State registration fee
$185
Read October 2026 at static.sos.la.gov
Foreign LLC guide · Louisiana
Louisiana Foreign LLC Registration Fees (2026): the Official Numbers and the 3 Best Services
The best picks for registering an out-of-state LLC in Louisiana in 2026 are Mainstay Filing ($199), Louisiana Registered Agent.co ($199) and LA Registered Agent.org ($199), in that order. The fee is $185 up front and $35 on every report; Louisiana sits at number 23rd of 50 for foreign LLCs.
Louisiana: the facts
23rd
of 50 states on registration plus reports
A low number means a low bill. Open the complete list
Recurring report
$35
Annual report
Certificate from home state
90 days
Newest age allowed
State charges over 3 years
$255
The first filing and two years of upkeep
The services we pick in Louisiana
Criteria in order of weight: three-year fees, coverage, renewal terms, fit with Louisiana, clear state fee (method).
1. Mainstay Filing: best for growing beyond the home state
$199 to register, then $149 a year
Mainstay Filing ranks number one. $199 on top of the state fee, registered agent free for the first year, then $149 per year.
Over three years the provider fees are $100 above Louisiana Registered Agent.co's, and in exchange the state paperwork it handles is wider.
From year 2 the agent is $149 a year, whichever state it is.
What the price takes in
- Files the registration for you
- Registered agent costs nothing in the first year
- Costs the same in every state
In its favor
- $199 on top of Louisiana's fee
- No agent fee in the first year
- All fifty states are covered
Against it
- $50 more per year for the agent
2. Louisiana Registered Agent.co: best for an affordable Louisiana filing
$199 to register, then $99 a year
In second place sits Louisiana Registered Agent.co: it registers you in Louisiana for $199 and includes a year of agent service; after that the agent costs $99 a year.
What the price takes in
- Takes care of the foreign registration filing
- A year of agent service
In its favor
- $99 a year from year 2
- Agent covered in year 1
- $199 and the state fee
Against it
- One state only
3. LA Registered Agent.org: best for Louisiana registrations
$199 to register, then $99 a year
In third place sits LA Registered Agent.org: it registers you in Louisiana for $199 and includes a year of agent service; after that the agent costs $99 a year.
It ties with Louisiana Registered Agent.co on price.
What the price takes in
- Takes care of the foreign registration filing
- A year of agent service
In its favor
- $199 and the state fee
- Agent covered in year 1
- $99 a year from year 2
Against it
- One state only
Louisiana ranking in one table
| No. | Provider | First year | Later years | Provider fees over 3 years | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mainstay Filing | $199 | $149/yr | $497 | Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 2 | Louisiana Registered Agent.co | $199 | $99/yr | $397 | Visit Louisiana Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 3 | LA Registered Agent.org | $199 | $99/yr | $397 | Visit LA Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
Every price here was read from the company's own site on November 13, 2026. Add the $185 state fee to every row.
Registration and upkeep, year by year
The registration fee is $185, with a $35 report from year 2; provider fees are added.
Louisiana and the states around it in the ranking
| Place | State | Three-year foreign LLC fees |
|---|---|---|
| 21st | North Dakota | $235 |
| 22nd | New Jersey | $250 |
| 23rd | Louisiana | $255 |
| 24th | New York | $259 |
| 25th | Pennsylvania | $264 |
The complete list ranks all fifty states the same way.
Louisiana foreign registration: the fee, the form and the office
The registration is made with the Application for Authority to Transact Business in Louisiana, Foreign Limited Liability Company (Form 972), which goes to the Louisiana Secretary of State, Commercial Division along with $185. Include certificate of existence or good standing from the jurisdiction of organization, at most 90 days.
Upkeep in this state means the annual report ($35), on or before the anniversary of your qualification.
Pre-filing checklist
- Certificate of existence or good standing from the jurisdiction of organization, at most 90 days.
- The LLC's legal name and the day it was formed.
- A registered agent with a street address in this state; every provider on this page supplies one.
- A method of paying the $185 filing fee.
The price of not registering
An unregistered LLC cannot bring a lawsuit in the state's courts (La. R.S. 12:1354(A)). The state does not void contracts (La. R.S. 12:1354(B)). A bill for back fees should be expected.
Why the first pick is first
The criterion that decided Louisiana was paperwork inside the price, at 28%.
With two states in play, the provider that works in both pulled ahead of Louisiana Registered Agent.co.
Louisiana questions and answers
How much does it cost a foreign LLC to register in Louisiana?
$185 paid to the state. The providers here charge $199 more.
Which form registers a foreign LLC in Louisiana?
The Application for Authority to Transact Business in Louisiana, Foreign Limited Liability Company (Form 972), which is sent to the Louisiana Secretary of State, Commercial Division.
Does the state want a certificate from the home state?
Yes, it wants certificate of existence or good standing from the jurisdiction of organization, dated within 90 days of the filing.
Does a foreign LLC file anything every year?
Yes, it files the annual report for $35.
What are the consequences of working there without registering?
An unregistered LLC cannot bring a lawsuit in the state's courts (La. R.S. 12:1354(A)). The state does not void contracts (La. R.S. 12:1354(B)). A bill for back fees should be expected.
Does a foreign LLC in Louisiana need a registered agent?
Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
Which service would you choose to register a foreign LLC?
Mainstay Filing, because it files the Louisiana registration for $199 beyond the state fee and includes the first agent year. After it come Louisiana Registered Agent.co and LA Registered Agent.org.
Where these facts come from
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Louisiana Secretary of State traces back to geauxbiz.sos.la.gov, a page we read in August 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Louisiana Secretary of State traces back to sos.la.gov, a page we read in August 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Louisiana yearly filing: Annual report, official source traces back to legis.la.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Louisiana Secretary of State fee changes effective October traces back to static.sos.la.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Louisiana registered agent statute traces back to legis.la.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Louisiana Secretary of State, forms and fee schedule traces back to sos.la.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Form 972, foreign LLC application traces back to sos.la.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about R.S. 12:1345, application for authority traces back to legis.la.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about R.S. 12:1354, effect of failing to obtain authority traces back to legis.la.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about R.S. 12:1350, registered agent traces back to legis.la.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about North Dakota Secretary of State, limited liability companies traces back to sos.nd.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about NDCC Chapter 10-32.1 traces back to ndlegis.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Secretary of State, registered agents traces back to sos.nd.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Secretary of State, business services traces back to sos.nd.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about NJ Division of Revenue, Business Formation service traces back to njportal.com, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about NJ Division of Revenue, fee schedule traces back to nj.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Public Records Filing for New Business Entity traces back to nj.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about New Jersey Revised Uniform LLC Act traces back to pub.njleg.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about NJ Annual Reports and Change Services traces back to njportal.com, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Department of State, Application for Authority traces back to dos.ny.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about LLC Law § 802, application for authority traces back to nysenate.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about LLC Law § 808, consequences of doing business traces back to nysenate.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Department of State, Certificate of Publication traces back to dos.ny.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Department of State, biennial statements traces back to dos.ny.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Pennsylvania DOS, foreign associations traces back to pa.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Foreign Registration Statement, DSCB:15-412 traces back to pa.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about DOS fees and payments traces back to pa.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Commercial registered office providers traces back to pa.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- Fact sheet note: whatever this page says about Annual reports traces back to pa.gov, a page we read in October 2026.
- The company website for Mainstay Filing gives Louisiana service page (read November 13, 2026)
- The company website for Louisiana Registered Agent.co gives pricing page (read November 13, 2026)
- The company website for LA Registered Agent.org gives pricing page (read November 13, 2026)