How to Start an LLC in Louisiana (2026)

From The Business Formation Podcast · 8:19

Show by The Business Formation Podcast

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. Every step for 2026, including who can be your registered agent, the $125 filing fee that took effect October 1, 2026, the $35 annual report, and the three best ways to have it filed for you. The 3 best ways to file in Louisiana (2026) Mainstay Filing (our pick): $199/yr + state fee ($329 at checkout with Louisiana's $130 fee). Includes your Form 365 and Initial Report filed, your EIN application, your registered agent every year and your annual report filed by your anniversary. Renews at $199/yr. https://www.mainstayfiling.com/louisiana/llc/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=pod&utm_campaign=pod-llc-louisiana LA Registered Agent.org: $199 + state fee ($329 at checkout). Prepares and files your Articles of Organization, with the first year of registered agent service free, then $99/yr. https://www.laregisteredagent.org/llc/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=pod&utm_campaign=pod-llc-louisiana Louisiana Registered Agent.co: $199 + state fee ($329 at checkout). Forms your Louisiana LLC with the first year of registered agent service free, then $99/yr. https://www.louisianaregisteredagent.co/llc/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=pod&utm_campaign=pod-llc-louisiana Chapters 0:00 The short answer0:31 Step 1: Choose a name0:57 Step 2: Name a registered agent1:39 Step 3: File the Articles and the Initial Report2:21 Step 4: Write an operating agreement2:45 Step 5: Get a free EIN3:17 Step 6: File the annual report3:49 What it costs4:19 The fee increase4:46 Picking your registered agent5:06 Why the annual report matters5:30 First-year checklist5:53 The 3 best ways to file in Louisiana7:20 Three years of service fees7:46 Recap Louisiana LLC facts (checked October 7, 2026) Filing: Articles of Organization (Form 365) with the Initial Report, with the Louisiana Secretary of State on geauxBIZ or by mail: $125 since October 1, 2026 (was $100), plus a $5 convenience fee by card. Expedite $35 (24 hours) or $60 (while you wait). Name: must include "limited liability company," "L.L.C." or "L.C."; no "d/b/a." Reservation $25 for 120 days. Registered agent: a Louisiana resident or a qualifying business at a Louisiana municipal address (not a post office box only), with a notarized affidavit of acceptance. Change: $30. Operating agreement: not filed. EIN: free from the IRS at IRS.gov. Annual report: $35, due on or before the anniversary date each year. Delinquent LLCs are not in good standing; three missed years can lead to revocation after 30 days' notice. No beneficial ownership (BOI) report for U.S. companies (FinCEN). Sources Louisiana Secretary of State, fee changes effective Oct 1, 2026 (PDF): https://static.sos.la.gov/shared/fee_changes_2026.pdf Form 365, Articles of Organization and Initial Report (PDF): https://www.sos.la.gov/media/az4hakzc/365-articles-of-organization-louisiana-limited-liability-company.pdf La. R.S. 12:1306 (name): https://legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=76253 La. R.S. 12:1308 (registered agent): https://legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=76255 La. R.S. 12:1308.1 (annual report): https://legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=76256 La. R.S. 12:1308.2: https://legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=76257 IRS, Get an EIN: https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/get-an-employer-identification-number FinCEN, BOI: https://www.fincen.gov/boi Company prices from each company's own page and checkout, October 7, 2026. General information, not legal or tax advice.

More episodes of The Business Formation Podcast

More episodes

PodSearch is a free, independent podcast search engine. Read about PodSearch, the privacy policy or contact us.