- Filing fee
- $99
- Ongoing report
- $0
- First-year gov. cost
- $99
- Publication
- Not required
The steps, in order
Pick a name Ohio will accept
Name reservation is optional but holds a name for an expansive 180 days.
Search existing Ohio business names before you commit. Ohio naming rules in detail.
Appoint a registered agent
Requires a Statutory Agent with an Ohio street address.
You can serve as your own agent, but your address will be public. Compare Ohio registered agent options.
File the Articles of Organization (Form 610)
Submit it to the Ohio Secretary of State through the official filing portal and pay $99. Mandatory filing fee.
Processing: online 3 to 7 business days; by mail 3 to 7 business days. Expedite: Level 1 for 2 business days is $100, Level 2 for 1 business day is $200, and Level 3 for 4 hours is $300..
Write an operating agreement
Recommended, but not required to be filed.
Get an EIN from the IRS
An Employer Identification Number is free from IRS.gov. You'll need it for a business bank account and, if you hire, for payroll.
Stay in good standing
Ohio doesn't require a recurring LLC report, based on our latest check. Ohio report deadlines.
Every Ohio LLC fee
| Filing | State fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization (Form 610) | $99 | Mandatory filing fee. |
| None required | $0 | none, None |
| Name reservation (optional) | $39 | 180 days |
| Change of registered agent | $25 | Updating the agent later costs $25 (Form 521). |
| Amendment | $50 | |
| Certificate of good standing | $5 | |
| Form 617 | $99 | For LLCs formed in another state |
| Certificate of Dissolution (Form 616) | $50 | |
| DBA / assumed name | $39 | state |
How Ohio compares nationally
- Ohio's filing fee of $99 is the 16th lowest of 51 jurisdictions (median $104).
- Ohio's first-year government cost of $99 is the 15th lowest of 51 jurisdictions (median $125).
- Ohio's yearly cost after that of $0 ties for the lowest of 51 jurisdictions (median $45).
See every state side by side in our LLC cost by state table.
File it yourself or use a service?
Filing directly with the Ohio Secretary of State costs $99 and nothing else, but you'll need a registered agent with a Ohio street address, and that address goes on the public record. A formation service files for you and acts as your agent. Here's what that adds over three years, before Ohio's own fees:
| Route | Year one with Ohio fee | 3-year service fees |
|---|---|---|
| File yourself, be your own agent | $99 | $0 |
| Northwest | $138 | $289 |
| Bizee Basic | $99 | $298 |
Bizee vs Northwest, compared · All LLC services ranked
State taxes to plan for
LLCs are exempt from the Commercial Activity Tax unless their taxable gross receipts inside Ohio exceed $6 million. Single flat state income tax rate of 2.75% on taxable income exceeding $26,050.
What's different about Ohio
- The complete absence of an annual reporting requirement makes Ohio one of the cheapest states for long-term LLC maintenance.
- Ohio splits DBAs into two categories: Trade Names which are exclusive rights, and Fictitious Names which are non-exclusive.
- Issues an Ohio Vendor's License for sales tax collection, but does not enforce a generic statewide business license.
More Ohio LLC guides
Ohio LLC questions
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Ohio?
The Ohio Secretary of State charges $99 to file the Articles of Organization (Form 610). Counting mandatory first-year items, expect about $99 in government fees (Formation fee.).
How long does it take to form an LLC in Ohio?
Online: 3 to 7 business days. By mail: 3 to 7 business days. Expedited: Level 1 for 2 business days is $100, Level 2 for 1 business day is $200, and Level 3 for 4 hours is $300..
Does an Ohio LLC have to file an annual report?
Ohio doesn't require a recurring report for LLCs, based on our latest check. No annual or biennial report with the Secretary of State.
Can I be my own registered agent in Ohio?
Yes. Requires a Statutory Agent with an Ohio street address. Your agent's address becomes public record.
Does Ohio require publishing a notice for a new LLC?
No. Ohio has no newspaper publication requirement for LLCs, based on our latest check.
Is an operating agreement required in Ohio?
Recommended, but not required to be filed.
What taxes does an Ohio LLC pay to the state?
LLCs are exempt from the Commercial Activity Tax unless their taxable gross receipts inside Ohio exceed $6 million. Single flat state income tax rate of 2.75% on taxable income exceeding $26,050.
Sources and verification
Last checked against official state sources on . States change fees with little notice, so confirm on the filing portal before you pay. How we verify.