What Does It Cost to Form an LLC in Louisiana?

Updated October 26, 2026

If you are starting a business in Louisiana, a limited liability company is one of the most common choices. The total cost has two parts: the fees the State of Louisiana charges, and what you choose to spend on professional help. Here is a plain-English breakdown.

State Filing Fees

Louisiana raised many Secretary of State commercial fees effective October 1, 2026, under Act 921 of the 2026 Regular Session (House Bill 908). The current fees for a domestic Louisiana LLC, according to the Secretary of State's published fee schedule, are:

• Articles of Organization: $125 (previously $100)
• Annual report: $35 per year (previously $30)
• Name reservation (optional): $25
• Change of registered office or agent: $30
• Change of members and/or managers: $30
• Supplemental initial report: $30
• Certified copies: $20

The Secretary of State may charge additional processing or convenience fees for online filing or expedited service. Check the Secretary of State's website for current amounts before you file.

Ongoing Costs

After formation, a Louisiana LLC must file an annual report with the Secretary of State to remain in good standing. Depending on your business, you may also need local occupational licenses, parish or municipal sales tax registration, an IRS employer identification number (EIN, which is free from the IRS), and state tax registrations. A registered agent is also required; some owners serve as their own, and others pay a service.

Do You Need a Lawyer?

You can file Articles of Organization yourself. What a lawyer adds is the planning around the filing: choosing the right structure, deciding how the company will be managed, and drafting an operating agreement that addresses ownership, decision-making, profit distributions, and what happens if an owner leaves, dies, or disagrees with the others. Those terms are where many costly disputes begin.

The Firm's Fee

The Law Office of Holden Hoggatt offers LLC formation for a flat fee starting at $1,500. The final fee depends on the complexity of the business and the number of members. State filing fees are separate. Learn more on our Business Formation page.

Sources

• Louisiana Secretary of State, Forms & Fee Schedule
• Louisiana Secretary of State, Fee Schedule Effective 10/1/26 (PDF)
• Louisiana Legislature, HB 908 (2026 Regular Session), enrolled

Not legal advice. This article is general information, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Fees change; confirm current amounts with the Louisiana Secretary of State before filing.