How to Use geauxBIZ to Register a Louisiana Business

Registering a business with the Louisiana Secretary of State no longer requires mailing documents or sitting in an office in Baton Rouge. The state's online filing system, geauxBIZ, lets you file your LLC or corporation documents from your home or office computer. This guide walks you through the process step by step, from gathering the information you need to hitting submit.

What is geauxBIZ?

geauxBIZ is the Louisiana Secretary of State's one-stop filing portal. It's designed to let you handle multiple tasks in a single session:

• File Articles of Organization (for an LLC) or Articles of Incorporation (for a corporation)
• Set up a Louisiana Department of Revenue (LDR) account for state tax purposes
• Register with the Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC) for payroll and unemployment insurance

What geauxBIZ does not do is equally important. You still need to handle these separately:

• Parish occupational license or business tax
• Parish sales tax account (if you'll be collecting sales tax)
• Parish Clerk of Court DBA filing (if you're using a trade name)

In other words, geauxBIZ gets your state-level filing done, but local requirements depend on your parish and city. We'll cover what comes next at the end of this guide.

What You'll Need Before You Start

Gather these materials before you log in to geauxBIZ. Having everything at hand will speed up the filing:

For Any Business (LLC or Corporation)

• Your business name. It must be distinguishable from other names already on file with the Louisiana Secretary of State. The name is checked phonetically and by alternate spellings, so you cannot just add an apostrophe to an existing name. For an LLC, the name must include "L.L.C.", "L.C.", or "Limited Liability Company". For a corporation, it must include "Inc.", "Incorporated", "Corp.", "Corporation", "Company", or "Co."
• A registered agent. This is the person or company that will receive legal documents on behalf of your business. The agent must be at least 18 years old, a legal resident of Louisiana, and have a physical street address in Louisiana. The address cannot be a post office box. The agent can be you, a business partner, an employee, an attorney, a CPA, or a commercial registered agent service. Many business owners use a professional service for this role.
• The registered agent's street address. This must be the agent's residential or office address in Louisiana, not a mailing address or PO box.
• Your principal place of business address. This is where your business will actually operate. If it is the same as your registered agent's address, you can enter it the same way.
• The business purpose or activity. Describe what your business will do. This can be as broad as "general business purposes" or as specific as "consulting services" or "retail sales of office supplies".
• Your contact information. Email address and phone number.

For an LLC Specifically

• Names and addresses of all members. If you are the sole owner, that is just you. If there are multiple owners, list each one.
• Member ownership percentages. How much of the LLC does each member own? This can be equal (50 to 50 for two members) or unequal.
• Management structure choice. Will the LLC be member-managed (all members have a say in decisions) or manager-managed (one or more designated people make decisions)? Most small LLCs are member-managed.

For a Corporation Specifically

• Names and addresses of the initial board of directors. At minimum, you will need one. Most small corporations have one director (often the owner).
• Stock information. How many shares will the corporation issue? Common values are 100, 1,000, or 10,000. This is just the authorized number and does not have to match how many you actually issue.

Step-by-Step Filing Instructions

Step 1: Go to geauxBIZ and Create an Account

Visit geauxbiz.sos.la.gov. You will see the login screen. If you do not have an account yet, click "Create New Account" or the equivalent link (button labels can change). You will enter an email address and password. This account will let you file documents, track status, and download confirmation documents later.

Save your login information. You may need it to check filing status or download your filing receipt.

Step 2: Search the Business Name Database

Before you file, check that your chosen business name is actually available. The Louisiana Secretary of State's business search tool at coraweb.sos.la.gov lets you search all registered entities. Run a search for your business name using several variations: your exact name, the name without LLC or Inc., and any similar phonetic spellings. If the name is available, you can proceed. If it is not, or if something similar is registered, choose a different name and search again.

This step takes 10 to 15 minutes and can save you hundreds of dollars and weeks of delay if you discover a conflict after filing.

Step 3: Start the Filing Process in geauxBIZ

Log in to geauxBIZ. Click "File a New Document" or similar. You will choose your entity type:

• LLC (Limited Liability Company): Faster to set up, simpler tax filing, personal liability protection. Ideal for solo businesses and small partnerships.
• Corporation: More formal, more paperwork, but potentially better for raising investment or selling the business later. Requires more ongoing compliance (director meetings, corporate records).

Select your choice and continue.

Step 4: Fill in the Basic Information

You will enter:

• Business name (the exact name as it will appear on your filings)
• Principal place of business address
• Business purpose
• Registered agent name and address

Double-check the registered agent address. It is critical: if the state needs to serve legal papers on your business, this is the address they use. If it is wrong, you might miss important documents.

Step 5: Enter Member or Director Information (Entity-Specific)

For an LLC: List all members (owners), their addresses, and their ownership percentages. If you are the sole member, just enter your information. Select whether the LLC is member-managed or manager-managed.

For a Corporation: List the initial directors, their addresses, and titles if applicable. Also specify the number of authorized shares. You do not need to sell all of them right away, but the corporation has the authority to issue up to that number.

Step 6: Review and Confirm

The system will show you a summary of everything you have entered. Read through it carefully. Check:

• Business name spelling and correct entity type designator (LLC, Inc., Corp., etc.)
• Registered agent name, title, and address
• All member or director names and addresses
• Management structure (for LLC) or board information (for corporation)

If anything is wrong, go back and correct it before you pay the filing fee. Once you submit payment, you will have a harder time changing the document.

Step 7: Pay the Filing Fee

The Louisiana Secretary of State charges a filing fee for entity registration. As of October 1, 2026, the fee for an LLC is $125 and for a corporation is $75. You will pay online with a credit card or debit card. The fee is non-refundable, even if you later dissolve the business.

Keep your receipt. You may need it if there is a question about your filing status or payment.

Step 8: Submit and Get Your Confirmation

Click submit. The system will process your filing. Most filings go through instantly, and you will get an immediate confirmation number and a downloadable filing receipt. This receipt is your proof that you have filed. Print it and save it.

Save the filing confirmation number. You will use it if you need to look up your filing status or request copies of your filed documents.

Step 9: Set Up Your LDR and LWC Accounts (Optional but Recommended)

If you are staying in geauxBIZ, you can continue to set up your Louisiana Department of Revenue account for state taxes and your Louisiana Workforce Commission account for employees. Both are optional through geauxBIZ (you can set them up separately later), but handling them in the same session saves time. Follow the prompts and enter the required information. If you are unsure whether you need either account right now, skip this step and set them up when you have clarity on your tax and hiring situation.

Tips and Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake: Choosing an Unavailable Business Name

Impact: Your filing is rejected, you lose the filing fee, and you have to start over with a new name.

How to avoid it: Always search the business name database before you file, not after. Do not assume that because you checked 10 minutes ago it is still available. Check immediately before you start the filing.

Mistake: Entering a PO Box as the Registered Agent Address

Impact: Your filing will be rejected. The system will not accept a PO box, and even if it did, the state will not recognize the agent as properly appointed.

How to avoid it: The registered agent must have a real street address in Louisiana. If you do not have one and do not want to use your home address, hire a commercial registered agent service (there are several in Louisiana, usually costing $100 to $300 per year).

Mistake: Not Using the Exact Business Name in geauxBIZ

Impact: Your filed documents will not match your intended name. This can cause problems later when you open a bank account, get a business license, or sign contracts. The bank and licensing agencies look at your filed name exactly.

How to avoid it: Before you file, decide on the exact name: spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and entity designator (LLC, Inc., Corp.). Then copy and paste it into geauxBIZ to avoid typos.

Tip: Keep Your Filing Receipt Safe

Your filing receipt and confirmation number are the official proof that your business is registered. You will need this to open a business bank account, apply for an EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS, and prove your legal business status. Take screenshots or print the PDF and store it where you can find it.

Tip: Plan for What is Next Immediately After Filing

Filing with the Louisiana Secretary of State is just one step. You still need to handle your parish occupational license, sales tax account (if applicable), and any industry-specific licenses. Different parishes have different requirements and deadlines, so do not delay. Check with your parish clerk's office and your city government the same day you file.

Expected Results and Timeline

If your filing is accepted, you will receive instant confirmation on the screen and a downloadable receipt. Your business is legally registered with the Louisiana Secretary of State at that moment. You do not have to wait for a certificate to arrive by mail (though you can request one).

Your business name and details will appear in the Louisiana Secretary of State's business search database within one business day, typically within a few hours. You can verify this by searching again on the business search website.

The geauxBIZ system does not publish a standard processing time for standard (non-expedited) filings. If you need faster confirmation, paid expedite options are available: $30 for processing within 24 hours, or $50 for while-you-wait processing at the Baton Rouge office.

What Comes Next

After your filing is confirmed, your to-do list includes:

1. Obtain an EIN from the IRS. You can apply free at irs.gov. This is your federal business tax ID. You will need it to open a business bank account and file federal taxes.
2. Open a business bank account. Bring your filing receipt and your EIN. This keeps your personal and business finances separate, which is critical for liability protection and accounting.
3. Check for parish and city requirements. Contact your parish clerk's office and your city or town government to find out about occupational licenses, business taxes, and any industry-specific permits. This varies significantly by location.
4. Apply for a sales tax permit if needed. If your business will collect sales tax, apply through the Louisiana Department of Revenue at revenue.louisiana.gov.
5. Set up payroll and workers' compensation if you will have employees. This usually happens through the Louisiana Workforce Commission.

Important Disclaimer

This article provides informational guidance on how to use geauxBIZ for business registration in Louisiana. It is not legal advice, tax advice, or professional consultation. Business formation involves legal and tax decisions that depend on your specific situation, industry, and goals. Before you file, especially if you have multiple owners, significant assets, or employees, consult with a qualified Louisiana business attorney and a CPA. The cost of a brief consultation (typically $200 to $500) is far less than the cost of fixing a structural mistake after the fact.

Get Started

Ready to file? Head to geauxbiz.sos.la.gov, search your business name on the state search database, and follow the step-by-step instructions above. Most filings take 30 to 45 minutes from start to finish. Within hours, your business will be officially registered with the state of Louisiana.