LLC for Beginners

LLC for Beginners › Louisiana

Forming an LLC in Louisiana for the first time

The Louisiana filing fee is $125. For a beginner the best service is Mainstay Filing: $199 a year covers the filing, agent, EIN application and the annual report, so year 1 comes to $324.

  • Official sources, checked October 20, 2026

Your Louisiana checklist

  1. File the Articles of Organization-Louisiana Limited Liability Company (365). $125 to the Louisiana Secretary of State.
  2. Registered agent. Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address. Mainstay Filing includes it.
  3. EIN. Free from the IRS; included in the application Mainstay Filing prepares.
  4. Operating agreement. Write one even for a single owner. No upcharge at Mainstay Filing.
  5. Annual report. Annual Report, every year, $35. Due: On or before the anniversary date of organization.
Best for beginners

Mainstay Filing

Our rating: 4.9 out of 5

$199 / year + $125 state fee

  • LLC formation, prepared and filed
  • Registered agent, all year
  • EIN application (with an SSN or ITIN)
  • Annual report filed every year it is due where the state requires one
  • Compliance reminders and stored documents

Price from the Mainstay Filing pricing and FAQ pages, checked October 21, 2026. State fees are passed through at cost and shown before you pay.

Total for the first three years

$792 with Mainstay Filing, state fees included. Others: Northwest Registered Agent $484; ZenBusiness $692; Bizee $493; LegalZoom $942 (these totals leave out any charge for filing the annual report).

Questions

What is the best LLC service for a beginner in Louisiana?

Mainstay Filing. First year $324 including the $125 Louisiana filing fee; $234 in year 2.

Can a beginner file an LLC in Louisiana without a service?

Yes: file the Articles of Organization-Louisiana Limited Liability Company (365) with the Louisiana Secretary of State for $125. Required registered agent: A Louisiana citizen who lives in the state, a law partnership or professional law corporation, or a corporation or LLC formed in Louisiana or authorized there. A new agent signs a notarized acceptance.

Sources