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How to form an LLC in Ohio

File an Articles of Organization with the Ohio Secretary of State, Business Services Division. State filing fee $99.

Start my Ohio LLC → Search names on the state site ↗

Due to form

$99

State filing fee

How to file

Online or by mail

Standard about 3-7 business days; expedite 2-day, 1-day, or 4-hour.

Keeping it active

No annual report

Check state tax filings below

The steps in Ohio

  1. 1

    Choose a name

    It must be distinguishable from other businesses on file and end with “Limited Liability Company”, “Limited”, “LLC”, “L.L.C.”, “Ltd”, “Ltd.”. Must be distinguishable on SOS records. You can reserve a name first for $39 (optional).

  2. 2

    Appoint a statutory agent

    Ohio-resident individual or entity authorized in Ohio with Ohio street address; agent must sign acceptance. The agent must agree to serve — LLCPros prepares a consent for them to sign.

  3. 3

    File the Articles of Organization

    File with the Ohio Secretary of State, Business Services Division (form 533A). You can file online or by mail. Fee: $99.

  4. 4

    Sign an operating agreement

    Not filed with the state, and not required by Ohio law, but banks and partners often ask for one. LLCPros prepares one from your answers.

  5. 5

    Get an EIN and keep up with reports

    Get a free Employer Identification Number from the IRS, open a business bank account, then keep up with any state tax filings.

Fees

Filing fee — Articles of Organization$99
Optional: 2 business days expedite+$100
Optional: 1 business day (walk-in) expedite+$200
Optional: 4 hours (walk-in, by 1 p.m.) expedite+$300
Optional: name reservation$39

Optional preclearance $50.

State taxes to know about

No LLC franchise tax; Commercial Activity Tax applies to gross receipts above the exclusion amount ($6 million from 2025).

Questions about Ohio LLCs

›How much does it cost to form an LLC in Ohio?

The Ohio filing fee for the Articles of Organization is $99. Optional expedited processing costs more.

›What document forms an LLC in Ohio?

You file an Articles of Organization (form 533A) with the Ohio Secretary of State, Business Services Division.

›Does Ohio require a registered agent?

Yes. Ohio-resident individual or entity authorized in Ohio with Ohio street address; agent must sign acceptance.

Double-check with the state

We could not confirm these on an official Ohio page when we last checked (November 12, 2026). Your filing plan lists them too.

  • How long the state currently takes to process filings
  • Which name endings and words the state allows
  • The link to the state’s business name search
  • The current filing fee and any service charge
  • Exactly what the state’s form or online filing asks for
Self-help, not legal or tax advice. LLCPros is not a law firm, does not give legal or tax advice, and is not affiliated with any state or federal agency. We prepare documents from your answers and your state’s published rules; you file them and pay the state’s fees directly. Rules and fees change — check the official state links before filing, and talk to a lawyer or accountant about your situation.