Louisiana Articles of Incorporation
Louisiana articles of incorporation are filed to create a corporation.
Preparing and filing your articles of incorporation is the first step in starting your business corporation. Approval of this document secures your corporate name and creates the legal entity of the corporation. Only after this approval can the corporation apply for tax IDs, obtain business licenses, sign contracts, and otherwise conduct business.
Benefits
Incorporating provides many important benefits:
- Limits the liability of directors, officers, and shareholders
- Fulfills statutory requirements to register your business name
- Provides governance and adds credibility
Fast Facts
For Domestic Corporations:
| Agency: | Louisiana Secretary of State - Commercial Division |
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail, fax, in-person, or online |
| Agency Fee: | $75 + optional $30-$50 expedite fee |
| Turnaround: | ~1 week. ~24 hours for $30 expedite fee. While-you-wait with in-person filing for $50 expedite fee. |
| Law: | |
| Notes: | When filing by mail, include:
|
Other Helpful Louisiana Facts
As you are preparing to incorporate, keep in mind the following requirements specific to Louisiana.
Louisiana Directors
- Number: Number fixed in articles of incorporation or bylaws.
- Qualifications: None.
- Quorum: Majority of the directors.
Louisiana Officers
- President, Secretary, and Treasurer required. One person can be any two of these.
Louisiana Bylaws
- Required: No.
Louisiana Annual Shareholder Meeting
- Required: Yes.
- Action by written consent: Allowed if by all shareholders entitled to vote on the action.
Louisiana Shareholders
- Qualifications: N/A
- Stock Certificate: Required.
- Voting Trusts Allowed: Yes.
