Start a Free LLC in Louisiana

How to Form a Louisiana LLC in 5 Steps

In Louisiana, you form your LLC by filing Articles of Organization (Form 365) together with an Initial Report (Form 973) with the Secretary of State. Start by picking a name that meets Louisiana's naming rules, then name a registered agent who can accept legal mail at a Louisiana street address.

Once you have both, you're ready to file your formation paperwork and pay the state fee. After the state approves your LLC, put your ownership and management rules in writing with an operating agreement.

From there, apply for an EIN to open a business bank account and hire employees. Your last step is filing an annual report each year to keep your LLC in good standing.

Swyft Filings handles the paperwork and state filings in all 50 states. Select our basic package to start an LLC in Louisiana for free. We also offer professional registered agent services, so you can avoid using your personal Louisiana address as the registered agent address in public filings. Other services include DBA filing, operating agreement creation, annual filing, and compliance reminders. Our online dashboard securely stores a copy of your paperwork and keeps it accessible at all times.

Step 1: Pick a Name for Your Louisiana LLC

Your Louisiana LLC's name goes on your Articles of Organization, your operating agreement, and every contract, invoice, and account you open under the business, so it's worth getting right before you file. Before you settle on one, check it against Louisiana's naming rules:

• Include a designator: End the name with "Limited Liability Company," "L.L.C.," or "LLC."
• Make it distinguishable: It can't be identical or phonetically similar to any name already on file with the Secretary of State.
• Avoid restricted words: Skip terms that suggest a government agency, or words like "Bank" or "Trust," unless you have separate written approval.

Still haven't picked a name? Try our free business name generator tool. Enter a few details about your business, and it suggests names and their different variations. List two or three variations you like, not just one, so you already have a backup if your first choice is taken.

Check your name against the Secretary of State's business database before you file. For the full process, read our Louisiana business entity search guide.

Step 2: Appoint a Louisiana Registered Agent

Every Louisiana LLC must continuously maintain a registered agent with a physical street address in the state. Your registered agent receives lawsuits, state notices, and other legal mail on your LLC's behalf and forwards them to you. Louisiana also requires your registered agent to sign a notarized affidavit accepting the appointment, which gets filed as part of your Initial Report.

Your registered agent's name and address become part of the public record on your Articles of Organization. That's why many owners hire a professional registered agent service to keep a home address private. Read our guide to getting a registered agent in Louisiana for more on how to choose one.

Step 3: File Your Louisiana Articles of Organization

You can file both forms online, or file them together by mail. For online filings, follow these steps:

Create Your geauxBIZ Account

1. Go to geauxbiz.sos.la.gov and click Get Started to reach the filing portal
2. Click Sign Up (or Create Account) if you don't already have a login.
3. Enter your email address and create a password. You will receive a verification link by email; verify it and then log in.

Start Your Filing

• Once logged in, you'll land on the Get Started screen where you can start new business filing. Start by selecting your business type.

• The next step is to confirm Domestic or Foreign Status

• Then select your tax types. Choose which tax accounts apply to your business (Sales Tax, Withholding Tax, Corporate Income and Franchise Tax, Other Revenue Tax, Unemployment Insurance).

• Then you will answer questions about employees and whether your business is subject to the Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) in a state other than Louisiana.

• The next step is to select your LLC Ownership Type

• Now, reserve your business name by entering the name of your LLC in the field provided. The system checks name availability in Louisiana before you apply for your FEIN with the IRS.

• You will be redirected to the next page where you will confirm business purpose and duration

• Enter the Registered Office details. This includes address, telephone number, and fax number.

• Upload Original Documents (Optional)

• Read the certification statement and type your name in the Electronic Signature field to certify that you are the organizer. You may need to enter your Title (e.g., Member, Manager, Organizer).

• Carefully review the summary of your Articles of Organization, including the LLC name, purpose, duration, management type, and your electronic signature details.

• Review the Limited Liability Company Initial Report summary, including:

  • Registered office address
  • Mailing address

  • Registered agent's full name and address

• Now a warning pop-up appears confirming that an email will be sent to your designated registered agent(s). The registered agent must complete the electronic agent acceptance process within 7 days. If the agent doesn't complete this on time or declines the assignment, you'll need to refile the application. Click OK to acknowledge and continue.

• The next step is to describe your Business Activity (NAICS Code). Enter your NAICS Code, or click the search/lookup icon to find the correct code on the NAICS website. Enter the % Contribution for this activity.

• If your business has multiple activities, click the + (Add Additional) icon to add more NAICS codes and assign each one's contribution percentage. Confirm the % Total Contribution adds up to 100%.

• Choose Expedited Review (Optional). The standard review occurs within 3 business hours by the Secretary of State's Office, with additional time possible if an agent response, SBF enrollment, or additional agency clearances are needed. You can expedite the Secretary of State's review of your filing for a $50.00 fee.

• Select a payment method. If paying by credit card, select your card, then check Save Credit Card to store it for future use.

• Click CHECKOUT AND FILE to submit your payment and complete the filing

If you are filing by mail, send your completed Louisiana Articles of Organization (Form 365) and Initial Report with the Secretary of State along with the $100 check as fees to the following address:

Louisiana Secretary of State

Commercial Division P.O. Box 94125

Baton Rouge, LA

70804-9125

Step 4: Create a Louisiana LLC Operating Agreement

Write your Louisiana operating agreement in clear, simple language, or answer a short questionnaire and let Swyft build a custom one around your ownership structure. Either way, spell out:

• Names and addresses of all members
• Who owns what percentage of the LLC
• How profits and losses get split
• Who has authority to make decisions
• What happens if a member joins or leaves
• Your LLC's dissolution procedure

Make sure every member signs it, and keep the original with your other business documents. Read our full guide to creating a Louisiana LLC operating agreement for the complete process.

Step 5: Get an EIN for Your Louisiana LLC

The IRS issues a nine-digit Employer Identification Number (EIN) to businesses that need one for federal tax purposes, including hiring employees, opening a business bank account, and filing taxes. You can apply for an EIN directly on the IRS website and get it for free in minutes. The application asks for the following things:

• Your Social Security number or ITIN
• Your business name and any DBA names
• Your mailing address
• Entity details
• Your reason for applying

If you purchase one of our paid Louisiana LLC formation packages, we prepare and submit the EIN application for you. That means you don't have to handle the IRS process yourself.

What Are the Post-Formation Requirements for a Louisiana LLC

File Your Louisiana LLC Annual Report

File an annual report with the Secretary of State every year by your LLC's formation anniversary date to stay in good standing. The report confirms your registered agent, address, and member or manager information is still current.

Apply for a Louisiana Business License

Most Louisiana businesses need a license at the state, city, or parish level. Check what applies to your business through Louisiana's online business portal, or read our guide to getting a business license in Louisiana.

Open a Business Bank Account for Your Louisiana LLC

To open a business bank account, bring your EIN confirmation letter, your filed Articles of Organization, and a valid photo ID. Most banks will also ask for your operating agreement, since Louisiana doesn't file it with the state and banks use it to confirm who has authority to open and manage the account.
Compare a few local and national banks or credit unions on monthly fees, minimum balance requirements, and free transaction limits before you settle on one-some offer discounts for newly formed LLCs. For a full walkthrough of the process, check out this guide to opening a business bank account.

How Much Does an LLC Cost in Louisiana?

Beyond your initial filing, most of your ongoing Louisiana LLC costs come from your annual report and any optional services you choose, like a registered agent or a business license.

DIY vs. Swyft Filings: Louisiana LLC Formation Differences

Starting an LLC in Louisiana yourself is possible, but it takes time, research, and follow-up. Here’s how forming a Louisiana LLC on your own compares with using Swyft Filings:

*Disclaimer: This guide provides general information about forming an LLC in Louisiana and is not a substitute for legal, tax, or financial advice.*