How to Start an LLC in Louisiana (2026)

Full transcript

0:00 The short answer

Dan To start an LLC in Louisiana, you file Articles of Organization, Form 365, together with an Initial Report, with the Louisiana Secretary of State, and pay $125.

Maya Has that always been the price?

Dan No. The fee went up from $100 on October 1, 2026.

Maya This is The Business Formation Podcast. Today, Louisiana for 2026, in six steps, with what it all costs and the three best ways to have it filed for you. Where do we begin?

0:31 Step 1: Choose a name

Dan The name needs limited liability company, or L.L.C., or L.C. And it has to be distinguishable from names already on record.

Maya Anything I can't put in it?

Dan You can't use d/b/a in the name.

Maya How do I check what's taken?

Dan The Secretary of State has a free business search. Start there.

Maya And holding a name for later?

Dan You can reserve one for 120 days. That's $25.

0:57 Step 2: Name a registered agent

Maya Who can be my registered agent in Louisiana?

Dan A Louisiana resident or a qualifying business. It needs a Louisiana street address, not just a P.O. box.

Maya Does the agent have to accept in some way?

Dan Yes. Each agent signs a notarized affidavit accepting the job.

Maya Could I be my own agent?

Dan If you're a Louisiana resident with a Louisiana street address, that fits the rule. You'd still sign the notarized affidavit.

Maya Is the agent's information private?

Dan No. The name and address are public. That's why many owners use a commercial agent. Changing agents later costs $30.

1:39 Step 3: File the Articles and the Initial Report

Maya Where do I file?

Dan On geauxBIZ, the state's online system. You submit Form 365 together with the Initial Report. It's $125.

Maya I'm Maya, by the way, here with Dan.

Dan Good to meet you, Maya. Now, the Initial Report lists the registered office, each agent, and your first members or managers.

Maya Is the Initial Report a separate filing?

Dan No. You file it together with Form 365 on geauxBIZ.

Maya Does paying by card cost extra?

Dan Yes. Paying by card adds a $5 convenience fee.

Maya Can I speed it up?

Dan Expedite is $35 for 24 hours, or $60 while you wait.

2:21 Step 4: Write an operating agreement

Maya Does the state want a copy?

Dan No. It isn't filed with the Secretary of State, and there's no state fee. Keep it with your records.

Maya Do I really need one?

Dan For a single-member LLC, Louisiana law looks for a written agreement. So put yours in writing.

Maya What goes in it?

Dan Who owns what, how profits are split, who makes decisions, and what happens if a member leaves.

2:45 Step 5: Get a free EIN

Maya What about the federal side?

Dan Apply for your EIN free with the IRS at IRS.gov, after the state files your Articles.

Maya How soon do I get the number?

Dan If the online application is approved, the IRS issues it right away.

Maya And the state tax side?

Dan On geauxBIZ, you can also register for a Louisiana tax account in the same session.

Maya What about the beneficial ownership report?

Dan You can skip it. FinCEN no longer requires it from U.S. companies.

3:17 Step 6: File the annual report

Maya What do I file after I'm formed?

Dan An annual report, every year, on or before the anniversary of your formation.

Maya What does it cost, and where do I file it?

Dan It's $35, and you can file it on geauxBIZ, the same system as the Articles.

Maya And the deadline again?

Dan On or before the anniversary of your formation, every year.

Maya What if I miss it?

Dan The LLC is no longer in good standing.

Maya And if I keep missing it?

Dan Miss three years in a row, and the Secretary of State can revoke your Articles after a 30-day notice.

3:49 What it costs

Maya Give me the do-it-yourself number.

Dan $125 to form. Then $35 a year for the annual report.

Maya And the card?

Dan A $5 convenience fee, if you pay that way. So $130.

Maya And the EIN?

Dan Free.

Maya Anything optional?

Dan A name reservation at $25, expedite at $35 or $60, and $30 if you change agents later.

4:19 The fee increase

Maya Back to the price. What exactly changed?

Dan The Articles fee went from $100 to $125 on October 1, 2026.

Maya Does that include the Initial Report?

Dan Yes. The $125 covers Form 365 together with the Initial Report.

Maya So guides quoting $100 are out of date.

Dan Right. For 2026, plan on $125.

4:46 Picking your registered agent

Maya Walk me through the agent rules once more.

Dan A Louisiana resident or a qualifying business, at a Louisiana street address.

Maya Is a P.O. box enough?

Dan Not by itself.

Maya What does the agent sign?

Dan A notarized affidavit accepting the job.

Maya And switching later?

Dan $30.

5:06 Why the annual report matters

Maya Let me press on the annual report. It's only $35.

Dan Which makes it cheap to file and easy to forget.

Maya What's the first consequence of missing it?

Dan The LLC is no longer in good standing.

Maya And after that?

Dan Three missed years in a row, and the state can revoke your Articles after a 30-day notice.

Maya So $35 on time is the easier path.

Dan By a wide margin.

5:30 First-year checklist

Maya Give me the order of operations.

Dan Search the name. Choose your registered agent. File Form 365 with the Initial Report on geauxBIZ for $125. Then get your EIN and write your operating agreement.

Maya And the calendar?

Dan The $35 annual report, on or before your anniversary date, every year.

5:53 The 3 best ways to file in Louisiana

Maya What if I'd rather have someone else file?

Dan Here are the three best ways to file in Louisiana. Number one, our pick, is Mainstay Filing, $199 a year plus the state fee. With the $125 state fee and the $5 card fee, checkout comes to $329.

Maya What does that include?

Dan Your Articles and Initial Report filed, your EIN application, and your registered agent every year. It renews at the same $199.

Maya And the annual report?

Dan Mainstay prepares and files it by your anniversary date every year. You pay only the $35 state fee.

Maya Number two?

Dan LA Registered Agent.org. It prepares and files your Articles for $199 plus the state fee, also $329 at checkout. The first year of agent service is free, then it's $99 a year.

Maya And number three?

Dan Louisiana Registered Agent.co. Same offer. $199 plus the state fee, first year of agent service free, then $99 a year.

Maya How do I choose?

Dan If you'll file your own annual report, numbers two and three cost less from year two, at $99 a year for the agent alone. The $35 state fee is the same either way.

7:20 Three years of service fees

Maya Give me the three-year view.

Dan Mainstay is $199 a year, so $597. Number two or three is $199 in year one, then $99 in each of the next two years, for $397.

Maya A $200 gap.

Dan Yes, and with Mainstay that gap pays for the annual report being filed on time each year.

7:46 Recap

Maya Can I hear it one more time?

Dan Choose a name with LLC in it, name a registered agent at a Louisiana street address, file Form 365 and the Initial Report for $125, write an operating agreement, get your free EIN, and file your $35 annual report every year.

Maya The links to all three services and every official source are in the show notes. Thanks for listening to The Business Formation Podcast, and good luck with your new Louisiana LLC.