How to Register a Business Name in Louisiana

Updated: October 1, 2023
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In Louisiana, registering a business name can be done in three distinct ways. You can establish an LLC or Corporation if you want your business to be a separate legal entity or file for a DBA (officially referred to as a Trade Name) if you’re a sole proprietor or a general partnership. For nationwide registration and additional legal protections, you may also want to consider filing a federal trademark with the USPTO.

Your Louisiana business name should be registered before:

  • Applying for a sales tax certificate with the Louisiana Department of Revenue to comply with legal requirements under R.S. 47:301
  • Register with the Louisiana Workforce Commission as an employer for withholding tax or a Louisiana Unemployment Employer Account
  • Obtaining occupational or professional business licenses or permits
  • Getting local licenses from your Parish Clerk of Court office
  • Opening a business bank account to keep your business and personal funds separated

How much does it cost to Register a Business Name in Louisiana?

The cost to register a Louisiana business name varies depending on the type of registration:

  • Louisiana LLC cost: $100
  • Louisiana Corporation cost: $75
  • Louisiana DBA cost: $75

Steps to Registering a Business Name in Louisiana:

  1. Check for Business Name Availability
    2.
  2. Choose a Business Structure
    3.
  3. File your Louisiana Business Name Registration
  4. File a Trademark
    5.

1. Check Business Name Availability

Before you dive into registering your name, you must ensure your chosen name is available to use. That means checking if it’s already being used or is too similar to other business names out there. This step is extremely important because it helps prevent legal problems related to trademarks and issues with similar businesses that can lead to your Louisiana name registration being turned down. To do this properly, you should do three specific types of searches:

Louisiana Business Name Search Help

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Trademark Search

The first step to verify your name’s availability is to ensure your desired name isn’t already trademarked. Trademarks offer superior protection by being registered at the federal level, meaning they override state and local registrations. If you encounter a match, it’s time to brainstorm a fresh business name that stands out.

You can search the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) database using the Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS) page. However, interpreting TESS results can be challenging. If you want a simpler display and layout, try using Trademark Engine’s Free Trademark Search.

Louisiana Business Name Search

Once you’ve confirmed that your chosen business name isn’t trademarked, the next step is to ensure it’s not registered within Louisiana. Utilize the Louisiana Business Filings Search to verify that your business name isn’t already registered within Louisiana.

Perform multiple searches, employing wildcard characters or fragments of your business name to identify any potential matches. If your business name closely resembles an existing Louisiana business, it might lead to the rejection of your name registration application, so you may want to reconsider using that name.

Pro Tip: You might come across instances where your desired name was registered in the past but is currently available due to the previous business being dissolved or the name expiring. Even if the name is now able to be registered, it’s strongly recommended to opt for a new name.

Previously registered business names can cause complications when obtaining an EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS. Using a previously registered name oftentimes results in EIN Reference Number 101 error. Although getting an EIN after this error is possible, the process can be cumbersome and requires phone calls to the IRS and faxing your registration paperwork to an agent to get an EIN. Consider generating a different business name unless it’s absolutely necessary to use that particular name and you’re willing to endure potential hours on the phone dealing with the IRS.

Website Domain Search

The final search after you’ve confirmed you don’t have trademark or state-level registration issues in Louisiana is for a website domain name. If someone else is already using your domain name, it could cause issues for your business. Consider if it’s worth not having the domain name that matches your business name and if it could cause problems for your business in the future. If your domain name is available, you should register it. Whether a website is in your immediate plans or not, you want to prevent others from taking it. You’ll also appear more legitimate to people you do business with since you can use an email with your business name.

Domain Name and Business Email

You can use Namecheap to verify if your domain name is available. They also offer a business email service that’s free to try for the first 60 days when you purchase a domain.

2. Choose a Business Structure

In the process of registering your business name in Louisiana, you’ll need to determine the legal structure for your business. This decision not only affects how you register the business name but also impacts aspects like personal liability, financing options, and taxation. Think about the number of owners, funding needs, how comfortable you are with potential risks, and tax considerations. For more detailed guidance, refer to our comprehensive guide on How to Choose a Business Structure.

Recommended Business Structure:

For a typical new business an LLC is the recommended choice. Why? Because LLCs combined the best of all other business structures. You get liability protection similar to a corporation (unavailable for sole proprietors and general partnerships) but business income is only taxed once whereas a corporation is subject to double taxation.

For the assurance that your LLC is filed the right way, you can use a professional filing service. We’ve reviewed the best LLC services so you can find the one that works for you.

LLC

An LLC (Limited Liability Company) is a business entity providing liability protection to owners, separating personal and business assets, while offering flexible management and taxation choices under Louisiana law (LA Rev Stat § 12:1301).

Learn More: What is an LLC

LLC Pros

  • Personal liability protection
  • Legally separate entity
  • Default pass-through taxation (business income taxed once)
  • Unlimited number of owners (members)
  • Flexible management – can be run by members or non-owner managers
  • Option for S-Corp tax status

LLC Cons

  • Upfront filing costs
  • Ongoing cost and filings to stay compliant
  • Unable to go public

Do you need to register to be an LLC in Louisiana?

Yes, registration with the Louisiana Secretary of State (via geauxBIZ) is required if you want your business to legally be an LLC in Louisiana.

Jump to: Register an LLC Name

Corporation

A corporation is a separate legal entity that can be created under Louisiana law (LA Rev Stat § 1 -178). Stockholders own it, with limited liability. It’s optimal for securing outside investment and providing owner protection.

Learn More: What is a Corporation

Corporation Pros

  • Personal liability protection
  • Legally separate entity
  • Unlimited number of owners (shareholders)
  • Easier to raise capital by selling stock
  • Able to go public
  • Option for S-Corp tax status

Corporation Cons

  • Default double taxation
  • Upfront filing costs
  • Ongoing costs and filings to stay compliant
  • Increased record keeping requirements
  • Strict management structures set by law

Do you need to register to be a Corporation in Louisiana?

Yes, to ensure your business is formally identified as a Corporation in Louisiana, you must register with the Louisiana Secretary of State (via geauxBIZ).

Jump to: Register a Corporation Name

Sole Proprietor

A sole proprietorship is an individual-owned business. Quick setup, minimal forms. There’s no legal separation between the business and owner, creating unlimited liability.

Learn More: What is a Sole Proprietorship

Sole Proprietor Pros

  • Easy and inexpensive to start
  • Simple taxes (business income taxed once)
  • Easy to maintain
  • Complete control for owner

Sole Proprietor Cons

  • Unlimited Liability Risk
  • Hard to raise money and get loans
  • Not separate from owner
  • Difficult to sell business
  • No other tax status options

Do you need to register your sole proprietor business name in Louisiana?

The state of Louisiana doesn’t require sole proprietors to register their business name. However, most banks will require proof of a registered DBA, officially referred to as a Trade Name in Louisiana, to open a business bank account in a name other than your personal name.

Jump to: Register a DBA Name

Partnership

A partnership is a business with 2 or more owners that work together jointly and share in all business liabilities. Partnerships are pass-through entities so income is reported and paid by each individual partner.

Learn More: What is a Partnership

Partnership Pros

  • Easy and inexpensive to start
  • Pass-through taxation (business income taxed once)
  • Unlimited number of owners (partners)
  • Shared business responsibilities

Partnership Cons

  • Unlimited Liability Risk
  • Responsible for partners’ actions
  • Hard to raise outside capital
  • Not separate from partners
  • Difficult to sell business
  • No other tax status options

Do you need to register your partnership business name in Louisiana?

In Louisiana, a partnership is required to register a “doing business as” (DBA) name if the last names of all partners are not included in the business name. For instance, consider a bakery partnership comprising Daniel Garcia, Sophia Lee, and Olivia Brown. They can operate as “Garcia, Lee & Brown Bakery Delights” without filing. However, if they opt for a creative business identity like “Sweet Harmony Confections,” they must file a Trade Name (DBA) name.

Jump to: Register a DBA Name

3. File your Louisiana Business Name Registration

After ensuring your business name is available and deciding on a structure, the next step is to officially register it in Louisiana. Choose the procedure that aligns with your selected business structure. Note: sole proprietorships or partnerships name registrations are done via a DBA filing.

Register a Louisiana LLC Name

To officially register a Louisiana LLC, you’ll have to submit Articles of Organization to the Louisiana Secretary of State (via geauxBIZ), along with the state filing fee of $100. Your Articles of Organization is where you will list vital information about your business, including:

  • LLC Name
  • Information about the LLC members (owners) and managers (if applicable)
  • Business Address (Must be a physical address – PO Boxes not allowed)
  • Name and Address of your Registered Agent

Louisiana LLC Name Requirements

Louisiana LLCs must use a name that follows the naming rules outlined in Louisiana law (LA Rev Stat § 12:1306):

  • Must be distinguishable (unique) from all others businesses registered with the Louisiana Secretary of State (via geauxBIZ)
  • Must clearly denote the business is legally structured as an LLC by including the words “limited liability company” or an abbreviation such as “LLC”
  • Cannot use words or designators associated with Corporations such as “Corporation” “Incorporated” “Corp” or “Inc”
  • Cannot contain words that imply association with a government entity
  • Cannot contain words that are prohibited or require prior approval such as Bank, Banker, Banking, Savings, Safe Deposit, Trust, Trustee, Building, Loan, Homestead, Insurance, Casualty, Redevelopment Corporation, Electric Cooperative, Credit Union

For more in-depth information check out our How to Start an LLC in Louisiana guide, where we cover all the steps needed to form an LLC in full detail.

Want Help Starting a Louisiana LLC?

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Register a Louisiana Corporation Name

If you choose to register as a Louisiana Corporation, you’ll need to submit a document known as Articles of Incorporation to the Louisiana Secretary of State (via geauxBIZ). The filing costs $75 and you’ll need to provide details about your business, including:

  • Corporation Name
  • Names and addresses of the board of the directors
  • Number and type of authorized shares
  • Business Address (Must be a physical address – PO Boxes not allowed)
  • Name and Address of your Registered Agent

Louisiana Corporation Name Requirements

Corporations in Louisiana are required to use a name that follows the rules detailed under Louisiana law (LA Rev Stat § 12:1-401):

  • Must be distinguishable (unique) from all others businesses registered with the Louisiana Secretary of State (via geauxBIZ)
  • Clearly indicate the business is legally structured as a corporation by including the words “Corporation” or “Incorporated” or use an abbreviation such as “Corp” or “Inc”
  • Cannot use words or designators associated with LLCs such as “limited liability company” or “LLC”
  • Cannot contain words that imply association with a government entity
  • Cannot contain words that are prohibited or require prior approval such as Bank, Banker, Banking, Savings, Safe Deposit, Trust, Trustee, Building, Loan, Homestead, Insurance, Casualty, Redevelopment Corporation, Electric Cooperative, Credit Union

Want to Incorporate in Louisiana?

If you’re interested in incorporating, you can learn more with the ZenBusiness guide on How to Start a Corporation in Louisiana, which covers each step you’ll need to complete to start a Louisiana corporation.

Register a Louisiana DBA (Trade Name)

A Louisiana DBA (Trade Name) allows a business to operate using a business name that is different than their legal name. To register a Louisiana DBA you’ll need to complete an Application to Register Trade Name, Trademark or Service Mark and submit it to the Louisiana Secretary of State, along with the filing fee of $75. You’ll need to provide the following information:

  • Name and address of Applicant(s)
  • Business Name (Trade Name)
  • Address where business is transacted

Louisiana DBA (Trade Name) Requirements

The rules for a Louisiana Trade Name (DBAs) are not quite as strict as they are for LLCs or Corporations, however there are still restrictions. Mainly, your DBA can’t include designators used for legal entities like “LLC” or “Inc” in the Trade Name. DBAs also can’t contain prohibited words or words that imply association with government entities.

Louisiana DBA Registration Assistance

Get help registering your Louisiana DBA with Swyft Filings. Packages starting at $99 (plus filing fees).

4. File a Trademark (Optional)

Securing a trademark is crucial if you want increased protection for your business identity. Trademarks are federal-level registrations that apply across state boundaries and allow increased control over your brand name.

You can submit a trademark application online, but it’s more complicated than most registrations. It takes 7-9 months on average before a USPTO examining attorney evaluates your application. As a result, errors in the initial application can significantly delay the process or result in an outright rejection of the application.

To make the trademark registration process more efficient, you should seek the help of a competent attorney or a specialized filing service. Their knowledge and experience can help you save time and streamline the complicated process of submitting applications and following up on them.

Trademark Filing Assistance

Ensure your trademark is filed properly with the help of the experts at Trademark Engine, who’ve helped file over 120,000 trademarks since 2016. Packages start at $99 (+USPTO fees).

Additional Business Resources in Louisiana

For more help, check out our How to Start a Business in Louisiana guide, or use these resources: