Ohio LLC

How to Start an LLC in Ohio

Forming an LLC in Ohio starts with completing the Articles of Organization and filing the document with the Ohio Secretary of State. After that, to maintain your LLC, you should draft and finalize an operating agreement, obtain an EIN, open a business banking account, and apply for any necessary permits.

1. Choose a Name

Your Ohio LLC name must be unique from any other legal business entity on file with the Ohio Secretary of State. It is a good idea to check and see if the name you want is available before you file. You can search all registered business entities by visiting the Ohio Secretary of State Business Filing Portal. Additionally, your LLC name must include one of the following terms:

• Limited Liability Company
• LLC
• L.L.C.
• Ltd.
• Ltd
• Limited

2. Appoint a Registered Agent

A registered agent (sometimes called a “statutory agent”) is a third party business or individual elected by the LLC to receive legal correspondence on its behalf. The registered agent must have Ohio residency.

Can I be my own registered agent?

Yes–but to do so, you must have a physical, street address in Ohio. There’s a downside though–if you list yourself on the Articles of incorporation, your personal information will be made public record when the Articles of Organization are filed. If you hire Ohio Registered Agent to serve as your registered agent, we list our address so you don’t have to list yours.

3. Completing the Articles of Organization

There are three ways to complete and file the Articles of Organization: via mail, in-person, or online (recommended). Each method requires that you choose a name for your LLC, appoint a statutory agent, and submit the document signed by an authorized representative, either a member, manager, or other authorized representative of the LLC.

A PDF of the Articles of Organization is available from the Ohio Secretary of State’s Filing Forms & Fee Schedule page. If you are filing via mail or in-person with a printed version of the document, the information must be typed on a singled-sided, 8.5 x 11 inch paper of the filing will be rejected. When you form your LLC online, you will be prompted to enter the information into an online form.

Where to submit Ohio Articles of Organization:

Online

To file the Articles of Organization online, visit the Ohio Business Filings website and click the “Submit a Business Filing” button. New users are required to create a profile and then log into their account to complete the filing. Submit to: Ohio Business Filings Website

By Mail

To file the Articles of Organization via mail, you must include a completed Filing Form Cover Letter and provide the necessary payment or payment information. The “Credit Card Authorization Form” is included with the Articles of Organization PDF. If you file via mail, your LLC will be formed in 7 business days, unless you choose to expedite your filing service for an additional $100. Then your LLC will be formed in three business days.

For Regular Filings:
Ohio Secretary of State
PO Box 670
Columbus, OH 43216

For Expedited Filings:
Ohio Secretary of State
PO Box 1390
Columbus, OH 43216

In Person

To file the completed Articles of Organization in-person, you must hand-deliver, either yourself or by courier, the documents to the Walk-in Client Service Center. Regular filing time is 7 business days, unless you choose one of the expedited service options.

Ohio Secretary of State Office
Walk-in Client Service Center
180 E. Broad Street, Suite 103
Columbus, OH 43215
The office is located on the ground floor and you can only enter from Fourth Street.

How much does it cost to file Ohio Articles of Organization?

The state fee is $99, plus $100 to $300 if you choose to expedite this service.

Filing Fee: $99
3-Day Expedited Service: $99 + $100
1-Day Expedited Service: $99 + $200
Same-Day Expedited Service: $99 + $300 (must be deliver by 1 PM)

Acceptable Payment Methods:

• Check (make payable to “Ohio Secretary of State”)
• Card (provide information on credit card authorization form)
• Cash (only for in-person filings)

NOTE: Do not include your social security number or employer identification number on your filing. If you include either one of these numbers, the Ohio Secretary of State will reject your filing.

How can I contact the Ohio Secretary of State?

If you would like more information on how to form an LLC in Ohio, you can contact the Ohio Secretary of State by phone, email via an online contact form, or visit their walk-in client service center:

180 E. Broad Street, Suite 103
Colombus, OH 43215

Phone:(614) 466-3910
Toll-free: 1-877-SOS-FILE ext. 1

How to Maintain Your LLC

Once the Articles of Organization are filed and your LLC is officially formed, there are still several steps to establish and maintain your Ohio LLC.

Drafting and Finalizing an Operating Agreement

Drafting and finalizing an operating agreement is one of the most important steps in establishing and maintaining your LLC. Technically, you are not required by Ohio law to have an operating agreement, but if you don’t, and your company is sued, the Ohio Court will rule according to the default LLC statutes. This may not be the best for your or your company.

It’s a good idea to be prepared for any circumstance. An operating agreement outlines the financial and managerial structure of the company as well as how to become a member and what should happen if a member dies or gets divorced.

When you hire Ohio Registered Agent to form your LLC, we include an operating agreement with your formation package.

Obtaining an EIN

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a unique nine-digit number issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for federal taxation purposes. You are required to have an EIN to hire employees and open a business banking account. Obtaining an EIN is quick, easy, and free. You can visit the IRS website to complete the process. Speaking of the IRS…

How will my Ohio LLC be taxed?
Be default, the IRS considers LLCs “pass-through” entities. This means that any profits are passed through the company to the members where they will be taxed as personal income, thus bypassing the double taxation that a traditional corporation is subject to.

However, depending on your business goals, you may want to have your LLC taxed as a traditional corporation. To do so, you are required to file Form 8832 titled, “Entity Classification Election,” with the IRS. This form specifies how you prefer the IRS to tax you company.

Unlike many other states, Ohio does not have a corporate tax rate. That being said, all Ohio business entities, including LLCs, are subject to the Commercial Activity Tax, Businesses that make over $150,000 a year are required to register for this tax. If your LLC makes between $150,000 and $1 million, you will be required to pay a flat fee of $150. For more information on the commercial activity tax, you can visit the Ohio Department of Taxation website.

Filing a Beneficial Ownership Information Report

Once your LLC is officially formed with the state and you’ve got tax and ownership information squared away, you’ll probably need to file a federal Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) report. Unlike state filings, this report does not go on the public record. You can submit your report online through the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), and there is no filing fee.

In your report, you’ll need to disclose some basic information about your LLC and those with the most influence over business operations. This includes name, business address, and tax ID information for your LLC and name, residential address, and personal ID information for anyone with substantial control over your business (for example, a member-manager) and/or anyone who holds 25% or more of ownership interest.

If your LLC was formed before 2024, you need to file before January 1, 2025. If you start your LLC in 2024, you have 90 days from the date of company formation to file. The filing window shortens to 30 days for LLCs formed in and after 2025.

Make filing easy with our $25 BOI report filing service. We’ll submit your filing on time and make sure it lists all the correct information.

Opening a Business Banking Account

An important part of maintaining your LLC is keeping your personal and business assets separate. This requires having a business banking account for your LLC. It is likely that you will be required to provide the finalized operating agreement and a copy of the Articles of Organization to the bank to open the account. Requirements vary between banks, so it is a good idea to call ahead and double check.

Apply for Any Business Licenses or Permits

Many industries require licenses and permits to operate in Ohio. You should check to make sure that your business is in compliance before commencing operations by visiting the Ohio.gov Licenses & Permits website.

Establish Your Presence as a Business in Ohio

Your business in Ohio is registered, license, and all kinds of officially ready. Now it’s time to launch your company by connecting with your clients or customers. In most businesses, it’s important for your credibility to have a website and business email at your own domain at minimum. That’s why we give you a domain name free for a year, and we include 90 days free of your own secure website (SSL) and an Ohio business phone number. No additional upfront cost, cancel anytime, and your data is never sold.

Ohio LLC Advantages

No Annual Report

Unlike most other states, Ohio does not requires LLCs to file annual reports. This saves you time to focus on growing your business.

Privacy

When you hire Ohio Registered Agent to form your LLC, we provide 365 days of registered agent service. This means our address is filed on the Articles of Organization–not yours. All of your personal information stays private and secure.

Simple Formation

Forming an LLC in Ohio is a straightforward, two-step process: completing the Articles of Organization and filing them with the Ohio Secretary of State. Unlike a corporation, LLCs are not required to elect a board of directors or adopt bylaws.

What You Get from Ohio Registered Agent LLC:

• Safe & Secure Client Account
• 365 Days of Registered Agent Service
• Official Documents Emailed Directly to You
• Operating Agreement
• Instant Ohio Business Presence
• Fair & Transparent Pricing
• Option to order Beneficial Ownership Information report filing for just $9.
• Option to add a Trade Name (DBA) for your LLC for $125 plus state fees after completing your purchase. Just add “Trade Name (DBA)” at checkout.

Service	Fee
Ohio Filing Fee	$99
Our Formation Service Fee	$100
One Year Registered Agent Service	$49
TOTAL	$248

Let’s do business.

Hire Ohio Registered Agent to form your LLC today for only $248.
Our LLC formation process ensures your LLC is formed effectively and efficiently, from start to finish.