To register a business in Louisiana, file formation documents with the Secretary of State through the geauxBIZ online portal or by mail. An LLC files Articles of Organization (Form 365) for $100; a corporation files Articles of Incorporation (Form 399) for $75.1Louisiana Secretary of State. Get Forms and Fee Schedule Standard processing takes a few business days. Once the state approves your paperwork, you’ll still need a federal EIN, state tax registrations with the Department of Revenue, and in most parishes a local occupational license before you can legally operate.
Pick an Entity Type First
Your choice between an LLC, a corporation, or a partnership drives everything downstream: which form you file, what it costs, and how you’ll be taxed.
A limited liability company is the common pick for small businesses. Louisiana law defines an LLC as an unincorporated association organized under Chapter 22 of Title 12, and the state treats it as a separate legal entity from its members while explicitly noting it is not a corporation.2Justia. Louisiana Revised Statutes 12:1301 – Definitions It can have one owner or many, with fewer required formalities than a corporation.
A business corporation is governed by the Louisiana Business Corporation Act and exists as a legal person separate from its shareholders.3Justia. Louisiana Revised Statutes 12:1-140 – Definitions Corporations fit businesses that plan to raise outside capital or issue stock, and they carry more ongoing paperwork, including annual meetings and corporate minutes.
A partnership is formed by contract between two or more people combining efforts or resources for a shared commercial purpose. Under the Louisiana Civil Code, the partnership itself is a juridical person, legally distinct from the individual partners.4Justia. Louisiana Civil Code Article 2801 – Partnership Definition Partners share liability, which is why partnerships are less common when owners want personal asset protection.
Pick a Name and Check It’s Available
Your business name has to be distinguishable from every other active entity on file with the Secretary of State. Search the state’s database through geauxBIZ before you commit to anything.5Louisiana Secretary of State. Start a Business
The name also has to signal your entity type. An LLC name must include “limited liability company,” “L.L.C.,” or “L.C.,” with a separate designation for low-profit LLCs.6Louisiana State Legislature. Louisiana Revised Statutes 12:1306 – Name A corporation name must include “corporation,” “incorporated,” “company,” or “limited,” or an abbreviation like “Corp.,” “Inc.,” “Co.,” or “Ltd.”7FindLaw. Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 12, 1-401
If you’re not ready to file right away, you can reserve a name for a limited period through the Secretary of State so no one else grabs it while you finish your paperwork.
Name a Registered Agent
Every LLC and corporation in Louisiana must maintain a registered agent with a physical address in the state. The agent accepts legal documents and official government mail on your behalf during normal business hours. A P.O. box doesn’t count.8Louisiana State Legislature. Louisiana Revised Statutes 12:1308 – Registered Office and Registered Agent
The agent has to be either a Louisiana resident or a business authorized to operate in the state. You can name yourself if you have a physical office with reliable coverage during business hours. Owners who work from home or travel often tend to use a commercial service, with annual fees generally running from about $50 to $300, most around $125.
File Your Formation Documents
This is the step that actually creates the business.
LLCs: Articles of Organization (Form 365, $100)
Your Articles of Organization must include the company name, its business purpose or a statement that it will engage in any lawful activity, and whether it is a low-profit LLC.9Louisiana State Legislature. Louisiana Revised Statutes 12:1305 – Articles of Organization and Initial Report Management structure and the LLC’s duration are optional.
You’ll also submit an initial report listing the names and addresses of your registered agent, managers, and members. Incomplete or inaccurate information on this report is one of the most common reasons filings get rejected.
Corporations: Articles of Incorporation (Form 399, $75)
The Articles of Incorporation must state the corporation’s name, its purpose, the number of authorized shares, and the names of the initial directors. A corporation also submits an initial report with registered agent details.
How to Submit and How Long It Takes
The geauxBIZ portal is the fastest route. You can create an account, upload documents, pay fees, and track progress in real time, and the portal links to other state agencies so you can handle several registrations in one place.5Louisiana Secretary of State. Start a Business
To file on paper, mail the completed forms with a check or money order payable to the Secretary of State at 8585 Archives Avenue, Baton Rouge, LA 70809. Make sure signatures are original and the documents are legible.
Standard processing runs a few business days. Two expedited options are available: 24-hour processing for $30, or same-day “while you wait” processing for $50.10Louisiana Secretary of State. Fee Schedule Once approved, you’ll receive certified copies of your formation documents.
Get a Federal EIN
After the state approves your formation, apply for a Federal Employer Identification Number from the IRS. The EIN functions as the business equivalent of a Social Security number and is required to open a business bank account, hire employees, and file federal returns. The IRS issues EINs immediately through its online application at no cost.11Internal Revenue Service. Get an Employer Identification Number Ignore any third-party site that charges a fee for this.
Order matters. The IRS recommends forming your entity with the state before applying for an EIN; applying first can delay your application.11Internal Revenue Service. Get an Employer Identification Number
Register for Louisiana State Taxes
Register with the Louisiana Department of Revenue for any state taxes that apply, including sales and use tax and income tax withholding if you’ll have employees. New businesses can handle this through geauxBIZ during initial formation. If your entity already exists with the Secretary of State, use the Louisiana Taxpayer Access Point (LaTAP) to set up your Department of Revenue account.12Louisiana Department of Revenue. Business Registration
If you have employees, you also need to register separately with the Louisiana Workforce Commission for unemployment insurance tax. The Workforce Commission uses that registration to track employer contributions to the state unemployment insurance fund.12Louisiana Department of Revenue. Business Registration
Get Your Local Occupational License
State registration is not the same as permission to operate in your city or parish. Most Louisiana parishes and municipalities require an occupational license before you conduct business within their jurisdiction. These are separate from your state filing and carry their own fees, usually based on gross receipts or a flat annual rate. Initial fees often start around $50 and climb from there depending on your business type and location. Skipping this step can lead to fines or forced closure by local authorities.
Some industries need additional permits on top of the occupational license. Restaurants need health department approval, contractors need credentials from the state licensing board, and businesses selling alcohol need separate permits at both the state and local levels. GeauxBIZ can generate a list of permits that may apply to your business, which is a useful starting point.5Louisiana Secretary of State. Start a Business Call your parish or city government directly to confirm what you actually need, because requirements vary significantly from one jurisdiction to the next.
If You’ll Have Employees
Hiring triggers a few additional obligations beyond the EIN and withholding registration already covered.
Every U.S. employer must complete Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) for each new hire. The employee provides identity and work authorization documents, you examine them, and you keep the form on file for three years after the hire date or one year after employment ends, whichever is later.13USCIS. I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification
Louisiana requires every employer to carry workers’ compensation insurance, even with just one employee, and the requirement covers part-time, full-time, temporary, and seasonal workers alike.14Louisiana Workforce Commission. Workers’ Compensation Coverage for Employers The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, and some localities may set higher standards.15U.S. Department of Labor. State Minimum Wage Laws
Keep the Registration Active
Registration is not a one-and-done step. Louisiana requires businesses to file annual reports with the Secretary of State to keep their status active. Miss a report and your entity can be administratively dissolved or revoked, which means losing your liability protection and your authority to do business in the state. The Secretary of State sends reminders, but the duty to file on time rests with you.
Good standing also means keeping your registered agent information current, filing required tax returns, and renewing local occupational licenses each year. If your agent changes or your business address moves, update the Secretary of State’s records promptly. An LLC isn’t required to adopt a written operating agreement, and a corporation’s bylaws are internal, but having both in writing from the start spares you from the statutory defaults when a dispute shows up later.