiana street address required. Agent must sign a notarized affidavit of acceptance on the Initial Report.
You can serve as your own agent, but your address will be public. Compare Louisiana registered agent options.
File the Articles of Organization (Form 365) alongside an Initial Report
Submit it to the Louisiana Secretary of State, Commercial Division and pay $130. $125 state fee plus $5 statutory convenience fee for credit card online (effective Oct 1, 2026)
Processing: online 1 to 3 business days; by mail 5 to 10 days. Expedite: $35 for 24-hour turnaround, $60 for priority 2 to 4 hour service.
Write an operating agreement
Not required. If single-member uses one, must be written, multi-member can be oral. Default splits profits equally.
Get an EIN from the IRS
An Employer Identification Number is free from IRS.gov. You'll need it for a business bank account and, if you hire, for payroll.
Stay in good standing
File the Annual Report ($35), due On or before the anniversary of the organization date. Revocation after three consecutive years of failure to file. Louisiana report deadlines.
Every Louisiana LLC fee
| Filing | State fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization (Form 365) alongside an Initial Report | $130 | $125 state fee plus $5 statutory convenience fee for credit card online (effective Oct 1, 2026) |
| Annual Report | $35 | annual, On or before the anniversary of the organization date |
| Name reservation (optional) | $25 | 120 days |
| Change of registered agent | $30 | Increased from $25 in October 2026 |
| Amendment | $125 | |
| Certificate of good standing | $25 | |
| Foreign LLC (Form 972) | $185 | For LLCs formed in another state |
| Affidavit to Dissolve (Form 368) | $100 | |
| DBA / assumed name | $95 | state |
How Louisiana compares nationally
- Louisiana's filing fee of $130 is the 17th highest of 51 jurisdictions (median $104).
- Louisiana's first-year government cost of $130 is the 21st highest of 51 jurisdictions (median $125).
- Louisiana's yearly cost after that of $35 is the 24th lowest of 51 jurisdictions (median $45).
See every state side by side in our LLC cost by state table.
File it yourself or use a service?
Filing directly with the Louisiana Secretary of State, Commercial Division costs $130 and nothing else, but you'll need a registered agent with a Louisiana street address, and that address goes on the public record. A formation service files for you and acts as your agent. Here's what that adds over three years, before Louisiana's own fees:
| Route | Year one with Louisiana fee | 3-year service fees |
|---|---|---|
| File yourself, be your own agent | $130 | $0 |
| Northwest | $169 | $289 |
| Bizee Basic | $130 | $298 |
Bizee vs Northwest, compared · All LLC services ranked
State taxes to plan for
Corporate franchise tax repealed entirely for tax periods beginning Jan 1, 2026. Flat personal income tax of 3.00%. Corporate income tax reduced to flat 5.50%.
What's different about Louisiana
- Paper Articles of Organization and registered agent signature must be notarized.
- Businesses in 14 specific parishes must file all documents online via geauxBIZ.
- Corporate franchise tax repealed in 2026.
More Louisiana LLC guides
Louisiana LLC questions
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Louisiana?
The Louisiana Secretary of State, Commercial Division charges $130 to file the Articles of Organization (Form 365) alongside an Initial Report. Counting mandatory first-year items, expect about $130 in government fees (Online filing).
How long does it take to form an LLC in Louisiana?
Online: 1 to 3 business days. By mail: 5 to 10 days. Expedited: $35 for 24-hour turnaround, $60 for priority 2 to 4 hour service.
Does a Louisiana LLC have to file an annual report?
Yes. Louisiana requires the Annual Report, which costs $35, filed annual. Due: On or before the anniversary of the organization date. Revocation after three consecutive years of failure to file.
Can I be my own registered agent in Louisiana?
Yes. Physical Louisiana street address required. Agent must sign a notarized affidavit of acceptance on the Initial Report. Your agent's address becomes public record.
Does Louisiana require publishing a notice for a new LLC?
No. Louisiana has no newspaper publication requirement for LLCs, based on our latest check.
Is an operating agreement required in Louisiana?
Not required. If single-member uses one, must be written, multi-member can be oral. Default splits profits equally.
What taxes does a Louisiana LLC pay to the state?
Corporate franchise tax repealed entirely for tax periods beginning Jan 1, 2026. Flat personal income tax of 3.00%. Corporate income tax reduced to flat 5.50%.
Sources and verification
Last checked against official state sources on . States change fees with little notice, so confirm on the filing portal before you pay. How we verify.