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Register Your Florida LLC in Louisiana

Step-by-step foreign qualification requirements, fees, and filing instructions for Florida LLCs expanding into Louisiana.

Cost Summary

Louisiana filing fee: $150
Florida Certificate of Status: $5
Annual obligation in Louisiana: $30/year
Estimated year 1 total: $185

Note: Year 1 total includes the $150 filing fee in Louisiana, the $5 Certificate of Status fee from Florida, and $30 in first-year Louisiana state charges. Registered agent fees (typically $100-$200/year) are not included.

Florida data last reviewed Aug 1, 2026 · dos.fl.gov

Louisiana data last reviewed Aug 1, 2026 · sos.la.gov

How to register your Florida LLC in Louisiana

Check name availability in Louisiana

Before filing, verify that your LLC name (or a distinguishable variation) is available in Louisiana. If your exact name is already taken, you may need to register under a fictitious or assumed name.

Search the business name register on the Louisiana Secretary of State website before you file.

Get a Certificate of Status from Florida

Louisiana requires a Certificate of Status from Florida to prove your LLC is in good standing. The fee is $5. Available to order online. No expiration; third parties typically require certificate dated within 30-90 days.

Order from Florida ↗

File the Application for Authority in Louisiana

Submit your application along with the Certificate of Status and the $150 filing fee. Processing time is 5-7 business days. Expedited processing available for $30. Online filing is available.

Louisiana filing portal ↗

Appoint a registered agent in Louisiana

You must designate a registered agent with a physical address in Louisiana to accept legal documents on behalf of your LLC. This is required as part of the foreign qualification application.

Ongoing compliance in Louisiana

Annual report: $30/year
Report due: Anniversary month
Processing time: 5-7 business days
Expedite: $30

Important to know about Louisiana

Foreign registration costs $150 against $100 to form domestically.

Registering after you already started doing business in Louisiana? See the Louisiana late-registration penalties for the back fees and fines that can apply.

Activities that do NOT require registration in Louisiana

Maintaining or defending a lawsuit, administrative proceeding, or arbitration
Holding meetings of members or managers, or carrying on internal company affairs
Maintaining bank accounts
Maintaining offices or agencies for the transfer, exchange, or registration of the LLC's own securities
Selling through independent contractors
Soliciting or obtaining orders if orders require acceptance outside the state before becoming contracts
Creating or acquiring indebtedness, mortgages, or security interests in real or personal property
Securing or collecting debts, or enforcing mortgages or security interests
Owning real or personal property
Conducting an isolated transaction completed within 30 days that is not part of repeated similar transactions
Transacting business in interstate commerce

Louisiana operates under a civil law tradition. Its LLC Law, Title 12 Chapter 22, governs LLCs. Section 12:1343 ('Transactions not constituting transacting business') enumerates the activities; Section 12:1342 is the corresponding registration requirement.

Need a registered agent in Louisiana?

A registered agent is required for foreign qualification. These services operate in all 50 states.

Get Northwest Registered Agent ↗

Recommended · $125/year · Privacy included

Registered Agents Inc

$200/year · Report filing included, state fees extra

Visit site ↗

Harbor Compliance

$99 first year, then $149/year · Full-service compliance option

Visit site ↗

Not sure which service fits? Our full Northwest Registered Agent review and Harbor Compliance review cover pricing, renewal terms, and where each one fits.

Need a business address in Louisiana?

A virtual mailbox gives your LLC a professional address in Louisiana for mail forwarding, public filings, and banking, without leasing office space.

Northwest Mail Forwarding $20/mo

Unique suite number + unlimited digital mail scanning

Learn more ↗

Independent mailbox providers

iPostal1

Largest address network in the US. Best budget option for a registered business address.

From $14.99/mo Visit site ↗

Alliance Virtual Offices

Real commercial address inside a staffed office center, with an Address Certification Letter for banking and registration.

From $49/mo Visit site ↗

Bizee

Commercial street address with unlimited mail scanning, cheapest bundled with Bizee formation.

$29/mo Visit site ↗

Check your full compliance

Use our free tool to check if you need to register in additional states.

Start free compliance check ↗

Sources

https://www.sos.la.gov/BusinessServices/

This page provides general information based on publicly available state requirements. It is not legal advice. Verify all fees and requirements with the Louisiana Secretary of State before filing.