Starting a business in Oklahoma

HOW TO START A BUSINESS IN OKLAHOMA

Starting a business in Oklahoma can and should be easier than you think. You file simple forms with the secretary of state, and your business is formed! Obviously there’s a few more things than that, but if you’d like to start your own business yourself, you will find it easy to hire us as your registered agent and you’ll find all the forms you could file to start a business in Oklahoma, along with great filing instructions on the quickest and cheapest ways to start your business in Oklahoma.

What’s the actual process to start a business in Oklahoma?

1. You file certificate of incorporation for an Oklahoma corporation or articles of organization for an Oklahoma LLC with the OK Secretary of State. 
2. You obtain a federal tax ID number (FEIN or EIN) with the IRS after you have confirmation and filed articles from the State of Oklahoma showing your approved Oklahoma business.
3. Opening a business banking account under your new Oklahoma business name should be easy with these two items.
4. If you’re going to withhold sales tax or have employees, you will probably need to register with the OK Tax Commission and the OK Department of Labor. We provide all these links in your online account.
5. There is no Oklahoma State general business license. You can find out if your Oklahoma business needs a specific license using the online Business Registration and Licensing System.
6. If your trade requires a license, you’ll have to apply for a license with the Oklahoma licensing board.  (Most businesses don’t need this.)  
7. You obtain a local license if the city or county you’re going to be working in requires it.
8. If you’re going to have an office or shop you might need an approval from the city zoning for your type of business in that location.
9. If you get overwhelmed, just get your business pulling in money and worry about regulations later.

If you want a corporation, you file an Oklahoma Certificate of Incorporation:

The Oklahoma certificate of incorporation cost $50 with the Oklahoma Secretary of State. 
We custom draft your Oklahoma certificate of incorporation when you hire Northwest to start your Oklahoma business. The Oklahoma articles of incorporation must include:

• A corporate ending such as Inc, corporation, or incorporated
• The corporations duration is perpetual unless you state otherwise
• The corporate purpose may be general or specific
• The amount of shares authorized
• The class of the shares
• The par value of the shares
• If the incorporators will not be the directors, list the names and addresses of the Oklahoma corporation directors
• The name, address, and signature of the Oklahoma incorporator
• The registered agent of the Oklahoma corporation

Oklahoma does not require original signatures on new OK corporation filings. The stamped form will be mailed to the address on the envelope or cover sheet.  If you file online you can print your documents from the OK SOS website.

If you want a LLC, you file Oklahoma Articles of Organization:

To form an Oklahoma LLC, you file Oklahoma articles of organization. The basic requirements of Oklahoma LLC filings are:

• The business name must have a limited liability company ending or variation of it
• New Oklahoma LLCs name must be different than already registered Oklahoma companies
• Duration of the Oklahoma LLC
• The Oklahoma registered agent and the physical address
• The Oklahoma LLCs principal address
• The name, address, and signature of the LLC organizer

Oklahoma does not require original signatures on new ARLLC filings. You’ll get a certificate of formation mailed back to you after the state approves your filing.

Are you a do-it-yourselfer? You can save some money:   

If you want to start a business in Oklahoma yourself, you can just hire us as your Oklahoma registered agent, and you'll instantly have the Oklahoma LLC or corporation forms to file along with filing instructions on the quickest, cheapest, and most efficient way to incorporate an Oklahoma corporation or form a Oklahoma LLC. You'll get the ongoing support of our online tools, reminders and the support of a professional Oklahoma registered agent service.