Legal Costs in New Orleans, LA (2026)
Filing fees for LLCs, divorce, small claims, and notary services in New Orleans — all sourced from official Louisiana state records.
New Orleans is a city in Orleans Parish, Louisiana. Whether you're starting a business, filing a small claims case, or going through a divorce, the fees you pay are set at the Louisiana state level — not the city or county level — with limited exceptions for county-specific court fees. Forming an LLC costs $100 in state filing fees. Small claims cases can be filed for disputes up to $5,000 in the City Court / Justice of the Peace. Divorce filing fees in Louisiana start at $250. All figures on this page are verified from official Louisiana government sources and updated for 2026.
Form an LLC in New Orleans, LA
To form an LLC with a New Orleans address, you file with the Louisiana Secretary of State — not the city or county. The state filing fee is $100. Standard processing takes 7 business days. There is also an annual report fee of $30.
0| State filing fee | $100 |
| Annual report fee | $30 |
| Standard processing | 7 business days |
| Expedited processing | 3 |
| Publication cost | Not required |
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Small Claims Court in New Orleans
Small claims cases in New Orleans are heard at the City Court / Justice of the Peace in Orleans Parish. The maximum you can sue for is $5,000. Filing fees range from $75–$150 depending on the claim amount.
| Court name | City Court / Justice of the Peace |
| Filing location | Orleans Parish |
| Maximum claim limit | $5,000 |
| Filing fee | $75–$150 |
| Written contract SOL | 10 years |
| Oral contract SOL | 10 years |
Where to File in New Orleans
Always call ahead to verify hours and accepted payment methods before visiting. Hours may vary on holidays.
Sue Someone in New Orleans? Prepare Your Documents First
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Filing for Divorce in New Orleans
Divorce petitions in New Orleans are filed at the Orleans Parish courthouse. The Orleans Parish court divorce filing fee is $333. Sheriff service costs $50.
We have verified divorce filing fees specifically for Orleans Parish. See full Orleans Parish divorce fee details →
| Filing location | Orleans Parish Courthouse |
| Filing fee | $333 (Orleans Parish) |
| Sheriff service fee | $50 |
| Children surcharge | $20 |
| Parenting class | Not required |
| Certified copy fee | $10 |
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Find a Notary in New Orleans, LA
Louisiana has no state-set notary fee cap — notaries in New Orleans set their own rates (typically $10–$25 per signature). Common places to find a notary in New Orleans: your bank (often free for account holders), UPS Store, FedEx Office, public libraries, and law offices.
| Acknowledgment fee cap | No state cap |
| Jurat fee cap | No state cap |
| RON (remote online) | No state cap |
| State fee law | No — market rate |
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