Common pain points include confusing state-specific forms, figuring out registered agent rules, and deciding whether to file yourself or hire help. This guide walks through formation steps, actual costs, ongoing compliance, and how to pick the right formation partner, including options built for founders working remotely.
Key Takeaways
- Articles of Organization (Form #365) cost $100, or $105 when paid by card
- File the Initial Report (Form #973) with the Articles, or the state rejects the filing
- Every Louisiana LLC needs a registered agent with a physical Louisiana street address
- Pass-through LLCs pay no franchise tax in Louisiana
- Non-US founders can use VJM Global to coordinate US filings remotely
What Is Required to Form an LLC in Louisiana
Louisiana's formation packet has a few non-negotiable pieces. Miss one, and the Secretary of State's office sends the whole thing back.
Business name. Your LLC name must be distinguishable from existing entities and include a proper designator, such as "LLC," "L.L.C.," or "L.C." Check availability first through Louisiana's CORAWEB business search before you draft anything.
Registered agent. Louisiana law requires a registered agent with a genuine Louisiana street address. A P.O. box won't cut it. The agent must be a Louisiana resident, or an eligible corporation, LLC, or professional entity authorised to do business in the state.
Core filing documents:
- Articles of Organization (Form #365)
- Initial Report (Form #973) — required alongside the Articles, not optional
- Registered agent acceptance/affidavit, notarised
EIN from the IRS. You'll need this for tax purposes and for opening a US bank account. IRS online EIN filing is restricted to applicants with a US or territorial legal residence or principal place of business. Founders based in India or elsewhere will need to apply by phone, fax, or mail instead.
Operating agreement. Louisiana doesn't legally require one, but it's strongly recommended, especially for multi-member LLCs or founders managing the business from outside the US. It spells out ownership splits, decision-making authority, and what happens if a member exits.
Step-by-Step: How to Form Your Louisiana LLC
Follow these steps in order:
Search and reserve your name. Check name availability on CORAWEB first. To lock the name before filing, submit Form #398 for a $25 reservation fee (confirm the current reservation period with the Secretary of State).
Appoint a registered agent. Decide whether you'll use a professional registered agent service or, if eligible, act as your own agent. Founders outside Louisiana almost always need a professional service, since the address must be a physical Louisiana location.
File Articles of Organization and Initial Report. Submit both Form #365 and Form #973 together, either through geauxBIZ online or by mail. This is where most DIY filers get tripped up, since the Articles alone won't be accepted.
Get your EIN from the IRS. It's free and takes about 15 minutes online if you're US-based. International applicants should plan for the phone or mail route instead, which can add weeks to the timeline.
Draft an operating agreement and open a bank account. After approval and your EIN, put an operating agreement in place for internal governance, then open a business bank account in the LLC's name.
How Long Does It Take to Get an LLC Approved in Louisiana
Louisiana's Secretary of State does not publish a standard turnaround time on its current filing page, so treat any "3-5 business days" claim with caution. The state does clearly list expedited options:
- 24-hour processing: additional $30
- Priority/while-waiting service: additional $50
Mailed filings take longer once you factor in postal handling on both ends. Online filing through geauxBIZ usually moves faster because there is no mail transit.
One thing many founders overlook: hiring a formation service adds its own internal processing time on top of the state's timeline. If a provider quotes "5-7 business days," that window often includes their review before they submit the filing.
Cost to Start and Maintain a Louisiana LLC
Budgeting for a Louisiana LLC breaks into three buckets: state filing fees, optional surcharges, and support costs.
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Articles of Organization (Form #365) | $100 ($105 if paid by card) |
| Name reservation (optional) | $25 |
| Annual report | $30 ($35 if paid by card) |
| 24-hour expedite | +$30 |
| Priority expedite | +$50 |
Base state cost to form: $100. Ongoing state maintenance is $30 per year for the annual report ($35 by card), before optional services.
No franchise tax. Louisiana's corporation franchise tax was repealed for periods beginning January 1, 2026, for LLCs taxed as pass-through entities. This keeps ongoing costs predictable compared to states that layer a franchise tax on top of annual report fees.
If you elect corporate taxation, Louisiana applies a flat 5.5% corporate income tax rate for periods beginning January 1, 2025, according to the Louisiana Department of Revenue. That's distinct from the flat 3% individual rate, which applies to owners, not the entity itself.
Optional costs worth budgeting for:
- Registered agent service: typically $100 to $300 per year, per Nolo
- Formation service packages: priced by provider and scope (filing only vs. full setup support)
- EIN assistance: often bundled with formation packages for international founders
Choosing the Right LLC Formation Support: DIY, US Services, or a Global Partner
There are three paths here, and the right one depends on where you're based and how much US-specific paperwork you're comfortable handling yourself.
Filing yourself via geauxBIZ. Works well if you're US-based, comfortable navigating Secretary of State forms, and already have a registered agent lined up. Less practical if you're filing from India or another country and time zone.
A US-based online LLC service. These handle the state filing and often provide registered agent service. Useful for the state filing itself, but many stop short on EIN help for international applicants, bank account guidance, or ongoing US tax compliance.
A global entity-formation partner. For founders based in India, the UK, UAE, or elsewhere, the real challenge usually isn't the Louisiana filing itself. It's coordinating registered agent arrangements, navigating the non-online EIN process, and figuring out what compliance looks like after the LLC exists.
This is where a firm like VJM Global fits in. As a cross-border business services firm, it helps companies of any origin form US entities, including Louisiana LLCs.
VJM Global coordinates formation steps, EIN guidance, and ongoing compliance using US regulators and statutory rules—not a generic template exported from another market.
What founders typically get with that model:
- CPAs, Chartered Accountants, and multi-jurisdiction professionals on one team
- Formation and compliance support delivered across 100+ countries
- One partner for formation and ongoing accounting/tax work, instead of separate vendors
Whichever route you choose, verify Louisiana-specific requirements directly with the Secretary of State. Fee schedules, form versions, and processing options change, and no formation partner replaces checking the primary source before you file.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is required to form an LLC in Louisiana?
You need a compliant business name, a registered agent with a Louisiana street address, the Articles of Organization (Form #365) filed together with the Initial Report (Form #973), and an EIN from the IRS.
How long does it take to get an LLC approved in Louisiana?
Louisiana doesn't publish a fixed routine timeline. Expedited options are available: 24-hour processing for an extra $30, or priority/while-waiting service for an extra $50.
Do I need a registered agent for a Louisiana LLC?
Yes, it's mandatory under state law. You can act as your own agent if eligible, or use a professional registered agent service, which most non-US founders find more practical.
Is there a franchise tax for Louisiana LLCs?
No. Louisiana's corporation franchise tax was repealed for periods beginning January 1, 2026, for LLCs taxed as pass-through entities. Prior-period obligations may still apply in some cases.
Can a non-US resident or foreign founder form an LLC in Louisiana?
Yes. There's no residency requirement to own a Louisiana LLC, but you still need a Louisiana registered agent and an EIN, regardless of where you're based.
What is the Louisiana LLC annual report requirement?
Louisiana requires a $30 annual report ($35 if paid by card), due on your LLC's formation anniversary. Missing it can put your LLC out of good standing with the state.
