[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.