Louisiana business entity search and name check
Search business records
Louisiana keeps corporations, LLCs, partnerships, trade names, trademarks and name reservations in one Commercial database at the Secretary of State, searchable through its Business Filings search. We don't search Louisiana from this site; we send you to that official search. If you're forming here, fees rose on October 1, 2026 (Articles of Organization now $125, annual report $35), and a new LLC name has to be distinguishable from registered trade names as well as from other companies.
- How we search Louisiana
- Official site only (we hand you off). Louisiana's search site asks automated tools not to use its search pages, and we respect that. The state's data service for outside systems is a paid subscription, so for now we link you to the official search instead.
- What a result can tell you
- Searching the official site shows names on record. Louisiana decides acceptance when you file.
- State fee to form an LLC
- $125 (Articles of Organization (Louisiana LLC) with Initial Report)
- Ongoing LLC filing
- Annual Report, $35. Due on or before the anniversary of the LLC's formation each year
What the Louisiana search covers
The Commercial database holds Louisiana and out-of-state corporations, LLCs, partnerships and nonprofits, along with trade names, trademarks, service marks and name reservations. Inactive records and previous names are included. DBAs filed with a parish Clerk of Court are not in it.
The Secretary of State advises searching without the ending (leave off 'L.L.C.' or 'Inc.'), which suggests the search doesn't ignore those endings for you.
Each record has a Charter Number / Entity Number (for example 12345678A). Search by number on the Louisiana Business Filings search (Commercial Database / CORA).
How to read Louisiana results
Louisiana uses its own status labels. We always show the official wording; here is what the common ones mean according to the state:
| Status | What it means |
|---|---|
| Active / Inactive (e.g. 'I - INACTIVE') | Whether the charter is currently active. Records also show a sub-status and an annual report status, which tells you whether the entity is in good standing. Source: static.sos.la.gov |
| Not in good standing | The LLC is behind on filing its annual report (La. R.S. 12:1308.1). Source: legis.la.gov |
| Revoked | The state revoked the charter after a Notice of Intent to Revoke went unanswered (30 days for Louisiana entities, 60 for out-of-state ones). A Louisiana LLC is also revoked after 3 years in a row without an annual report. A revoked name can't be used by anyone else for 3 years. Source: sos.la.gov |
A status describes the registry filing only. It isn’t evidence of a license, tax compliance or reputation, and a record with the same name as a company you know may be a different business. More on statuses.
Louisiana business name rules
An LLC name must include one of: limited liability company
, L.L.C.
, L.C.
.
An LLC name must be distinguishable on the Secretary of State's records from other corporations, partnerships and LLCs, reserved names and registered trade names. It also can't include 'doing business as' or 'd/b/a', suggest it is a government agency, or falsely suggest it is a charity. A low-profit LLC uses 'low-profit limited liability company' or 'L3C' instead. (La. R.S. 12:1306) Source: legis.la.gov
Louisiana doesn’t publish a list of the differences it ignores, so our check treats only capitalization and punctuation as insignificant and flags other close names as similar for you to judge.
Words that need approval or are restricted
| Words | Requirement |
|---|---|
| insurance | Only allowed if the LLC is an independent insurance agency or brokerage firm. Source: legis.la.gov |
| bank, banker, banking, savings, safe deposit, trust, trustee, building and loan, homestead, credit union | Needs written approval from the Commissioner of the Office of Financial Institutions, dated at least 14 days before the LLC is issued its certificate. Source: legis.la.gov |
| engineer, engineering, surveyor, surveying | The Louisiana Professional Engineering and Land Surveying Board must get written notice at least 10 days before the certificate is issued, unless the board signs a waiver. Source: legis.la.gov |
Using a similar name with consent
Yes. Under La. R.S. 12:1306 you can take a name that conflicts with an existing registrant if that registrant consents in writing and files to change its own name to something distinguishable, effective no later than when you start using the name. The law also frees up names held by some long-inactive or tax-delinquent companies.
Reserving a name in Louisiana
Louisiana lets you reserve a name before you form the business for $25, held for 120 days.
Send the name reservation form by fax or mail, paying by check or money order.
Louisiana name reservation Source: sos.la.gov
Searching on this site doesn’t reserve anything. Only Louisiana SOS can.
Forming an LLC in Louisiana
- Document
- Articles of Organization (Louisiana LLC) with Initial Report
- State filing fee
- $125
The fee rose from $100 to $125 on October 1, 2026 (Act 921 of the 2026 Regular Session). Paying by credit card adds a $5 convenience fee. - File online
- Louisiana SOS filing
- Processing
- Expedited service costs $35 (processed within 24 hours) or $60 for priority while-you-wait handling.
- Registered agent
- Every business registration needs a registered agent with a physical address in Louisiana. The agent can be almost any adult who legally resides in Louisiana, or a qualifying business entity. The agent's name and address are public.
- Out-of-state LLC registering here
- $185 (Application of Foreign Limited Liability Company for Certificate of Authority)
Fees change. Confirm them on the official Louisiana fee schedule before you file.
File it yourself or use a service
File directly with Louisiana
$125 state fee
You fill in the Articles of Organization (Louisiana LLC) with Initial Report yourself and pay only the state. You’ll need a registered agent with a Louisiana street address; that can be you if you have one.
Use a formation service
A service prepares and files the paperwork, and most can act as your registered agent and send compliance reminders. You still pay the state fee on top of their price, and the state still decides whether to accept your name.
- Bizee: $0 plus the state fee (Basic); Standard $199, Premium $299, plus state fee
- LegalZoom: $0 plus state fees (Basic); Managed Service $249 plus state fees
- Northwest Registered Agent: $39 plus the state fee
- ZenBusiness: $0 plus the state fee (Starter); Pro $199 plus state fee, renews $199/yr
We don’t currently earn commissions from these providers. Prices from each provider’s site on Oct 30, 2026. We never send them your proposed name. Compare what each includes · Disclosure
An EIN (federal tax ID) is free from the IRS; you don’t need to pay anyone for one.
Keeping a Louisiana LLC in good standing
Annual Report: $35. Due on or before the anniversary of the LLC's formation each year. Source: sos.la.gov
Louisiana's corporation franchise tax is handled by the Louisiana Department of Revenue, not the Secretary of State.
The annual report fee rose from $30 to $35 on October 1, 2026 (Act 921). A Louisiana LLC that goes 3 years in a row without filing an annual report has its articles revoked (La. R.S. 12:1308.2). Nonprofits pay $10 for their annual report.
Proof of status: Certificate of Good Standing. Source: sos.la.gov
Assumed names (DBAs)
Louisiana has two separate systems. Trade names, trademarks and service marks are registered with the Secretary of State, and a registered trade name can block an LLC or corporation name. DBAs are filed with the parish Clerk of Court, not the Secretary of State. Source: sos.la.gov
Good to know about Louisiana
- Louisiana fees changed on October 1, 2026 under Act 921: Articles of Organization went from $100 to $125, the annual report from $30 to $35, and an out-of-state LLC now pays $185 to register. Source: static.sos.la.gov
- The annual report is due on the anniversary of the LLC's formation, not on a single statewide date. Source: legis.la.gov
- When a company's charter is revoked, its name stays off-limits to everyone else for 3 years. Source: sos.la.gov
- A trade name registered with the Secretary of State counts as a conflict for a new LLC or corporation name, so check trade names as well as companies. Source: legis.la.gov
- Names with banking words (such as 'bank', 'trust' or 'credit union') need state approval at least 14 days before filing, and engineering or surveying names require 10 days' notice to the licensing board. Source: legis.la.gov
- A certificate ordered online comes with a code that lets you reprint it with the same date for 120 days. Source: sos.la.gov
Sources and accuracy
We checked this page against official Louisiana sources on . Our monitor rechecks the official search, filing portal and fee pages daily and flags changes for review.
Items we couldn’t confirm on an official page (5)
- We couldn't find the fee for a Certificate of Good Standing on an official page. The fee schedule lists 'Additional Certificates' at $25 but has no separate good-standing line.
- We couldn't confirm whether a name reservation can be renewed. The state's FAQ mentions only the 120-day period.
- We haven't confirmed the required corporation endings in La. R.S. 12:1-401.
- We couldn't confirm the exact format of Louisiana charter numbers; the example shown comes from a state technical guide.
- We haven't confirmed which state taxes apply to LLCs on Department of Revenue pages.
See something wrong? Tell us. We can fix how we present information, but only Louisiana SOS can change an official record.