Louisiana LLC Cost

The minimum cost to form an LLC in Louisiana is $100, which covers the filing fee for submitting your Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State.

However, the total cost of forming a Louisiana LLC can vary based on your specific business needs and preferences.

In this Louisiana LLC Cost guide, we’ve detailed all the expenses associated with forming and maintaining an LLC in Louisiana.

More than 84% of our readers form their LLC through a professional service to save time and avoid mistakes.

Northwest ($29 + State Fees)

How Much Does an LLC Cost in Louisiana

Below is a summary of the main requirements and associated fees for forming an LLC in Louisiana.

	LLC Cost Summary
Requirement	Fee
Articles of Organization	$100-$150
Registered Agent	$0-$150+
LLC Name	$0-$100

Louisiana LLC Filing Fee ($100+)

To officially register your LLC in Louisiana, you’ll need to file the Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State. 

For domestic LLCs, this filing costs $100, while foreign LLCs must submit an Application for Authority, which has a filing fee of $150 instead.

Did you know?

A domestic LLC is an LLC that’s registered in Louisiana and that will be based in the state. A foreign LLC, on the other hand, is one that’s registered in the state but that’s operating from a different state (this is not recommended for most business owners as it can lead to you having to pay dual state fees).

If you choose to use a professional LLC formation service, the overall cost will be slightly higher, as it will include Louisiana’s state filing fee plus a small service fee. 

These services generally start around $29, but can be even lower or a lot more expensive depending on the provider you choose.

Note: Louisiana law requires your LLC’s Articles of Organization to be notarized in order to be submitted to the Secretary of State.

Have a look at our in-depth review of the best and most affordable LLC Formation Services in 2024. 

Louisiana Registered Agent ($0-$150+)

When forming your LLC in Louisiana, you will need to designate a registered agent to receive legal, tax, and governmental correspondence on behalf of your business; this can be either an individual or a business that’s authorized to conduct business in Louisiana. 

While you can serve as your own registered agent at no cost, many business owners prefer to hire a professional registered agent service. This helps ensure compliance with state regulations and keeps your personal information private — as the service’s address will become publicly available instead of your own. 

Professional registered agent services in Louisiana typically charge between $125 and $300 per year, depending on the provider in question. 

Keep in mind that your registered agent will need to sign the Affidavit and Acknowledgment of Acceptance section of the Articles of Organization in the presence of a notary public in order to be accepted. 

Louisiana LLC Name ($0-$100)

While the process of naming your LLC doesn’t incur a direct cost, there are two potential expenses to be aware of.

Reserving a Name

If you’ve chosen a name but aren’t ready to form your LLC immediately, you can reserve the name by submitting a Name Reservation Application and paying a $25 filing fee to the Louisiana Secretary of State.

This will reserve your desired name for 120 days.

It’s advisable to check the availability of your desired name before attempting to reserve it by using the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Business Entity Search tool.

You should also conduct a domain search in order to ensure that your name is available as a domain (this is the URL that you will use for your business website). 

Doing Business As (DBA) Name

If your LLC plans to operate under a different name from its legal entity name, you’ll need to file for a DBA name, known as a Trade Name in Louisiana. 

To do this, you will need to fill out this Assignment of Trade Name form and submit it to the Secretary of State. 

The filing fee for a DBA is $75; note that this will need to be renewed every 10 years.

Optional Louisiana LLC Formation Costs

Beyond the standard formation costs, there are several additional expenses that Louisiana LLCs may encounter based on their individual needs and circumstances.

Louisiana LLC Operating Agreement

While not legally required, it’s highly recommended that Louisiana LLCs have an operating agreement.

This is a document that outlines the roles, responsibilities, and ownership structure of the LLC’s members and/or managers, and is meant to help both prevent and resolve future disputes. 

You can draft the operating agreement yourself at no cost, or hire an attorney or online service to create one for you, which typically costs a few hundred dollars.

Expedited Louisiana LLC Filing

The Louisiana Secretary of State offers two expedited filing options:

• 24-Hour Processing: $30
• Immediate Processing: $50 (available only for in-person filings)

These expedited fees are in addition to the standard filing fees, and any payments made by credit card will additionally incur a statutory convenience fee of $5.

Local Business Licenses

Depending on your LLC’s location and activities, you may need to obtain a local business license in order to operate legitimately. 

The cost of these licenses varies widely depending on the municipality or county in question, as well as on your business’s exact activities. 

For example, in Franklinton, if your LLC operates a Bed and Breakfast, you will need to secure a local business service license, which costs $2 per sleeping room.

Certificate of Good Standing

A Louisiana Certificate of Good Standing is often required for various business purposes, such as opening a business bank account or securing a loan. 

This certificate verifies that your LLC is properly registered and authorized to conduct business in Louisiana.

You can request a Certificate of Good Standing online through the Louisiana Secretary of State’s website for $20. 

Certified copies of documents are available for a cost of $15 per document or $25 for multiple documents.

Ongoing Costs to Maintain a Louisiana LLC

In addition to the initial formation costs, there are a couple of potential ongoing expenses associated with maintaining an LLC in Louisiana.

Annual Report

All Louisiana LLCs must file an annual report with the Secretary of State to keep their business information up-to-date. 

The annual report filing fee is $30 and must be filed within 30 days of your LLC’s renewal date, which is the anniversary of its formation.

The annual report can be filed online through the GeauxBiz portal using your Charter Number and Renewal ID. Any changes to your LLC’s registered agent, officers, or members will require confirmation from the applicable appointee via email.

Registered Agent Maintenance

If you continue using a professional registered agent service, you’ll need to pay an annual fee, typically ranging from $125 to $300 depending on the provider in question.

While not required, using a professional registered agent is recommended for new business owners as it can help with both compliance and increased privacy. 

Ready to Get Started?

Have a look at our LLC Louisiana Guide (DIY Approach)

Let Northwest Registered Agent handle it for you ($29 + State Fees) 

Louisiana LLC vs Other States

Louisiana is considered a cost-effective state for forming and maintaining an LLC, with a modest $100 filing fee and a $30 annual report fee. These costs make Louisiana an attractive option for entrepreneurs seeking affordability and straightforward compliance.

Even so, you should note that the best state to form your LLC in is typically where you plan to conduct most of your business. 

This simplifies compliance with legal and tax obligations — as you only need to adhere to one state’s regulations — and can end up being significantly more affordable than registering in a foreign state.