How Much Does It Cost to Start an LLC in Louisiana?
The cost to start an LLC (limited liability company) online in Louisiana is $100. This fee is paid to the Louisiana Secretary of State when filing the LLC’s Articles of Organization.
We recommend Northwest ($29 + State Fees) to help form your LLC.
How Much Does an LLC Cost in Louisiana?
Louisiana LLC Online Filing Fee: $100
The main cost to start an LLC in Louisiana is the $100 fee to file your LLC's Articles of Organization online with the Louisiana Secretary of State.
For a look at LLC costs in every state, read our other Cost to Start an LLC and How to Form an LLC guides.
Cost to Form a Foreign LLC in Louisiana
If you already have an LLC that is registered in another state and you’d like to expand your business into Louisiana, you’ll need to register your LLC as a foreign LLC in Louisiana.
The cost for registering a Louisiana foreign LLC is $150. You can register a foreign LLC in Louisiana by filing an Application for Authority to Transact Business in Louisiana (Form 972).
Optional LLC Formation Costs
There are optional fees associated with LLC formation:
LLC Name Reservation
Reserve your name for up to 120 days prior to LLC formation by filing Form 398 and paying the $25 filing fee.
Trade Name
File an Assignment of Trade Name (Form 397) and pay the $75 filing fee to create a name other than your legal LLC business name.
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Louisiana LLC Annual Fees
When considering starting a Limited Liability Company (LLC) in Louisiana, it is important to understand the ongoing costs associated with maintaining an LLC.
By taking these costs into account, you can estimate the total expenses of running an LLC in Louisiana.
Here are the primary ongoing costs for a Louisiana LLC:
- Statutory Agent Fee: All Louisiana LLCs must have a registered agent to accept service of process. If you choose to hire a professional registered agent service, expect to pay about $100–$200 a year.
- Annual Report: LLCs in Louisiana are required to file an annual report each year with the Secretary of State. The fee for filing the annual report is $30.
How to Register a Louisiana LLC Yourself
Forming an LLC in Louisiana is easy. Simply follow the steps outlined on this page.
Recommended: Using an LLC formation service like Northwest ($29 + State Fees) saves time and ensures compliance. Besides the low cost, we like their streamlined approach and excellent customer service.
Louisiana LLC Cost FAQ
The cost to form an LLC in Louisiana involves several fees. The main fee is the filing fee for the Articles of Organization. As of the latest available data, the filing fee is $100. This fee applies whether you file online, by mail, by fax, or in person with the Secretary of State's office.
Keep in mind, these are just the initial costs, and there might be additional costs depending on your specific business needs, such as business licenses or permits.
In Louisiana, you can file the Articles of Organization for your LLC online, by mail, by fax, or in person. When filing, these documents, along with the appropriate filing fee, should be submitted to the Louisiana Secretary of State.
Your LLC in Louisiana must have a registered agent. The registered agent can be any individual or business entity willing to accept legal documents on behalf of your LLC. The registered agent must consent to this role by signing the form in front of a notary public.
If you want to change your registered agent in Louisiana after your LLC has been formed, the new registered agent must officially consent to this role. This is done by signing the change form in front of a notary public.
A DBA name, also known as "doing business as" name, is referred to as a trade name in Louisiana. If your LLC operates under a name different from its legal name, you'll need to register a trade name. However, if you plan to operate your business under the legal name of your LLC, a DBA is not necessary.
In Louisiana, LLCs are required to file an annual report. This report keeps the state updated about your business's contact and ownership information. The cost to file an annual report in Louisiana is $30.
According to the provided data set, there are no specific state compliance fees for LLCs in Louisiana, outside of the cost associated with filing the annual report.
Before you file your Articles of Organization, it's important to verify that your desired LLC name is available. In Louisiana, you can use the Business Filings Search to do this.
A Good Standing Certificate, also referred to as a Certificate of Good Standing in Louisiana, is a document issued by the Secretary of State. It affirms that your LLC is legally registered and has met all state requirements. This certificate can be useful when you're opening business bank accounts, applying for business loans, or conducting business transactions.
Article Sources
Louisiana geauxBIZ:
https://geauxbiz.sos.la.gov/
IRS - Employer ID Numbers:
https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/employer-id-numbers
Louisiana Secretary of State:
https://www.sos.la.gov/Pages/default.aspx
SBA - Apply for licenses and permits:
https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/launch-your-business/apply-licenses-permits
Chamber of Commerce - Louisiana Chamber of Commerce List:
https://www.officialusa.com/stateguides/chambers/Louisiana.html